As someone who's been bringing his car to Nick's for almost 15 years, I never understood how people can just leave their cars there for weeks on end.... I was always so excited to get my car back so i can drive it and enjoy it. I don't know... maybe it's a respect thing or maybe I don't like to inconvenience people especially people trying to help me.
Nick. My family owned an 11,000 square foot autobody and paint shop for 64 years. I worked there for 17 years and one of the biggest pains in the ass was people not picking up their cars! Same thing every night at closing time, jockeying cars around to bring them back in the shop! The same thing day after day! I've felt your pain Nick! JUST PICK UP YOUR CAR! Bill from Linglestown, Pennsylvania.
i admit, i was guilty for not picking up my car for a week due to super-heavy work load at work with no time to pick up the car. garage opens at 7 i head off to work at 5. garage closes at 8 i come home at 8. finally i got an phone call by owner asking me if im going to pick up the car. i had a brainwave. I sent a tow truck(flatbed) to get it. Paid my bills over phone. at least it was easy done deal. 75 bucks pickup and tow. at least i got out of his hair. sorry :(
Nick, you should have a sign posted on your wall in your office and or wherever your customers will see them stating "After a specified amount of days after customer's are notified their car is ready to be picked up there will be a charge of say $100 a day until it's picked up. I guarantee cars will be picked up quickly. We can do this here in south Florida, I'm not sure if you can in Canada. Where I work we give them three days and starting on the fourth day they will be charged $50 a day storage. Once in a while there's someone having to pay for one or two days when picking up their bike.
Well, Nick I am an old guy who learns a lot from watching you! You are the only one that teaches us how to completely rebuild an engine from start to finish. Your love and care for your customers and their cars says a lot! You and yours are simply the best!
I worked for a local mechanic years ago. He had a good reputation and was an honest guy who ran an honest shop. I’ve seen all the things you mentioned. We had an old seventies Jeep Grand Wagoneer come in for some very minor work. Turned into a frame up restoration with no expense spared. I recall tripping over that thing and it’s various parts for at least two years. Customer was happy with the end result and paid the bill. It was worth it in the end. Keep on keeping on Nick! I hope you find some good help to ease the the work load. 👍
Nick having a business is frustrating at times no matter what your business is. I guess you have to have some tuff days to know what a good day is. I have said this before and will always say, thank God you excepted my car to get everything that was wrong and fixed it right. I have had the car now for two years and every single time I take it out its a great day (smiles from ear to ear) and I think about all the work you and the guys at your shop did to make my RR run the best it ever has since I have owned it! I can never thank you enough! Stay well my friend.
I worked at a hot rod shop for 6 years and have been a gear head my whole life. I completely understand what you go through, Nick. I appreciate your hard work, determination, and devotion in preserving these North American muscle cars for us and the near future generation to enjoy.
Nick, I have been following you since before the pandemic. I have never seen a video like this. You have always shown passion, desire and joy restoring these cars, teaching and investigating. Sounds like it's time for a Summer Vacation. You're only one man, I still need you around when I send my engine. 😂❤ People PAY Nick!! and help him find parts for your car!!!
Thank you Nick for providing all us viewers the entertainment Nick's Garage offers. The blood, sweat and tears come together with the job. Being positive and having the right mindset helps you deal with it to get through it
I appreciate this episode so much. In my 20’s I was able to acquire the ASE Masters Certification. I loved turning a wrench. These exact problems came up EVERY day. Learning to manage the unexpected became the priority, after years of experience the actual mechanic grind became fun. GO Nick!!
Nick, You are dedicated to what you do. It shows. The viewers see it, and I hope the clients do too! You're one of a kind, and so is your work. Keep on doing what you do. You go through hell to make heavenly dreams come true.
Hello Nick, I totally understand your frustration. I have had to take some losses trying to help people with there cars/trucks. It has taken me about 30 years now to build my garage where I do my own side work building engines and repairing vehicles. Nick, you are one of many people who inspire me to continue working on the old hot rod cars 🤪
I often wondered when a video like this would be made because it's not a perfect world in the automotive or any other industry. Many times people probably think Nick has a perfect shop with no headaches. I feel your pain Nick
Nick, I enjoy your channel! You are a Class act and your attention to detail is unparraleled. Anyone that has worked on their own vehicle or restored a car can definately sympathise or at least get a glimpse. I have seen a quality decline in the past 30 years of parts and Garage/paint shop support services and I am not in the business. I just do it as a hobby. It is tough, especially when you are committed to a high level of quality and results. Thats why I admire you greatly. We know the battle you face on a daily basis and appreciate it. You strive for excellent and satisfying results. You are relentless that way ! Thank YOU very much and George and the whole crew there that keeps these cars alive/thriving! I have been subscribed almost since the beginning!
Many times I have found this to be true: "the worst enemy of a classic muscle car is the owner" there are people who should not go near the car, 30 feet minimum because they don't know anything about the cars, but they still wanna do. I was so frustrated once that I said if I find the guy behind this mess I will cut off his hands😂. Take care Nick, your channel is awesome😎👍🏻
I can empathize with the issues related to the lack of quality auto parts these days. I’ve also have seen the headaches caused by customers not picking up their cars when they are completed. The shop began charging storage fees after a determined amount of days had passed and the customer had not picked up their car. This almost completely eliminated that issue. I’ve been in the same situations Nick. But somehow the love for these cars makes it all worth it. Take care and keep swinging the wrenches 🔧 Sir.
My first car was a 67 Mercury Marquis that had been abandoned and repossessed. The original engine was locked up and the wiring harness had been cut out of the engine compartment. I put that car back together using parts from a wrecked 65 Ford Galaxie. It was fun at first but I was getting tired of it by the time I got it running. I learned how to read wiring diagrams and pieced the harness out of the Galaxie into the Mercury Marquis. I had to separate the wires from the Galaxie's harness so that I could route the wires to fit and wrapping it in tape was a boring but necessary job. It was a matter of getting one system at a time working. I don't know how many times I have regretted not putting it in storage for restoration at a later time but I didn't have the money to do it back then. The engine was stolen and sold for scrap after I had torn it down for evaluation. I still want to hurt my sister's ex boyfriend every time I think of it. He also stole the original 318 from my 70 Dodge Coronet. That was nearly 40 years ago and I still get mad when I remember it.
try being me the guy who does all the body and mechanical work on a full frame off complete restoration,this means the entire car complete dismantle and reassembly its very frustrating and nerve wrecking to ensure the vehicle is correct in every detail and in evey way,for example some people dont know that ford bolts have identiification stamps on them,on mustangs and others it identifies if its a fender or hood hinge or door mounting bolts if you put the wrong bolts in the wrong spots you will fail at a points winning show car,i did alot of fords in a resto shop,thats all we did was fords,
@@spigs1967 I’ll be honest, seems like a lot of work and money for some plastic trophy. I’ve always appreciated what it takes to restore a car to concours but I’d rather drive a classic than trailer it.
it will be worth it (in the end). 30 years aerospace machining, first 15 years dream job, next 15 years descent into hell. Changed hats to build custom homes, first 11 years dream job, next 11 years descent into hell. Now retired in my dream garage polishing and restoring my dream cars for my own self and hang around with lots of wonderful car pals who ended up same way. Regrets? Selling favorite cars to get over inevitable hard times. Always more hard times, far harder replacing favorites. The hells will fade away.
