If you are restoring a car and live in the Southern Alberta area, this page will list some of the local suppliers and people who might be able to help you out. Or some info that may save you some money. Everyone knows about Year One and Original Parts Group, but this page will list local suppliers/shops that aren't that well known but have have offered superior assistance or caused me grief with my project.
THE GOOD:
1) Mike Schritt, parts department at Davis Buick GMC in Medicine Hat
Phone 1 888 527 1115 (toll free)
Phone 1 403 527 2787 (direct line to parts department, long distance applies)
As parts manager at that dealership, he has helped me for 15 years with my cars,
always willing to look up some unusual part, and is very knowledgeable about GM vehicles
of all years and common problems. He has recently expanded into the restoration scene
as well, in addition to all the GM parts (of course). Very good prices and friendly
service. He currently carries:
Classic Industries for general restoration parts
Global West suspension components
Goodmark sheetmetal and related parts
MP Brakes brake systems and parts
2) Chris Heighton Restorations
These are the guys (and gals) doing the metalwork and paint on my convertible. They do some collision but specialize in restoration work. Small operation but very nice craftmanship. You will pay for it too :-)
Located in Beiseker, Alberta.
Phone (403) 947-2260
3) KT&T Towing
Flatdeck service for speciality cars. I have used his service including a 700 mile round trip. We managed to get through that one without tossing each other out of the truck, so you know he's patient!! Ask for Norbert. About the only guy I trust with moving my cars.
Based out of Calgary, Alberta.
Phone (403) 651-4762
4) West-Tek Auto Restoration Services
Wow. Dave Stark does stainless and aluminum repair/polishing, pot metal welding and various other detail work. Makes your old stainless look better than new, can repair most damage (including fire damage!!). Decent prices and good to work with, craftsman and master of his art if I ever saw one. He did the windshield/wheelwell trim on this car. If everyone took this kind of pride in their workmanship, the world would be a better place!!
Based out of Calgary, Alberta.
Phone (403) 253-6892
Cell (403) 617-3370
5) Cascade Vans & Interiors
Dale and the guys did an excellent job on the top install. Friendly and helpful too.
Calgary, Alberta
Phone (403) 250-3861
6) J. Allen Interiors
Jeff recovered the front and rear seats for me as they needed lots of foamwork. Great job, super friendly too. True car guy. Seats are very comfy.
Okotoks, Alberta
Phone (403) 995-1182
THE BAD:
1) *DO NOT* USE Electroshine Metal Finishers Ltd. located in Sidney, BC.
Phone 1 877 656 2656 (toll free)
Phone (250) 656 2656
While not exactly local, this is the closest place I could find that does pot metal
repairs. They also do triple plate chrome, polishing and various types of plating.
I had to change my view on these guys....at first I was pretty happy with their work even though the replated my top latch receptacles in chrome rather than the agreed upon nickel plating.
Now that I have come very close to painting the car I have looked over the parts they did and while they looked excellent, I discovered to my horror that the hood nose molding had been warped while in their possession. The hood has not been touched yet, and this piece came off the very hood I am using and fit perfectly before sending it to them. I called them and they tried to fix it, but it was unsuccessful (I only found this out after picking it up after it had been sent collect shipping). Now I have had to purchase another one from the states but still need a place to chrome it. The headlight bezels had to be sent back twice to get them done properly, and looking at them they polished the metal so hard it actually FLOWED and the outer edges which are quite narrow are now about three times wider on ONE bezel than the other so the set is effectively ruined. A registered letter failed to get any response so now I am online telling you that in my opinion you would be better off going somewhere else. Basically I pissed $700.00 (plus the price of re-purchasing the parts) out the window due to their crappy workmanship. I am not impressed.
Update Aug 14, 2005: One of the headlight bezels has now developed a big blister that has also cracked!!! And these parts have been sitting on a shelf in my house. Amazing.
Update Sept 2005: Filed a complaint with the BBB. As usual, the BBB is a big joke and can do nothing.They did however manage to waste 3 months of my time. Companies PAY to be members, what does that tell you?? I wonder if I can file a complaint with the BBB about the BBB??:-) Company has changed hands now too, and although the new owner said he would try to "make it right", he never did make any attempt and won't return calls or e-mails. Nice.
Looking into hiring a lawyer but for the amount of money involved, appears not to be worth it. My best advice to anyone reading this is to steer clear of electroshine. I will be sure to tell everyone I know and everyone who asks that in my opinion they have bad workmanship and business ethics.
Website is located at http://www.electroshine.com
THE UGLY:
AND THE WEIRD:
While looking for battery cables, thought I could use cables from another make of car and make them fit. Problem is, nobody lists cable lengths in their ads. I called these guys up and told them that if they had Chevelle cables long enough that might work, I would buy a set off them, and no worries about returns. So I asked how long the cables were for a 72 Chevelle side post and you know what the reply was ?? "We don't release that information". Wow, I didn't know Chevelle battery cable length was a matter of national security!! WTF??? So I bought them somewhere else. Nice sales tactic.
Here is their website. Don't ask questions. You are not worthy!!