I recently brought my 1967 Triumph GT6 to Kip Motors to have some work done due to it having sat for too long. I wanted to have it gone through to make sure it was safe to drive as well, since I do most of the work myself and wanted to take the opportunity to have it gone through by a specialist and make sure things were working as they should be. I told them that I had a budget of $3500 and that anything more than that we would need to talk about. They ended up flushing the fuel system, replacing the fuel pump, and rebuilding the carburetors, which needed to be done. They recommended that we flush the clutch and brake lines as well, since I used regular DOT 3 fluid and not the magic British fluid. Fair enough. Partway through the service I received a bill for about $2000, which covered the fuel system, fuel pump and carburetor rebuild. Then they continued and determined that the clutch needed to be flushed and two of the brake wheel cylinders needed to be replaced. After that I picked it up, and received another bill for $3500. No one had ever called to verify that the $2000 overage was okay. I was shocked at the bill, but paid it immediately, and picked the car up. We drove it home, and my thought was that this was a lot more than expected, but at least the work was done, and done properly by a specialist. When we got home, it died while trying to back into the garage and couldn't be restarted. Two days later, I got it started on choke using gas pedal, but when the gas was lifted the car died. I drove it a bit hoping that it was just cold, but it didn't improve. Suddenly the car started making a screaming noise that went away each time the clutch was pressed. I called Kip, and the diagnosis was that the clutch (which they had just worked on and flushed) may be sticking, and should be replaced. Okay. . . those parts weren't replaced, so I couldn't really hold it against them. I would have expected them to find that out while checking out the system, but maybe not. The next day, I noticed a long trail of brake fluid in the garage. I thought it was oil, but while doing some of the other maintenance they suggested (replacing the hub adapters, which led me to discover that the rear knock-off nuts were damaged when Kip's shop removed them to replace the wheel cylinders, apparently with a hammer rather than the wooden knockoff wrench that sits in the back of the car.) I discovered the leak stopped behind the wheel and was coming from one of the new wheel cylinders they had just replaced, which ruined the paint on the axle behind it. Again I called Kip. "Top off the fluid and bring it back, and wheel get it swapped out." I'm not comfortable driving a 60 year old car with failing brakes not knowing how fast the brake fluid is leaking. I'm also not going to pay another $200 in towing to swap out a $15 wheel cylinder 'at no charge'. I emailed Kip to let him know that I would rather pay the $15 and replace the wheel cylinder myself rather than risk the drive over town or pay for a tow, and about the fact that, as of now, I was charged more than $2000 more that I didn't approve to find that I'm having to redo all of the work that the specialist performed on the clutch and brake system. That work, between parts and labor amounted to $1442.15 to replace two wheel cylinders, flush and bleed the brakes, and flush the clutch, which evidently takes a specialist a billed 13 hours to do. I said I realize that a bad experience doesn't equate to a bad shop, but I'm not sure what to do. His response back "I'm sorry you spent more than you hoped on your car, but most of the work was repairing things that you had done improperly. . . knowing what parts to order, recognizing the wrong parts and installing them properly requires a higher level of skill". This is obviously true, since apparently not even they could do it properly in 13 hours. We'll see when the parts get here how long it takes an unskilled amateur. I point out that the car worked fine for years before it was parked. read more

See all

I'm working on a 1927 Model A Roadster Pickup and it's been sitting for 10 years. The front wheel cylinders are leaking and they've leaked all over the brake shoes. No problem, I'll just do what I always do, run to the store and get some replacement shoes. The only problem is that they don't have replacement shoes. In fact, no one does. Not NAPA, not Autozone, not O'reillys, not US Select, not even the hot rod shops could help me with finding someone who could reline shoes. I finally did some searching on the Internets and a couple guys were referring to Kip Motors and I did a search and lo and behold, it's in Dallas, not too far from me. I gave them a call and they quoted me at least $100 over the phone. These are pretty big brake linings. When I brought them in, Kip gave me an estimate of $130 and I figured, "Hey, this is really the only player in town and it's gotta be done," so I handed them over. Then Kip says, "Do you have the drums?" Of course I don't because that would be too easy. He says, "Well, if you bring the drums, then we'll put oversize linings on and we can match the shoes to the drums and you'll get 100% braking right out of the gate instead of the partial contact you'll get otherwise." Me: "That'd be awesome. How much do you charge to turn the drums?" Kip: "$20 per drum." Me: "Okay, I'll have to bring them back tomorrow." Kip: "Okay, I won't start on them until then." I did bring the drums back the next day. That was two weeks ago. I thought I'd get everything back last week but it took them longer than I expected. I dropped them off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Last week would have been good but Monday was a freeze scare, then a couple days, then on Friday Icemegeddon 2013 hit, so that probably knocked another couple work days off. They finally called me yesterday (Tuesday) and said they were done. I would have preferred them back sooner, but it's not that big of a deal as I had other things I could be working on. The drums look great and the linings fit inside perfectly. I'm pretty excited as the old shoes only contacted the drum in one spot, so it's going to have a lot of braking force now. Thanks Kip for your expert advice and great work. If I ever need brake shoes relined, I know where to go! read more

