Any recommended mechanic in the TX Panhandle/Amarillo area? | FerrariChat

Any recommended mechanic in the TX Panhandle/Amarillo area?

Discussion in 'Texas' started by otakki, Apr 8, 2016.

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  1. otakki

    otakki Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2016
    1,623
    First, I apologize to Boardwalk Ferrari for such a thread because they sponsor this forum and I don't mean to interfere with their business of servicing F-cars. Obviously, I know the best would be to head over to Boardwalk for the best service or repair work. However, the distance of 6 hrs to Boardwalk certainly is going to play a major factor on whether or not I'll hop into a F-car. As we all know, any car, no matter how reliable, can break. It will be a big headache having to flatbed a car for 300-400 miles if the car become completely inoperable. It will be ideal to have at least a mechanic who is proficient enough to get the car back on the road towards Boardwalk. I appreciate your understanding.
     
  2. /five

    /five Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2014
    35
    Rocky Mountain west
    Full Name:
    William S
    Anyone? Curious too as I just moved to Amarillo and thinking of getting out of my gt3 and into F-car...
     
  3. future328driver

    future328driver Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2001
    1,831
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Ken Thomas
    My 360 came from its prior owner in Amarillo (about 2 years ago), and he shipped his car to an independent shop in Dallas for service. So, I would think that there might not be any F-car specialists in Amarillo.
     
  4. /five

    /five Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2014
    35
    Rocky Mountain west
    Full Name:
    William S
    Thanks for replying. I guess I will have to plan on trailering to Dallas for service. Not the end of the world for an occasional use car...
     
  5. Tire Fryer

    Tire Fryer Karting

    Feb 18, 2013
    153
    Farmers Branch, TX
    Full Name:
    Christopher Williams
    I've never researched shops in the Panhandle, but my shop has several exotics transported from your area to ours for service and repair, so that leads me to believe there are very few options in your part of Texas. I would plan on having your car brought to the Dallas area when you are in need of repairs and maintenance.
     
  6. otakki

    otakki Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2016
    1,623
    Thanks for everyone's responses. Any suggestions for an economical, safe, and reliable way to transport vehicle to far places like that, aside from pulling my own trailer? Distance is not too much of a problem since I plan to DD or put 9K+ miles per year on the car anyway. Mostly I worry about the car becoming completely inoperable.

    Where were you before Amarillo? Is your gt3 a 996, 997, or 991? What's your plan for P-car service at this time?
     
  7. /five

    /five Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2014
    35
    Rocky Mountain west
    Full Name:
    William S
    Thanks everyone for chiming in. Confirms what I was suspecting.
    Otakki, I moved from Wyoming a couple of months ago for work and for my wife to be near her family. I've got a white 997.1 GT3, which I moved into from a 930. I love the GT3 but I bought it thinking that I would get to track it at High Plains near Denver. With the move to Amarillo and no tracks nor good spots to run it nearby, I'm rethinking my car situation. For now I've got it on a trickle charge and am doing occasional short hops on I-40 to keep it from sitting.
    Good to hear of another enthusiast nearby and please feel free to message me here if you ever want to meet up.
     
  8. /five

    /five Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2014
    35
    Rocky Mountain west
    Full Name:
    William S
    Forgot to add, for service I'll either pick up a open trailer and run it to Dallas myself or more likely will pay to ship. Seems like a boring drive from the one time I made the trip previously.
    I haven't yet looked into costs but I'm a 5 or 6 time very happy repeat customer of Angels Moving Autos. They're forum sponsors on rennlist and I was turned onto them by the guy I bought the gt3 from. (No business interest or incentive on my end other than to pass along my perspective as a happy customer).
     
  9. otakki

    otakki Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2016
    1,623
    A boring drive indeed if you are referring to highway 287, which is truly a speed-trap alley especially on Friday and sunday afternoon, and before and after a long weekend.

    Angels transport: Yes, I have also seen that mentioned on MBWorld forum. Many people speak highly of them.
     
  10. SAFE4NOW

    SAFE4NOW F1 Veteran
    Sponsor Owner

    Aug 25, 2004
    5,378
    Dallas Texas
    Full Name:
    If you know you know
    Sorry for taking so long to post a reply, I've been out of town attending Ferrari NA meetings in CA.

