Repair Shop in Massachusetts?

Do both Hagerty and Quality Auto Restorations know that this is a Fiberglass car?

If Hagerty is insuring a '356 Speedster' they may be assuming that it is made of steel (logical assumption, no?) Unless.... you're told them otherwise.

I would have to do some research for a good fiberglass body shop, but any body shop specializing in Corvettes should be competent.

If you want to find out and fix the reason it went up in flames, contact Dana Johnson in Hopkinton at 508-364-7223   You'll have to explain why you're calling him, but he's a cool guy once you break the ice.  The other place I know of (maybe closer to Cambridge) is ACS Racing at 74 Industrial Way, Hanover, Ma.   781-982-9434  Both shops can help you out.

None of the 356 guys (like George Nelson or Meister Restorations) will touch a VW engine and none of them work with fiberglass.  Go with Hagerty's choice for the body+ and then have either Dana or ACS look at it.  

WOW, you must be living the good life - others have not been so lucky!  Were you able to extinguish it with just a hand fire extinguisher?   

Justin,

I also have Hagerty, and I'm surprised that they are steering you towards the ONE & ONLY recommended shop in MA.  Most states' insurance laws state that the claimant has the right to have their car repaired at a shop of their choice.  My suggestion is to take it to the shop you think is right for the job, either through your own research, or recommendations from those you trust, then let the shop work with Hagerty.

BTW, almost all reputable shops offer their own warranties.  You shouldn't need one from your insurance company.  Best of luck and please keep the group informed of your progress.

Insurance companies have shops they "work" with because the shop has probably guaranteed the insurance company that they will charge a lower price. This "guarantees" that the shop gets more business and the insurance company saves money.

Thanks everyone!

Gordon, I'm verifying that they can handle fiberglass; then plan to truck it out to Quality.  I'll also try to connect with one or both of your recommendations...

Robert, Hagerty isn't pushing it; but I don't yet have a shop, and this is evidently the only MA shop they're worked with and have a sufficient level of confidence in.  

Wolfgang, the good life indeed.  I felt something wasn't right, looked over my shoulder and quickly saw the flames spitting through the vents on the engine bay door.  Yes; the hand fire extinguisher did it; though I wasn't 100% sure til the fire dept arrived.

On a closely related note, is spontaneous combustion a common 'feature' of these cars?  I'm not mechanically inclined; so I should probably know that sooner than later...  

Also, how insulated are these fuel tanks?  Watching this car smolder, I've never been more worried about being flash fried...

Thanks again!

Justin

I said "Robert"; meant "Jim"...  Thanks to both!

Justin,

Engine fires are not spontaneous combustion.  They are almost always the result of fuel spilling/leaking onto a hot surface in the engine compartment.  There are LOTS of threads on how to prevent, how to extinguish, etc.

Thanks Jim; just referring to unplanned ignition.  The car has been checked out three times in the last 300 miles; so not sure what more could have been done...

Jim:  from a PM to another member on here:

Feedback from the Boston area 356 club ( www.typ356ne.org )

"Call my friend Peter Pokorski at Boston Motor Works. He's worked on several 550 replicas. 617-489-0291 The shop is in Belmont, very close to the Waltham line."

***********************

"I do know that Jay Barry is no longer in Malden. 
The guy's at Little Foreign Car Shop in Waltham:
http://www.lfcg.com/ "

BTW:  You should become a member of TYP356ne.org   If not for the every weekend events, then for the wealth of contacts for repairs and/or services.