Carthage Classic Cars in
Carthage (NC)

My experience with Carthage Classic Cars on a 1969 Charger R/T (Sept 2024–Mar 2025), by Gary D. Bottom line: In my opinion, the quality of finish metal work I received did not match what’s portrayed on YouTube. I strongly recommend inspecting finished cars in person before hiring. I hired Carthage Classic Cars for targeted metal repairs on my factory 440 Charger R/T. My goal was to preserve originality and only fix what was necessary. This was a solid car to begin with, yet the scope expanded far beyond what I intended, with original sheet metal replaced rather than repaired. The shop’s videos often promote replacing everything with AMD aftermarket panels. In my experience, this “replacement first” approach is not true restoration. For example, I supplied rare NOS Chrysler parts (tail panel and rear valance, ~$3,000), but the installation left them misaligned and over-welded. To fix this, the tail panel must now be removed and destroyed. I ultimately paid over $23,300 in invoices (plus shipping and NOS parts), but after the car was returned, four veteran fabricators and two body shops (40+ years each) all agreed the vehicle was not ready for bodywork and required major correction. The Good: Rick thoroughly cleaned and media-blasted the structure, epoxy-primed everything he accessed, added internal frame gussets I requested, and properly removed non-factory torque boxes and frame connectors before installing correct factory-style ones. Those items were done well. The Bad: The final product that I received showed several exterior sheet metal panels misaligned such as the tail panel/valance, uneven bumper fit, inconsistent gaps, warped roof/sail panels, distorted door jamb, incorrect quarter panel geometry, crooked corner caps, poor rear window channel fit, firewall/core support misalignment, grinder gouges left in panels, and concerns with structural alignment of the driver’s rear spring mount. Professionals determined most of the rear sheet metal will need to be redone. Frame Jig: My car was used to build Rick’s new frame jig without my knowledge or compensation. Yet it never benefitted from the jig itself — it was held on his table with welded struts in the rear and ratchet straps in front. To my knowledge, no formal measurements were taken or Chrysler specs referenced, leaving me concerned about accuracy. When I tried to contact Rick in August 2025 regarding the issues, his response was "The work was done as best as I could do it… we both were not happy with the deal… I feel you got a top grade quality Charger built the best I could given the limitations you gave me.” I continued to try and make contact with supporting evidence and he went silent until I started posting on Facebook. For clarity, the only “limitations” I set were that I wanted to retain factory metal, use NOS Chrysler parts, and preserve the factory look. I was not looking for a modernized version of the car. Instead, I was steered toward replacing original panels with aftermarket ones, which went against my stated goals. Since then, there has been no further response or attempt to address the concerns. Advice to Others: Don’t rely solely on YouTube or social media. Go see the work in person, look at finished cars, and make sure the shop’s philosophy aligns with your restoration goals. That was my mistake, and I hope others avoid it. This review reflects my personal experience and opinions, supported by dated photos, invoices, and professional assessments. Support evidence includes pictures taken shortly after its return along with video The photos included are from April 29, 2025 (Delivery) and May 9, 2025 when I started mapping things out on the car with yellow tape, rear window glass and trim. A few of the additional photos show the original quarters on the car before it was shipped to North Carolina. The majority of the original quarters I had saved and sent home with the car. Everyone who has seen them said they would not have removed them.

Rick did my 70 nova about 2 years ago. I am very happy with his work and friendship now. If you want your ride done right the first time, then look no further. Thanks, Rick

I contacted Rick about my 1952 Chevy truck. This was my first time restoring a vehicle. Rick was very transparent and helpful during the metal work process. He sent weekly updates along with photos of any work completed. I highly recommended Rick at CCC for any of your restoration work.

I want do to reach out and say how glad I am that through searching I found Rick at Carthage Classic Cars to bring my 69 F100 to near paint ready condition. My truck had been garaged for decades and needed significant metal work, by touching every piece of metal on my truck Rick was able to do the repairs and get epoxy primer on to seal it until I can have it finished. This was my father in law’s truck and means a lot to us, thanks for the hard work bringing it several steps closer to being on the road again. I have a few other projects to get ready and if all goes as planned Rick will be doing the work on them too. Thanks for the effort and quality work you performed on my truck.

I had complete sheet metal work done at Carthage Classic Cars on my 1968 Nova and could not be more pleased with the professional work that Rick put into it. My Nova was a rust bucket with some potential and a lot of work needed. Rick took the car in, shared his overview with me and set out a perfect plan of getting the car back in a like new build. Rick included me in with progress updates, detailed messages and lots of pictures along the way. Rick has a gift at what he does through CCC. Looking at alot of his other builds he has done, I know I'm not the only one that is super happy with his work. Thanks Rick! (See you soon with the next project).

I’ve checked out numerous videos of the shops work and it is second to none. Rick is always helpful and always willing to answer questions. He is not just a body and paint guy. He is a true artist.