I contracted the service of M&J restorations to perform a complete off frame professional restoration on a 1951 five window Chevy pickup. The 3$0,000 spent was for services only and does not include parts. Total cost

was well in excess of $79,000.

All started well and continued until the truck was to be delieved.  M&J had over one year to restore the truck.

The truck was built in California and the plan was to pick it up and drive it to Florida. Due to "delays" and strong suggestion by Mark to have the truck shipped it was not driven to Florida. This was a good thing as it would not have made the first 200 miles.

After delivery and closer inspection issue after issue started to surface and continue to date.

It is quite obvious that M&J does not have the expertize to properly build a high end classic car.

Mark is an average boybuider painter but has real problems with real mechanical assembly work. [continued below]....

..... This is mainy due that all his workers are completely uncertified and should not be working on tasks that besides being expensive to fix could lead to serious failure and possible personal injury.

This is based on two issues of many. After about 300 miles of driving we had complete failure of the rear brakes.

Lukily this happened in our drive way and not a 60mph. The root cause was that Mark did not tighten the caliper to the axle and they became loose and completely came off the axle hub.

Brake problems continued as we noted that breaking was extremely inadequate. We had disk brakes all around and 11" rotors up front. After discussions with Fatman it was noted that due to Marks complete misundestanding of hydraulics he had installed an improper master cylinder (piston size) he believes that a bigger piston will give you more stopping power. We had to replace this improper component with a proper master cylinder.

The story continues, very expensive custome wheels were installed with the rear tubbed for at least 11" tires.

Mark was asked tie and tie again to properly measure the offset. He manged to get this wrong and noe the tires actuall rub when I hit a bump. It will be quite costly to replace these wheels.

The front started to behave strangely after 1000 miles. After inspection the control arm bolts where the shocks mount were completely bent. Mark ahd not used the required sent bolts by Fatma which need to be grade 5. Had used cheap stainless steel bolts which could have failed. Deadly at 60 MPH.

 

The issues go on an on and on. After a $79,000 dollar build I have spent close to $7,000 on rework all due to incompetence. Mark will not come good and will continue with his well reherased repertoire of excuses.

Bottom line, M&J Restorations should not be in the high end restoration business. Don't let this company turn your dreams into a very expensive nightmare.

 

Below find a brief summary, let it be a lesson to you. Attorney fees are expensive and Mark knows this.

 

 

 

 

1951 Chevy Rework

Known

M&J Restorations

21-Sep-13

1)

Dropped Shipping Box on New Motor

Broken Spark Plugs

Came shipped like that

New Spark Plugs

15

Damaged Distributor

New Carburetor

620

Damaged Carburetor

New Distributor

150

2)

Lights Burn Fuses Instantly

Grounded Light Bulb

Bulf Forced into Socket Broke Tab

No Explanation

4 hrs troubleshooting

300

3)

Signal Light LED don’t work

Poor electrical connection

No Explanation

4 hrs troubleshooting

300

Remove guages to access

Connections

4)

Door rubber seals  not as per design

Loud windage on passanger side

Don’t worry about it

Buy proper seals

400

Stick-on

and install

5)

Guages Controller Box installed

Cut cab drivers side  wall and installed outside

Don’t' worry about it

Will need to reinstall

1000

outside cab

Sensitive electronics

and seal cab

6)

Rear tires rub fenders

Incorrect offset measured to purchase

My guy measured wrong

Need new wheels

1500

wheels

7)

Complete Rear brake failure

Calipers not tightened to hubs

Forgot to tighten and locktite

All new components

600

Damaged calipers, brake lines, parking brake

Bolts

Re installed

8)

Brake master cylinder incorrect

Not enough pressure build up, need smaller

No understanding of hydraulics

New master cylider

500

for application

bore diameter

during specification

with smaller bore

9)

Front window leaks

Need to reseal

They all leak

New Seal Job

400

10)

Passenger door key doesn’t work

New tab sent to be installed

You don’t need it

To be installed

200

11)

Passenger door does not close right

Bad components bad alignment of

No comment

Disassemble and realign

300

striker

Replace

12)

Rear end leaking

Replace yoke seal

bad component

Replace seal

150

13)

Front End Swing Arm Bolts Bent

Need to replace all swing arm bolts

No Comment

Improper weak bolts installed

350

Not Fatman Suplied

6,785.00