GT40s.com - View Single Post - Shop Visit

Howard Jones · 05-11-08, 04:08 PM

I was just there myself the week before last. Fran allowed me complete access, talked about what I was thinking about in relation to a SLC for at least an hour, and a full tour. Then he let me just wander around as I pleased. The shop is complete, fully outfitted with machine equipment and several really nice, knowledgeable employees. These guys are real hotrod guys!!

The thing that impressed me is the huge number of spares on hand. Several cars worth of suspension pieces, brakes, gearboxes, chassis pieces, you name it, it's all there.

I didn't count but my guess is at least a half dozen cars in production and several employees hard at work.

All in all a very nice shop in full production.

I'll post some pictures when I have time but you have to see one of these SLC's, in person to really understand what has been done here. Ten years ago this could have been a full on race car, it's that advanced. The bodywork is just stunning. I was really impressed by the fit of every car in the shop and I can't tell you how close to perfect the fit lines are. The SLC I was looking at was so good that a few hours of seam buffing would be all that would be needed to complete a car, and Fran tells me it was right out of the molds!. Gelcoats were near perfect and completely usable as a finished car. In fact if I am able to do a SLC I fully intend to leave it in gelcoat, buff out the seams, put some numbers on it and take it to the track. That's really a huge savings in bodywork and paint. To the tune of 10s of thousands of dollars here in California.

It's that good.

Thanks again Fran.

05-11-08, 04:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
Howard Jones 10 tenths Join Date: Jun 2002 GT40: San Francisco Bay Area California USA Posts: 1,865 Rep Power: 25	Re: Shop Visit - Thanks Fran! I was just there myself the week before last. Fran allowed me complete access, talked about what I was thinking about in relation to a SLC for at least an hour, and a full tour. Then he let me just wander around as I pleased. The shop is complete, fully outfitted with machine equipment and several really nice, knowledgeable employees. These guys are real hotrod guys!! The thing that impressed me is the huge number of spares on hand. Several cars worth of suspension pieces, brakes, gearboxes, chassis pieces, you name it, it's all there. I didn't count but my guess is at least a half dozen cars in production and several employees hard at work. All in all a very nice shop in full production. I'll post some pictures when I have time but you have to see one of these SLC's, in person to really understand what has been done here. Ten years ago this could have been a full on race car, it's that advanced. The bodywork is just stunning. I was really impressed by the fit of every car in the shop and I can't tell you how close to perfect the fit lines are. The SLC I was looking at was so good that a few hours of seam buffing would be all that would be needed to complete a car, and Fran tells me it was right out of the molds!. Gelcoats were near perfect and completely usable as a finished car. In fact if I am able to do a SLC I fully intend to leave it in gelcoat, buff out the seams, put some numbers on it and take it to the track. That's really a huge savings in bodywork and paint. To the tune of 10s of thousands of dollars here in California. It's that good. Thanks again Fran.