Hello everyone,
I have been asked by various people (via PM) about my opinion of Whitby Motorcars, since I'm having them do the body, paint, and wiring work on my GTM. I don't think it's any big secret that I am a fan of the guys at Whitby's. And I'm sure that some are conviced that I mainline Whitby Kool-Aid. (I like the Strawberry one the most)...
The questions that are most often asked have to do with cost, value for $$'s spent, and whether or not I would call it a good or frustrating experience. I was also asked an interesting question that had to do with my impression of communication between Whitby's and the customer.
The questions came up again today, so I thought that I would post my response for everyone else to read.
Understand that I am only writing about my personal experience in dealing with Jeff Collins and Crew @ Whitby Motorcars in Greensboro, NC. Other people may have different opinions. But then other people voted for Obama too, so take it for what it's worth. http://www.ffcars.com/forums/images/smilies/shifty.gif
Whitby Motorcars:
I met Jeff Collins, in April 2007, at the AutoFair Car Show @ the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Factory Five was at the show and had the Red (LS7) GTM Show Car on display, and I must worn him out with all the questions that I asked him and the other guys from Whitby's. But he hung in there with me until my questions were all answered.
I later bought my GTM (Aug 2009), and Jeff (along with David Borden & Shane Vacek) has been there to answer my questions through the chassis build. When it was time to do the body, he and his shop were the most logical choice.
I had seen examples of his work at the car shows over the years, and knew that I wanted my car to look as nice as those. Whitby's has been building Factory Five Products for years. They know all of the issues that come with building these cars, and they know the solutions that work to resolve those issues. They've "Been There and DoneThat" over and over and over. And you need that sort of experience when it comes down to getting the body work right on whichever car you're building.
You may or may not know that Whitby's even built Dave Smith's Type 65 coupe, as well as various other cars for Factory Five Racing.
The fact that his shop was only 1 1/2 hours away was a plus, but not necessarily a deciding factor. It was the relationship that he and I had slowly developed over the course of two years, that made me confident that I could trust them to do the work, and deliver the results that I wanted.
Were you happy with the experience?
I can tell you with absolute confidence that sending my car to Whitby Motorcars, was absolutely the best choice for me.
There are a large number of reasons, but the main reason would have to be the extremely high level of quality that comes with their work; whether it's body and paint, wiring and routing, or their guidance to help you make good choices.
Jeff has never tried to steer me into doing what he wants to do. But he'll make sure that I completely understand any impacts that may come as a result of something that I may have mentioned that I was considering. To me that's invaluable because it saves me time and huge money in the long run.
I enjoy driving up to see the progress made on the car, because I just like spending a little time with the guys there. Working along with Jeff, are Barry Collins (Jeff's brother), John Harding, and Johnny Gill. All of them are just good honest people with great sense of humor, and fun to be around. I've often said that I've never left the shop without a big smile on my face.
My wife and I both count these guys as good friends.
Was the car on time? (Communication)
Jeff still has my car, and we're now entering the "final stretch". The thing that I've notice about Jeff (Whitby's) is that, if you leave the car with them, and then step back and let them take their time to do it right the first time, that's exactly what they'll do.
When I agreed to have them do the work for me, I told Jeff that he wasn't under any time pressure from me. I let him do his thing, and have stayed out of the way (as much as possible). It has taken a little longer, but what I'm getting in return is phenomenal!
With that said though, understand that I could have told him that I needed the car by a specific date, and I would have had it. I've seen others do just that while my car has been there. You and the current schedule are the main deciding factors as to how quickly you car will be turned around. If the schedule allows it, he'll meet your time / delivery request. If not, he'll tell you up front, and you'll have to make your decision from there.
Were you happy with the quality of the paint?
Take a look at the build thread that is attached below, and tell me whether or not you think I should be happy with the quality. I'm guessing that you'll say yes. I could not have been any happier, if Chip Foose himself had done the work on my car.
Forum Link to GTM Documentation:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...e-on-the-body-)
Two things that I know very little about are paint and body work, and wiring. I asked Whitby's to do both for me. John Harding wired the entire car from front to back. In this short clip, he explains how the push button start ignition will work. It just so happens to be the "first start" as well.
You Tube Link: (First Engine Start)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cPFo2nRqfA
I don't think that you would ever regret having Whitby Motorcars do your body & paint work for you. (Or any other work that you need to have done, for that matter). Jeff also owns and operates a complete machine shop next door to Whitby's. There's really not much at all that they wouldn't be able to do for you.
Again, this is my oppinion, but since I'm asked for it on a regular basis, I thought that I would share it with the rest of you.
Pass the Kool-Aid!
Mike
