I want to document my experience with a professional restoration shop because I think people need honest accounts of these relationships.

I hired a reputable shop with good references for the bodywork on my '68 Camaro. Signed a contract with an itemized scope of work. Three months in, I received a call informing me the car had been in an accident at the shop — a forklift had struck the quarter panel I'd just paid to have replaced.

The shop made it right, eventually. But the experience taught me: visit the shop regularly, photograph your car before drop-off and at each visit, get everything in writing including what happens if something goes wrong. A good shop won't object to any of this.