Nicks garage & Storage. My experience has been the opposite as a customer. I had a 1977 rust free AZ. Trans AM completely re-done to OEM by "professionals" paid any invoices immediately and it took 4 years. The result was a beautiful car that I still had to re-do many mechanical corrections from bumper to bumper. (I have a list). I would never hold up a shop, but my customer experience was bad as well. NOW I only have certain pieces done by professionals who specialize in each specific item, and I tear down the car and put it back together, and I still got burned by a huge commercial transmission rebuild company that screwed me out of thousands of dollars and I still (luckily) had to have the transmission re-built again by a local honest builder, that I was unaware of at the time. Wish you all the best Nick.
This is a prime example of the headaches a business owner has. Nick's videos never show all the downsides to owning a business and especially one that involves cars. So many variables and hidden problems. I love his videos and what he shows us, I don't love that there are so many headaches for him.
No one pays you to move these cars in and out every day. Check the local regulations. If you are allowed to charge for storage legally, then do so. Time is money. The customer brought their car to you for repair. They have to pay for your expertise. You should charge for every minute worked on their vehicle especially if they bring you a basket case. You’re very fortunate to have Robert and Manny helping you. From what I can see, they help keep you grounded. They are the calm before you, the storm, erupts. Sometimes you just have to walk away from the problem and come back to it later.
I worked with Frank and one of his favorite expressions was "nightmare", there were times when we wanted to give up but just like you, perseverance got us through to complete the job. Keep up the good fight Nick !!
I feel your pain, Nick and have the utmost admiration for what you do. I didn't even complete my apprenticeship before I was launching my spanners around the freezing, damp workshop and with expletives to match!! A wretched time in my career!! Keep up the great work - you're making at least 249,000 of us out here very happy indeed!!
Well Nick i understand how you feel sometimes! I'm a 45 year Small engine tech fixing small engine's and lawn mowers. I always want everything fixed right like you do! Its so hard sometimes dealing with people. But i keep pluging along trying to my very best as you do yourself! Thanks for this video it helps me why i do what i do. Blessing Nick thank you sir!
I saw a neat trick recently for bad cam bearing alignment Nick, take an old cam n cut a groove across the journals. Turn it gently to shave the bearings to fit. Periodically cleaning shavings from grooves. Thin a final light cleanup
Hey Nick, if you see this, contact some drift parts companies for a cable for the Ram. They may have or can make any cable system you want or may have something from their hand brakes that'll work
I work as a tech at a Harley dealership and everything you talk about happens here too! Most big custom-jobs are money-losers because no-one understands how much time it takes to make one little bracket or to modify something to fit and so you end up giving away hours of labor. The same thing happens with older high-mileage bikes-one small thing fixed then some more free fixing for something that fails right after! And rest assured, you are not the only one tearing out your hair sometimes on a bad day of dyno-tuning😤 What keeps me going is my commitment to my customers (same as you) and the reward of them going away happy at the end-and then coming back again and again.
People who have never restored a vehicle has no idea the talent & incredible amount of hard work you must put fourth. They just have no idea. It's not easy, but you should make top $ for your time, as you & yourvteam are top notch😊
I can understand your frustrations, Nick. But it is your dedication, passion, and love of these vehicles that keeps you going. The days, weeks, and years of dealing with the issues and making the vehicles good again is what keeps you going Nick, because from what I have seen second best will never be tolerated by you. I admire that Nick, that for you top quality and poor quality is black and white, and that you will clearly never settle for a poor job. Out of everything it is you that makes things happen, so that if it takes a day, a week, or even months, it gets done. Putting up with the back orders, delays, poor state of cars, and the issues with customers simply 'garaging' their cars with you is frustrating because that affects not only your workload and space to undertake work, but your business cash flow too. As for owners who do not collect their cars.... instigate a garaging fee policy. If you do not collect your car within a specified agreed time period after completion of the work, the owner will be charged for garaging, and if payment for works is not forthcoming the car will be seized and sold. That should be indicated to the owner when the car arrives at your shop Nick.
Nick, you are a prince and a true artist. Most of the people I know who are your Calibur do it mostly for the love of your trade. Money is important but your reputation is priceless.
Stay strong nick!!! It's sometimes so hard that we want to give up!!! When it happened I always remember that dreamin' is something to feed rather than let it rot !! But oh my god it take a lot of energy to stay positive!!! So I send to you all my good energy and my support!! Stay strong you're the best !!!
HI nick its the same here down under in Australia being a mechanic do that all the time alot of people are struggling they use ur workshop like a parking lot an they go on holidays happens always love ur shop very clean nick ur a gentlemen love ur videos
Thanks a lot also from my side for your honest evaluation of what it takes to run our hobby. Sometimes i think we have it harder overseas than you guys, but i really share in with your feelings. On my 72 Charger SE it was an outer rear axle bearing that took me a whole day to replace as i had to build three sets of puller tools successively more powerful. Reason was the bearing was likely originally jammed in at the factory together with some metal shaving. Assembly afterwards was a snap though. Another issue is finding parts for my original condition B200 van...Those are even more difficult to get by than car parts. I mearned to start repair work only if i have got everything ready for the job, do one job at a time and keep jobs small, one at a time. Thereby i mamage to keep my cars running good particularily during summer time. Time consuming jobs i save up for winter, or run a secondary module while fixing the original module. My car runs better than ever before today and is fun to drive, not perfect, but gets a lot of attentio from people across the board, many who wonder how nive it is despite the mileage i put on it every year. Yeah, that along with some trustable guys in local workshops for some special tasks keeps my smiles running for miles
I have a love for old muscle. I would not trade working on older cars as I cannot bring myself to start on these newer ones. Nice thing with the ols stuff, is when you crack open the hood, you can actually see the engine, and not the plumbing as newer cars have! Keep up the great job all of you! God Bless.....
Thanks Nick for sharing. We always thought you had the perfect operation with zero issues! I worked in the auto repair business for 19 years and don't miss it at all. I still have bad dreams about being back in that field. Hang in there and keep the great videos coming!!
I wouldn't mind getting a chance to drive those gem of a cars. They look like a delight to drive, even just for a 1 minute of starting and moving them.
Nick!! :) Start by telling your costumers when they drop their car off for repair, that you will call when the car is ready, and that 24 hours after the call they will be charged $75 a day after until the car is picked up! :)
God bless you, Nick I understand and can reflect that there is so little honest mechanical and restoration shops in Canada. And the bottom line is simply the maturity of car parts come from the US and which up to 30% currency exchange and then Duty and delivery! It takes real people with real hearts on your real Quest! All love Nick! Take a break brother! It's okay to be pissed off! Glad to see you venting! Keep it real!
