ABOUT US
Welcome to Frisco Hill Auto! We are so excited that you're here! If you've made it to our website, then you must be a hot rod enthusiast just like ourselves!
We are a classic car restoration shop located in the heart of the Midwest, just 30 minutes south of St. Louis, MO. We originally specialized in restoring Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles but have completed many other make & model builds since our beginning: everything from GM, Plymouth, Nissan, Buick, & more. Our builds range from partial, rollers, back to original, restomods, or completely custom frame-off builds. We have had the pleasure of restoring rare and Award-Winning vehicles over the years.
Our shop moved from its original location off of Frisco Hill Road, which is where we got our name, to the new location off of Baumgartner Road in March of 2016 and changed ownership from Dave Trokey to Chris Doria. Since taking over Chris has grown the company from 2 employees to 11! The new shop is a little over 10,000 sq./ft and has many features such as: a full-downdraft Col-Met paint/bake booth, a growing library of pre-1980 frame books, manuals, and interchanges, a Car-O-Liner frame rack, sectioned off clean room for reassembly, and an in-house upholstery shop. Plus, a 40+ year collection of Pontiac and Oldsmobile parts. We provide a wide array of services for our clients and even collaborate with other restoration shops from around the country to provide body and paint services. Whether you're in need of small mechanical repairs or thinking about building a frame-off custom car, we would love to help with your project.
Each one of our team members takes pride in their work and craftsmanship. What makes us different from other shops? Transparency. Throughout the entire process, from start to finish, we opt for: honesty, great communication, quality over quantity, an emphasis on the cleanliness of our shop, and attention to detail.
If you have questions about a repair or project please feel free to call the shop or stop by and speak with one of our team members in person.
We can't wait to see where the road will take us!
-The FHA Team
THE SHOP
FAQ
Do you offer more than just full restorations?
-Yes, absolutely! We are a full service shop (just no collision repair). We can take care of anything from mechanical issues, upgrades, metal fabrication, body work, paint, and more!
How much will it cost?
-Every classic car is different and the cost will depend on the level of restoration work needed. If you are looking for a full restoration and a first timer, then the general rule of thumb is to take whatever budget you had in mind then triple it. Most of the time, the price you may have in mind is a lot less than what it actually takes. We encourage clients to educate themselves before we get started. To save from headache and heartache, here are a few links to some really excellent articles that might help: How to Pick the Right Restoration Shop for your Project and Why Does Body and Paint Work Cost So Much
Can you give me an estimate on my restoration or custom car build?
-Unfortunately, we cannot give an exact quote or estimate. We bill off of the time & materials needed to complete the project. We do our best to educate our clients on why it’s impossible to estimate large jobs like this. In simple terms, “Every car is different,” but it goes much deeper than that.
Do you offer transport services?
-Yes, we can provide local and nationwide transport for work to be completed at FHA. At a fee, our 24 ft. enclosed trailer is perfect to transport your ride in all weather conditions.
When will my car be ready?
-The average restoration can take between 12-18 months depending on the job. Custom jobs and resto-mod timelines vary depending on the scope of the project. Parts availability can also hinder a timeline, especially post Covid-19. Patience is key.
Can you restore the vehicle in stages or sections?
-Breaking a build into sections can cause unwanted problems and costs for both the client and the shop. We prefer to complete projects in their entirety, but we are understanding and willing to work with you.
Do you buy and sell cars?
-Sometimes, but it depends on the condition, price, and location. If we were to help in the process of selling your vehicle, we do charge commission.
Can you help me find a donor car?
-Of course! We can help you find a project vehicle, but there will be a fee depending on location of the vehicle.
Are you a salvage yard?
-No, but we do have a large selection of new and used Pontiac and Oldsmobile parts for local pick up only.
Is there anything you DON'T do in-house?
-We do not perform: machine work on engine rebuilds, rebuild automatic transmissions, chrome and trim polishing, or media/sandblasting. These are outsourced to reputable companies who specialize in their craft.
Where is your shop located?
-Frisco Hill Auto is conveniently located off of I-55 and Meramec Bottom Road in Saint Louis, Missouri. We are right on the border of Oakville, Missouri. Just stay on Baumgartner and DO NOT turn onto Old Baumgartner. (If you reach the bridge then you've gone too far).
What if we run into a problem during the build?
-Every build has its own challenges, but not to worry. If we run into hidden issues needed during the restoration process, then we will immediately contact the client, assess the repair, reevaluate budget and timeline as a team, then proceed from there. If extra parts and labor are needed, then time and material will be an added cost. Classic cars have been around the block a time or two and can sometimes have hidden damage, previous work done incorrectly, or hidden corrosion. As much as we would like to be able to know every detail about what the car will require, we cannot always see everything until the car is taken apart and sandblasted.
What happens if halfway through the restoration there is a change of plans?
-At FHA, we believe that once a job has started only very minor/small adjustments should be made. We run on a tight schedule and cannot push other customers' vehicles back because of what has been referred to as “might as well” syndrome. This is when clients approve what they want done to their vehicle and, mid-way through, decide to make a change, “because you’re already there." For example, if FHA is doing a frame-on restoration and halfway through you think, “Since I’m already doing everything else I ‘might as well’ take it off the frame and have it sandblasted, because this would be a good time to do so.” As a customer, you must understand that these kinds of changes take time, additional funds, and must be separately scheduled for a later date. Every change in a plan increases costs and timelines. Very often, mid-project changes become a lot costlier than if the decisions were made at the beginning of the build.
WE'RE PROUD TO BE A DEALER OF & WORK WITH SUCH EXCELLENT COMPANIES:
