NH Body Shops

D&M2 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 11:09 AM

Well, I'm getting closer to the point where I can send my baby off to get some color.

Any suggestions for body shops in southern NH or northern MA who have experience with cobras and who you would recommend. I've talked to the three shops that handle ERA cars and will probably take a ride down in the near future to talk with them personally. However, if there are any shops closer to home, I'd like to talk with them as well.

1985 CCX · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 11:32 AM

Mike,

There is one guy out by Nick that is experienced in these cars. Drop Nick a call, Jeff

Clois Harlan · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 11:48 AM

Give John Chestnut a call

Dragon Motor Cars
244 Walker Rd.
P.O. Box 858
Grantham, NH 03753
(603) 863-5272
www.dragonmotorcars.com

If John can't help you no one can. John is a first class guy that knows who can paint and who can't.

Clois Harlan

Nantucket427 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 01:06 PM

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/member.php?u=27766 Thomas F. Dole Jr. In Northwood 603 942-5288 just had his car painted and it looks great, give him a call. I am sure he will recommend someone to you.

doleauto · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 03:41 PM

I looked high and low for a COMPETENT body man to do our car. The man we found was Gordon Vanderpool---New England Kustom & Collision in Hillsboro. We were told last year that the car would be done in 3 weeks, but he had a rash of crashes he had to take care of first, and it ended up being around 6 weeks. We left an APE hardtop there to be painted also at a later date, and it came out the same color as the car. Usually you can be a tint or two off, but it looks like they were done at the same time. Give Gordon a call, his son Tom works with him and might answer the phone. Nice people, and they went out of their way to meet me after hours to drop off/pick up car. 603 464-5551. Any questions, just call me. On another note, he mixes his own paint right there. We chose 07 Mercedes Iridium Silver Metallic. DO NOT look at it in the sun. It came out great.

Tom Dole

fkemmerer · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 06:39 PM

Hi,

I am in Southern NH (Nashua area) also. After much searching, I decide to go with Ron Randall in CT. This is a bit of distance away from where we are but Ron's work is really outstanding. See the attached for some examples of his work. It might be some extra trouble to work with him but you will not be sorry. He has extensive experience with Cobras. Ron is a member of Club Cobrra if you'd like to contact him. He also frequents the ERA forum.

- Fred

alicarmar · #7 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 05:00 AM

Phaze II Auto Body in Westford, MA painted my ERA. They did a great job and welcomed me with open arms every time I stopped by to check out their progress. Call Jim Beckwith at 978-692-9459.

D&M2 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 05:13 AM

Thanks everyone for the contacts. Now I've got to make some calls and begin the process of narrowing down who will do the final job.

Fred: That is one beautiful paint job. I really like the aluminum on the hood. Adds a nice touch. I did speak with Ron and he was certainly very knowledgeable regarding cobras and the finishing touches needed. Now if Ron was just a little closer.

The 3 hour drive down pulling the cobra down would be my biggest concern though. I wouldn't be able to go down often enough to check on the progress and just drool for a while.

fkemmerer · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 01:33 PM

Well it is some distance to Ron's shop from where we are. I don't think you need to worry much about checking up on the work on the car though. Ron's standards are much higher than most of his customers. I'll give you an example. Ron completed an outstanding paint job on my car. When the gasket material was installed between the hood and the body, the stripes in the back were off about a 1/16". I probably would not have noticed this until after I had the car for awhile but Ron did. He is in the process of getting the hood back from ERA to repaint it to fix the problem. I've also had Ron do some work on my Corvette (also a fiberglass car) he he did an outstanding job on the project as well. He communicates well and is easy to reach. He also has alot more experience with fibeglass cars than just about any local body shop will. this will make a big difference in how nice your car looks (smoothness, etc). when its done as well as how well the paint job holds up over time. Just some things to consider. Best of luck with your Cobra!