Body shop recommendation in SoCal?

[brianare]

Hi All,

I'm building a 1970 911.

Can someone please recommend a top-notch body-shop in SoCal (preferably the westside of L.A., but I'll travel far for the best). Price is a factor, but quality of workmanship more important. Would be great if they are familiar with older 911s.

This will be a bare-metal job, so they need to be able to handle the full stack -- media blast, rust remediation, and paint. Perhaps even some chassis-reinforcement(?).

Thanks!

Brian

[Type911]

When only the best will do. Hell of a great guy too.

John Esposito's Porsche Repair

[brianare]

Thanks to everyone so far. An amazing group of people here -- very helpful.

Just to clarify: I'm building a high quality driver, not a concourse restoration. The car will see race tracks 5-6 times a year. I was told it would take 9 months to do a respray and trim by one shop...I could be dead by then. =)

[Type911]

Ps: here was a sampling of the cars being worked on at John's on one of my visits. He has done drivers, Rgruppe hot rods, you name it. If you have an early 911 you owe it to yourself to give John a call.
I am 900 miles away but John is the only one who works on my cars.

[brianare]

wowza!

[blucille]

I did a 3500 mile drive to get my car to esposito, and I'm glad I did....the best.

[blucille]

john turned this:




into this

[Craig T]

John did my hot rod/track monster. I received unsolicited calls from Excellence, Total 911, and Esses magazines. All three published feature articles.

He turned this....



Into this...

[boxster03]

Tons of options in LA - don't know this John but tons of options - do some due diligence

[911pcars]

Yes. Many options in So. Cal. Here's one to visit:

The Paint Shop, formerly Jack's (Kimoto) Auto Body Shop (Burbank)
The Paint Shop - Burbank - Burbank, CA

Porsche isn't the only marque requiring nice body and paint work. Go to a local car show and ask around.

Sherwood

[realgren]

Check out axiom motorsports. They do all of the body work on my 911.
Joe and Rudy are top notch.
The place looks a little sketchy, but the quality of their work is exceptional.
(310) 677-7372

[brianare]

Hi All,

I just want to give big thanks to everyone for their suggestions and advice -- both in this thread and on the phone.

I spent a lot of time on due diligence and learning what I could about the nuances involved in this decision. There are some truly talented people in the industry, which makes the decision even more interesting.

My original idea of building a "high quality driver" faded away as I learned what was possible--with the right team. Seeing the finished cars in person makes a huge impression.

I chose to send my car to John Esposito's shop. He does not offer the easy, cheap path. But it is the best one, in my opinion.

This morning, my car left my little warehouse where I did the strip down and engine drop, and went off to John's shop where it will live for a (long) while.

Again, thanks everyone.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by brianare

Hi All,

This morning, my car left my little warehouse where I did the strip down and engine drop, and went off to John's shop where it will live for a (long) while.

Again, thanks everyone.

Don't worry Brian. It won't be as "(long)" as you think. John always gives you a worst case scenario and sets an honest expectation. He told me 8 months to a year. It was only six months...and worth every day of it. Others will tell you three months and you'll fight with them for over a year. I prefer the honest expectation and high quality work every time. You're going to love John, and likely come out of the project with a new friend.

Before you know it, your's will be the bright colored star in the sea of grey...

[brianare]

Thanks, Craig!

Your car was a big part of my decision to work with John. I can only hope mine comes out half as good as yours.

I'm going to enjoy the journey.

Best!

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by brianare

Thanks, Craig!

Your car was a big part of my decision to work with John. I can only hope mine comes out half as good as yours.

I'm going to enjoy the journey.

Best!

It WILL Brain! He's gotten a lot better since he did mine. I had to watch and instruct him the whole time, but John learns quickly.

What color are you painting her???

[brianare]

Haha! Yeah, I'm going to try to not give him any instructions; let's see how he does!

I will likely paint it some form of (medium) gunmetal/silver metallic, with a red leather interior. The car started life as a burgundy "T", then became a chocolate SC/IROC clone some time in the eighties. I'm going to bring it back to a narrow body/long hood. I'll restore the original "T" engine for posterity, but a 2.5L short stroke built by The Allan is currently being built. I'll start off with a tame suspension...not sure how long that will last!

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by brianare

Haha! Yeah, I'm going to try to not give him any instructions; let's see how he does!

I will likely paint it some form of (medium) gunmetal/silver metallic, with a red leather interior. The car started life as a burgundy "T", then became a chocolate SC/IROC clone some time in the eighties. I'm going to bring it back to a narrow body/long hood. I'll restore the original "T" engine for posterity, but a 2.5L short stroke built by The Allan is currently being built. I'll start off with a tame suspension...not sure how long that will last!

Brian,

Ask John for pictures of Tony M's gunmetal grey car. He did a red interior as well. It looks great. I think he used the color code from the grey 997 GT3RS, with a two stage clear coat. Personally, I'd go with a more period correct single stage in the original burgundy. It's a great color on these cars.

[dyusem]

Originally Posted by brianare

Haha! Yeah, I'm going to try to not give him any instructions; let's see how he does!

I will likely paint it some form of (medium) gunmetal/silver metallic, with a red leather interior. The car started life as a burgundy "T", then became a chocolate SC/IROC clone some time in the eighties. I'm going to bring it back to a narrow body/long hood. I'll restore the original "T" engine for posterity, but a 2.5L short stroke built by The Allan is currently being built. I'll start off with a tame suspension...not sure how long that will last!

Brian, I'm up in NorCal and starting a search to do some paint work on my 80 SC: any chance that you can share what John is doing and the associated cost??? PM is fine...cheers!!!

[brianare]

Thanks, Craig.

Burgundy is beautiful. That GT3 looks like it's a slate gray (one of my favorites), to my eye. Mine may turn out similarly dark, though I'm hoping to bridge the classic silver metallic with that kind of darker slate color. We'll see. I'll be asking John's advice and opinion throughout the process, as I want a car that looks period correct.

[brianare]

@dyusem,

John is doing the full body and paint work for me. My car was converted to an 80s short-hood, along with fiberglass SC flares and IROC bumpers some time in the 80's, so John is restoring all those panels back to the original. The entire tub will be stripped down to gauge how much rust is present, and what is salvageable -- particular attention will be paid to the structural/suspension areas. That's just the start!

You might enjoy John's build "A 911 for Me" on the early911sregistry forum. He built the "#21" 911SC/RS for himself...it's a page turner!

Give John a call. You'll find him friendly and very candid about time-frames and costs. I think he'd love to do a short-hood, for a change! (818) 469-1811