Thank you Nick for laying the truth out for all to see of what running your own business is all about. Love your work, your passion and expertise! There is always headache, and heartache along with true satisfaction and joy in running any successful business. Keep up the fabulous work and Good luck!
I’ve been saying this since I returned; start making people sign forms. If the vehicle stays longer than 2 weeks, start charging storage. Watch how quickly people start picking their cars up.
Sold my 69 Mach in the mid-nineties, it was either that or go all in. There was a guy here named Lorne Anderson who made some beautiful pro street cars for his clients in the US. After much thought I decided to sell it and wait till I was more financially secure - still waiting 😁
You can never make everyone happy nick lol they always have something to complain about in life. Your doing a great 👍 job brother keep it up wish you all the best
We love you guys too! That why we keep coming back. I hope your customers know what you go through to fix there cars and they respect everything you do! I’m sure they do!
Nick ,George, Manny, Melissa, and The Krew ...Thankyou for all you do to keep Nicks Garage going . Wishing everyone at Nicks and all thevfans of the channel a Happy 4th of July !!!!! Be safe and have fun ...In America, take a minute to Think and Remember What the 4th really means ...Peace Love and Muscle Cars !!!!!!!!!
I honestly don't know how Nick keeps his happy go lucky persona .Mechanics has got to be one of the most agrivating and filthy jobs out there ! Keep smiling Nick !!
Nick, it looks like you may have to have someone make the cables for the truck as long as you know the gauge, length and type of ends. I'm a retired motorcycle technician and machinist and I can remember customers bringing in bikes wanting to resurrect them from the dead and we knew better to take it in, but yet we still did. Like you said, you fix one thing and another part fails and so on and so forth. Sometimes parts are no longer available from the manufacturer and aftermarket may be the only choice if they're even available. Sometimes even today we have to say sorry we won't work on it.
Such an honest video without the usual faked theatrics we've all become accustomed on all those fake TV shows. We all need to vent Nick, and hopefully your customers who have not picked up their cars yet will be embarrassed enough to come by to pay/pick up their cars.
I understand what your talking about Nick. I was just telling a friend about a 1976 Chevy Vega station wagon that came to my garage years ago. The head gasket was leaking. I got the head planed and a new head gasket installed. Then the starter was bad and wouldn't turn the engine over. On and On and On I kept finding things that needed repaired for safety reasons. After having the car for over a month and working all the bugs out of it. The customer came to pick up his car. I got in and started it up. It was a cool day outside so I turned the defroster on and guess what. The heater core started to leak. Such is life I guess. I no longer work on other people's cars and I'm getting to the point where I don't even enjoy working on my car anymore.
ive found in my commercial truck repair and welding career, the bad days when the parts didn't show up and 7 bolts broke... i always thought to myself, like the first mountain i climbed when i was 3/4 way to the summit everything of me wanted to quit but my mind and determination got me the summit, so ive used that willpower at work and 9/10 suceed
When the going gets tough, the video's of the completed projects help to maintain the passion and sanity... Stick with it Nick, You'll get caught-up soon...
I'm a mechanic of nearly 40 yrs. Like u I fix these old mopars that people have nearly destroyed. As of late I've been takes the mopar 3.6 pentastar and putting twin turbos on it getting 700-900 hp. What fun. They share the block with Maserati and Porsche has their hand in it too. They are sleepers with cutouts on both sides. Lots of demon stuff underneath my '15 charger. It's Ben superbirded with nose and wing. Look forward to seeing u at a show someday. Keep ur spirits high realizing " u R da Man" Love ur challenger. God bless u Nick.
Never had to do a video like this one, for me to understand the headaches. As all it took to get me to stop working on car’s for the public, was going to a technical school that was trying to become an accredited college to kill any desire I had of working as a mechanic for the public. But that was the last nail in that coffin, some 35 years ago. Did not mean I ever stopped working on car’s, as I do work on car’s for certain people that cannot afford to pay a shop. Found it was better that way, as to donate my time fixing car’s for a few that really need a good mechanic but otherwise cannot afford one.
Hi Nick. The passion you bring for the love of the cars is truly amazing. A master of quality craftsmanship. Great clip of the ups and down of owning a shop like yours. Definitely not all roses and cream. Thank you for the back end view of owning a shop like yours. Great honest shop that when a classic car is done , it ready to go. Thank you Nick . Have a great 4th of July with you and your family.
Nick: you are making the world a better place, one muscle car at a time. I gotta ask - given all the problems described in this video: would you have it any other way? I'm guessing probably not. Meanwhile, I'm here at my scret HQ in the Snoqualmie Valley, working on my '50 Panhead Harley that I've had since1962. Getting older and older. It would be easy to ride it up to Northwest Custom in Snoqualmie and say "Fix this. Fix that." But so much stuff has been changed on this bike over the years, that I'm afraid to simply hand it over. I'm showing it to my son, trying to teach him how to ride it and wrench on it. Handshift, suicide clutch, dentist's mirror for a rear view, etc. It's a chopper. Keep on rockin' in a free world, man! Seeya ATB
Nick, thank you for being “REAL” and showing the “other side” of the business. I hope at some point I can come up from Philadelphia and visit your shop!
Nick, I really do wish I could be there to help you with whatever need to be done. Sweep floors, hang flags, change out shocks, take motors out, whatever needs to be done. Maybe someday I could. Until then, I have manny George, robert, and Nick's garage . I thank all you for that.🙂
I noticed that Eugenes Charger 500 is still in your Garage. I saw it during the cookout video? It has been ready for delivery for quite a while. It is taking up your valuable space.. Hopefully it is not a money issue on Eugene Castles end and then it puts everything in your lap! You get the cars done.. The owners need to be respectful and pick them up ASAP! I understand where you are coming from Nick. You are a very patient man
Assuming there is a back story surrounding the Charger 500 which is nobody's business, but it's been there for like 3 years and finished for a year or more?? That's a lot of risk of damage or loss I certainly wouldn't want to be sitting on
I feel your pain Nick. I waited for 3 months looking for a high pressure side power steering hose for a 2009 Challenger R/T with the STP package. Special steering pump. After receiving 2 that we’re supposed to work. And going to several specialty Hydraulics shops that said they could build me one. To no avail. Finally getting one made at a Bob Cat dealer. Then getting powersteering pumps for my 70 GTX. Two of them. They leak. On my third one. Third times a charm. I wish I could just install it once and be done. Parts today are a crap shoot. Hang in there Nick. We all are trying to get through these parts failures. But in the end, we always get it fixed. We always do😛
If my collector car was in the shop, I would want to go grab it the second it was done so I could start having fun with it again. Maybe the owners who leave them there can't afford to pay the bill! Six weeks on the lot after a simple fix on the cooling fan? I hope you will charge him for storage, Nick!
