Speedway/ Jack's Fiat in Los Angeles

HOLLYWOODSPIDER · Post by **HOLLYWOODSPIDER** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:13 pm

Has anyone had any experiences dealing with this place on Cahuenga? I've gone there 4 times trying to buy a new vinyl top for my car, and I have not had good experiences.
I called to verify that he had a top for me, then drove the 40 minutes to pick it up. When I arrived, he told me that he didn't have any tops, he hadn't checked when I called. Told me to come back the next day. Over the next week, I went by 3 times, all during business hours, and the place was closed with no explanation. This wouldn't bother me that much, except that gas is expensive and it's been over 100 degrees here lately. A lot of unfulfilled, really hot miles wasted driving over there.
Today may have been the last straw. I went over to buy a top, after first verifying that he actually had tops, and the correct style, in stock. When I arrived, he was on hold with some customer service line about his computer. He asked what I needed and I told him, then he proceeded to leave me waiting 40 minutes while he sat on hold. He rang up 2 other customers who arrived after me in the meantime, but left me waiting. I got aggravated and left without purchasing a top.

Is this guy's customer service always so bad? Is he angry that I'm just buying parts and not using his labor? I've dealt with Import Tony, and he's been very accomodating. Unfortunately, he only does custom stayfaast tops, not vinyl.

Do any of you guys have good things to say about Jack? Have I just caught him at a bad time consistently for the past few weeks? Should I give him another try or should I buy my top online?

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:01 pm

ive heard of him but never been there. there are other shops around localy, believe it or not. theres one off the 10 fwy by the 605. seen it but never been there either. been to tonys, just to check it out. nice shop. i get things from marks shop. or i get them online from a vendor or ebay. i have a brand new vynil top for my 70 that i dont want. came from bayless. but like most guys, u have a later car. i would bet. if it was me. and some guy did that. i would go else where. good luck.

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:30 pm

H'wood-
Jack is my "local" mechanic and he has done at least $2K work on
my car. The quality of his work is outstanding and his concern for
our safety is heartfelt. I highly recommend him for engine work.

Now...he does have odd hours and I have never seen him in his shop
before 3pm which is fine by me since my sched ls flexible as a
Realtor. He does not check his messages and is often tardy even
for scheduled appointments. I would never buy a top from him and
would encourage you to step up to a Tony's German Canvass top
(which is what I have and am thrilled at the install, look, and customer
service as I've been back for free adjustments)...

You must tell Jack what you want and what you don't want, when you
need the car back etc...I was just out there this Friday and he was tardy but worked on my car for free. Nice!

He is an engineer and has a phenominal depth of knowledge with these cars and always
sees something that I overlooked.

He is very impressed with my header and exhaust set
up (Mark's) even though originally when I told him
I was going to do it, he warned me not to as he
is very conservative.
T

HOLLYWOODSPIDER · Post by **HOLLYWOODSPIDER** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:32 pm

I ordered a top from topsonline. I'll let everyone know how it fits. I buy most of my parts from Tony, as he's really nice and about a mile from my house. Also, his shop has nicer cars than Jack's. Jack has a lot of abandoned cars. Tony had a couple of Ferraris in for work, which is always a good sign.
I'm getting a vinyl top for the time being, and will upgrade to Tony's handmade german canvas with the zip-out rear window once I have my car repainted. My current paintjob will last a couple of years if I wax it frequently, but I wouldn't want to get wax on a canvas top. And paint has to wait until I renovate/upgrade the suspension.

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:38 pm

I've heard Tony's engine work is very good.

There is an old
Italian guy there who can fix the door hinges for our cars. Both of
mine need the hinge boxes welded so they shut properly.
He quoted me $200 per door.
T

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:38 pm

those guys came from the old fiat dealership in glendale ca. use to get parts from them for my 70 when i was in high school.

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:30 pm

Yeah...I think the old guy (Tony also?) taught Tony how to wrench back
in the day.
T

Spyderbuddy · Post by **Spyderbuddy** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:30 am

ok you said a top with a zip out back window how much and how to contact that would be nice

HOLLYWOODSPIDER · Post by **HOLLYWOODSPIDER** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:26 pm

His website is http://www.tonyimportcar.com

On the site it says they're about $500, but I believe that's installed and everything. May be less to have it shipped.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:59 pm

most canvas tops are about 400-450 plus installation of approx 225. I would imaging $500 is for the top only

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:31 pm

My German Canvass top from Tony's was $600 out the door.
It took about 3 hours to install and they made it (cut it) the day before.

Again, I am very pleased with it and the quality of the install.

They are not keen on zip-outs and I didn't see the point of getting
one.
T

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:53 pm

I wasn't aware of anyone doing a zip-out window for the Spider, although I think they're great. A couple of years ago the LA Times ran an article about a co. in LA doing glass rear windows, including one for the Spider. I haven't been able to find the co, but now a co. called Gahr is advertising tops with glass windows for many cars. I contacted them about the Spider since they advertise a top for it , but they claim that is one that isn't available with a glass window yet.

HOLLYWOODSPIDER · Post by **HOLLYWOODSPIDER** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:21 pm

Tommy- Did you say they weren't keen on the zip-outs? The upholsterer at Tony's has a zip-out on his spider, which is where I first saw one, and it was Tony who suggested it and told me it would be a better idea. I wonder if they've changed their minds? How long have you had your top? Does it go up and down smoothly? What's the quality of the rear window? Have you been able to keep it clear?

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:39 pm

My top is Fantastic, goes up/down w/o a glitch. Very secure
with it up at 90mph.
My rear is clear, though I am a bit anal retentive (not explosive right?)
and lay the towels on it when I close it, put a towel on the back seat
cushion, and use Plastix (a cleaner I found at Kragens Parts) on the
inside of the window. I also try to use the boot cover all the time.

Tony mostly said there is no reason to have a zipper as you would
not use it for ventilation. If un-zipping and then dropping the top
would add a protective benefit, then I can see doing it, however
I'm not sure if that is the case.

Tony also said to replace the rear
window, you have to replace the entire top (which I find hard to believe
as it is just stitched in).

I had my top installed 2 days after I bought the car. So, its been
about 3 months.
T

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:45 pm

the problem with replacing rear windows is that the top material deteriorates as the window clouds. And once the vinyl/canvas is dried out and brittle, you can't restitch a window in. The costs I've been quoted to replace a window are so close to the cost of a top, it seems silly to patch the job.