body shop dilemma

[Rb_69camaro]

My 69 Camaro has been at this body shop for 2 years now. They are still working on the metalwork. They have done mini tubs, replaced the trunk, the rear end, full quarters, roof skin, rockers, pretty much all new metal from the fire wall back. Right now nothing is welded in, just screwed together. The front subframe is out and rear end has been dropped. Its been i dont know nearly 6 months since they sent me a bill. They have a bunch of other cars they are working on. So the other day I asked when they would get back to my car, the response i got I just cant understand. The guy sent me a text telling me they wanted me to come pick up my car. Maybe he's just stressed. Im thinking about stopping by tomorrow and smoothing things out. How can a body shop just leave my car in pieces and just walk away? What can I do? I have easily given them over 30k in labor so far. Our agreement from the beginning was to finish up the majority of the metalwork then take a pause while I drop the engine and trannie in to get it up and running. I dont want to trailer my car back home with the body held together with scews. Even worse waiting probably a year for another body shop to work it into theyre schedule. This is F'd. What are my options? Like I said Im hoping if I stop by there tomorrow or Monday he will have come to his senses and we can work something out. Id really like to have the car buttoned up from the firewall back at the very least. I would appreciate any advice. Happy Holidays :/

[capri v8 driver]

I would pick up the car.

They are either not interested to work on the car (for maybe several reasons like more profitably projects or insurance work ) or they don't have the skilled persons to work on such a project or in worse case are going out off business.

Even if you can persuaded the bodyshop to do the welding i would be worried how the welding and sheet metal is gone turn out. Are they really gone do some effort to get everything nice and straight or is it gone be a rush job because they just want to get rid of the car?? Its already clear they don't want to put some effort in the car. With over 30k in labor all ready in it you don't want it to be a rush job so you have even more cost to get the metal work done right again.

[dhutton]

If you paid them $30k to get to that point they have no incentive to do more work because they have taken in more than they should have. Your money is gone. They spent it and would be working on your car for free. Pull the car and move on. There is zero point in trying to convince them to do additional work. They will just milk you more and do little to nothing.

[Bigblockscott]

I agree with the two replies above. I see it as a blessing that they have asked you to pick up your car. Is this body shop part of a hotrod restoration shop or just some body shop down in the industrial part of town? If it's just a regular body shop, those guys want quick in and out insurance jobs, not something like your project that takes up floor space for weeks and weeks.

[dontlifttoshift]

When someone tells you they are over their head, believe them.

[79 Camaro]

Get the car and all the parts out.
Receipts for payments in your hand? Specific details of work performed against the 30K? Must be more than just labor. Did the shop purchase the parts?
Then maybe take them to court to get some of your money back?

[chevelletiger]

Im in southern California, Id help you get the car welded up at my home shop.
Where are you located?

[79 Camaro]

After rereading your post the car needed and still needs a lot of work. The work that they have already (not to your satisfaction) done must have taken many shop labor hours. Most body shops around here the labor rates are somewhere around $125-$150 an hour. Resto shops can be even more.
At 30K that's somewhere between 200-240 shop hours not including parts which the shop may have purchased or you have supplied.
My worry is that if you push them to finish the car it won't go well.
Good luck.

[Vimes]

If the shop said come get it, go get it and all parts you delivered. If there was a contract and they didn't fulfull, or if there are missing parts, discuss with a lawyer although I doubt anything will come of it. A llawyer is expensive and a lot of shops are opened as LLCs. They'll declare bankruptcy after a judgement, open a new LLC and be back in business in a week with a new name. In any case, after you get the car make sure to do a post about them in the complaints section here so other members can avoid them. Good luck with it.