Yup, full on restoration projects in my shop are usually done "as time permits" so they get worked on here and there and I bill monthly based on how many hours are spent on the car....time clock style.
In and out work like engine swaps, performance work are better paying jobs than restoration work is so they take priority and that is a necessity to pay bills. It does take a lot of time to do paint jobs and resto's in order to do them right.
The other issue that plays a factor for EVERY shop is help....good help is nearly impossible to find! I am short handed and we have just come to the understanding that we like it better that way....less drama, no worries about following someone else, etc. EVERY time I have brought on a new guy it has bit me in the arse and not worked out...you get tired of it after a while. I also won't hire just anyone...I deal with fast and expensive cars and not just anyone should be working on them so there has to be a trust issue as well which is why I usually immediately turn down every 16 year old that comes through the door looking for a job.
I know it's hard as the car owner but patience and a good attitude is key to getting a good job, the last thing you want to be is "that guy" who they dread coming into the shop....that doesn't mean you have to take anything though...just be reasonable and understand their position but if they take advantage of or ignore you then by all means speak up. My point though is that if they are into the job and like you...then you will most certainly end up with a nicer job in the end. The biggest problem out there is that some people watch TV and think you can build a car from scratch in 7 days because they saw it done on TV....NO shop have a 24/7 crew of 150 people that can make that happen...it's not reality.
Don't worry about if people are into Fox cars....ANY old car owner will give you a recomendation on a shop and you can look at their car and see the work first hand.
I also don't think the Foxes aren't respected....I think on the show circuit most Fox owners don't bother because clubs like the MCA are not in touch with that segment. For example...MCA classes ALL 74-06 Mustangs in the Modified Driven class....this isn't fair despite their claims it is...the design flaws found on a fox are not found on the newer cars so all things being equal in their point system the Fox car will lose EVERY time because the hatch rubs the paint on the body and if you drive the car you can't stop that(for example).
It is really sad at the MCA shows that there are almost NO Fox Mustangs...no Pace Cars, McLarens, SVO's, GT Turbo, GT350, SSP, etc....the smart thing would be to have a special interest class to cater to these cars. I expressed this to the MCA judges but pretty much got blown off despite being told I had a valid point. Ever since then I just don't bother showing my SVO or any other "oddball" Fox....why bother? Now for the Vintage cars they have their act together but not for the later cars. Their judges also have a lot to learn...I had a Judge in Pensacola tell me that if I glued a piece of round plastic to the body of the car under the hatch bumper where it rubs the paint that "it would be a modification and look good too!"....my reply was "you're kidding right?" What kind of suggestion is that?!?
Anyway....that's one reason I think you don't see many Foxes at the MCA affiliated shows or small shows.....another is that many people still drive the wheels off these cars and have not relegated them to show duty yet....give it time though....they will eventually.
|