Looking for Top Flight 63 restoration source

[Troy P.]

Back in 1992 I restored my 63 FI convertible as a local show winner/driver. This is a never hit California car. Everything that you can see was restored best I could and it was repainted in original lacquer. But the body was not taken off the frame. Its a keeper and I'd like to have a body off Top Flight restoration done by someone experienced in mid-year Corvettes. (Now I'm of the age where I'd rather have someone else do the work while I round up parts and provide technical support as needed.)

I live in southwestern Utah and would like to find a reasonably priced person or shop not too far away to do the work. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I prefer a source in the southwestern states no farther than an 8 hour drive from here. Second choice is to expand the horizon to west of the Mississippi.

I have the paint and most every part needed. The ability to do a correct lacquer paint job is important as is authentic chassis restoration. No body work required.

Thanks for any recommendations you can provide.

[Bill M.]

[Frank D.]

Re: Looking for Top Flight 63 restoration source

Troy good luck I have a no hit coupe a wheel well crack and I was just looking for a paint job. I went to 3 different corvette restorers within 6 hours of *****ss’ county New York estimates of $25,000 to $40,000 for paint and minor repairs no body off. I was in my local Sunoco admiring a Boss 302 that was on the rack I could see it had just been painted. Tony gave me the number of the painter and my car is there now $14,000 just about complete and less than 4 mos. you may get lucky and find someone in your own back yard

That sounds about right for a quality job. "Reasonably priced" means different things to different people and many painters won't want to work with paint that someone else supplies and if they do, may not warranty the work. And requiring a "body off" takes it to another threshold.

Let us know how things progress in your search..

This "body on" paint job, including the red oxide primer sealant and excluding body work was about $16,000 in 2017.
The painter also painted one of the original L-88 '67 cars owned by Roger of Roger's Corvette - a top notch guy.
I would bet the cost of primer, paint, sandpaper, etc has risen a bunch since then.

[Troy P.]

Re: Looking for Top Flight 63 restoration source

Thank you! Great tip. I will contact him. Hopefully he will have time to do my car.

I had someone in the Salt Lake City area lined up. First he said August-September. Then it was December. Then finally he said he'll be too busy to ever get to it. Something similar happened with another guy who was supposed to come and put a top on my 54. Folks no longer as reliable as they once were.

Unfortunately we are in a service economy but service is lousy in this country.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Looking for Top Flight 63 restoration source

I know its a ways but D&B Corvettes in Striker OH. Dale has painted 3 of my Corvettes that were origional paint cars. When the 70 Corvette Bronze was judged at the regionals in Phoenix John Ballard said it was the closest to the origional color that he has ever seen. His prices are midwest costs not both coast costs. He has done manny high point Top Flight Corvettes including my 3. One is the 67 gren 40/AIR coupr in my picture.
Dale Louse # 1 419 682 1617

[Michael J.]

Re: Looking for Top Flight 63 restoration source

email sent.....

[Troy P.]

Re: Looking for Top Flight 63 restoration source

Does need a paint job but also a complete chassis restoration, engine work, etc. So need more than a painter.