Who are the TB restoration experts?

[mx51861]

I'm new to the Turbo Buick world. What shops have the best reputation for restoration (not tuning/modding) work? If you had a neglected GNX that you wanted to take to concours condition, who would you take it to?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Your location might help...........

 

[mx51861]

Your location might help...........

Not really. Looking for the best in North America, regardless of location. But I’m in the Midwest.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

 

[mx51861]

Maybe I’m asking for something that doesn’t exist. I dunno. As I said, I’m new to the Turbo Buick world. In other car communities I’ve been around, there are typically a small number of shops that are widely recognized for having extensive knowledge in some cars. For vintage Fiats, for example, no one is better respected than Midwest Bayless. If you send a 70s 124 Spider or X1/9 to Bayless, you know it’s going to be perfect when it comes back, and Bayless restored cars get a premium on resale.

So who is the Midwest Bayless of the Turbo Buick world?

 

[Charles Young]

Extensive Knowledge = Richard Clark

 

[dynoman]

Extensive Knowledge = Richard Clark

And he has a GNX with 8 miles on it sitting on the lift for comparison .

 

[Charles Young]

And he has a GNX with 8 miles on it sitting on the lift for comparison .

Well, he did until just a few weeks ago

 

[dynoman]

Well, he did until just a few weeks ago

?????? what happened ?? I haven't been there in a couple of years .

 

[Charles Young]

?????? what happened ?? I haven't been there in a couple of years .

I don't know all the details but even if I did it wouldn't be my story to tell. Let's just say a fortunate buyer was at the right place at the right time with a fat wallet and bought both of the GNX's on the lift! Sight unseen....

 

[dynoman]

WOW , I never thought he would let them go , maybe one but not both !!

 

[GNICETRY]

As you get older your priorities change. That was a memorable sight to see.

 

[TurboTGuy]

Your quest will probably span several vendors.

There are several drive train guys out there that rival each other all day, you get to pick "the one" via your gut feeling.

My guy is Lou Czarnota in Lake Forest, CA, but there are several more dotted around the country that I cannot speak to, but I hear great things about all the time on this board.

Lou is getting up there in age, and has forgotten more about these cars than most new guys will ever know, yet he can recall that lost knowledge on command. He is buy far, one of the best.

I would think you're location will weigh heavily in that decision.

Body shops, on the other hand, are a completely different monster, altogether.

I don't know if I have ever heard of a shop that is "the shit" when it comes to these cars.

You gotta do your own research on that, and pick who you feel the most comfortable with. There are SOOOOOOOO many horror stories about paint work here.....

Anyone wanna chime in on this part of the equation?

 

[deezdad]

I'd ask this guy @87we410877 .. he killed it on a dark blue t recently.

 

[626gn]

I'm new to the Turbo Buick world. What shops have the best reputation for restoration (not tuning/modding) work? If you had a neglected GNX that you wanted to take to concours condition, who would you take it to?

Might want to also consider Dennis Kirban's son, Darrell in PA. He has a website and if you scroll far down in the photo gallery he already has done what looks like a frame off of a GNX Kirban Customs I don't have any personal experience with this shop but it's just another option to look into. Good luck.

 

[87we410877]

I'd ask this guy @87we410877 .. he killed it on a dark blue t recently.

Much appreciated! Thank you. I did all the work myself less the paint and machine work. So i wouldn't really know of a shop to take it to. And, Unless someone hands me $100k up front, i have no desire to ever to it again. Unless its to my own GNX. Maybe. Never say never right? Thanks again!

 

[deezdad]

Much appreciated! Thank you. I did all the work myself less the paint and machine work. So i wouldn't really know of a shop to take it to. And, Unless someone hands me $100k up front, i have no desire to ever to it again. Unless its to my own GNX. Maybe. Never say never right? Thanks again!

Right!

 

[TexasT]

We have a paint n body guy in Plano, Tx that I have no problem recommending. He has several Turbo Regals and has done work for others in the Buick World. We also have Jack L in Royce City, Tx that does mechanical work. Might have missed the boat on him and his place as It has been rumored he could be retiring soon. Both are well known in North Texas.
I can get contact info If you are interested.