Hi Nick, I knew from 1st video that you are a MASTER PERFECTIONIST, extremely focused on each project you undertake!! I thank you for your HONEST explanation on what you go through, remember that venting with us viewers helps lighten your load; I also here GRATITUDE and LOVE of these cars!! KEEP ON TRUCKIN' BROTHER. Mike from Delaware
If you start charging for storage people will pick up their cars on time. I used to work at a Kawasaki/Sea-Doo shop and it was common for people to leave their Jet-Ski’s at our shop at the end of the summer after they had it winterized. We would have dozens of Ski’s behind the fence. The owner finally got pissed and started sending notices to customers that if they didn’t pick up their ski’s/Bikes he would put a mechanics lean on them and they would loose their property. Sometime you have to play hardball with people.
Awesome show I bet working with all those beautiful cars there are a lot of problems keep up the good work Nick and crew keep them coming and see you Friday
One of the things that pisses me off is how quick the factories dis-continue regular damage prone and wear and tear parts now, and the aftermarket doesn't pick up supplying any replacements. When you can't get a headlight lens, crank bearings, glass, seals, or piston rings, for instance. I've come to expect to have to re-build the old broken or worn out stuff, modify "close" parts, luck out on e-bay, or make my own parts most of the time. I'm not talking about Model T's, either. No brake cables for a 2000's Dodge P/up? This is bad.
first thing I realized and learned, "never deviate from stock", because unless it's actual stock parts, nothing will fit, other things will need replaced and everything needs custom hand fitting and modifications. 🤯
Nick, everything that you share tonight was the very reason that my Sweetheart of 40+ years begged me not to open a shop. She said that she would rather have a husband. I have started working on the W-30. I will send you a short video when I fire her up for the 1st time in 16 years. As has been said already storage fees should take care of people not picking up their cars.
I feel ya Nick! The 72 challenger we painted has been here 2 years since we finished it and still waiting. Customer keeps saying we need to pick it up but never does! Sad thing is he owns a shop 4 miles from mine
Thank you for your commitment to doing things the right way. It would be so much easier to just slap things together and call it a day ... but we all know that's just not your style. Keep your head up. There are a lot of shops that wish they had your reputation ... and your volume of work.
I certainly understand you, Nick. Working on a dream-project can be a nightmare-project sometimes. But that's the part of the journey when working a dream-car. Just yesterday when installing the new exhaust-system on my 66 Buick Electra, I accidentally knocked my head to the yoke of the differential. Trust me, that hurts Thanks Nick, for showing us that there will be obstacles when working with cars, keep up the good work. PS what is that angry reptilian roar called at 00:08/00:10? i remember that specific roar from several cartoons as a kid
Watching other Mechanic channels on YT, it is just the nature of the Beast. Thing is folks want you to work on their rides, because they know you fix things right, which just doesn't happen much anymore with mechanics. One thing I'm thinking is lack of available parts or today's percentage of faulty new parts isn't something you had to deal with alot in the past. Nick, hope that your "good days" far outweigh the bad and you can find more qualified staff.
Pick up your car when it's ready. If you want more work done: just say it, planning is important, the smaller the shop, the more important is the onderging. Or risk your car status parked outside at your own risk!!
It’s not about the money. We need it to live but these projects are a labor of love. Good on you and your team for fighting against the current. I appreciate your efforts and videos. On a much smaller level I’m struggling as well while working a busy day job. Good work buddy
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to vent. The ‘ol PCV could clog and cause some pistons to do something bad. Feel your pain with redundant parts. Chrysler told me they stop supporting after 7 years. As do many other manufacturers. Thanks for putting in the effort to keep 29:35 these awesome rides going. Long waits and big bucks for tiny but important parts seems to be the trend nowadays. But as you say, in the end, it sure is worth it. Moving cars in and out really is a pain. Come on guys, pick them up and drive them before winter comes around again 😮.
Twisted off oil pump drives, broken rockers, bent push rods, twisted drive shafts, since the mid 70s my nightmare list is plenty. And here i am putting another one together 😂😂😂. Stay tough Nick 💪💪💪👌
👍I feel your pain sir Nick as we’ve all been there. Imo, it’s borderline burn out. When vacations don’t help I always pull photos up of my good family & grandkids. For the most part it’s why i keep pushing. Also, I thank the Lord that he’s put me here to make a difference! Frustration is rough. Best to ya Nick! We love ya sir!
Great video Nick ! Completely understand your frustration working on old, but so cool cars. Pal you need to be compensated fairly for your expert engineering time especially on custom work. Proper engine rebuilds require time to custom fit mechanical parts. Its harder and harder to find machine shops that have classic precision skills. Most modern DOHC aluminum block engines are throw away, limited by emissions only to direct replacements.
My Father is about your age and has been building classic hot rods for 60 yrs strong. He faced a lot of the same problems you are having. He decided instead of taking on any vehicle to build,he specializes in certain ones. He enjoys it better and his business is great. Just a thought. Keep up the great work .
As someone who's been bringing his car to Nick's for almost 15 years, I never understood how people can just leave their cars there for weeks on end.... I was always so excited to get my car back so i can drive it and enjoy it. I don't know... maybe it's a respect thing or maybe I don't like to inconvenience people especially people trying to help me.
Nick. My family owned an 11,000 square foot autobody and paint shop for 64 years. I worked there for 17 years and one of the biggest pains in the ass was people not picking up their cars! Same thing every night at closing time, jockeying cars around to bring them back in the shop! The same thing day after day! I've felt your pain Nick! JUST PICK UP YOUR CAR! Bill from Linglestown, Pennsylvania.
i admit, i was guilty for not picking up my car for a week due to super-heavy work load at work with no time to pick up the car. garage opens at 7 i head off to work at 5. garage closes at 8 i come home at 8. finally i got an phone call by owner asking me if im going to pick up the car. i had a brainwave. I sent a tow truck(flatbed) to get it. Paid my bills over phone. at least it was easy done deal. 75 bucks pickup and tow. at least i got out of his hair. sorry :(
Nick, you should have a sign posted on your wall in your office and or wherever your customers will see them stating "After a specified amount of days after customer's are notified their car is ready to be picked up there will be a charge of say $100 a day until it's picked up. I guarantee cars will be picked up quickly. We can do this here in south Florida, I'm not sure if you can in Canada. Where I work we give them three days and starting on the fourth day they will be charged $50 a day storage. Once in a while there's someone having to pay for one or two days when picking up their bike.
Well, Nick I am an old guy who learns a lot from watching you! You are the only one that teaches us how to completely rebuild an engine from start to finish. Your love and care for your customers and their cars says a lot! You and yours are simply the best!
Thank you for your kind words !
