I foundAn Honest Cobra Builder and fabricator that does what he say's

[Clois Harlan]

I wanted give shout out to Barry McGill (formerly the other "B" in B&B Cobra (the best of the b's). At any rate I found myself in need of a competent and honest builder to get me past some unapproved mods made by a couple of incompetent crooks (we can call them Larry and Roger)here in the Tulsa area.

To the point Barry was Able to correct and improve some unprofessional acts by these guys and he fixed everything in three weeks including a fair amount of fiberglass at a very reasonable price. IMO Barry is one of the best fabricators out there and he can help you get past some rough spots in your build, he literally saved my bacon.
Just for the record McGill Manufacturing also builds Cobra Kit cars and street Rods. Checkout his website at www.McGill-streetrods.com. 417-472-7848.
I would be glad to answer any questions should you want to visit.

Clois Harlan
aka Tulsacobra

[PaulProe]

Clois
Unable to edit your post - the correct URL for Barry's site is

Fiberglass 34 Coupes and Cobras by McGill Manufacturing

There's an "s" missing in the link you have

Paul

[Morris]

Clois

I’m glad to hear you’re on your way to recovery.....people have a hard time dealing with fabricators......and when you find a good one.....pay them what ever they need .....when folks start arguing over the price of fabricating, they really have no idea what it takes to actually make the item, the best thing I have found over the years, is to draw out what I want and where it will be used and then let them go use their own knowledge and capabilities to fabricate......I never did learn how to weld.....but that worked out best for my ideas......good luck on the project.

[patrickt]

Guys like that are worth their weight in gold. In my area, you can't even find a full service machine shop anymore. They'll drive your bearings on for you, but that's about it.

[mikeinatlanta]

Yep. When you find a good one "how much?" is only so you know how much to bring. I have an exhaust guy like that.

[leon]

Yes Barry is a great guy to deal with.

[Clois Harlan]

I have found the common answer to how long do think it will take to do something is two weeks to a month, which turns into months if not years for some I have heard. But my biggest complaint is shops taking unauthorized liberties.
My frustration led me down a legal path all the time knowing there was nothing to be recovered except the hopes that others won’t fall into these crooks shops. My wife calls them “Dream Dashers”. Let your gut be your guide and check out their shop for ongoing projects, order, and cleanliness. I have built two Cobras and Three Coupes and I refuse to put my name on anything done half ass. There are plenty of good shops around you just need to check them iut. Barry McGill is a first rate builder and fabricator. He was willing and able to fix some really bad changes that had been made to one of my projects.
Now I am back on track with the quality and originality I intended. Thank You so much Barry.

[Ron61]

Clois,

That is good and he is worth staying with if you need more work done. There is no one around here that is reliable if you need work done on one of these cars. We don't even have anyone that can tune one without messing it up.

Ron

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

Now I am back on track with the quality and originality I intended.

Gad to hear it Clois. Now how about some pics??

[DanEC]

I think some of the old craftsman, mechanics and machinists are getting harder and harder to find. I recently tried to find a shop in central Arkansas who could match mark/balance a flywheel and clutch assembly - something I've had done several time over the years. No go. No one around here has the arbors and equipment anymore to do that. They also want your crank, rods, balancer and pistons to balance the entire assembly. A bit drastic for a simple clutch change out.

[TexasSnake]

I have had the opportunity to work with Barry McGill in the past and I certainly agree with Clois he is a very talented individual. Based on my experience he is honest, easy to work with and really know his stuff. if you ever see his work you will see that it is very well constructed and that he is one heck of a welder.

[Clois Harlan]

John,
It is at the painter and I should have pictures in a few weeks.
Hope to see all my Texas friends in April at the spring meet.

Clois

[vector1]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

John,
It is at the painter and I should have pictures in a few weeks.
Hope to see all my Texas friends in April at the spring meet.

Clois

British racing green? Ferrari red? Orangutang orange? Come on man, don't leave us hangin!

