D/FW guys: Recommend a body shop?

[Imperator]

I just completed a chrome wheel exchange ($650 + shipping!) and had a local tire shop do the swap for me with two new rear tires. I normally watch over my cars like a hawk when being serviced, but I got distracted and didn't think they'd get to mine so quickly.

As I came outside to check on it, I noticed five floor jacks hoisting the car. The shop manager tells me "I've got bad news... your car was damaged when jacking it up."

Apparently the first attempt went awry when the floor jacks were placed too close to the side skirts. I'm guessing the guy thought the side skirts hid the frame rail. Now both rocker panels are pitted at the bottom from the jack puck and one side reveals stress cracks from the weight of the car. I don't think the car was lifted enough to cause body damage, but they wrote up a claim form for me so I can take it in for a repair estimate.



Do any D/FW members have experience with local bodyshops? I normally take the car to Sewell in Grapevine for the small stuff Massey for mechanical service. I tend to avoid Crest and haven't been to Sewell's Dallas location.

I can take the car anywhere for an estimate, but it would be nice to have the repairs made by a dealership as I need one to check out a few other warranty-related items that have been bugging me lately. I don't know if Sewell's body shop is any better than Massey's, but I should probably also let Best of Show check it out.

Any suggestions?

[RightTurn]

No recs but that really blows. Dang.

[CIWS]

Mine had work done at Sewell's body shop in Dallas by love field. The hood and front facia were repainted. I believe they also now have one in Plano.

[Imperator]

Originally Posted by CIWS

I believe they also now have one in Plano.

Hmm, I'm guessing the Plano location supports their Hummer / Saab dealership?

[2003RC51]

I use German Technology for all my body work. When I was working at Norwood Performance we used them for every car that came in damaged. The majority of their work is concentrated on Ferrari's, Porsche's and BMW's. They are not overpriced at all and do very good work. They are out in Euless not far off 183.

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by Imperator

Hmm, I'm guessing the Plano location supports their Hummer / Saab dealership?

Honestly not sure of what it supports, I have just seen it mentioned in the stuff I get from them. The one I used was the Dallas location.

[beve]

I agree on shying away from having mechanical work done at Crest, but I had some body work done their and it looks perfect. They messed up the clear coat reshoot in the door jam, but once I pointed it out they made it right.

[Imperator]

Originally Posted by 2003RC51

When I was working at Norwood Performance we used them for every car that came in damaged.

Wow, you worked for Norwood?! Good stories, bad stories, story-stories?

[2003RC51]

Not trying to threadjack, I apologize.



I actually worked for James Patterson. About 4 -5 years ago Norwood split into two companies. Norwood Autocraft which is ran by Bob, and Norwood Performance which is ran by James. Norwood Autocraft went to import racing where they still are and Norwood Performance took the Ferrari, Lamborghini fabrication and Service side.

I was the fabricator there for a little over two years and nothing has compared yet to driving a 1000rwhp Testarossa. You can blow the tires out at 100mph without a problem. I had a 2003RC51 and my bike wasnt even close to the performance of the TT TR's.

Sadly I started at Norwood after they were done with most of the Bonneville racing so I dont have much to comment on that.

Below are a couple of the projects that I worked on. The Black 288GTO never was finished and is still in the process. Its weight was going to be around 2200-2500lbs with around a 1400hp V12. The body is all carbon fiber with a 308 frame center section. Everything in the pictures was fabbed up from scratch by me or my brother who worked with me for a year.

The one picture is of my bike(rip) with by far my all time favorite Ferrari, The F40.

The F50 belonged to John Carmack and was Twin Turboed with a Motec ECU. It ran solely on alcohol. It was returned to stock about 3 years ago to sell. The alcohol completly ruined the bladder in the fuel cell which cost about $25,000 to replace through ferrari. We had one custom made through ATI for $5,000.

The TT TR(testarossa) in the pics with no cover made 890 horsepower at the wheels on 93 pump.

[trukk]

Originally Posted by 2003RC51

Not trying to threadjack, I apologize.



I actually worked for James Patterson. About 4 -5 years ago Norwood split into two companies. Norwood Autocraft which is ran by Bob, and Norwood Performance which is ran by James. Norwood Autocraft went to import racing where they still are and Norwood Performance took the Ferrari, Lamborghini fabrication and Service side.

I was the fabricator there for a little over two years and nothing has compared yet to driving a 1000rwhp Testarossa. You can blow the tires out at 100mph without a problem. I had a 2003RC51 and my bike wasnt even close to the performance of the TT TR's.

Sadly I started at Norwood after they were done with most of the Bonneville racing so I dont have much to comment on that.

Below are a couple of the projects that I worked on. The Black 288GTO never was finished and is still in the process. Its weight was going to be around 2200-2500lbs with around a 1400hp V12. The body is all carbon fiber with a 308 frame center section. Everything in the pictures was fabbed up from scratch by me or my brother who worked with me for a year.

The one picture is of my bike(rip) with by far my all time favorite Ferrari, The F40.

The F50 belonged to John Carmack and was Twin Turboed with a Motec ECU. It ran solely on alcohol. It was returned to stock about 3 years ago to sell. The alcohol completly ruined the bladder in the fuel cell which cost about $25,000 to replace through ferrari. We had one custom made through ATI for $5,000.

The TT TR(testarossa) in the pics with no cover made 890 horsepower at the wheels on 93 pump.

[ Sorry for the threadjack..but this info is too good to pass up ]

WOW!

You have any interesting projects going on for your V?

-Chris

[fredcook]

I had... well let's just say, significant... body work performed at James Wood Collision Center (on I35E, between Lewisville and Denton).

Excellent work. Every body panel had to be replaced and or painted (including the roof). The car looked better than showroom. And if I had any little complaint, there were no questions asked. 5+ weeks of work, no flaws.

I worked with Sean Riley. Tell him I sent you (not that it would make a difference), but he should remember me... I only spent $17k there...

[2003RC51]

Originally Posted by trukk

[ Sorry for the threadjack..but this info is too good to pass up ]

WOW!

You have any interesting projects going on for your V?

-Chris

Not at the moment, I just got through putting on some kooks 1 7/8" headers and built some connection pipes to connect to my B&B. I am in the middle of getting married and moving so my plans have slowed significantly. As for future plans they would include fabbing a intake pipe to go from the volant box to the throttle body. I just dont like how sharp the turn into the throttle body is. The rear will definitely be getting mini-tubbed. Maybe not 335's but 315's definitely need to fit. A cam will be going in before too long. I also have a 150 shot that might be going in. I like turbo's but the ease of nitrous for now is very tempting.

I also have a '93 Typhoon and once I get that built I will be starting on a twin turbo setup with Motec for the Caddy.