I worked for a local mechanic years ago. He had a good reputation and was an honest guy who ran an honest shop. I’ve seen all the things you mentioned. We had an old seventies Jeep Grand Wagoneer come in for some very minor work. Turned into a frame up restoration with no expense spared. I recall tripping over that thing and it’s various parts for at least two years. Customer was happy with the end result and paid the bill. It was worth it in the end. Keep on keeping on Nick! I hope you find some good help to ease the the work load. 👍
After the first week charge them storage fee . You will see the change real quick
Nick having a business is frustrating at times no matter what your business is. I guess you have to have some tuff days to know what a good day is. I have said this before and will always say, thank God you excepted my car to get everything that was wrong and fixed it right. I have had the car now for two years and every single time I take it out its a great day (smiles from ear to ear) and I think about all the work you and the guys at your shop did to make my RR run the best it ever has since I have owned it! I can never thank you enough! Stay well my friend.
I worked at a hot rod shop for 6 years and have been a gear head my whole life.
I completely understand what you go through, Nick.
I appreciate your hard work, determination, and devotion in preserving these North American muscle cars for us and the near future generation to enjoy.
Thank you for watching !
Nick, I have been following you since before the pandemic. I have never seen a video like this. You have always shown passion, desire and joy restoring these cars, teaching and investigating. Sounds like it's time for a Summer Vacation. You're only one man, I still need you around when I send my engine. 😂❤ People PAY Nick!! and help him find parts for your car!!!
Thank you for watching and I appreciate the kind words !
Perfect cars get that way because perfect mechanics always find a way. This channel has taught me so much, even when it’s not all roses! Thanks Nick
I look forward to these videos like a kid on Christmas. Congratulations on 245k subs
Glad you like them!
Thank you Nick for providing all us viewers the entertainment Nick's Garage offers. The blood, sweat and tears come together with the job. Being positive and having the right mindset helps you deal with it to get through it
I appreciate this episode so much. In my 20’s I was able to acquire the ASE Masters Certification. I loved turning a wrench. These exact problems came up EVERY day. Learning to manage the unexpected became the priority, after years of experience the actual mechanic grind became fun. GO Nick!!
That is awesome!
Nick, You are dedicated to what you do. It shows. The viewers see it, and I hope the clients do too! You're one of a kind, and so is your work. Keep on doing what you do. You go through hell to make heavenly dreams come true.
I appreciate that!
I couldn't have said that better myself 👌🏻
Hello Nick, I totally understand your frustration. I have had to take some losses trying to help people with there cars/trucks. It has taken me about 30 years now to build my garage where I do my own side work building engines and repairing vehicles. Nick, you are one of many people who inspire me to continue working on the old hot rod cars 🤪
I often wondered when a video like this would be made because it's not a perfect world in the automotive or any other industry. Many times people probably think Nick has a perfect shop with no headaches. I feel your pain Nick
...have a clause that if you don't get your car when you say you will, then Nick gets to do burn-outs in it and post the video on here!!!
@@wokewokerman5280or sell it. That's disrespecful.
Nick, I enjoy your channel! You are a Class act and your attention to detail is unparraleled. Anyone that has worked on their own vehicle or restored a car can definately sympathise or at least get a glimpse. I have seen a quality decline in the past 30 years of parts and Garage/paint shop support services and I am not in the business. I just do it as a hobby. It is tough, especially when you are committed to a high level of quality and results. Thats why I admire you greatly. We know the battle you face on a daily basis and appreciate it. You strive for excellent and satisfying results. You are relentless that way ! Thank YOU very much and George and the whole crew there that keeps these cars alive/thriving! I have been subscribed almost since the beginning!
Thank you and thanks for watching !
Many times I have found this to be true: "the worst enemy of a classic muscle car is the owner" there are people who should not go near the car, 30 feet minimum because they don't know anything about the cars, but they still wanna do. I was so frustrated once that I said if I find the guy behind this mess I will cut off his hands😂. Take care Nick, your channel is awesome😎👍🏻
I can empathize with the issues related to the lack of quality auto parts these days. I’ve also have seen the headaches caused by customers not picking up their cars when they are completed. The shop began charging storage fees after a determined amount of days had passed and the customer had not picked up their car. This almost completely eliminated that issue. I’ve been in the same situations Nick. But somehow the love for these cars makes it all worth it. Take care and keep swinging the wrenches 🔧 Sir.
My first car was a 67 Mercury Marquis that had been abandoned and repossessed. The original engine was locked up and the wiring harness had been cut out of the engine compartment. I put that car back together using parts from a wrecked 65 Ford Galaxie. It was fun at first but I was getting tired of it by the time I got it running. I learned how to read wiring diagrams and pieced the harness out of the Galaxie into the Mercury Marquis. I had to separate the wires from the Galaxie's harness so that I could route the wires to fit and wrapping it in tape was a boring but necessary job. It was a matter of getting one system at a time working. I don't know how many times I have regretted not putting it in storage for restoration at a later time but I didn't have the money to do it back then. The engine was stolen and sold for scrap after I had torn it down for evaluation. I still want to hurt my sister's ex boyfriend every time I think of it. He also stole the original 318 from my 70 Dodge Coronet. That was nearly 40 years ago and I still get mad when I remember it.
Dosent take much for a dream to end up as a nightmare. A lot of people don’t see what it takes to repair these beasts and keep them running right!
Timing belt, crank bolt breaks the crankshaft. Toy, 4.7l
try being me the guy who does all the body and mechanical work on a full frame off complete restoration,this means the entire car complete dismantle and reassembly its very frustrating and nerve wrecking to ensure the vehicle is correct in every detail and in evey way,for example some people dont know that ford bolts have identiification stamps on them,on mustangs and others it identifies if its a fender or hood hinge or door mounting bolts if you put the wrong bolts in the wrong spots you will fail at a points winning show car,i did alot of fords in a resto shop,thats all we did was fords,
@@spigs1967 I’ll be honest, seems like a lot of work and money for some plastic trophy. I’ve always appreciated what it takes to restore a car to concours but I’d rather drive a classic than trailer it.
Cars and people can be very difficult . Thank you for all you do for so many !!!
Thank you for watching !
VENT WEEK by Nick's Garage. Every good road is plagued by a few pot holes and ruts. Keep going Nick.
Thanks, will do!
The machine shop that made the mistake should pick them up, correct the problem, and deliver them.
They might have, but their delivery van and their driver are probably on back order. 😂😂😂
@@MK-fc2hn LOL
should. Everyone has problems finding people to work. The same show end to end these days. Thank you democrats and socialists
@@chrisrichard2526
Yep, supply chain is a joke and taxes pay people to stay home and do nothing. We are so screwed thanks to the commies in charge.
it will be worth it (in the end). 30 years aerospace machining, first 15 years dream job, next 15 years descent into hell. Changed hats to build custom homes, first 11 years dream job, next 11 years descent into hell. Now retired in my dream garage polishing and restoring my dream cars for my own self and hang around with lots of wonderful car pals who ended up same way. Regrets? Selling favorite cars to get over inevitable hard times. Always more hard times, far harder replacing favorites. The hells will fade away.