[Clois Harlan]

1965 Mustang Competition Orange brightened up a bit with Wimbeldo white stripes. The seats, dash, door panels, and conole has been finished in a Ferrari tan with Orange stitching. That may change though.

[vector1]

That should look good. Have to get the cars together and get some pictures.

[Clois Harlan]

Sounds like a plan, we will need to invite Mat and John Dean too

[Dominik]

Fabricators and mechanics who work on items where no defined labour times (= costs) are specified are getting harder and harder to find.

Also, my personal experience (as one of such having given up) is that your (often wealthy) clientel get any correspondense drafted by a lawyer to make sure that they get what they pay for. Being detached completely by the work we do they apply non-common sense when it comes to our work. (not that lawyers ever apply common sense - sorry Jamo ;-)
Then their clue-less technical advisors chime in and your next thought is to commit suicide.

I got sued for non-usage of the car when it wasn't delivered in time (by ship) and the client rented an equivalent vehicle instead and sent me the invoice.

Meanwhile, during the built/delay, they have now time to go up and down the internet to get opinions from other "specialists".

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

I wanted give shout out to Barry McGill (formerly the other "B" in B&B Cobra (the best of the b's). At any rate I found myself in need of a competent and honest builder to get me past some unapproved mods made by a couple of incompetent crooks (we can call them Larry and Roger)here in the Tulsa area.

To the point Barry was Able to correct and improve some unprofessional acts by these guys and he fixed everything in three weeks including a fair amount of fiberglass at a very reasonable price. IMO Barry is one of the best fabricators out there and he can help you get past some rough spots in your build, he literally saved my bacon.
Just for the record McGill Manufacturing also builds Cobra Kit cars and street Rods. Checkout his website at www.McGill-streetrods.com. 417-472-7848.
I would be glad to answer any questions should you want to visit.

Clois Harlan
aka Tulsacobra

Somehow I missed this thread when you first posted it, Clois. Glad you found a happy ending to the original sad story.

Quality fabricators are always hard to find and always worth their weight in gold or some other precious item. When I find one I work hard to keep him.

The thing a lot of guys don't understand is these guys have to put food on their own tables and pay their own mortgages — and that takes money. When we ask them to build special 'stuff' for us, it takes time and that time translates into money they need to charge us.

The cost to custom fabricate or repair someone else's screw up is real and not insignificant. These cars are becoming increasingly expensive to create and maintain with each day.


Ed

[Clois Harlan]

I'm not wealthy but I believe in paying a fair price for service or an asset. Where I draw the line is when someone thinks that he has ownership of my project and takes unauthorized liberties that changes the project from mine to his. I pay a good amount upfront and then pay in advance for all non labor items.

We all are entitled to live a reasonable life style based on our efforts and skills. IMO most builders and fabricators are good as gold and the good ones stay busy for a reason. Sometimes it's nice to hear about someone that works hard and does a great job that doesn't blow his own horn.

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

I'm not wealthy but I believe in paying a fair price for service or an asset. Where I draw the line is when someone thinks that he has ownership of my project and takes unauthorized liberties that changes the project from mine to his. I pay a good amount upfront and then pay in advance for all non labor items.

We all are entitled to live a reasonable life style based on our efforts and skills. IMO most builders and fabricators are good as gold and the good ones stay busy for a reason. Sometimes it's nice to hear about someone that works hard and does a great job that doesn't blow his own horn.

I am 100% in lock step with you Clois. My paragraph about the fabricators was not intended for you, although my less than adequate specificity in the paragraph may have left it sounding that way.

In actual fact, I was aiming at the enthusiasts that attempt to squeeze every dollar they can out of a fabricator's price. Truth be known, they are doing themselves and also the rest of us a disservice. If we continually mistreat our fabricator sources eventually they take their skills to commercial customers that do not or perhaps do not as badly mistreat them as we do.

The net, net bottom line is we loose valuable artisans who make beautiful welds, fabricate stunning bracketry and make untold gizmos to die for, for us, that make our cars look so good and operate so impressively.

A good fabricator is a very difficult asset to replace in our community — especially if he is close at hand.


Ed