Kip Motor Company - Auto Parts & Supplies Near Me - Dallas, Texas

If you own a 1967 London Black Cab (the Austin FX4) as I do, then there really isn't any other place to go for spares, advice and ideas in the US. And, when you get there, they are friendly and knowledgeable. I like 'em read more

I have a 1980 MGB and needed extensive work including overhaul of braking system. After getting the car back the brakes sang when heated. I returned the car to eliminate the braking noise. It took a lot of work and time to determine the issue, which has been resolved. I appreciate their value to customer service and satisfaction. Took time to fix the "ole buggy" yet I happy to be out driving around in the warm sunshine! read more

You gotta ask yourself. Do you want the best of care when it comes to your special car? If you do then Kip Motor Co. is at the top of the food chain when it comes to working on specialty vehicles. Maybe it's a Jaguar XKE from the 60's, or a vintage Rolls Royce. Perhaps it's a Sunbeam or a Fiat Spider. It might even be a 1957 Nash Metropolitan like mine! Whatever the make & model Kip Motor Co has worked on them all and so many more. For more than a quarter century Kip & his amazing wife Debra have been the 'go to' repair & restoration facility in Dallas, Texas. Many of their clients ship their cars in from all over the country to get Kip's special expertise. However it's important that you know that this is not just one (if not the top) of the best restoration/repair shops in the country. Kip & Debra actually care about their customers & consider them part of the Kip Motors family. When you visit their shop they will great you personally, give you the nickel tour & as a special bonus you will get to meet their dog Martin. A lovable big lug of a dog that has its own 'treat jar' with his name on it. Speaking of the nickel tour, if you are a car fancier then you will be in 7th heaven as Kip walks you thru the shop and you view the eclectic mix of cars that they are currently working on. You will feel like a kid in a candy store. So if you want the best of the best for your special car, then look no further. You won't be sorry when you put Kip Motor Co. on your speed dial. Signed, David T. Dallas, Texas read more

If Brandon answers the phone you should hang up and call back. He must have learned his phone skills from A telemarketer. He sent me A broken set of rings, when I called to tell him this he said he would send another set, it's been two months. When I asked him to just credit my credit card on may 6th he said he would. Today I called to see why my credit card had not been updated he immediately got an attitude and told me he needed the pistons and rings sent back. I said "after two months now you tell me this, the motor is already in the car" I purchased hastings rings from another vendor they can keep the credit I'm never going back. this is just another example management not looking over the workers. read more

I took my 1968 Thunderbird here for restoration. Among the numerous promises that were total lies, the car would be "inspection ready" in about 5 months. In addition to inspection ready, there were other repairs to be made which included replacing all rubber bushings and seals and a new exhaust system. The estimated cost was to be between $20,000 and $25,000 dollars. When in August, the car was supposed to be finished, Kip stated it was ready to test drive, however he was already past the $25,000 mark. At that time he told us the job was billed as time and materials. This was the first time we were told that. He also stated that another $1000 would finish the job, which was to include a new exhaust system. Imagine our surprise when we were told the car was ready the Friday before Christmas, and he had billed another $10,000 ten thousand dollars and the exhaust system was not done. He told us he was only asking for $1200. At this point we decided to cut our losses, take the car home and be done with Kip. The car has numerous problems that we were told were fixed. For example transmission leak, power steering pump leak, gas line leak, radiator leak, windshield leak, lights not working, etc. I could go on and on. And no, the car will not pass inspection. He took 4 months longer than promised and billed $5000 more and still did not complete the initial work he was contracted to do. Unless you have unlimited funds and do not care about quality repair work, do not stop here. No matter what he tells you, it will not be the truth. read more