I hear ya.....but don't feel too bad.  After a couple false starts, the
resto shop that has my '57 Clipper promised to absolutely, positvely
have it ready for the international meet.......the Packard International
in Warren, 1999.

It's been almost done for years.......pretty sure the guy is hoping I'll
die so he can put a lien on it and keep it for himself - or sell.

I sympathize.  At least he was only a friend.. I have a rock solid bone
stock 57 Chevy hardtop dual quad stick shift car that was frame off restored
in the early 80's,,,,,, uinfortunately painted in lacquer.  The paint did
not hold up well.  Seven years ago my brother (who runs a restoration shop)
took the car apart, bare metaled it, repainted it in Deltron, and partially
reassembled it.  Its still not done, and I can't get him to finish it.
I'm thinking about taking it to a competitors shop to get it finished.  So
much for family.  Its not as if I'm getting the work for free!!!!!

Now don't take offense to this reply, because it is just an opinion based on
observation and experience...
I have heard of literally a dozen examples of what you describe, and have
had the dubious experience of having it happen to me, too...
But....
In general...
Studebaker people are such cheap bastards that they will cut off their own
noses to get a cheap-a.s'ed deal and save a buck.
That's fine when the economy sucks and the people who actually provide the
service need the work...
But lately there is a rush of new money in the hobby with people willing to
pay up front for the top shelf work.
That leaves the cheap-a.s'ed Stude guy sucking hind tit.
So, if you want to play the big boy game... Step up and play with today's
dollars...
Otherwise, be prepared to do the labor rate exchange with a LOT of your own
sweat (as compared to a few years ago).
Hell... Nash Solanki selling that R-3 engine was a real wake up call...
He got his price ( and we all groaned )...
Did he deserve it?
You friggin' betcha he did...
Mad about it?
No....
Don't be mad because you are jealous...
And as far as poor performance on an agreed to deal?
Well, a written contract is a whole lot better than a handshake in these
litigious days...
I really do feel for you, because I have walked the path you are on...
Bitter?
Nope...not me...
Jeff (until the next time, that is <g>) Rice

"ceecab" wrote...

<snip>

I learned a long time ago never to tell them "I'm in no hurry just work it
in". I waited over three years for them to finish  a 57 Golden Hawk. . It
was a never ending battle just to keep telling them  that I do need it
finished. Since then I have relied on my brother and cousin who have a
"Hobby" shop and do complete restorations..As long as they get paid at the
end of two weeks it stays..Miss a payment and it is out the door and goes to
the end of the line.(minimum three year wait) Good business practice. It
keeps everyone happy. If you have to get a loan so be it. At least it will
get finished. I've seen a friend of mine  who took $5K up front to start on
a Corvette never receive another cent from the guy the whole time he worked
on it..then when it was done he didn't have the funds to pay. My friend
tried to sue but lost on some technicality. He did get about .15 cents on a
dollar. He since has changed to a pay as you go (weekly) or out it goes.
BTW Even though they were my relatives I only got a $5 a hour discount and
didn't expect that. But it was worth the professional work that I couldn't
do.
Dave B.

I'm being paid as a expert witness on a condition 2 coupe that was in
for a repaint and to have AC added to the R3 engine. They sand blasted
the car and pulled the front of the engine off and parted it outside.The
car is pretty much trashed.

Did you douch his website, yet?

Bo