Santa Barbara Muscle Cars restores classic Mustangs and returns them to showroom condition. Equiped and qualified to handle every stage of any restoration, Santa Barbara Muscle Cars delivers the professional results your valued automobile deserves. We realize the importance of a budget and so we work within the framework you provide. Often, only after the car has been stripped are we able to see the extent of repairs required. At this point a condition report is completed and we continue to work closely with you to produce the quality of restoration you desire.

Detailed billing is summarized and charged out on a monthly basis. Our rate is one of the fairest in the industry which allows us to be more competitive with any quality restoration shop. With careful, complete disassembly, we categorize, organize and photo-document your parts.

In many cases our craftsmen will fabricate panels when original equipment panels are no longer available. Meticulous block sanding ensures a die straight body with special attention given to door gaps and panel alignment. Only after painstaking preparation is the body ready for paint.

All automobiles are painted inside and out using only the finest materials. Every panel is then color sanded to ensure award winning paint every time. Drive trains are completely rebuilt with the highest degree of accuracy. Our commitment to authenticity and detail in chassis and assembly remains unsurpassed.

Our restoration work on interiors doesn't stop at seats and carpets. Refinished gauges, steering wheels, seat belts and other components are all part of the process. It is this careful attention to detail that results in award winning restorations.

During a total restoration the cars are completely disassembled and then reassembled from the ground up. Every part is replaced or refurbished; about 800 hours goes into each restoration. Very close attention to detail is of upmost importance to produce the quality we require to become virtually new.

The following is a sample list of what goes into a "concourse" restoration.

• Fenders, doors, hood, trunk lid, entire drive train, all glass, fuel tank, suspension, grille assemblies, all lights, and virtually everything that is removable is disassembled from the car to be inspected, refurbished or replaced.
• Bodies are stripped to bare metal.
• Cars with major rust or former collision are placed on a frame jig.
• All sheet metal is inspected. Any deterioration is replaced with new steel.
• All suspension and steering components are inspected and any worn parts are replaced with new. Front ends are realigned.
• All wiring is hand inspected, cleaned, retaped or replaced.
• All dash gauges, radios, speakers, lighting (interior and exterior) and all accessories are checked before final assembly.
• All brake lining is new. Rotors are resurfaced or replaced when needed. Master cylinders, brake lines, hoses and all hardware are inspected and replaced if needed.
• Seat upholstery, door panels, pedal pads, carpeting, and instrument bezel are replaced with new as needed. Painted interior parts are repainted.
• All exterior chrome from grille parts to rocker panel moldings to tail light bezels are replaced with new when needed.
• Wheels are replaced. New tires are mounted and balanced.
• Door hinges are inspected, have new pins and bushings installed.
• All convertible top mechanisms and hardware are inspected.
• Convertible top, rear window, top boot, pads and well liner are new.
• All weather stripping, seals and grommets are replaced with new.
• Engines and transmissions are completely rebuilt.
• Entire clutch assemblies are new.
• Universal joints, drive shaft, wheel bearings and seals are inspected and replaced when needed.
• All four shock absorbers are replaced with new.
• Exhaust systems are replaced.
• Radiators are new. New hoses and clamps are installed.
• Engine compartments are repainted.
• Trunk compartments are repainted and detailed, trunk mats and spare tire covers.
• Body seams are recualked and sealed.
• Front and rear bumpers are rechromed or replaced.
• New shaded windshields and seals are installed.
• Motor and transmission mounts are replaced.
• Transmission shifters have new bushings installed and re-adjusted.
• New heavy duty batteries, battery trays and cables are installed.
• Power steering units are replaced or rebuilt. New hoses and seals are installed.
• Alternator, voltage regulator, heater fan and all sending units are tested and replaced when needed.
• Window regulators and door latches are inspected, cleaned and lubricated.

All small metal parts including nuts and bolts throughout the car are inspected, rethreaded, sandblasted and painted before installation.

Upon final assembly, all doors, windows, hoods, fenders, trunk lids, bumpers, grille parts, etc. are hand fitted and aligned.

In addition to the above, many details too numerous to mention are performed during the restoration process, including new owner's manuals, hand painting instrument needles, replacing glove box inserts, new screws, bushings, switches, wire ends, fuses, grommets, etc.