The exact cost of a restoration or custom project can only be estimated after a thorough inspection which may include a partial disassembly of the vehicle. At Huckbody Shop we don't pretend to know what we don't know. It would be irresponsible for us to quote an exact cost for a project before doing homework on the car. So we have a discovery process which allows us to generate a proper estimate for the entire project. 

We start with an inspection of that covers the mechanical functions as well as the condition of the body: the door gaps, the paint condition, the rust locations and extent, etc. We generally remove the interior of the vehicle to check under the carpets and hidden areas. 

For restorations we begin the project with a deposit of $5,000, which is enough to cover the discovery period including partial disassembly, and the remainder of the deposit goes towards additional progress on the project. This way we are able to provide a detailed list of recommendations for the entire project, along with each item's cost. Then the owner is able to make informed selections and plan on a budget for the project.

A payment plan is decided on according to the build plan and estimated time frame. A work order contract is made and signed giving security that your vehicle is in good hands and that payments will be made on time. Payments can be done weekly or monthly depending on the agreed schedule. 

The average vehicle has over 4,000 parts. Most of our projects include complete disassembly: removal of every nut, bolt, and washer, down to the bare body and frame. This is the only way to ensure 100% removal of all rust. All parts are carefully bagged and tagged, and stored in labeled bins.

A minimum of three videos and usually several hundered photos are taken during the disassembly for reference during the reassembly later. The average time to fully disassemble and accurately bag, tag, organize, and document an entire car is 100 hours, for a total cost of $10,000

This service varies greatly by vehicle, depending on the extent of rust and the quality of previous metal repairs. After decades a vehicle often has hidden deficiencies such as rust hole covered up with body filler and poorly welded patches. After the metal has been exposed by acid dipping of sand blasting we're able to provid a specific estimate for the metal work needed on a car.

After the dipping / sandblasting, and either just before or just after the metal work depending on the project; we wash and coat cars in epoxy primer, and powder coat the frames and suspension components. We also apply cavity wax to the insides of enclosed cavities like rocker panels and doors, for rust prevention. We prepare the cars to withstand normal weather conditions for future generations to enjoy. On average a car takes 70 hours to properly seal and straighten in preparation for final surfacing, at a cost of $10,000

To ensure ever panel of a car is straight and will reflect paint beautifully, each car gets multiple rounds of primer, block-sanding down to fine grits, and quality checks. We inspect each panel. Door alignment and gaps are checked and adjusted properly. Finally the car is read for paint. this entire process takes and average of 60 hours, at a cost of $7,500.

Once in our paint booth each car is washed with residue-free cleaning agents, and completely brushed with a tack cloth to remove any fragments of lint. Then a final round of sealer is sprayed for the ultimate moisture and chemical barrier and foundation for the paint. Then the paint is sprayed. After the paint has cured, we sand various surfaces of the car with extrmely fine grits, then buff and polish to obtain an absolute mirror finish. The result is award- winning. The total hours put into the average paint and finish job is 75, for a total cost of $9,375

The average car has over 4,000 parts. We carefully sort through these parts, and group them to be either replaced, restored, or obsolete due to customizations. The parts that are restored are tested for functionality 

Every part that passes through the component restoration process is marked as functioning properly. In addition to functionality, parts are treated aesthetically as appropriate for the project, often by cleaning and polishing or sanding and painting. the average number of hours it take for component restoration on a whole car is 120, at a cost of $12,000.

The brightwork on a car can consist of chrome, stainless steel, anodized aluminum, zinc or cadmium plating, and brass. Mostly when the phrase "re-chrome" is used, it refers to plating and polishing of a combination of decorative metals, called "brightwork". Depending on the amount of brightwork and the condition (dings and pitting), the cost of metal finishing can vary greatly.

One consideration in metal finishing is whether or not to replace parts is more cost effective than repair them. However, originality is often an important consideration, depending on the particular project. 

At Huckbody Shop we work with the best local businesses to offer a variety of interior options, from stock interiors, to custom seat mounts, to custom-designed consoles and panels, to modern electronics and lighting. Regardless of your desires for the project, we can make you imagination reality. Stock interiors generally start around $6,000 to include seat skins, carpet, door panels, and headliner. 

We are experienced in many of the mechanical repairs however we are teamed up with the best shops in the area to provide the level of quality your restoration deserves. Most complete projects include engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, rear axle rebuild, brake system rebuild, suspension rebuilt, fuel system rebuild, and ignition tuning. The cost vary greatly depending on the specifics of the project. We provide a list of recommendations, customized for the owner's intention for the project and our inspection. 

The reassembly phase is when we bring togeather the body, the mechanical assemblies, the restored components, and the new parts. We start with the innermost portions of the car, such as the break lines (on the body) and the window mechanisms (in the doors), and work outward to avoid any missteps and rework. The time to completely assemble a car from scratch averages 240 hours, for a total cost of $19,200.

Following reassembly of the car, We manage outside professional services such as alignment, air conditioning, stereo systems, and electronics modernization (if desired), and dyno tuning (if needed, as in case of new engine break- ins). The cost vary according to the specific project, and a customized estimate can be created following the initial discovery phase. 

Every car at Huckbody Shop receives an extensive series of inspections and road-test procedured for functionality before being declared complete. This includes a system test checklist that matches the one initially run when the car arrived. Any little detail not properly like new are addressed. After every work order has been signed off the shop owner personally drives each car 50 miles, and creates a punch list of imperfections that are then addressed. Then, and only then, is the car's owner notified the car is complete and ready for enjoyment.