langjones

I'm fairly new to drag racing and decided to build a simple bracket car.
I shopped around alot and decided to respond to Ad #2112931. Michael Steele (the lying thief) and i agreed:

96 Firebird body(advertised for $650 in another ad)
Mild steel chassis
Datsun Struts with Brakes
Rack and Pinion
4-Link
Track Locator
Narrowed 9" housing
Single Adj. Shocks
Strange 35 spl. Axles/Bearings/Studs
Plastic seat (Mounted)
Harness Tabs
Single Battery Hold Down
Rear Mount Fuel Cell
Brakes
steering column
pedals
motor/mid plates
master cylinder

Build Price is $5,500.00

I sent $1,000 by money order for the body and to gut it and he (the lying thief) agreed to send me the title which i never received. I decided to make a trip to Florida from NC (home) to make sure everything was on the level. The body was there and he had started gutting it so i thought things were ok. This was Feb 2011 and he said the car would be ready in 4-8 weeks.

Soon afterwards he (the lying thief) had no money for parts or tubing and i agreed to buy the parts and ship them there.(so i would have proof of ownership)

The parts purchased were:
$ 519.70 Bell Steel, Florida For chassis tubing
$ 500.00 A.R.T. rack kit, mid plate, chassis tabs
$1,096.34 4link, anti roll, track locator, front and mid plates
77.98 Driveshaft loops

1 1 873-H1135 HOUSING ENDS EARLY B/FORD 69.99 69.99
1 1 555-60116 REAR AXLE VENT, 1/8"NPT 4.99 4.99
1 1 555-60136 FILL CAP W/STEEL WELD FIT 22.99 22.99
1 1 555-60190 9" FORD HOUSING BRACE KIT 69.99 69.99
1 1 247-2047 COIL-OVER MOUNT LOWER 57.99 57.99
1 1 272-95070 DRAIN PLUG - WELD IN BUNG 14.99 14.99
1 1 247-2046 UPPER COIL OVER MNT KIT 37.99 37.99
Sub-Total 278.93
Status: Delivery Area Surcharge 5.00
Shipping 36.98
Handling 13.99
TOTAL 334.90

Counting the $1,000 allready sent, the total now is $3,528.92 from a $5,500 total build price that he was allready suppose to have the parts for. I told him i was on a budget and couldn't go much more than than the $5,500 and asked what i would owe when i arrived. He said the $2,000 balance was fine. Did i mention he was a lying thief?

I called May 9 to set up a date to pick up the car because i also had to pick up my car trailer on the way. He assured me the car would be finished by May 20 at the latest and i let him know i would be leaving on the morning of the 23rd. (Note this all could've been avoided with one phone call.)
I left the morning of May 23 to pick up the car and arrived only to find it not finished. Not even close. I had to run to Texas for a couple days and he assured me once again it would be ready when i got back. Upon returning from Texas on May 23, you know it, not finished.
I ended up staying until May 30 (on my own dime) and loading the car up unfinished and bringing it home along with the parts i had purchased. I also paid him the $2,000 and will chalk it up to ignorance on my part.

WHAT I BROUGHT HOME:

The car body, a partially finished tube chassis, only tacked in places
and not attached to the body. A nine inch housing with a brace welded on it along with the 4 link brackets, not cut to length. A ragged set of front struts and rear coil overs. (unattached)

WHAT I DID NOT BRING HOME:

Strange 35 spl. Axles/Bearings/Studs
Plastic seat (Mounted)
Harness Tabs
Single Battery Hold Down
Rear Mount Fuel Cell
Brakes
steering column
pedals
master cylinder

To the liar's credit, he did offer to come to my ragged little
shop in NC and finish the job which he couldn't seem to finish
in his own shop, and to finish the housing and ship it to me.
I declined. This guy is a POS.

I know it's not much money just a matter of principal.
Michael Steele @ Heads Up Chassis is a liar and a thief.
You guys take your business to someone worthy.