Image Auto Works

JPConrad · #1 (**permalink**) 01-23-2004, 07:54 PM

Anyone recently have any luck having an engine built/installed by Image Auto Works in Palm Desert, Ca?
I am still waiting on my completed vehicle after almost 3 months!

I ordered my aluminum block 427 back in June, 2003. I was told it would take 6 weeks to build and install the engine. They have had the vehicle since the first week in November and still will not give me a firm delivery date!

They keep promising maybe delivery "next week."

I have been told that they (Don Borders) do great work and in the end I will be very happy with the result, but I don't know if the hassles are worth it. First, it is very hard to reach someone there by phone--they have an answering machine but hardly ever return phone calls. When you do talk to someone, and they tell you Don will call you back, don't belive it!

If I had to do it over, I'd have a written contact with a firm delivery date and a "time is of the essence clause." If I were closer (I'm 3 hours away), I would have stopped by the shop every week to check on the progress (or lack there of).

Has anyone had any better experiences with this place?

JPConrad · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2004, 06:12 AM

Still no delivery from Image Auto Works (now Singer Racing). I was promised delivery today, but got a call last evening that they wouldn't be able to deliver today. Their excuses this time were:

1) Didn't know how to put on the Superformance hardtop and it would take them a day to figure it out.
2) The shifter handle was not provided with the car and they would have to get one this weekend.

Gee, I would have figured they would have noticed the missing shifter handle since they have had the car since the first week of November!

These guys can't look any further out than the tip of their nose. Builders beware--get a firm time commitment (in writing) from these guys if you're going to do business with them.

Tom T. · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2004, 12:15 PM

At least they called. Believe it or not, there are much worse experiences out there than the one you're having. If Don is still there, you'll get a first class result. Hang in there.

TT

Cracker · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2004, 01:03 PM

JP - Been there and done that both with Don and others. Sorry to hear about your situation as I know personally how frustrating it can be! Tell them you'll swing by and pick your car up as is and have it ready. Talk to SFfiredog or Gessfords about the engine and chalk it up to experience. Best wishes!

SCOBRAC · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2004, 01:41 PM

Don Borders is a top shelf builder as well as a top notch individual. I will tell you in all best laid plans there are glitches. things don't get delivered, don't qiute fit or in the case of Image, may not be PERFECT. I assume you went there because he puts together the best cars for the best cleints world wide.

I don't know anything about what you were promised although the time frames you note are not uncommon. I'm not making excuses for him or anyone else. I just know the man and the shop and I will tell you I have never met anyone who has been less than completely thrilled with the end result of his products.

Bumpster · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2004, 01:45 PM

JP - Had the same experience here in Florida with a builder who was building two Cobras for me. Nothing but broken promises and excuses for months on end until I couldn't take it anymore. I just got tired of being taken for granted and lost confidence in his ability to finish either car. I finally sold one and pulled the other one out and took it back to the manufacturer to have it finished. It must be great to be in such a profitable business that you can abuse customers until they run off and still have a bunch of new ones to take their place.

Bumpster

globalbroskey · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 12:02 AM

About one year ago I was recommended to Don Borders to build a motor for my Superformance Cobra. The fact of the matter is that they did take a bit longer to deliver my car but once I got it, the quality and craftsmanship were incredible. I was told by Don that my car would push 500 hp, I didn’t thin it would but when I took the car to a dyno it tested at 541. I was very impressed. Don is the undisputed best builder in the country.

I called Don on November 2003 to ask him if he could restore a 1967 Mustang Fastback GT 500 for me and he told me that he would in January as he was busy closing a deal with Singer Racing Inc, a company that was financially very strong, that this new alliance would allow for all the jobs to be delivered according to schedules and that it would be worth waiting. My gorgeous Fastback is being built as we speak, they are on schedule and if Don delivers on his promise, I will have my car next week. I will post some pictures.

globalbroskey · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 12:07 AM

About one year ago I was recommended to Don Borders to build a motor for my Superformance Cobra. The fact of the matter is that they did take a bit longer to deliver my car but once I got it, the quality and craftsmanship were incredible. I was told by Don that my car would push 500 hp, I didn’t thin it would but when I took the car to a dyno it tested at 541. I was very impressed. Don is the undisputed best builder in the country.

I called Don on November 2003 to ask him if he could restore a 1967 Mustang Fastback GT 500 for me and he told me that he would in January as he was busy closing a deal with Singer Racing Inc, a company that was financially very strong, that this new alliance would allow for all the jobs to be delivered according to schedules and that it would be worth waiting. My gorgeous Fastback is being built as we speak, they are on schedule and if Don delivers on his promise, I will have my car next week. I will post some pictures.

JPConrad · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 06:18 AM

Image Auto Works delivered my vehicle yesterday! (see my other thread). They did do a fantastic job on the 427 engine build/installation. I agree with others who have said that, in the end, Image Auto Works (Singer Racing) will beat all your expectations of the final product.

JPConrad · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 06:39 AM

Here is a picture of the aluminum 427 installation.

globalbroskey · #11 (**permalink**) 02-07-2004, 10:56 PM

Your engine looks terrific, lots of chrome and i am sure lots of power. tell me how does it sound?

I called Natan Adler today to see how was my car coming along and he said it was on schedule so i guess it will be in my garage soon.

I told him that I had heard that they were not being formal with the delivery time and he said that if he was late, he would give me 100 bhp for free!!!

He also asked if they could borrow my car to enter it in a show, he assured me that it was a winner. Well I guess ill have to wait till next week.

Regards

Broaskey

JPConrad · #12 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 12:23 AM

Broaskey, thanks for the compliments. My engine sounds awesome, and performs even better. I have had a lot of fun this weekend breaking it in. Don, Greg, and Natan really did do a fantastic engine build/installation. Good luck on your car. I hope you enjoy your car as much as I enjoy mine.

globalbroskey · #13 (**permalink**) 02-12-2004, 12:46 PM

Dear Conrrad:
I will be picking up my car on the weekend of the 28th in Palm Desert, Natan Invited me to a car show where Singer Racing will be showing of some cars.

I dont know the show details yet but i will be there.

Take care

Broaskey

JPConrad · #14 (**permalink**) 02-15-2004, 08:19 AM

Broaskey,
I hope you enjoy your car. I'm sure Singer racing will have several winners at the show. Attach some photos when you get a chance.

BlueRooster · #15 (**permalink**) 02-15-2004, 08:55 AM

Are they part of Boyd Coddington? The show that I see now on Discovery "American HotRod" Isnt that Image Auto Works? Just wondering.

globalbroskey · #16 (**permalink**) 02-17-2004, 01:16 AM

No they are not. as a matter of fact I asked a similar question to Natan from Singer Racing and he siad that at one point in time Image Autoworks has a project where Boyd was making Cobra chassises for Image but that fore some reason boyd kidnaped the gig and body molds and that was the end of it. i gues this is sand becasue the IMAGE Cobra is an outstanding product as i have heard. i think that Singer Racing is looking to come out into the market with cobra but i am not sure.

Broaskey