I have been tinkering with my '69 Firebird for the past few months, and the more I look at the body, the more I realize that I have about 2-3 years before I start to have issues.

I am guessing this because I see some minor rust in typical spots, just rust "runs" coming out of a few small cracks in the paint in usual stress points, particularly the bottom door jams, under the convertible trim (back side, not the windshield) and underbody rust on the frame and such. Nothing major at this point, and only noticeable if I really dig into it.

My question here is: How do you find a good body shop? What do you look for? I will be moving to a new town (San Angelo TX) and I won’t know anyone, is there a particular car club I should join and work with? I have heard nightmares about people being ripped off, I have no delusions that I would be able to paint the car myself, so I plan to disassemble the interior, remove the drive tran, and take the car in to a place for a frame off from that point.

While I also realize that an accurate assessment would be impossible, what price range would a convertible paint job be with minor body repair?

$350-$15,000(How's that for a range?)
You're right, an accurate assesment is impossible over the internet. Only thing anybody could tell you is what they had done and how much it cost them which doesn't do you much good because no two cars are the same and no two shops are going to charge the same for resto work.

Generally you get what you pay for. Best to talk to some people first to get their comments before using a particular place.

Minor repair can also turn in to big repair depending on what you find when it's stripped down to metal...ya never know!!

Someone here had a good primer on finding a body shop...perhaps you can search for it using the right keyword.

Birdman after retiring from the military and moving from place to place, I have learned to talk to the people with the same interest to learn who you could trust business wise. When you get to San Angelo go to plenty of car shows, rod runs or drag racing events. Talk to owners, ask who done their body work and if they were fair with the pricing. I have lived here in Utah for four years now and have talked to a lot of people about their experiences and have learned alot. I have stopped by the body shop I would like to work with every so often just to see the work they do and I am impressed but of course they are pricey. What could I say I want the best for my Bird. Good luck on your move.

Derek

Thanks as always for the info.

Derek: That is along the lines of what I thought, I will see who/what I can find. San Angelo is a small town (I am going to be working at Goodfellow, I am PCSing from Davis Monthan) so I am not sure what will be there, and I have not had to look for a shop in a long time!

David: I will see if I can find that primer, thanks!

Step 1: Join a local car club.

Step 2: Get a recommendation from the members.

ditto!

google names you can think of for car clubs, like San Angelo Cruisers, San Angelo Hot Rod Club , San Angelo car club , classic cars in San Angelo and such, San Angelo Pontiac club, San Angelo Mustang club etc,etc, to find classic car clubs, THEY will know...internet is your friend!

I moved 3 times since I bought my car and the car club info from members method has worked pretty well. I got hooked up with a great machine shop and a body shop back in Amarillo that way and have already got a body shop lined up here in OK for the future paint job.

I do a lot of work in San Angelo and have friends in the area. Nice town, I can make some calls and will post what I find.

Birdman goodluck on your up and coming PCS. I PCSed from DM back 1996 357 FS.