Nicks garage & Storage. My experience has been the opposite as a customer. I had a 1977 rust free AZ. Trans AM completely re-done to OEM by "professionals" paid any invoices immediately and it took 4 years. The result was a beautiful car that I still had to re-do many mechanical corrections from bumper to bumper. (I have a list). I would never hold up a shop, but my customer experience was bad as well. NOW I only have certain pieces done by professionals who specialize in each specific item, and I tear down the car and put it back together, and I still got burned by a huge commercial transmission rebuild company that screwed me out of thousands of dollars and I still (luckily) had to have the transmission re-built again by a local honest builder, that I was unaware of at the time. Wish you all the best Nick.
This is a prime example of the headaches a business owner has. Nick's videos never show all the downsides to owning a business and especially one that involves cars. So many variables and hidden problems. I love his videos and what he shows us, I don't love that there are so many headaches for him.
Glad you enjoyed it !
When things get tough or dont go your way just keep calm, laugh and keep pushing...
Wise words. Thanks!
Or buy a faster newer car with factory warranty 😂
Or walk away n take a break to clear your thoughts.
Tell the customer straight up in the contract that daily storage fees will incur if not picked up in a timely manner when work is done.
Good idea.
No one pays you to move these cars in and out every day. Check the local regulations. If you are allowed to charge for storage legally, then do so. Time is money. The customer brought their car to you for repair. They have to pay for your expertise. You should charge for every minute worked on their vehicle especially if they bring you a basket case. You’re very fortunate to have Robert and Manny helping you. From what I can see, they help keep you grounded. They are the calm before you, the storm, erupts. Sometimes you just have to walk away from the problem and come back to it later.
Hats off to you Nick. Most people including me don’t have the patience or talent to deal with all the problems.
Appreciate it !
I worked with Frank and one of his favorite expressions was "nightmare", there were times when we wanted to give up but just like you, perseverance got us through to complete the job. Keep up the good fight Nick !!
I feel your pain, Nick and have the utmost admiration for what you do. I didn't even complete my apprenticeship before I was launching my spanners around the freezing, damp workshop and with expletives to match!! A wretched time in my career!! Keep up the great work - you're making at least 249,000 of us out here very happy indeed!!
Thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed !
Well Nick i understand how you feel sometimes! I'm a 45 year Small engine tech fixing small engine's and lawn mowers. I always want everything fixed right like you do! Its so hard sometimes dealing with people. But i keep pluging along trying to my very best as you do yourself! Thanks for this video it helps me why i do what i do. Blessing Nick thank you sir!
I saw a neat trick recently for bad cam bearing alignment Nick, take an old cam n cut a groove across the journals. Turn it gently to shave the bearings to fit. Periodically cleaning shavings from grooves. Thin a final light cleanup
Hey Nick, if you see this, contact some drift parts companies for a cable for the Ram. They may have or can make any cable system you want or may have something from their hand brakes that'll work
I work as a tech at a Harley dealership and everything you talk about happens here too! Most big custom-jobs are money-losers because no-one understands how much time it takes to make one little bracket or to modify something to fit and so you end up giving away hours of labor. The same thing happens with older high-mileage bikes-one small thing fixed then some more free fixing for something that fails right after! And rest assured, you are not the only one tearing out your hair sometimes on a bad day of dyno-tuning😤 What keeps me going is my commitment to my customers (same as you) and the reward of them going away happy at the end-and then coming back again and again.
People who have never restored a vehicle has no idea the talent & incredible amount of hard work you must put fourth. They just have no idea. It's not easy, but you should make top $ for your time, as you & yourvteam are top notch😊
I can understand your frustrations, Nick. But it is your dedication, passion, and love of these vehicles that keeps you going. The days, weeks, and years of dealing with the issues and making the vehicles good again is what keeps you going Nick, because from what I have seen second best will never be tolerated by you. I admire that Nick, that for you top quality and poor quality is black and white, and that you will clearly never settle for a poor job. Out of everything it is you that makes things happen, so that if it takes a day, a week, or even months, it gets done. Putting up with the back orders, delays, poor state of cars, and the issues with customers simply 'garaging' their cars with you is frustrating because that affects not only your workload and space to undertake work, but your business cash flow too. As for owners who do not collect their cars.... instigate a garaging fee policy. If you do not collect your car within a specified agreed time period after completion of the work, the owner will be charged for garaging, and if payment for works is not forthcoming the car will be seized and sold. That should be indicated to the owner when the car arrives at your shop Nick.
Nick, you are a prince and a true artist. Most of the people I know who are your Calibur do it mostly for the love of your trade. Money is important but your reputation is priceless.
Appreciate the kind words!
Stay strong nick!!! It's sometimes so hard that we want to give up!!! When it happened I always remember that dreamin' is something to feed rather than let it rot !! But oh my god it take a lot of energy to stay positive!!! So I send to you all my good energy and my support!! Stay strong you're the best !!!
HI nick its the same here down under in Australia being a mechanic do that all the time alot of people are struggling they use ur workshop like a parking lot an they go on holidays happens always love ur shop very clean nick ur a gentlemen love ur videos
Thanks a lot also from my side for your honest evaluation of what it takes to run our hobby. Sometimes i think we have it harder overseas than you guys, but i really share in with your feelings.
On my 72 Charger SE it was an outer rear axle bearing that took me a whole day to replace as i had to build three sets of puller tools successively more powerful. Reason was the bearing was likely originally jammed in at the factory together with some metal shaving. Assembly afterwards was a snap though. Another issue is finding parts for my original condition B200 van...Those are even more difficult to get by than car parts.
I mearned to start repair work only if i have got everything ready for the job, do one job at a time and keep jobs small, one at a time. Thereby i mamage to keep my cars running good particularily during summer time. Time consuming jobs i save up for winter, or run a secondary module while fixing the original module.
My car runs better than ever before today and is fun to drive, not perfect, but gets a lot of attentio from people across the board, many who wonder how nive it is despite the mileage i put on it every year.
Yeah, that along with some trustable guys in local workshops for some special tasks keeps my smiles running for miles
I have a love for old muscle. I would not trade working on older cars as I cannot bring myself to start on these newer ones. Nice thing with the ols stuff, is when you crack open the hood, you can actually see the engine, and not the plumbing as newer cars have! Keep up the great job all of you! God Bless.....
Thank You Nick For Caring So Much For Our Beloved Muscle Cars and Trucks ❤️😀😊😀😎
Thanks Nick for sharing. We always thought you had the perfect operation with zero issues!
I worked in the auto repair business for 19 years and don't miss it at all. I still have bad dreams about being back in that field.
Hang in there and keep the great videos coming!!
I wouldn't mind getting a chance to drive those gem of a cars. They look like a delight to drive, even just for a 1 minute of starting and moving them.
