<VV> Prices / Shops / New Mechanics / Frugalities?

[Frank DuVal]

So, Matt, did I misunderstand what point you are making?

What I get from the following is that there is no need for professional 
service, as it is easier to replace the car. Unless you have a friend 
that is willing to work for slave wages. He is obviously not making 
money because he cannot expand his business to accept new clients. His 
business will die with him.

I guss you will be satisfied when all the repairable cars are junked and 
the club gets down to 1000 members, as that's all the cars left in the 
country. Then there will truly be no need for professional repairers, as 
no one will drive the remaining few. Good luck expanding the club with 
that attitude.


Frank DuVal
Former Corvair Repair shop owner
Left  to earn a living wage.

PatioMatt at aol.com wrote:

>Someone said earlier:
> 
> 
>When my friend Eric was running his Corvair shop in NC, he did  estimates for 
>free.
>(Which I got him to change eventually)
>Each car that  came in got put up on the jack stands, and he would spend 2-3 
>hours going  through the entire car, making a list of parts required.  He 
>would then  sit down with the Clark's book and write up a parts estimate, and then 
> estimate his labor.  Didn't even include shop supplies like paint, oil,  
>grease, varsol, etc. (for cars not getting a paint job there, just mech.  
>restorations.)
>
>I was there when several customers saw that it was going  to cost (in 1996 
>prices)
>6K for parts, 6-8K for labor.   After we  revived the frugal owner, they 
>would leave--never to return.  
>
>
>======================================================================
> 
>Can you blame them?  Especially in 1996??  ONLY NAMES   bring that kind of $$$
> 
>When I purchased my 69 #5990...most estimated it would be $5,000.00  MINIMUM 
>in Bodywork and paint to just get a "decent" street / "Show &  Shine" paint 
>refurb.
> 
>So, I was able to purchase the $2500 advertised car easily for $800...  and 
>then going to a "No-name" but  well known SoCal Corvair  P &  B Specialist.. 
>$825 more!  We just don't advertise his name....per  his  request... He has way 
>too much work....
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>----------------------------------------------------
>As far as Mechanical / Electrical repairs....even on the EAST RUST  Coast... 
>you can buy NICE cars for that!  or less, even  today!
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>-------------------------------------------------------
>As far as recruiting NEW YOUNG  blood for Vair mechs..... I know  of a guy 
>who was OFFERED a job at $15 @ Hr. starting wage...with  training!  but required 
>a move of 1,500 miles
> 
>He changes oil at WalMart instead for  close to Minimum wage...  after MOVING 
>600 miles!
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>----------------------------------------------------------
> 
>As much as I respect Lew... and others....  some of us are just  SMARTER than 
>others....IMO!!!
> 
>The ones that seem frugal... may not have been previously.... and have  
>learned their lessons....
>
>
>Matt  Nall
>All Vairs!
>_http://members.aol.com/patiomatt_ (http://members.aol.com/patiomatt) 
>somewhere  between Sea Mountain and Coos Bay.  OR
>
>
>
>
>
>
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