AMPHICAR
San Diego Tips & References, 1 October 2003
A database of services, references, vendors, engine
machine shops, painters, body men; well, you get the idea, all related to
owning and repairing Amphicars in the San Diego region. Nothing fancy, just a
list of tips covering real experiences. Is there a Triumph mechanic who is
really good, is there a welding shop to avoid, who did your wheel alignment,
where did you buy your tires, have you used a Tijuana upholstery shop? The
good, the bad, and the ugly!
|
Category |
Location |
Reference |
* |
|
Amphicars |
Gordon
Imports Inc. 562-802-1608
(voice) |
The only
authoritative source for everything Amphi. Original parts, replacement parts,
service, advice and restoration. Get a copy of their inventory / price list. |
EP |
|
Bilge Pump |
West
Marine 630
Bay Blvd |
Near exact replacement for
original Amphi pump. (Not sure if in-stock at Gordon Imports at this time?)
Mounts upside down like original “old style” Amphi unit. Brass body. Hookup
and mounting almost identical. You need two additional fittings to thread
into inlet/outlets (1 elbow/1 straight). JABSCO Self-Priming Pump (Water
Puppy) Model # 18660-0121 (12V, 8Amp, 15A fuse, 6+ GPM) IMPORTANT! Buy the
NITRILE Impeller #6303-0003 (not included). It is oil resistant. The one
supplied is not, and it will seize in time. |
PR |
|
Body Shop |
Body
Shop Supplies, Inc. 7473
Broadway Len
McFadden |
DuPont paint, fiberglass,
epoxies, filler, abrasives, paint stripper. A bit grungy, but this is where
the body guys buy their supplies. |
EP |
|
Brakes & |
Brake
Pros |
I found a great brake guy
who works at 'Brake Pros' (previously called Brake Depot) in Pacific Beach.
His name is 'Angel' (talk directly to him only) and has done all the brakes
and suspension work on all our cars---and had a great time with the Amphicar.
He has developed shoes that are vastly superior to the original ones---they
work great first time out the water! He also did the whole suspension
(shocks/springs) and refers to a tire shop nearby for alignments. |
RR |
|
Chrome |
Anobrite |
Pulling
those fin trim strips is a pain. There's nothing holding them other than
glue. The big problem is when a piece of the glue breaks loose; you bend the
strip since the rest of the glue is still holding. I would recommend a custom
made grabbing device that can pinch an extended area along the lower edge of
the strip and lift the strip with a chain type hoist. That way you
practically eliminate the "bounce" when the glue breaks loose and
minimize the bending. It would probably help to heat the section of strip to
soften the glue first. When all else fails, I found a place in Los Angeles that
did an amazing job of perfectly straightening the bent strips and they
re-plated all seven pieces plus an extra one that I had around. They charged
about $400 for the whole deal and they came out looking perfect and original.
The original finish is called "bright dip anodizing" It's a
"not often done" and highly toxic type of anodizing. Most anodizers
won't do it today. I think the hubcaps cost me about $60 each to have done
but I'm not sure since it was part of a larger order. These guys had a $250
minimum charge so you don't want them to do one piece. Having them all done
though, I thought, was a pretty good deal. They're kind of a one-stop place
for all trim repairing. |
JF |
|
Coatings & |
Kel-Coatings
|
This
is a fine little shop for any powder coating needs. The guy loves Amphis and
has an eye for Amphi rim restoration via powder coating - any color and
texture. |
JE |
|
DMV |
El Cajon |
Have
heard of problems using other DMV offices; EC office had no problem
processing my paperwork. ·
Make an appointment at the CA DMV office; use their web site to set
it up. ·
When you get to the DMV office, go to their START desk right away
(don't stand in any START Desk line), tell them about the appointment, and be
SURE they give you a ticket that starts with the letter "A" (for
having an appointment, duh, but mistakes happen). Your wait time should be 15
minutes or so. Without an appointment, or if they accidentally give you a B
through who knows ticket, the wait will be two hours or so. ·
Be ready to pay in cash or personal check; they don't take bank
plastic. ·
CA has a provision for an amphibious vehicle class; they may need to
look it up, but it's there in the code. OTOH, the body style is a
"convertible" (little did they know). The DMV will issue you both
the land and water documents (at least you don't need to deal with two
different bureaucracies). ·
CA has more darn little costs than closing a mortgage; grin &
pay. IIRC, my fees were around $400 total. |
EP |
|
Engine |
Speed
Specialties |
I
had a Spitfire engine rebuilt (starting in 7/8/02) by Speed Specialties on El
Cajon Blvd., about four blocks East of Fairmont. They're very, very slow, but another local Spitfire friend
recommended them when I purchased his engine that they had recently rebuilt
and balanced (complete job ~$2000). It looked like they did a very nice job
with the motor, but I wanted additional performance modifications made, so I
took it back. I now have some time on the engine, and it runs strong &
smooth; I'm very happy with their work. |
JM |
|
Engine |
Tolley’s Foreign Car Service |
Currently semi-retired.
Had entire overhaul in 1991. (13K miles) Engine runs perfectly to this day.
Have never even turned a screw on the carb! Maintains freeway speeds easily.
No modifications made. All original parts from Gordon Imports. He still works
on a special appt. basis. Mention my name (Paul Riesland), and “Amphicar” to
establish rapport. He worked on Amphis at the dealer when new!!! |
PR |
|
Junkyards of California |
http://www.junkyards.com/directory2/index.html |
A
list of junkyards and recyclers. Start national and drill down to your local
California town. |
EP |
|
Tools |
Harbor Freight Salvage |
Okay,
not the place to buy tools you need to make a living, but fantastic bargains
on low & mid quality Chinese tools. Get all those vital, but low use
gadgets that you know you need. |
EP |
|
Tools |
Pat's Tools |
A
dumpy hole-in-the-wall, attractive to bikers. That said, they have new &
used tools for every craft imaginable. Stuff for machinists, truck mechanics,
carpenters, masons, welders, etc. Grab a pry bar, a couple of sockets, some chisels;
all at low cost. |
EP |
|
Transmission |
Sahli’s Exotic Autos |
15 years experience in
Amphi transmissions; supplier to Gordon Imports. |
TS |
|
Triumph |
El Cajon ( |
Randy Zoller is a Triumph
specialist. I [JM] don't know him personally or the quality of his work or
anything else, but he's active in the local Triumph car club (but I am not,
which is why I don't know more!) |
EP |
|
Upholstery |
Jim's Auto Upholstery |
This
is job shop that seems to do everything for anyone. Lots of classy cars in
the lot. Some of the workers are craftsmen, some just basic laborers. Talk to
the owner or foreman beforehand to get the craftsmen. I supplied my own
upholstery kit and they did a great install for me. I'm sure they could start
from scratch as well and still do a fine job. |
JE |
|
Upholstery |
Concours
Interiors rpirics@socal.rr.com |
I
share space with Theo Sahli and do all of his interior and restoration work.
I have done Theo’s own Amphi, plus 4 others in the past 2 ˝ years. I do all
interior parts, including seat reconstruction, like-original door panels,
convertible tops and boot covers, carpeting and rubber matting. |
TS |
|
Upholstery |
Mr. Car Auto Upholstery |
Excellent work. Precise
stitching. They matched my upholstery using photos, sketches, some patterns.
(I had no original interior). Talk to owner. They also do or install
convertible tops. Willing to let you install your own snaps after top has a
chance to stabilize. All work can be done WITHOUT car being present. Very
reasonable prices at the time (1992) Entire interior: seats, all side panels,
map pockets ($500.00) My interior still looks new. He does the subcontracting
work for the local Cadillac dealer. High quality. |
PR |
|
Welding |
David K. |
I
recently had a piece that was chipped off the aluminum tunnel side of the
transmission re-welded by an outfit here in Orange, California, and they only
charged me $30. I am not sure if they would do it again or whether they just
did me a favor, but they were very nice. |
EH |
Unverified & Unknown
The
following list is based on suggestions and referrals by various local car-club
enthusiasts and other non-Amphi owners. This info was typically generated by
asking a car buff something like “Nice car; where did you get your chrome
plating done?”
|
Category |
Location |
Reference |
* |
|
Bearings |
King
Bearing Inc. 619-236-1411 |
|
EP |
|
Body Shop |
Body
Shop Supplies, Inc. 7473
Broadway Len
McFadden |
Claimed that they were
looking into setting up a “cold” chrome plating technique, now that Master
appears to have closed. Will check later. |
EP |
|
Body Work |
American
Muscle Cars |
To Be Investigated. They
did some fine body & painting on a friend’s Chevelle; don’t know what
they might think of an Amphi. |
EP |
|
Body Work |
Carl
Mayfield |
|
EP |
|
Body Work |
Elite
Autobody & Painting |
General
Body & Painting, but recommended by 2 antique car owners. |
EP |
|
Body Work |
Jesse
Mendez |
General
Body & Painting, but recommended by 2 antique & sports car owners. |
EP |
|
Body Work |
Ron
Batson |
|
EP |
|
Chrome |
Advanced
Finishing 1300
N Johnson Ave., #102 |
|
EP |
|
Chrome |
American
Metal Processing 390
Front St. El
Cajon, CA 92020-4206 |
|
EP |
|
Clutch |
Southland
Clutch 101 East 18th Street National City, CA 91950 619-477-2105 |
|
EP |
|
Coatings & |
Powder
Coating & Sandblasting 619-297-3705 |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Dennis
Bean 1866
Friendship Dr. Suite A El
Cajon, CA. 92020-1115 619-449-1736 |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Performance
Supply |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Carquest
(Mike Weaver) |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Don's
Speed Center Inc. |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Egge
Machine Company 310-945-3419 |
Huge
engine rebuilding operation |
EP |
|
Engine |
Motorwerks |
Big
engine rebuilding operation |
EP |
|
General British Auto Work |
British
Heritage Motorsports |
Randy
is the only mechanic that I allow to work on my car. He has done extensive
repairs, from rebuilding the transmission to adding a complete interior.
Heritage can work on any British car from MG to Rolls Royce. Concourse and
race preparation done to perfection. Always available for great advice and
emergency repairs. Also
highly recommended by Triumph owners. |
EP |
|
General British Auto Work |
British
Parts Depot Email:
Britpart “AT” pacbell.net |
I
have been using this shop for over 2 years now. It is by far the most in
depth service I have ever received. They have worked on all of my British
cars, 76 Midget, 59 Morris Minor, 72 MGB. The owner and mechanic is extremely
helpful in providing extensive information on any subject in dealing with the
care and maintenance, and upgrading of my vehicles. I have found their work
to be very complete and through. I know of no British garage that can even
come close to this one. I would recommend them to anyone. |
EP |
|
General British Auto Work |
Harloff |
There
is always an MG or two (or three) there receiving tender, loving care! |
EP |
|
General German Auto Work |
Autohaus
Stebel |
“Mercedes?
Borgward? Porsche? Ja, I fix!” |
EP |
|
Glass, |
Bob
Oliver 619-420-7999 |
|
EP |
|
Mechanic |
? |
Ed
Myers knows an Amphi-friendly wizard mechanic. |
EM |
|
Painting, |
Alex
Olivera Suite
104-504 |
|
EP |
|
Painting, |
Neala's
(at your location) |
|
EP |
|
Parts |
Broadway
Auto Electric 91945-1825 |
Generators,
Starters, Regulators |
EP |
|
Parts |
Meets
Early Auto Parts 29885
Second Street Lake
Elsinore, CA. Tel
(909) 674-5171 |
|
EP |
|
Parts |
NAPA
Superstore Convoy
Court San
Diego, CA |
NAPA's
biggest San Diego stocking location. They had the serrated U-joint bolt tool! |
EP |
|
Parts |
Old
Cars and Parts |
|
EP |
|
Parts, |
A.P.T. 595
Iowa Avenue, Unit C 909-686-0260 |
|
EP |
|
Plating, |
Equality
Plating 8172
Center St. La
Mesa, CA 91942-2914 619-464-1515 |
Recommended
by several car-show enthusiasts. |
EP |
|
Plating, |
Keystone
Automotive Plating San
Diego, CA 619-232-7585
|
|
EP |
|
Plating, |
Lemon
Grove Plating 91950-4297 |
|
EP |
|
Plating, |
Master Plating San Diego, CA 92113 |
Several
recommendations. I have seen their work & it looks nice, but they may
have closed down due to environmental problems |
EP |
|
Plating, |
Precision
Plating 1488
Pioneer Way, #11 El
Cajon, CA 92020-1633 |