Hi All, I'm considering re-painting the 308 this winter as the original 1977 paint has seen its best days. Can anyone recomend a body shop in the Toronto area to have the car painted? Any recomendations are appreciated and I'll track them down one by one.
My Dad had a Daytona Coupe painted at a really good place,I can't remember the exact name, but I think it was called Prestige...
Thanks for the lead Ryan. Prestige is now called European Auto Body and is owned by Ferrari of Ontario (the Remo Ferri group). I have spoken to them and am still shopping around.
Hi Rob. As I have mentionned here before. The best in Canada is 427 Auto Body. Their shop looks like a damn labratory. They do the best work and have a full setup including restoration division. PM me if you need a contact. When I was at World Fine Cars that is were I would send all the "big" stuff. Ciao Vasco P.S You say your GTB original paint has seen its last days.....damn, when I saw it in Little Italy you really fooled me. That thing looked new. Nothing wrong with some patina on these old cars either bro.
I actually have nothing but the highest respect for 427 however when I approached them about painting the 308, they declined. I cannot blame them either. Their shop is totally geared towards OEM repairs. Get em in change the parts, paint it and get it out. This is by far the most profitable way to run a body shop. The work I require is very hour intensive and is always billed below shop rate to make the job reasonable. 'Restoration' painting is its own beast and 427 is not that kind of shop. What I did really appreciate is that the guy at 427 told me this straight up and did not waste my time.
Sorry, the body shop is booked for this winter. We are only accepting mechanical work at this moment. Rocco
Fair enough. Call George at Dupont Auto collision. They are also very very good. They are the former Ferrari Of Toronto body shop. Actually, along with George it's still part owned by someone from that "old Ferrari of Toronto" family When in there, check to see if the 512BB rear is still hanging on the wall! That is a memory from when a BB client forgot to lock that little-important-latch-thingie to hold down that BIG back of the BB LOL... Vasco
I don't know if they're are any good but, how about Legendary Motor Car? That guy from Dream Car Garage (Peter Klutt) is the president. Can't imagine they're cheap given the swanky facility but they do resto work. cf
New Life might be a candidate. Jack 'was' the guy to ask for,maybe still is.i saw a number of Ferrari's he did and the work looked very and the prices seemed very reasonable. i would NOT consider Autobahn based on terrible experience i had with them on the 308.they practice an 'over promise' and 'under deliver' type of business. brett p.s. Rocco, i didn't even know you did autobody. i hope all is well.
Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming. I knew that Rocco would be booked so that was out. I spoke to Jack at New Life last year. He seems ok but not as detail oriented as I would like. The guys at LMC are way out there for price. As you can imagine, lots of people have seen the TV show so their business has exploded. I will talk to the guys at both Dupont and Universal to see what they have to say.
You could always take it to a highschool and let the kids learn on your car, paint job would be free.
Maybe I should take it to that highschool in Texas where the 250 GTO lived for something like 8 years in the 70's.
Actually Maaco up on Hawkestone, I've actually heard isn't too bad. George there is also quite enterttaining swearing at parts guys on the phone. Though I'm not so sure I'd take a ferrari there.... LOL. 427 I agree is like a lab. Saw a Testarossa in there awhile back. Phil and Sadiq in the parts room are like a comedy team. There's a little shop up on Racine if I recall. I saw a lot of exotics in there, (Porsche and Lotus Esprit last I was there) but I can't for the life of me remember the name at the moment. Den.
How about the Guild in Bradford? My (limited) understanding is that the owner is a serious vintage auto freak....Pebble Beach concours winners and such. Neil
I've had good luck with Bianchi Bros, (Joe Bianchi) 622A King St W, 416-504-7554. Downside is they are slow, but I've seen some nice cars in there.
Bianchi are good guys. I've seen some interesting cars in there but haven't really seen their results. As for the Guild. Um. Okay, I used to think they'd be a good place to take a car if I could afford it but am not so sure now. Ironically about 10 years ago or more, David Grainger actually came to look at a 51 Chev I was selling. I believe his brother in law worked at Rosedale vets with my ex-wife. I think that was how he knew it was for sale. He seemed like a pretty decent guy. Anyways I saw the TV show they do there, (Cut chop rebuild or something?) and really wasn't impressed. Maybe it was just for the cameras but my impression of it was "I'd never let these clowns NEAR a car!". But again, just an impression from the show. The other reason IS hearsay and I don't put a lot of stock in hearsay except it was from someone I respect. I'm not going to bash them except to say that after I had mentioned them to this individual he had said to stay away from them. I've also heard positive feedback but it was very vague so to be honest don't know WHAT to think. Bianchi's though I've seen up close as far as the shop and they seem honest and fair to deal with. Has anyone here dealt with Martino's on Dundas? I suspect they only do insurance jobs mainly but they do seem to know their stuff. Another is Lyon's on Burnamthorpe, but again, I'm not sure how much work they do in the "unusual" vein. I HAVE heard positve feedback on them though and know for a fact they run a good shop. I still can't remember the name of the shop on Racine. Anyone know the place I mean? I haven't been up there recently and am blank on the name. Den.
Okay. Sorry to double post but I looked it up. The shop I'm thinking of is Excellance Auto Collision at 58 Racine Rd. While looking I noticed Elite Auto Collision on Ingram. Yet another good shop. See Joe there. He'll tell you up front what he thinks and if they won't do the job can probably refer someone who can. They normally specialize in Corvettes but I've seen some interesting stuff there. I have actually witnessed Joe TURN DOWN work and told the customer over the phone point blank that there are good jobs and cheap jobs and suggested if they wanted cheap they go elswhere as he refused to take shortcuts. He's down to earth and honest not too mention brutally blunt. He's also fair. Oh and I almost forgot. Sounds silly, (Kinda like taking it to Maaco! LOL) but Paint a Car Collision on Lenworth. Talk to Peter. They are Mississauga Toyota's bodyshop more or less but they have some SERIOUS classics in there! I haven't seen exotics but the level of work I HAVE seen is exquisite. 30's stuff-packards, etc, but quite a mix. It wouldn't surprise me if they did a few Ferrari's but most is kept under covers.... I would think most would let you see the shop and let you decide what you thought of their facilities, work, etc. Problem is of course that there are MANY shops I can tell you to stay away from and so few that one can recommend. I sincerely hope my babbling may be of some help. Den.
Saw the date afterwards - however, would not be surprised if he still was looking, reading the difficulty people are having with shops. For some I think they wish they were still searching !
