[BertBeagle]

I stumbled onto this the other week looking at the fall course schedule in the newspaper. The community college here has a great program. Wondering if other areas have similar programs at the local community college.

The auto shop program includes restoration courses where you bring your own car in and do metal restoration including paint work. Everyone in the classes works on their own car and the instructor is there to guide and help keep you pointed in the right direction.

The facility is very nice, modern and new with all first class equipment. They furnish virtually everything. You need to purchase paint but at school discount prices. They have the latest down draft paint booths with baking and the latest spray guns. All the tools you need plus instruction and help. You are encouraged to bring your own hand tools to class.

They have fabrication and welding equipment – virtually everything needed.

Floor pan replacement and similar work is done. They do not want to do pulling or straighting of frames in the restoration classes. They basically don't want someone hauling a totaled wreck in to fix.

I believe it is roughly $300 a semester. Evenings and Saturday classes.

This would be an inexpensive way to get body work and a nice paint job - and learn while doing the job.