Auto Metal Direct (AMD Installation Center)

Hey guys been thinking lately about having serious work done to my Mopar and wanted to get feedback from folks on here about the AMD Installation Center. Anyone with first hand experience? When I talk to Craig Hopkins on the phone he is just as nice, personable and knowledgable as he is on tv.

A friend had his 73 cuda done there and it turned out Nice. Craig kept him updated all the time and gave him photos of the installation. I would use them when the time comes with no hesitation.

What has me interested is the way they put the car together with a spot welder similar to how the factory does it and just the metal work, leaving me room to do the final body and paint work. Prices are up front also. Wonder if any other shop does similar

I think US Car Tool might also do similar work.

Pay attention to exactly what the install center does and does NOT do. They take off the old panel and install the new. They do NOT do any rust removal (other than the weld areas). So it that's something you want done, the smart thing to do is cut out some of the areas on the panels you want replaced and have the car or those ares blasted BEFORE you take it to them.

They do NOT do any collision repair so if the car was in an accident you should have it put on a frame machine before sending it out.

If you already have any AMD sheet metal they will install it at a slightly higher cost - understandable since they're not making any money off it.

I was impressed - just too damn far for me to take the car or they'd be doing it !!

I thought the us car tool thing was gone. Not sure. I'm sure a few on here have used the AMD installation center. Not sure if they are just shy about posting or if guys want to keep the work secret?

US Car Tool still advertises work on their website. In reality, the AMD install center is just a hot rod shop that's built some frame jigs. But the problem is what they WON'T do !!! They remove and replace panels ... THAT"S IT, nothing else.

I used Carolina Classic Restoration Services in Spartanburg SC .. Vic Calvert .. you can see the metal work done on my car in resto thread here-- https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2071180/1.html they also spot weld the panels very nice.. they will and can replace any metal... the car is ready for paint now and I will post the finish paint photos as soon as I get them .

If your looking for an excellent shop for restoration work, Precision Restorations in St. Louis MO is a great place. This shop is a large shop.
They have several MOPARs in restoration right now.
Precisioncarrestoration.com
Feel free to PM if you have any questions.
hope that helps,

Wow, never heard of those guys before and they are in my neck of the woods. Thanks for the heads up. Nice to know of shops in my area doing good work.

Giving this a bump, as I would still like to elicit feedback from guys who have had cars worked on by the AMD Installation Center. I know they are a good bunch of guys but always like to get a feel for how the customer experience was ect. Hoping someone will chime in.

Moparmojo,

Maybe it would help if you explained what you wanted done to your car. That way we could explain what the best route is for your build. What are you looking to do yourself etc. What is you budget etc.?

Glad to help,
Smos

My car needs a full blown restoration. Meaning a lot of the panels need repair or replacement. I have seen the AMD Installation Center on several shows, in magazine article and on YouTube and was wondering if any of our Moparts members had first hand experiences they can share. Everything I know about them appears to indicate they are first class but would always like to hear reviews from others. I'm surprised I have not heard more from members here as Moparts is a big community and the AMD Center is pretty well known.

Like I mentioned before a friend used them and is 100 % Happy with the work, the cost, them keeping him informed of everything good and bad, and said he would use them again in an instant.
If they ran into something they would take a photo and call him, fill him in on the issues, send him photos to see what he wanted to do and gave him a cost for the repairs needed.
They told him when to bring it and told him how long it would be and they were really close to the time frame Unlike my body guy.
They had the cuda from graveyard cars there just before his cuda went. I am Good friends with this guy and we talked about the car every week about the car.
That is all I can help you with.
David

If you need a full blown restoration, I would call Precision Restoration in St.Louis MO 314-652-1966.
They are a large shop with over 24,000 square feet of space. They do almost everything in-house including their own interior shop. Lot's of expertise. They do a lot of mopars. Right now they have several Mopars including a HEMI Charger in the shop.
Dale the owner and his staff keep the customers informed on the project throughout the build including constant pictures and also the opportunity to visit the shop at anytime to see the progress if you are in the area.

They also do a full inspection/estimate for 4 hours of time (mechanical,body,paint,interior,parts). The estimate is usually over 250 lines with every part looked up that they can see that needs to be addressed. I know of no one else that does this to that detail. No one can predict what they can't see, however this gives you a good idea of what to expect. It's still an estimate but it is very thorough.
If you download their restoration/cost guide on their website this may help with your decision also.

Precisioncarrestoration.Com

I'm at the shop a few days a month.

Feel free to PM if you want to talk off line.
Smos

I did an article on them. Go to www.moparconnectionmagazine.com