2023 Mecum Kissimmee

[67since67]

Additionally, these hard working shop owners are faced with ever increasing costs of doing business, aka overhead, plus cost of materials, local, state, and federal regulations, AND trying to retain competent employees.

I was on the phone this morning with my body/paint guy who mentioned how he no longer has anyone to install convertible tops. So many skilled people are leaving the business. - Bill W

[Teddy]

Originally Posted by 67since67

Additionally, these hard working shop owners are faced with ever increasing costs of doing business, aka overhead, plus cost of materials, local, state, and federal regulations, AND trying to retain competent employees.

I was on the phone this morning with my body/paint guy who mentioned how he no longer has anyone to install convertible tops. So many skilled people are leaving the business. - Bill W

I've been in the market for a quality classic car for the past two years or so. As much as the prices bother me, Bill's comments have worried me more so. I have noticed the difficulty in finding skilled people in our hobby. Maybe I'm wrong but I took 427.060 comment (post 19) as a compliment to guys like Rick. If a correction occurs, maybe the scammers and second-rate shops will fall by the wayside and the quality restorers like Rick will flourish. One can hope right?

[Big Block Bill]

Originally Posted by Teddy

I've been in the market for a quality classic car for the past two years or so. As much as the prices bother me, Bill's comments have worried me more so. I have noticed the difficulty in finding skilled people in our hobby. Maybe I'm wrong but I took 427.060 comment (post 19) as a compliment to guys like Rick. If a correction occurs, maybe the scammers and second-rate shops will fall by the wayside and the quality restorers like Rick will flourish. One can hope right?

I presume shops like Rick's have such a backlog for restorations, they can not get them all completed as it is. I believe it all boils down to the expertise and the staff to be able to continually produce a high end award winning product. Rick has proven time and time again that he and his staff are the people to deliver a restoration that is correct will pass all judging criteria currently in place.

Bill