Has anyone used Classicfabs for their new exhaust?

[greensimonc]

Hi all,

I've engaged Classicfabs to build a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system. Sent off a sizeable deposit and now the system is ready - the thing is that they want full payment before shipping. I'm sure there won't be a problem but there's a nag at the back of my mind that won't go away.....just picturing myself on the consumer rip-off programme saying how I sent off all this money and got nothing/they've gone bankrupt etc......

I've offered to pay by credit card or on delivery - they say they've been bitten before - but I don't want to be!

So - has anyone successfully dealt with Classicfabs and can put my mind at rest?

Cheers, Simon.

[GordonJ]

Simon,
if you pay by credit card aren't you insured through the card company if anything goes wrong. The product has to be fit for purpose. Only going with what I have seen on these consumer programs on TV.

Gordon

[e600]

Classicfabs have been around long enough to get an excellent reputation for doing high quality work. If it comes from them it will fit.

No affiliations

Regards
Pat

[greensimonc]

Thanks Pat - just what I wanted to hear. We're both just being cautious and there's nothing wrong in that!

They don't take credit cards but are happy to ship once they have a cheque in their hands. I hope to post some pics of lovely shiny tubes next week!

Cheers, Simon.

[PaulE]

You have not bought an exhaust system but a work of art. You will be able to take a chair and a drink into the garage, lift the bonnet, just get comfortable, and appreciate it.

[greensimonc]

Ha! Thanks Paul - I may have to invest in a hoist to get the full benefit. Awaiting a courier, hopefully tomorrow........!

Cheers, Simon.

[greensimonc]

Hi again - well a very large box duly arrived. Thought you might like to see a couple of pics of it on my kitchen table! Fitting scheduled for next week.......

Cheers, Simon.

[J44EAG]

Now those are nice!

What a wonderful job.

Mike

[oldtimer]

I reckon you should frame it and hang it on the lounge wall!
Oldtimer

[oldtimer]

I went to the Jaguar spares day at Stoneleigh today and came across the Classicfabs stand.
They really do turn out some fantastic finish exhausts, they certainly are as good in the flesh as your picture shows - a work of art
Oldtimer

[greensimonc]

Hi again - well, it's fitted!

However......it was by no means straightforward! Then is anything on a 46 year old car???

But I didn't expect there to be 5 hours worth of labour involved - the manifold ends had to be heated and bent as the bottom of the pipes were fouling the chassis rail - and the end pipes were misaligned as well. Now, I'm not criticising Classicfabs here - it's a beautiful job and sounds absolutely glorious - but it is a cautionary tale of living south of London and ordering something made in Scotland, and expecting it to fit! I'm sure Cfabs use a proper jig, (and they said they'd never had this problem before) but who knows what has happened to my car during its long life? The fitters couldn't see anything non-standard but I'm not really surprised - if I could have visited Cfabs I'm sure they'd have seen that all was not entirely as they would have expected. The funny thing is I was expecting lots of trouble with the manifold studs but the old ones came out easily!

Anyway, I must give a big thumbs up to Sanspeed http://www.sanspeed.co.uk/ who sorted everything and saved my bacon so to speak. If you are anywhere near Bexleyheath in Kent and need anything done they have my hearty recommendation!

So, back on the road just in time for some snow........!

Cheers, Simon.

[stuarthardy]

I'm glad you're happy, Simon, but can you really blame the car for the headers not fitting? If this is the case then what's wrong with the car? It sounds serious to me.

I'm sure that Classic Fabrications get things right very much more often than not but everybody makes mistakes, its how they handle them that's important. Frankly, anybody who's response is "nobody else has complained" is in denial of their own fallibility.

I hope it didn't cost you any more than the already high purchase price to get it all sorted.

Regards

[greensimonc]

Hi Stuart,

Well it did cost of course. The trouble was that having removed the old exhaust and found that the new one didn't fit, I was landed with an undriveable car, marooned at a garage...... I could have sent the whole exhaust back but then I'd have to source another one so with Sanspeed's help we thought the best way out was to "adapt" the system I'd bought.

Had Classicfabs been just down the road, it would have been different. They seem very genuine and Jimmy Stewart was very helpful with advice but without him being able to peer at it and say "oh yes" or "that's not right" I was pretty stuck.

Anyway, all's well as they say. Looking at it makes me smile so I'll take that!

Cheers, S.

[stuarthardy]

Simon

I think that's the right attitude in this game, otherwise you'll go mad. I'm really fed up with the poor quality of parts I've had to buy for my restoration and am extremely frustrated at the time I've had to spend making so-called patterned parts actually do the job they are meant to do.

You don't get many apologies for the crap that people gladly sell you as good quality parts. The costs are racking up and I don't get the feeling that, when its on the road, the car will be trouble free, despite virtually everything being new or re-conditioned.

Regards