Restore Options: Who is best in Central OH

[DG624]

I was looking for a good Body shop in the Ohio area...I have used several but will need extensive rocker panel and windshield rust repair. I have some help with storm damage that gave me a $1,685 settlement for replacing the windshield and restoring the rust along the windshield base.

I have been investigating Stoddard since they advertise in Panorama but maybe there are better shops. I usually start small and work up so that I can gain trust with the shop but I am probably going to have everything done in one place. Does anyone have experience with Stoddard and what other shops would you recommend?

[FastCarFan]

Well, it's not Central Ohio, but it is not far from Stoddard's. It is called Panelwerks in Mentor, on the far east side of Cleveland. I took a tour of the place with my PCA region & what they can do with rust-bucket 356s & such is nothing short of amazing. Here is a link to their Website: http://www.panelwerks.com/main.html

I have heard good things about Stoddard's over the years too, but I know the dealership changed hands a few years ago -- I don't believe Chuck Stoddard owns it any more.

Where are you from in Central Ohio? I am originally from Grandview Heights. I used to autocross a lot at Powell Speedway in the mid-80s.

Good luck.

[EarlyPorsche]

Is Tabb Tanner near you? He's on this board and I think he is in Ohio.

[frankc]

I would say you can't go wrong with either Stoddard or Panelwerks. Stoddard painted a couple of my cars and they do excellent work. I have been to Panelwerks's shop as well, and for a full restoration where a lot of fabrication is required, as the previous poster said, they do amazing work.

[DG624]

Fastcar I looked at the Panelworks site and they seem to list a variety of specialties. I would like a shop that has specialist that can weld and fabricate. I have rust that is weakening the jacking points and the general body intregity.

I would also like to explore the possibility of removing the sunroof and creating a solid roof while I am replacing the windshield. I also would like to use the later weatherstrip without the metal insert. I really want to clean up the look of the car and remove some additional weight. Maybe N.E. Ohio is too far but I guess I have to go to a population center to find skilled repairs.

[DG624]

Frankc...I want to fix the car but don't like to lose the original paint quality. Will a body shop be able to match the original paint? I have some flaking paint but generally the paint is in good shape. How has your new paint lasted?

[frankc]

As far as matching the original paint, Stoddard is one of the few places in the US that has a Lutro downdraft paint booth. IIRC, this is a similar or same booth as used by the factory, so they claim they can duplicate factory paint. I had my car painted 10 years ago. It was shipped to TX when completed and has literally sat in a garage under a cover since then. Not by choice, but just other priorities at this stage. Then about a year ago I decided to replace the original suspension because it was shot, and "while I'm in there" disease took hold. At this point I don't know when I'll get it back on the road again.

The paint has held up well for the most part (it should given the environment), but I did notice some weird irregularities under the paint in some spots starting to show up. I've been meaning to ping Stoddard on this to get their thoughts.

[barney911rs]

Here is another northern OH shop I know of that is pretty good.

Steinel's Autowerks
2002 Midway Dr
Twinsburg, OH 44087
(330)425-8582
http://www.steinels.com/

[Wayne 962]

The Stoddards dealership is no longer owned by the previous owners - all bets are off...

-Wayne

[FastCarFan]

Steinel's is great, but it does mechanical work, not body work. I use Steinel's for mechanical work & I HIGHLY recommend it, but you are looking for body work.

I don't know much more about Panelwerks than what I said in my earlier post. I had a tour of the place during a PCA tech session. However, I was VERY impressed by what I saw.

I suggest that you call both Stoddard's & Panelwerks to inquire about the work they do.

[Rrrockhound]

I can't vouch for his bodywork, but I've been pleased with EPR, in Plain City. His number is in the MORPCA newsletter, or you can PM me and I can look it up off an old invoice. He seems to get a lot of word-of-mouth work.

[Rory Mckenna]

Bob Bennitt is not too far from you. He is crazy good!
I'll track his info down for you.

[frankc]

I'll second all the great remarks about Steinel's. Eric built my 2.7 RS motor 20 years ago (among other things), and it's still running strong.

Wayne,
You're right about Stoddard's. I was at the dealership a few years back for a PCA holiday party when the new owner was introduced. I think even Chuck Stoddard was there for the festivities. I haven't been back there since so I don't know how things are these days.

[GDSOB]

Originally Posted by Rrrockhound

I can't vouch for his bodywork, but I've been pleased with EPR, in Plain City. His number is in the MORPCA newsletter, or you can PM me and I can look it up off an old invoice. He seems to get a lot of word-of-mouth work.

Ed Pimm did the torsion tube replacement and rust repair on my 70E. Nice work and was reasonably priced about 8 years ago.

[DG624]

Thanks for allof the advice...that is what makes this site so valuable. I called Panelworks. I will try to investigate.