    We have transporters in your area almost weekly, which could minimize the transport costs.

    With that said, if you will PM me the details of what you are needing and maybe an address, I can offer some options for you.

    If you will give us a chance, I would bet that I can make it worth our time ( You and I )

    PM or E-Mail ... [email protected]

    We're happy to help and earn your business.

    Steve
     
  11. kens

    kens Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 25, 2006
    1,203
    I am rather certain that I still hold the land speed record from Amarillo to Dallas, 370 miles. My average speed was 127 MPH.
     
  12. otakki

    otakki Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2016
    1,623
    I bet you are. How do you manage to do that without running into a speed trap? Do you have any tips on avoiding cops? Did you take the country road? Do you use a detector or some other electronics? I'm planning on an Escort Redline.
    I sure would love to be able to average out the speed like that. It will make the boring drive more bearable. Unfortunately, I can't get another ticket until August, at which time I'll be eligible for traffic school again. Meanwhile, I do close to speed limit on country road, where scenery is more interesting.
     
  13. kens

    kens Formula 3
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    Jun 25, 2006
    1,203
    My super fast trek on 287 was a long time ago, not sure today's traffic would allow for it. Most important, it was the perfect time of year. Departure at 6:00 AM, with daylight. We had very, very light traffic. The event took place on a weekday. I recall seeing a sign for Wichita Falls 100 miles, and passed through 45 minutes later. A farm tractor and trailer approached the road. Flashing my lights, I was certain that he saw me. I slowed down, just in case. As he pulled out before me, from my slower speed I was able to easily slow a bit more and go around.

    For a quick spin, I recommend I-40 West to Bushland, North to Boys Ranch Road and back.

    Advice etc. - I do not wish to promote extreme speeding on public roads. Never pass a truck or more than one car at a speed that is beyond braking capability. Be able to cancel the pass when they block all lanes. For me, that maximum "safe" passing speed was about 125. Avoid excessive speed at night. Know the road. etc.
     
  14. otakki

    otakki Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2016
    1,623
    One speeding ticket I got was for 75mph when going through Decatur. Clear sunny afternoon on a late autumn day. No cars for at least half a mile before and after me. After cruising at a steady speed and peaking a hill, there was the patrol car there on the shoulder.

    The other speeding ticket was near Vernon during the summer. Same thing: clear sunny day with another car a quarter of a mile ahead of me. I was cruising at 95mph. The cop was sitting in the left turn lane in the middle of 287.

    As always, I cruise at elevated speed only when the condition allows it. I do not do so when there are more than a few cars on the road. It's unlikely, but I can only wish a system like autobahn gets adopted into big, desolated states like Texas, Wyoming, Montana, etc. It will help bring everything closer. At this time, everything is more than 5 hrs away. It's painful having to go anywhere, especially when the entire trunk and backseats are loaded with groceries and shopping items.
     
  15. AMA328

    AMA328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 12, 2002
    2,518
    ABQ-67me68-OKC :)
    The only qualified mechanic I knew of in the Amarillo area retired several years ago and moved to the southern New Mexico mountains. Most independent shops are long gone, due to the logistics of the modern day repair biz.

    That said, Vintage Autohaus is located out on the Blvd, about .5 miles west of Soncy. Little ways west of the Post Office and Movie theater that are located just north of the mall. I can't verify quality(or lack thereof) of the mechanics, but the shop stores a wide variety of vintage cars, evidently does a healthy vintage car buy/sell/trade biz, has an in-house detailer and might be worth a look for minor Fcar stuff. For anything major, you're halfway between DFW and Denver, so in addition to considering DFW, keep Denver/Boulder in mind. ~400 miles to South Denver/Ferrari of Denver, add on another 40-50 to somewhere in Boulder...
     
  16. AMA328

    AMA328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 12, 2002
    2,518
    ABQ-67me68-OKC :)
    I think you'd be very hard pressed and extremely lucky to maintain average speed > 90 these days, from Amarillo to DFW. Just too much crap involved the closer you get to DFW, along with all of the speed traps.
     

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