Taken Off Market 1986 328 GTS restored by Donnie Callaway

A "world Class Shop" is a tough definition to qualify. Someone so skilled at working on Ferraris that feel a simple valve adjustment is worth $6500.00 for labor, is NOT a world class mechanic. Adjusting valves, even in a Ferrari, is NOT rocket science. But then to replace every single shim which means the clearance did not fall into a tolerance, is quite rare on a 25,000 mile car.

Billing out $7800.00 for "engine work" another additional $6500.00 for the valve adjustment, plus another $5500.00 for additional labor in the engine section of the invoice- that's 20 grand. Was the engine rebuilt, did the engine get removed from the car? Certainly no internal engine parts were charged for. No this guy is "World Class" only in his mind and with his internet followers. From a former shop owner of twenty years, his invoices are totally unprofessional. Maybe he could even learn to spell AXEL.

 

I do this for a living and have for over 4 decades. I know better.

 

Have you read through this entire thread? Depending on what you had done, $50k sounds a bit more reasonable than $130k. I commend @BrentOzar for posting those invoices, but (see my previous post) it seems there are way too many vague line items costing in the thousands. $16k on seats? I'd be asking a hell of a lot of questions before shelling out the cost of a small house.

Beyond that, I see in your 5 posts here you may not know that many of us CAN appreciate how many parts are involved. I'm still currently in the process of a year plus project where I'd say I've done just about the equivalent on my 360 that was done on that 328...which DOES include tearing apart my interior and replacing seats.

And what kind of value does having a "world class" shop bring when this poor guy is about to take a $150k bath?

 

16K for seats, 25K for the suspension (without brakes....) - these are mind boggling numbers. I do feel sorry for Brent.

Is simply replacing any part which no longer is 100% with a new part craftsmanship? Not sure...

 

Maybe he was secretly building in the cost of keeping that Aircraft Hangar ice cool 24/7 out there in Mojave ? Maybe he thought he was working on a Biz Jet? Or just gambling it all away in Vegas?

Labour 7000
(Inc Air Con 3500)
Total 7000 etc

 

Hot as hell in the summer and freezing in the winter. Mojave is no garden spot.

 

I too read the receipts and my eyebrows actually levitated a couple times.

I think we have a general sense that this was boutique plus on the pricing, but at this point, what is our seller Brent to do? Clearly he is one heck of a fan, sought to make his car even better (don't we all?) and found who he truly felt was the best at their job. What fault can we lay there?

He is now selling a rather magnificent car under duress yet for very honorable reasons. Maybe we should let it stand there and sell on its own merit.

Brent, I wish you the very best in this sale, and I wish you peace and comfort during this season of change.

 

The OP brent has never said a bad word about anybody or anything here only positive esperiences drivng across States and desire for more.
Respect

 

That's unfortunate as I haven't seen anything but sympathy/empathy towards your direction. I'm sorry you are having to go through all this.

And again, I commend you for posting those receipts and essentially exposing another scam artist in the Ferrari community. Callaway's name needs to be drug through the mud unless he can come here and defend his charges.

 

I’ve been in this forum nearly 20 years and involved with Ferraris for much longer. I’d never heard of Callaway so I did a quick search and I think there are fewer than 20 mentions of him in this vast forum, so how special could he be?

I truly empathize with @BrentOzar and I hope he gets all the money for his car and that his father makes a full recovery. I’ve been in both of his unfortunate situations myself.

 

Alternator rebuild for $1,375? Holy %#*! I have the exact alternator and had it rebuilt three year ago at a local Alternator/Starter shop for $100 and it has been working perfectly and still today.

 

As someone who just took a 50% loss on a restoration project (including getting ripped off by a "prestigious" shop in Eugene, OR), I empathize with the OP.

It's also frustrating to go through all the ups, downs, ridiculous budget and time extensions, stress, hassle, only to realize the finished car doesn't fit in your life at the moment. Been there too.

I hope it all works out as well as it possibly can for the OP, with both family and the car.

 

Interesting, I cant message you but as a Eugene local eyeing up options on a fun car I would be very keen to hear about your experience. I'm sure I can guess the outfit you are alluding to.

 

Sounds like there's more important things going on for the OP, so hate to pile on. Sounds like he's a good customer who is with a questionable shop (I read through the recipes too.) I hope for the best on BAT or wherever he chooses to sell.

 

yes probably high water mark for the Series..

 

Bravo Sierra.

 

^lol! Elegant response and 100% agree.

2cam

 

All I can say is wow!

 

Talk about INSULT (those Invoices) to INJURY (his Father's Condition).


I really feel BAD for Brent.



I'll ADD Another name to the "DO NOT EVER PATRONIZE," list.

 

Want to bump this so no newcomers miss learning about this guy. This thread should be a sticky somewhere as a cautionary tale about this mechanic and unscrupulous mechanics everywhere.

 

Have you seen this thread in the forum area?

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/130k-service-cost-on-328-true.682319/

 

Nope hadn’t seen that but I’m really glad it’s there! Thanks for doing it!

 

hope your health issues in the family get better as I know the toll it puts on everyone and good luck with your sale