I just got an estimate on my 1967 coupe for a paint job. I'm not worried about keeping it original. I just want it to look good and not break the bank. He said he would cut down on the price if I got new quarter panels, hood, and doors because there is a lot of body work needed to be done and he doesn't know what is below the paint that is already on the doors and panels. In your opinons would it be worth purchasing the new panels since they are not too expensive? Also is there a complete kit for molding for the entire car?

FYI the quote he gave me was $6000 as is and $4000-$4500 with new quarter panels, doors, and hood. This is the first quote I've gotten in the Birmingham area. Good price or too high???

 

Reproduction parts will not fit nearly as well as original and original Ford tooling parts will cost a fortune. If your doors and quarters are fixable you may be better off in the long run...might even be cheaper.

 

Is the second quote with the panels and panel installation?

Be sure to shop around a bit too, if you only visit one shop you could be missing some other good deals.

 

Well I live in Birmingham and I have my mustang in a shop locally that is very reasonable. They are not quick b/c it is a 2 man operation but they do good work. Several of their cars have been featured in Mustang Magazines. Now I know you said you were not looking for a show car finish. I'm just saying they do good work at a decent price. They also do regular DD paint jobs.

The company is located in Odenville, out past Barber Motorsports. The place is called SVP Unlimited. It is hard to reach them on the phone but like I said they stay busy with different projects. He has 20 years experience with mustangs and is very knowledgeable.

IF you need the number just PM me.

Good luck and post pics.

 

Most of the time, replacing the panel is the way to go, since they're now available like the factory had them stamped originally...

If, say a quarter panel, needs more work than the front and rear bottom areas, then it calls for replacement.
The price labor in patching pieces (poorly made BTW) will be greater than the labor of putting a new piece + the price of said piece.
And..........You will have less bondo on the car.
Too many fudgepackers out there that belong in the construction business!!
Sheet metal quality for the classic Mustang, has gone up IMO.
We should take advantage of that.


As far as your first quote, it seems within reasons.
No one should give a definite estimate on a classic car before it has been stripped!!

 

i got a decent 1 stage metallic job + clear for $1250.

then again, my car didn't have any damaged/rusted body parts...just was loosing its clearcoat from sitting outside in the sun

4500 seems about right for a good 2 stage job with a couple coats of clear i guess

 

I just had a 65 conv. painted by a very reputable painter. I bought new guarters, fenders, and door shell. he put them on and lined the body lines up (most painters prefer it this way). I had a ball park figure going into the project. When I went to pick it up they requested $8500 ( Yea I freaked too) They claimed replacing the quarters was $1500 labor alone and paint and materials $2500. Car is awsome but had to do some major haggeling. Finally got it down to $6000. I think they based the price on the added value of the car. So in short the quote you got is close if they are good.

 

what do you mean they based the quote on the added value of the car?

 

Replacing the quarters and hood is ok, and they can fit fairly well. The doors, junk. Do not buy repro doors for any reason and if you need new ones, find old usable ones somewhere else. They fit ok but are cheap and flimsy. Once the added weight is put on the door, they tend to sag and twist easily. Keep and use the originals.

 

IMO I wouldn't spend that much on a plain coupe because you'd probably end up with a car that's not worth near what you have in it and to me that's important because I'm a poor college student. If it were me I'd strip the car down myself and get the body work how I wanted it and have someone spray it for cheap. I know Maaco and other shops like it have a bad reputation but it usually involves poor prep work. If you do the prep yourself and take the car in completely stripped I'm sure they could lay down a decent paint job and it would be cheap. Maybe I'm a little too cheap. I know paint jobs are expensive but I couldn't justify spending $6k for the paint on my 68.