Nick!! :) Start by telling your costumers when they drop their car off for repair, that you will call when the car is ready, and that 24 hours after the call they will be charged $75 a day after until the car is picked up! :)
God bless you, Nick I understand and can reflect that there is so little honest mechanical and restoration shops in Canada. And the bottom line is simply the maturity of car parts come from the US and which up to 30% currency exchange and then Duty and delivery! It takes real people with real hearts on your real Quest! All love Nick! Take a break brother! It's okay to be pissed off! Glad to see you venting! Keep it real!
Thank you Nick for laying the truth out for all to see of what running your own business is all about. Love your work, your passion and expertise! There is always headache, and heartache along with true satisfaction and joy in running any successful business. Keep up the fabulous work and Good luck!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Need to start charging parking lot attendant fees!
Love your passion and videos Nick!
I’ve been saying this since I returned; start making people sign forms. If the vehicle stays longer than 2 weeks, start charging storage. Watch how quickly people start picking their cars up.
Nick, I'm shocked by the failure of new parts. Its sounds very frustrating.. It makes me want to stay with good used parts over new or rebuilt...
Sold my 69 Mach in the mid-nineties, it was either that or go all in. There was a guy here named Lorne Anderson who made some beautiful pro street cars for his clients in the US. After much thought I decided to sell it and wait till I was more financially secure - still waiting 😁
You can never make everyone happy nick lol they always have something to complain about in life. Your doing a great 👍 job brother keep it up wish you all the best
We love you guys too! That why we keep coming back. I hope your customers know what you go through to fix there cars and they respect everything you do! I’m sure they do!
Appreciate it !
Nick ,George, Manny, Melissa, and The Krew ...Thankyou for all you do to keep Nicks Garage going . Wishing everyone at Nicks and all thevfans of the channel a Happy 4th of July !!!!! Be safe and have fun ...In America, take a minute to Think and Remember What the 4th really means ...Peace Love and Muscle Cars !!!!!!!!!
Thank you and happy fourth of July for our American viewers!
I honestly don't know how Nick keeps his happy go lucky persona .Mechanics has got to be one of the most agrivating and filthy jobs out there ! Keep smiling Nick !!
👍
Nick, it looks like you may have to have someone make the cables for the truck as long as you know the gauge, length and type of ends. I'm a retired motorcycle technician and machinist and I can remember customers bringing in bikes wanting to resurrect them from the dead and we knew better to take it in, but yet we still did. Like you said, you fix one thing and another part fails and so on and so forth. Sometimes parts are no longer available from the manufacturer and aftermarket may be the only choice if they're even available. Sometimes even today we have to say sorry we won't work on it.
Such an honest video without the usual faked theatrics we've all become accustomed on all those fake TV shows. We all need to vent Nick, and hopefully your customers who have not picked up their cars yet will be embarrassed enough to come by to pay/pick up their cars.
I understand what your talking about Nick. I was just telling a friend about a 1976 Chevy Vega station wagon that came to my garage years ago. The head gasket was leaking. I got the head planed and a new head gasket installed. Then the starter was bad and wouldn't turn the engine over. On and On and On I kept finding things that needed repaired for safety reasons. After having the car for over a month and working all the bugs out of it. The customer came to pick up his car. I got in and started it up. It was a cool day outside so I turned the defroster on and guess what. The heater core started to leak. Such is life I guess. I no longer work on other people's cars and I'm getting to the point where I don't even enjoy working on my car anymore.
ive found in my commercial truck repair and welding career, the bad days when the parts didn't show up and 7 bolts broke... i always thought to myself, like the first mountain i climbed when i was 3/4 way to the summit everything of me wanted to quit but my mind and determination got me the summit, so ive used that willpower at work and 9/10 suceed
Nick and George are the best wrenching video combo!
Appreciate it !
Thank you Nick for showing us the gritty side of the glamour garage that most folks don't see 👍
You should charge cx for storage for keeping their cars there !
When the going gets tough, the video's of the completed projects help to maintain the passion and sanity... Stick with it Nick, You'll get caught-up soon...
Nick is not much older than I but when I listen to him I flash back to being a child glued to every word my grandfather would say.
I'm a mechanic of nearly 40 yrs. Like u I fix these old mopars that people have nearly destroyed. As of late I've been takes the mopar 3.6 pentastar and putting twin turbos on it getting 700-900 hp. What fun. They share the block with Maserati and Porsche has their hand in it too. They are sleepers with cutouts on both sides. Lots of demon stuff underneath my '15 charger. It's Ben superbirded with nose and wing. Look forward to seeing u at a show someday. Keep ur spirits high realizing " u R da Man"
Love ur challenger. God bless u Nick.
Thank you !
Never had to do a video like this one, for me to understand the headaches. As all it took to get me to stop working on car’s for the public, was going to a technical school that was trying to become an accredited college to kill any desire I had of working as a mechanic for the public. But that was the last nail in that coffin, some 35 years ago. Did not mean I ever stopped working on car’s, as I do work on car’s for certain people that cannot afford to pay a shop. Found it was better that way, as to donate my time fixing car’s for a few that really need a good mechanic but otherwise cannot afford one.
Hi Nick. The passion you bring for the love of the cars is truly amazing. A master of quality craftsmanship. Great clip of the ups and down of owning a shop like yours. Definitely not all roses and cream. Thank you for the back end view of owning a shop like yours. Great honest shop that when a classic car is done , it ready to go. Thank you Nick . Have a great 4th of July with you and your family.
Glad you enjoyed it and happy 4th of July to you !!
I feel you're pain Nick, its the same thing with wheelchair repair.
Nick: you are making the world a better place, one muscle car at a time. I gotta ask - given all the problems described in this video: would you have it any other way? I'm guessing probably not. Meanwhile, I'm here at my scret HQ in the Snoqualmie Valley, working on my '50 Panhead Harley that I've had since1962. Getting older and older. It would be easy to ride it up to Northwest Custom in Snoqualmie and say "Fix this. Fix that." But so much stuff has been changed on this bike over the years, that I'm afraid to simply hand it over. I'm showing it to my son, trying to teach him how to ride it and wrench on it. Handshift, suicide clutch, dentist's mirror for a rear view, etc. It's a chopper.
Keep on rockin' in a free world, man!
Seeya
ATB
Nick we appreciate you! Every job has days like that. Good to vent keeps you from getting down.👍
Thank you for watching!!
Dear Nick, we would love you and your work even when you do repairs on Lada or other scrap. Greetings from Austria!
Thank you!!
You're doing a fantastic job Nick ! Thanks for all you do. I only wish my car was in there too.
Thanks again!
Nick, thank you for being “REAL” and showing the “other side” of the business.
I hope at some point I can come up from Philadelphia and visit your shop!
I hope so too!
