............by a well known guy who certifies a certain type of Camaro.......and it turns out that the car is not all it seems........what would you do 
You can see from my limited number of posts that I'm not a "frequent flyer" here. I check in from time to time. After reading this thread though, I feel compelled to offer some thoughts. And please understand that my comments are offered as my opinion(s), offered as a gentleman, not intended as disdain towards others, etc.
This post started as a question, asking "..... what would you do" and has morphed into several topics ranging from re-bodying of cars, inspection practices, etc. Frankly, I can't believe the moderator(s) have let the thread continue as it has. Nonetheless, here are my comments:
- Answering the initial question posted by the author, "what would you do", I would accept the responsibility of making a huge buyer's mistake by purchasing a car sight unseen (author's words) first. I would also accept the responsibility of another buyer's mistake by not inspecting the car immediately upon delivery. Then, I would determine whether the car has been mis-represented by the seller, if I had any issues/recourse with any mis-representations by the seller and ultimately, whether I wanted to keep the car, or not. I would set out on a course of action based on the decision I came to, keeping in mind that I dealt with the seller, not any previous inspectors, appriaisers, etc.
- In regards to the other off-topic content in this thread, I offer the following:
- Author states "I was not really concerned about the condition of the car". Why are you so concerned now?
- Author states "..... bought it sight unseen because it had been certified....." Another mistake if you didn't hire the certifier, giving him explicit
direction(s), or know what direction was given to the certifier by the one that did hire him.
- Author states that the previous owner says he didn't know of the "problem" with the car and author calls BS. I don't consider myself a Camaro
expert, but I have owned many cars in my lifetime, worked on many cars, etc. I have a keen eye for things mechanical. Yet, my eye for
bodywork related things is not so good. I have many times been shown bodywork related things on cars I've owned by others, things that I
couldn't see, didn't look for, etc. The previous owner might be telling the truth.
- IMO, post author has no issue with car inspector/appraiser Jerry MacNeish. It appears that Jerry was not hired by the author, thus he has no
entitlement to any comment, input, whatever from Jerry. His issue(s) should be with the seller of the car.
- In regards to the other off-topic content in this thread, specifically relating to Jerry MacNeish, I offer the following:
- Jerry's client was the seller of this car, who's concern was whether the car was a real Z/28 and whether it had the original engine. It appears from
information presented that those concerns were addressed and answered.
- IMO, Jerry has given the current owner of this car much more time/attention/diaglogue than he is entitled to.
- Others have posted in this thread regarding the contributions offered by Jerry MacNeish to our hobby. I couldn't agree more.
- Jerry offers, thru his books, at miminal price, a lifetime of Camaro specific education. Many, many people have educated themselves and
improved/expanded our hobby by using his publications alone. IMO, they are cheap at four times what he charges now. He is not greedy, but
could be.
- I have hired Jerry as a Camaro inspector/appraiser, as have many of my friends and associates. It is my opinion that one always gets more than
they pay for.
- He allows car owner's/presenters to be a part of his inspection/appraisal process, when he really doesn't have to.
- He provides education during the inspection/appraisal process, when he really doesn't have to.
- IMO, the price one pays for a Jerry MacNeish certification/inspection/appraisal is a value. I'm of the opinion that having Jerry's endorsement (of a
real car) adds value to your car equal to at least twice what you pay him to do it, probably more. Again, he could be greedy and ask for more.
He does not.
- As others have pointed out, Jerry routinely offers "free" advice to those of us who frequent these forums, car shows, events, whatever. Look at
the time on many of his posts around. You know they're done after a long day at the shop, many calls, lots of travel, etc. He doesn't have to
answer our questions, or provide excellent/informative comment, but he does. IMO, this comes from a person interested in perpetuating our
hobby, not one interested in just personal gain.
- I would recommend Jerry MacNeish to anyone in need of his services. You will find him extremely competent, and extremely professional. And,
as busy as he is, his detailed, inclusive report will be on your desk within a few days of his visit. My recommendation if you do consider hiring
Jerry, be specific in what your expectations are from him. He will let you know if he can/can't meet those expectations.
Again, I am not a frequent poster here. Thanks for allowing me to wax eloquent on this topic and thanks to CRG and others for what you do for our hobby.
Regards,
Butch Everett
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Good luck out there.
Good luck w/the record. I'm sure the wheelie machine has another tenth + in her.