Newby needing help & support

[Charley100]

Hi everyone
A little bit about me and the situation I have with a 1965 Mk1, 4.2, LHD, E Type, imported from USA.
Now retired (early 70’s) I agreed to be a go between for my friend as he was constantly clashing with the restorer of the above car.
After 40+ years in “the trade”, man & boy, from workshop floor to service Management and two spells working for Jaguar & Rolls Royce dealerships. I felt reasonably capable of assisting with the cars restoration, this was in late 2020.
My friend passed away in early 2022 and his daughter inherited his E Type I continued to assist & support her with the restoration. This is now a nightmare and I can understand why her father clashed with the restorer as I am having similar issues.
Including purchase from this restorer, my friend has paid a total of 122K (80K for the “quoted” restoration) including conversion to RHD. After 5 years the restorer has started to reassemble the car, the engine, suspension and drive line etc being rebuilt over 3 years ago and ready to fit.
On the + side his work is excellent but the restorer has now asked for another £4.5K to finish converting it to RHD as he doesn’t have the finances to cover the cost. 1K of this is labour to refurbish second hand parts that he says are no longer available new. He also refuses to reshape the brake & clutch pedals and avoids giving much detail of the parts required.
When I did locate, what I thought he needed I was firmly told, I know what I am doing leave it to me.
The owner is not willing to advance more money, trust issues, so he has given her the following options (A) the car will have to wait until he has the money. (B) take the car away in bits (more costs) or (C) find the money so he can finish it.
The parts I think he needs I have priced at around £800 including shipping are new & include reshaping the pedals but not replacing the pedal box.
I can’t bail out and leave her to sort this out on her own, but besides legal action (more cost & the company is Ltd) I have no idea where to go next with this. Anyone have any thoughts please.

[mgcjag]

Hi Very sorry to hear of your situation....obviously nothing was ever put in writing between the owner and restorer.....the new owner dosnt want to put more monies onto the project with this restorer....to me the only option is to collect the car as is......then if the owner wants to pay to have the car completed find a new restorer to finish it off with a list of work and costs....or sell as an unfinished project as it is....Steve

[Gfhug]

Similar to what Steve has said, it’s a very difficult situation to resolve at all amicably. We have an administrator and two moderators on this forum. One of the mods is a professional restorer himself. All three know E Types well.
Please don’t give out names of the company in public, but you might wish to let the above Steve know who they are and, maybe, I do mean maybe, our other mod could look at the project to give a professional view.
All a bit difficult if the restorer isn’t willing to cooperate, but it might be worth considering, even if just to gain a better idea of costs to finish the project.

Good luck and so sorry to hear how this has turned out for you and the daughter.

Geoff

[Charley100]

Thank you Steve & Geoff for your replies, sadly you confirmed my thoughts, little we can do without another £30+K at the moment as he doesn't have the funds to refund any of the payments. If the worst happens we may have a long shot as some of the receipts for our payments are from one of his unlimited businesses. He has a nice house and at least three cars in addition to others we know are in storage, shame if he had to sell anything to compensate us.

As means of and update on this we have been busy doing our own research as well as "moving the goal posts".

I have spoken with restorers/parts suppliers and am amazed and grateful for how helpful & supportive they have all been.
The 5 parts required are available, in stock and new, the cost is a quarter of the price we were originally given. We have a good idea why the refurbisher hasn't dealt with some of these suppliers-quite concerning!

The restorer has now been told that I will no longer be acting as a "go between" instead I will take full charge of the refurbishment in the future and instruct them as necessary. I have asked him to identify the parts needed either by part numbers or photographs and we will supply them. I have also asked him to give me the pedals and we will get them reworked at our cost & responsibility. Amazing the sudden change of attitude when he realised he wasn't getting a £4k+ Christmas bonus.
Charley

[Charley100]

UPDATE:- after a period of firm discussions with said restorer, he has agreed to us providing the parts required and to having the pedals reshaped (rather than replaced).
I have to mention Andy @ Hutson who has been brilliant in so may aspects in helping me with the parts and the exceptional service he has supplied. Great to deal with someone who is an "old hand" in the trade and understands what good customer service is all about.