Nick, I really do wish I could be there to help you with whatever need to be done. Sweep floors, hang flags, change out shocks, take motors out, whatever needs to be done. Maybe someday I could. Until then, I have manny George, robert, and Nick's garage . I thank all you for that.🙂
I noticed that Eugenes Charger 500 is still in your Garage. I saw it during the cookout video? It has been ready for delivery for quite a while. It is taking up your valuable space.. Hopefully it is not a money issue on Eugene Castles end and then it puts everything in your lap! You get the cars done.. The owners need to be respectful and pick them up ASAP! I understand where you are coming from Nick. You are a very patient man
Assuming there is a back story surrounding the Charger 500 which is nobody's business, but it's been there for like 3 years and finished for a year or more?? That's a lot of risk of damage or loss I certainly wouldn't want to be sitting on
I am not looking for a "BACK STORY'. My comment is my business and pertians to Nicks video.
I feel your pain Nick. I waited for 3 months looking for a high pressure side power steering hose for a 2009 Challenger R/T with the STP package. Special steering pump. After receiving 2 that we’re supposed to work. And going to several specialty Hydraulics shops that said they could build me one. To no avail. Finally getting one made at a Bob Cat dealer. Then getting powersteering pumps for my 70 GTX. Two of them. They leak. On my third one. Third times a charm. I wish I could just install it once and be done. Parts today are a crap shoot. Hang in there Nick. We all are trying to get through these parts failures. But in the end, we always get it fixed. We always do😛
Keep pushing buddy, friends and family are always there to help ❤
If my collector car was in the shop, I would want to go grab it the second it was done so I could start having fun with it again. Maybe the owners who leave them there can't afford to pay the bill! Six weeks on the lot after a simple fix on the cooling fan? I hope you will charge him for storage, Nick!
I really liked the exhaust note on the 70(?) Fury at the beginning of the video 👍
Hi Nick, I knew from 1st video that you are a MASTER PERFECTIONIST, extremely focused on each project you undertake!! I thank you for your HONEST explanation on what you go through, remember that venting with us viewers helps lighten your load; I also here GRATITUDE and LOVE of these cars!! KEEP ON TRUCKIN' BROTHER. Mike from Delaware
Appreciate it Mike !
If you start charging for storage people will pick up their cars on time. I used to work at a Kawasaki/Sea-Doo shop and it was common for people to leave their Jet-Ski’s at our shop at the end of the summer after they had it winterized. We would have dozens of Ski’s behind the fence. The owner finally got pissed and started sending notices to customers that if they didn’t pick up their ski’s/Bikes he would put a mechanics lean on them and they would loose their property. Sometime you have to play hardball with people.
Awesome show I bet working with all those beautiful cars there are a lot of problems keep up the good work Nick and crew keep them coming and see you Friday
One of the things that pisses me off is how quick the factories dis-continue regular damage prone and wear and tear parts now, and the aftermarket doesn't pick up supplying any replacements. When you can't get a headlight lens, crank bearings, glass, seals, or piston rings, for instance. I've come to expect to have to re-build the old broken or worn out stuff, modify "close" parts, luck out on e-bay, or make my own parts most of the time. I'm not talking about Model T's, either. No brake cables for a 2000's Dodge P/up? This is bad.
first thing I realized and learned, "never deviate from stock", because unless it's actual stock parts, nothing will fit, other things will need replaced and everything needs custom hand fitting and modifications. 🤯
Nick, everything that you share tonight was the very reason that my Sweetheart of 40+ years begged me not to open a shop.
She said that she would rather have a husband. I have started working on the W-30. I will send you a short video when I fire her up for the 1st time in 16 years. As has been said already storage fees should take care of people not picking up their cars.
Hang in there, Nick. Many shops don’t work on the older cars because of all the associated problems.
I feel ya Nick! The 72 challenger we painted has been here 2 years since we finished it and still waiting. Customer keeps saying we need to pick it up but never does! Sad thing is he owns a shop 4 miles from mine
Thank you for your commitment to doing things the right way. It would be so much easier to just slap things together and call it a day ... but we all know that's just not your style.
Keep your head up. There are a lot of shops that wish they had your reputation ... and your volume of work.
Appreciate it !
I certainly understand you, Nick. Working on a dream-project can be a nightmare-project sometimes. But that's the part of the journey when working a dream-car. Just yesterday when installing the new exhaust-system on my 66 Buick Electra, I accidentally knocked my head to the yoke of the differential. Trust me, that hurts
Thanks Nick, for showing us that there will be obstacles when working with cars, keep up the good work.
PS what is that angry reptilian roar called at 00:08/00:10? i remember that specific roar from several cartoons as a kid
Watching other Mechanic channels on YT, it is just the nature of the Beast. Thing is folks want you to work on their rides, because they know you fix things right, which just doesn't happen much anymore with mechanics. One thing I'm thinking is lack of available parts or today's percentage of faulty new parts isn't something you had to deal with alot in the past. Nick, hope that your "good days" far outweigh the bad and you can find more qualified staff.
Pick up your car when it's ready. If you want more work done: just say it, planning is important, the smaller the shop, the more important is the onderging. Or risk your car status parked outside at your own risk!!
It’s not about the money. We need it to live but these projects are a labor of love. Good on you and your team for fighting against the current. I appreciate your efforts and videos. On a much smaller level I’m struggling as well while working a busy day job. Good work buddy
Thank you for watching !!
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to vent. The ‘ol PCV could clog and cause some pistons to do something bad. Feel your pain with redundant parts. Chrysler told me they stop supporting after 7 years. As do many other manufacturers. Thanks for putting in the effort to keep 29:35 these awesome rides going. Long waits and big bucks for tiny but important parts seems to be the trend nowadays. But as you say, in the end, it sure is worth it. Moving cars in and out really is a pain. Come on guys, pick them up and drive them before winter comes around again 😮.
Twisted off oil pump drives, broken rockers, bent push rods, twisted drive shafts, since the mid 70s my nightmare list is plenty. And here i am putting another one together 😂😂😂. Stay tough Nick 💪💪💪👌
👍I feel your pain sir Nick as we’ve all been there. Imo, it’s borderline burn out. When vacations don’t help I always pull photos up of my good family & grandkids. For the most part it’s why i keep pushing. Also, I thank the Lord that he’s put me here to make a difference! Frustration is rough.
Best to ya Nick! We love ya sir!
Bloody hard work is all I can say mate you're a legend.
Appreciate it Daniel!
Great video Nick ! Completely understand your frustration working on old, but so cool cars. Pal you
need to be compensated fairly for your expert engineering time especially on custom work. Proper
engine rebuilds require time to custom fit mechanical parts. Its harder and harder to find machine shops
that have classic precision skills. Most modern DOHC aluminum block engines are throw away, limited
by emissions only to direct replacements.
Been a mech. Over 40yrs, somedays I would have to tell myself " if this was fun and easy, I wouldn't be getting paid to do this!"
My Father is about your age and has been building classic hot rods for 60 yrs strong. He faced a lot of the same problems you are having. He decided instead of taking on any vehicle to build,he specializes in certain ones. He enjoys it better and his business is great. Just a thought. Keep up the great work .