Could use some help/input

[sunga93101]

Hi everyone,

I've been an observer for a few years and decided it's time to get some help from you guys.

I've owned a '77 280z and an '84 AE over the last 20 years and loved both cars. I finally decided to get my dream car - a beautifully restored, highly modified '73 about a year ago. The only issue is that it came with a Toms Turbo that ran on race fuel. I decided that, given I wasn't mechanically inclined and I wanted a daily driver, I would remove the existing turbo/carb setup and install a modern fuel injection/turbo setup. Although expensive and consuming, this was THE CAR I wanted for years.

I asked the long-time mechanic for my '84 AE in Canoga Park for a referral and he sent me to a very well known and experienced Z shop in the valley. He is mentioned frequently on this site. He gave me a comprehensive analysis/cost-breakdown for the fuel-injection conversion that would complete my dream car - but that was last June. At the time, he told me he had all the parts in-house except the turbo, and that he would have the part within a week or so and would be able to complete the project soon thereafter. Well, the whole summer went by and the car did not get completed. I spoke with him frequently, but he said the car was just not finished. I went on vacation for a few weeks in late Sept/early October and returned to find the car still incomplete! Well, by Thanksgiving, the car was still not complete, so I went to visit him. He said the car would likely be finished by the end of the year. At the end of the year, the car was still not finished and I spoke with him at length about why/when the car would be completed. He assured me that it would be finished soon. Well, another month went by, I didn't hear from him, and I called/emailed several times and did not hear back from him. At this point, I was extremely angry (as if I hadn't been for months) and I called by old '84 AE mechanic and asked him what he thought of the situation, and he kindly offered to call on my behalf and inquire. Well, within a half hour, the guy finally calls and I politely explain my anger/frustration over what has transpired. He still won't give me a final completion timeframe, but agrees to contact me weekly to give me updates. He does so the following week, but hasn't since - and that was over a month ago.

Sorry to make this so long, but I'm not kidding. This is what's happend and I can't help but feel my dream car is being held hostage at this point.

I have been more than patient, reasonable, and understanding, and could really use some input from the more experienced individuals on this site.

Please offer some suggestions!!!

[Carl Beck]

You didn't discuss how payment was to be made? Hope you didn't pay in advance!!

Take the comprehensive cost break down he provided with you to the shop. Ask him to go over it and and identify what work has been completed and what remains to be done. When that is completed, tell him you'll pay him now for the work completed and call a wrecker to pick the car up to follow you home with the car.

If he refuses to cooperate, call the Sheriff's Dept. and have them send a Deputy to the shop. Tell them the service center refuses to return your car, even though you have offered to pay for all work competed to date. When the Deputy gets there - show him the cost break down that was just updated..

Keep in mind that in most states the mechanic can legally exceed the estimate by 10% without your approval - so be prepared to pay the additional 10% if necessary..

Then find someone else to finish the job.

When mechanics act like this - it's usually because they have bid the job too low, and keep putting it off because they have far more profitable work coming in the door. The longer it sits there the less incentive they have to finish it and the higher the risk that other damage can be done to the car.

Sounds like you've done all the taking and waiting - time to take action. Also be sure to warn others about that shop after your car is home.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[MikeZcar]

You are SO much more patient and calm than I could ever be, get some kahunas man. That may be part of the reason for the treatment, it's time to make a stand. Find out the real reason for the delay and as you and your car are leaving promise to post his name/place of business and the way you were treated every place you can find on the Internet. As long as all the dates and broken promises are the truth he can't even defend himself much less have a leg to stand on in a libel suit. Give him that one last chance with a no BS date. That's my 2 cents.

[hls30.com]

You have gotten some good advice here already, if you do involve law enforcement, I would absolutely have them make an incident report and post it here. An incident report is not hearsay, and is public record, so ther are no issues with posting it to make other Z owners aware of the type of buisiness this individual conducts.

Will

[EScanlon]

...

I asked the long-time mechanic for my '84 AE in Canoga Park for a referral and he sent me to a very well known and experienced Z shop in the valley. He is mentioned frequently on this site. He gave me a comprehensive analysis/cost-breakdown ...

You're not referring to the famous Zmefly?

E

[jmortensen]

Sounds like another shop to me. Turbo, Zcar, SF Valley means one shop to me. Is he on Varna?

Carl is giving you some very good advice as to what to do.

[sunga93101]

It's definitely not Zmefly.

I'm reluctant to identify him by name, but as you can see from jmortensen's post, he is quite well-known. That is one of the reasons I chose to use him for the project - experience, knowledge, and reputation.

[olie05]

don't let the shop keep the turbo toms kit! put that puppy on ebay and make it pay for your FI conversion!

[cremmenga]

don't let the shop keep the turbo toms kit! put that puppy on ebay and make it pay for your FI conversion!

Or you could just give it to me, I mean I'd have to have it cluddering up your place and collecting dust!!!!

[sunga93101]

I put the unit up for sale here and Zcar.com and it sold for $2000 in 3 days. It was a really well done piece of work.

Gives you an idea of what the car is like.

Any other suggestions?