Repair Shops in NC

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by SkylarkGuyNC, May 27, 2020.

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  1. SkylarkGuyNC

    SkylarkGuyNC Active Member

    Good Evening fellow Buick owners and lovers! I don’t know if this is the right category for this question/thread but does ANYONE know of any reputable mechanics or shops in NC or SC Close to Charlotte, Monroe, Gastonia, Rock Hill, Columbia, or that area that legitimately knows how to work on our type of cars???? It seems like every place or person I have taken my car to has fixed what I took it there for but messed up something else, or didn’t make my car a priority and it just sits to the side while other cars go in and out and it’s seriously getting frustrating. I just want someone that knows what they are doing and can get my car running right the first time and not mess up, break, or knock anything else out of adjustment. I’m sure I’m not the only one that has faced this problem. Any help or references is welcomed.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    nrichgilmore likes this.
  2. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    I'm in Spartanburg,..and I'm pretty familiar with these things haha
     
    ranger likes this.
  3. SkylarkGuyNC

    SkylarkGuyNC Active Member

    Lol I’ve seen your name in a lot of the threads but I didn’t know you were that close or was a mechanic.
     
  4. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

    Like hugger... is Tom Baker working on Buick’s?
     
  5. Utah455

    Utah455 Platinum Level Contributor

    @SkylarkGuyNC There are a few guys in the Charlotte area that have Buick’s and do some work. I don’t know their handle names on here. Tom Baker is still around And Hugger has quite a few Buick’s as well.

    What type of work are you looking for?
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2020
  6. SkylarkGuyNC

    SkylarkGuyNC Active Member

    Mostly engine, cooling, and suspension work. I’ve put 7k in the car (that was running when I bought it but that was about all it was doing after I got it home) on top of the purchase price and it has still spent more time on the back of trailers and tow trucks than it has on the street. I would’ve thought by now I would’ve been and driven it across town but that’s not the case quite yet. However I think I’m nearing that point as I’m supposed to pick it up from the transmission shop this weekend from a fresh rebuild. I basically just want someone that can go through the mechanics and tweak, tune, diagnose, and repair anything else that’s left so I can finally get it on the road and move on to phase two of the car. Who is Tom Baker?
     
  7. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Paint,..Collision,..restoration,..suspension,..performance,..custom,..engine,..etc etc I can handle it,..hell I'll cut your lawn,..dig a water line trench or put up a mailbox long as I'm getting paid

    20200329_174947.jpg
     
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  8. SkylarkGuyNC

    SkylarkGuyNC Active Member

    Now THAT is hilARious! PM me your contact info and we can go from there. I‘d like to drive up check out some of your work (and don’t worry I have mask and gloves). As I mentioned above I’m due to pick it up from the transmission shop this weekend. I haven’t driven it since around October when the transmission went out but I’m sure the drive home will quickly remind me of the issues I was having before it went. I know overheating is priority number 1.
     
  9. 455monte

    455monte Well-Known Member

    I can vouch for Ethans work (hugger). Ive seen it in person and he even sprayed my 67 a few years ago. Top notch .
    He knows buicks better than most people know their own kids and puts pride in his work.
     
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  10. SkylarkGuyNC

    SkylarkGuyNC Active Member

    Wow 455monte that’s a real stand up recommendation. I’ve received everyone’s PM and will respond to them shortly. In the meantime I just want to say thank you for all of your help and assistance. When I bought this car I was so excited and had so many plans for it, but through the process with all the bad experiences I honestly have gotten turned off and discouraged with owning an old school car. However I believe that with these new connections that passion will be reinvigorated. Thanks again I am grateful to be apart of the V8buick family.
     
  11. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    If Hugger is to far away from you I would highly recommend talking to Tom Baker. Tom is a fantastic guy to deal with and knows Buicks extremely well. Tom's had multiple GSX's and Stage 1's. If you were closer I could introduce you to ' Eagle eye Tumas" Not many better than he is but he is in Kernersville NC. Dave Tumas has helped so many guys get there cars back on the road and he is a awesome friend.
     
  12. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    I know all three of these guys (Ethan, Tom & Dave) and they are all great guys who know what they are doing when it comes to Buicks!
     
  13. SkylarkGuyNC

    SkylarkGuyNC Active Member

    Ryan thank you, hugger and Dave is about equal distance from me so both will be ok distance wise. I actually visit Kernersville quite often as my brother lives there as well. I have gotten so many overwhelming recommendations but if you can I’d still like for you to PM me his info so I can add him to the list also. It’s not often that you get this wealth of vintage car technicians (at least I’ve found). Again I thank everyone for your time and willingness to help. Lastly, I know this is a Buick forum but I am also a lover of Ford 7.3 OBS trucks (non dually) and will be in the market for one in a few months if y’all come across one close to the Carolinas. In my eyes there would be nothing like my Buick trailered behind a nice OBS headed to a show.... Anywho y’all have a great night. Thanks again.
     
  14. 94IDI

    94IDI Jared

    SkylarkGuy, good luck on getting your car back on the road.

    I'm glad I found this post. I'm at Ft Bragg North Carolina and would love to find a Buick-specific handyman as well.
    Hugger, You're not out of the question, but at 3.5 hours, your place would be a bit of a haul for the old girl. Would you guys mind to send me Tom and Dave's handle's so that I can reach out?

    Thanks in advance,
    -Jared
     
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  15. buicksWILD

    buicksWILD Well-Known Member

    Need a shop hand? I'm ocd over cleaning and I'm proficient with a wrench. Pay me with knowledge and experience and you know maybe the occasional pizza or beer after a long day.
     
  16. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    20200623_093559.jpg 20200701_205231.jpg
    Here's a b4 and after of the OP's car,..lots of issues addressed
    New engine harness,...multiple places were were bare and not far from burning to the ground
    Mickey Mouse electric fan and rad removed,..changed everything over to a complete and correct 71/72 cooling system
    Built Qjet
    Replaced cracked manifold
    Replaced busted AC box
    Tuned
    Replaced some garbage throttle bracketry
    Replaced down shift cable with the correct pedal style
    Redone some brake lines
    Rebuilt rear brakes
    Added power booster with correct MC
    And added some guages
     
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