Collision Repair / In shop only
Full Vehicle Collision Restoration in Yorba Linda
Full vehicle collision restoration rebuilds a coach completely after severe damage, covering structure, systems, interior and finish rather than one damaged area. These projects run 250 to 800 or more labor hours over three to six months and suit high value, vintage and irreplaceable vehicles.
There is a category of vehicle that a carrier will happily total and an owner will never replace. A 1959 Flxible. A Prevost conversion with two hundred thousand dollars of interior in it. A coach that has been in one family for thirty years.
Full restoration exists for those. It is not the economical choice and we say so plainly. It is the correct choice when the vehicle cannot be bought again.
What makes a restoration different from a major repair?
Scope and sequence. A major repair returns damaged areas to specification and leaves undamaged areas alone. A restoration treats the vehicle as a single system and rebuilds it to a consistent standard throughout.
That difference is most visible in finish and systems. On a major repair we blend new paint into existing panels. On a restoration the entire vehicle is refinished so there is no age boundary. On a major repair we inspect wiring in the affected zone. On a restoration the harness is evaluated end to end and frequently replaced, because a fifty year old coach with a new front cap and original wiring is a fire risk wearing new paint.
How do you restore a vehicle nobody makes parts for anymore?
By making them. Fiberglass cap sections are moulded from the surviving side of the vehicle or from a pattern taken off a donor. Aluminum skin is formed in house. Structural members are fabricated to match original section and gauge.
That fabrication capability is the reason restoration work is possible here at all. A shop that can only fit supplied parts cannot restore a coach whose manufacturer has been gone for forty years.
- Fiberglass mould making and panel reproduction
- Aluminum forming and skin fabrication
- Structural member fabrication and welding
- Custom trim, moulding and hardware reproduction
- Period correct interior fabrication where authenticity matters
What does full restoration cost and how long does it take?
These projects run 250 to 800 or more labor hours and typically three to six months in calendar time. At our posted rates that puts most full restorations well into six figures.
We stage them. The vehicle is assessed, a written scope is agreed with defined phases, and each phase has its own approval before it starts. Nobody should hand over a coach and a blank cheque, and we do not ask anyone to.
What Is Included
- 01Complete assessment with written phased scope and approvals
- 02Structural rebuild to original or improved specification
- 03Fabrication of unavailable panels, skin and structural members
- 04Full electrical, plumbing and LP system evaluation and renewal
- 05Complete interior rebuild where the scope calls for it
- 06Full vehicle refinish with no blend boundary
- 07Photographic record of every phase
Our Process and Timeline
Shop hours and calendar days are different things. These are the stages and the realistic duration of each.
- 011 to 2 weeks
Assessment and scope
The vehicle is fully evaluated and a phased written scope with per phase pricing is agreed before anything begins.
- 022 to 4 weeks
Disassembly and cataloguing
Complete teardown with every component catalogued and photographed for reassembly and reproduction.
- 034 to 10 weeks
Structural rebuild
Frame, floor, sidewall and roof structure repaired or fabricated and measured to specification.
- 043 to 8 weeks
Skin and panel fabrication
Unavailable panels moulded or formed in house and fitted.
- 053 to 6 weeks
Systems renewal
Electrical, plumbing, LP and HVAC evaluated end to end and renewed as scoped.
- 064 to 12 weeks
Interior rebuild
Cabinetry, flooring, upholstery and finishes rebuilt to the agreed standard.
- 073 to 6 weeks
Full refinish and delivery
Complete vehicle refinish, reassembly, systems commissioning and delivery with the full photographic record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a full restoration worth it financially?
Usually not, and we say so at assessment. Restoration makes sense when the vehicle is irreplaceable, historically significant, or carries an interior investment that exceeds the shell value.
Will insurance pay for a full restoration?
A carrier pays to repair covered damage, not to renew a vehicle. On agreed value policies covering collectible coaches the picture is better. The gap between covered repair and full restoration is normally owner funded and we split the scope so that boundary is explicit.
Can you restore a coach with no parts availability?
Yes. Fiberglass panels are moulded from the vehicle or a pattern, aluminum is formed in house, and structural members are fabricated to original section.
How long does a full restoration take?
Three to six months for most projects, longer where fabrication is extensive. Phases are approved individually so you always know where the project stands.
Vehicles We Perform This On
Related Services
We Can Help. Contact Us Today.
Bring the vehicle to our Yorba Linda facility and we will document the damage properly, work directly with your carrier, and give you a written figure built from published rates and real labor hours.
All work is performed at our Yorba Linda facility. We do not offer mobile, roadside or fleet route service.