Classic Mustangs Stripped By Fraudulent Mechanics: Here’s How To Protect Your Investment
This story hurts right in the wallet. It also serves as a reminder to be completely confident that you can trust a mechanic before leaving your car with them. A few owners of vintage Ford Mustang models thought they picked the best classic car restoration shop available. However, things didn’t go as planned after multiple customers found their Ford Mustang builds abandoned with missing components. They lost time, money, and may even have to start over from scratch.
A Fraudulent Mechanic Ruined A 1967 Ford Mustang Model
A few unlucky Ford Mustang owners are left with totaled vehicles after trusting the wrong mechanic in Memphis, Tennessee. Andrea Bailey thought she was getting her dream car restored when she left her 1967 Ford Mustang with ‘Classic Mustang Specialist’ on Pleasant View Road.
She agreed to have her car worked on on a step-by-step basis. Heating and air conditioning were supposed to be added, then the front drum brakes were going to be replaced with disc brakes. After that, the interior was going to be refurbished, and the Mustang was going to be repainted.
However, shortly after delivering her muscle car, the shop went quiet. She waited for months without hearing any updates and discovered that the business had been abandoned. The owner had people’s cars towed, and the owners had no idea where they had gone. Bailey decided to return to the shop and found that the business had closed and her Ford Mustang was abandoned in the parking lot.
It was missing key components, as the parts were stolen. Replacement parts that are hard to find, such as bumpers and trim pieces, were missing. She paid $11,172 for labor that was never completed and about $8,637.67 for items that never arrived, bringing her total losses to about $19,809.67.
Another 1965 Ford Mustang Was Turned Into A Frankencar
Andrea Bailey wasn’t alone, as multiple people were out thousands of dollars related to their missing cars and incomplete work. Another person paid the shop $7,000 to work on their 1965 Ford Mustang, and the owner of the shop stopped returning their calls. Then they discovered that the business had closed, and a new tenant was operating in the space.
Their Mustang was missing, causing a bit of panic until it was found in another parking lot. It was found in pitiful shape and missing components. Some parts, like the original hood, were replaced by cheap aftermarket replacements. The victim had no choice but to have it towed away. Other mechanics have since told the victims that their cars are totaled, and it would be much cheaper to purchase models that have already been finished.
To some slight relief, the owner of Classic Mustang Specialist was identified as 76-year-old Garner Kirkendoll and arrested. He was charged with Theft of Property $10,000 to $60,000 for the 1967 Mustang and Theft of Property $2,500 to $10,000 for the 1965 Mustang. Additionally, multiple other victims have come forward.
Here’s How To Find A Trustworthy Mechanic
Leaving your classic car in the hands of a criminal could destroy your entire project. The exact specifications of the destroyed Ford Mustang models are unclear, but depending on engine, trim level, and condition, they could have been worth between $10,000 and over $85,000. Also, it’s not like finding a surviving model is exactly easy in the first place.
First of all, get involved with the local muscle car community. Visit ownership clubs or car shows and ask around for a legitimate shop. Fellow enthusiasts will be happy to help. You can also use online forums and groups to find reviews and honest feedback about the work done by local mechanic shops.
Instead of generic chains, try to find specialty or restoration garages with experience relevant to your vehicle. Ask detailed questions about specific projects such as rebuilding a carburetor to see if the owner is experienced with older vehicles. Also, mechanics shouldn’t complete any work without telling you or getting your consent first.
Make sure that every job you want to have completed is signed off on with a written agreement that details the estimated cost for parts, labor, and diagnostic fees. A good mechanic will be open to showing you why certain components need to be replaced as well. They will show you the broken parts if you ask.
Don’t rush into a commitment, either. Start with a smaller project to gauge the shop’s quality before entrusting it with something major. This way, you can judge their communication, performance, and cleanliness before trusting them with your time, money, and a potentially irreplaceable car.
Source: Action News 5, Hagerty
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments