March 15th, 2000. I was able to pickup my Gen II Lightning today, and am pleased that they did an "excellent" job on the repaint.

R&M paint was used, with a polyurethane clear coating.

The paint cured during the process with a two stage catalyst, which is really nice because I don't have to wait to do any zaino work.

I also had to fill up the gas tank which was "conveniently" left empty. I left it with only less then 1/4 tank anyway, so it's not a big deal.

Everything was left "exactly" the way it had been, which was a nice surprise. Mileage was exactly as left (Excluding drive to Enfield Collision & back to dealership by the service manager)

This was the part that hurt slightly it costed me 50 dollars to fill up the 25 gallon gas tank!


I will have to spend all day tommorow with Zaino & SVT. What a terrific day for me

I am not very happy with my Insurance Company though (Geico). They were giving me trouble with placing liability, collision, comprehensive on it since I would be driving it from the dealership, back to the storage facility. I told them the vehicle was "only" driven once a week during the spring, summer, and fall. They did not seem to grasp that this was not a daily driver.

I basically told the girl.

1: Comprehensive

2: Collision

3: Liability

4: $1,000 deductible


They asked where the vehicle is stored, and wanted an address, so I told them "Holyoke Massachusetts". Geico does not insure vehicles in Massachusetts the women says.

I felt like screaming at this point, so I go "I know this. The vehicle is being "stored" in Mass during the winter".

They were giving me all types of trouble, and it was very annoying, but they finally agreed to allow me to cover the vehicle again, but it had to be "full" coverage, and could not be removed.

I also had trouble with "plates". My vehicles plates had to be turned into the DMV of CT for the winter, since the vehicle was in a (private locked, & heated facility). I took coverage completely off during this time.

I had to use a dealer plate to get the vehicle from storage to the dealership, and now I would need it to get it home, unless I went to get my own plates from the DMV.

I had the use the dealer plate just to fill the gas tank today, but they would not let me take the dealer plate over night.

The DMV had closed at 4:15PM, and I arrived at it around 4:20PM. I was not happy. I have to wait until tommorow until I can get my plates back & my truck. Then I will Zaino away all my troubles away

 

MetallicBlue:

Pat and I lived in Ct. from 1979 until 1990 as I was an "executive" with SAAB at the time.

Moved to Georgia, and what a difference!

With all due respect, it sure is different down here. No hassles with the insurance companies and the DMV is great. I have 4 "vintage" vehicles from the old days, and once in a while I put one of them back on the road. All I do is show them a current insurance sticker and pay whatever they want for current plates and I am good to go.
In Ct., it took an act of Congress to get the vehicles back on the road if I forgot to turn in the plates or whatever, almost made it not worthwhile.
Another funny CT. story. In 1984, we decided to build a 4 car garage next to our 1800 vintage farm house that we restored in North Haven. I had to go to several town meetings to explain/argue that I did not intend to open up a car repair business in an obviously upper scale neighborhood but merely wanted to have a proper garage for my company and personal vehicles. Finally got it done, but the mindset of the City Fathers/Mothers really set me off.
One of my more interesting experiences, for sure.
Bill

 

You think that is bad.Try starting an automotive buisness anywhere near me.It is impossible.The towns have shut off any new car dealers regardless of any state laws.There are 29 in my town.They will only allow 15 total now.So as car dealerships go out of buisness,until they are down to 14 NOBODY can get a licence.People are buying current car dealer licences for up to $50,000 in my town.All for a licence that cost me $175.00 year to renew.At least if i ever want to get out of the buisness,That is a decent chunk of money to start something else.Point: People up here in the N.E. are way to worried about other peoples buisness.It is almost like towns want you to fail or want to keep it all old with no room to expand.My town has actually blown up in buisness.I live on U.S rte 1.Houses that 5 years ago were 89,000 are now $179,000. Any new homes built with a 2 car garage is worth a minimum of $249,000.a couple more years and I might just fly south

 

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