I would never use Fantomworks either. He does what he wants not what the customer wants. A local guy here had them do a rare Jeep delivery van. He just sprayed bed liner on anything he did not want to do right.
I do enjoy watching Fantomworks, even though they are no longer making any new episodes. But you're right, customers are spending a boatload of cash and in a number of cases the shop is deciding what to do and then they show the customer when he arrives to see the progress. I also think a lot of that is trying to create fake drama to make the show more interesting. Some of the problems they encounter and then act like they are shocked are ridiculous. Car guys watching the show can spot this immediately. Graveyard Cars, the Mopar show, also does this fake drama thing. I must say that Restoration Garage / The Guild might be the most level-headed of the car shows. But that's because they are Canadian. lol They repair the vehicles with no drama and do a good job illustrating what is going on.
Should not stop one from using their services. TV fame goes to these guy’s heads, just fluff.... At the end of the day, it comes down to grass roots guy’s in the shop. Do they know their stuff or not... They are in my neck of the woods, have been around a long time and their work is well respected... I would use them over Legendary Motor Car who is also local and the owner also has a TV show. He started out in his garage as the Shelby Shop and grew his business. Our car’s are a non factor to his business... Structly higher end car’s these day’s.
