This is one story we probably shouldn’t write.
To borrow a line from the Eagles in their song, Last Resort, “Call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye.”
We feel like the food critic who finds this fantastic little restaurant tucked away on a side street. Once he writes about his incredible experience, the place gets so popular you can’t get a reservation.
Shiny Fenders is paradise, and we don’t want to kiss it goodbye.
We’re hoping that doesn’t happen here.
It’s just that when you find someone who provides a level of personal, professional service like Al Bathurst from Shiny Fenders, you can’t help but want to share the news.
That’s why we were excited to get the call that our 2013 crystal red Grand Sport Corvette project car was next to receive the Shiny Fenders treatment.
Bespoke From The Start
The bespoke Shiny Fenders experience starts the moment you glide your beloved ride into the service bay. You are instantly aware of the level of cleanliness and illumination that rivals hospital surgery rooms.
The white wainscoted walls are devoid of tacky banners and advertisements enticing you to buy products you don’t need. The stark ambiance focuses everyone’s attention precisely to where it should be, on your vehicle and your vision of its evolution.
What separates this shop from countless others in Atlanta isn’t the products he uses or the special equipment at his disposal. The Shiny Fender experience is bespoke because Al takes the time to truly listen to you.
You feel he genuinely understands your vision.
You pick up on it instantly when you talk to him. He doesn’t have an agenda, no packages of services he wants to sell, no extra add-ons lurking in the wings waiting to be sprung on you at any moment.
Combine a genuinely caring heart, with a steadfast commitment to quality, with a lifetime of automotive wisdom, and it’s crystal clear why clients are lined up around the block.
Meticulous Attention To Detail
Our goal for our 2013 crystal red Grand Sport project car was straightforward. Upgrade the coupe’s look slightly from stock while making it easier to maintain.
While Al has put many in the winner’s circle of the South’s most prestigious car shows, we weren’t looking for a wall full of trophies. This Corvette was made to be enjoyed and driven to the events we cover.
At this point, some well-known shops would have considered this task beneath them and politely shuffled us off to a competitor. Therein lies the heart of the matter and why there is a list of people waiting for some Shiny Fender love for their cherished rides.
The level of attention to detail is the same for every project, no matter how large or small.
Whether it’s a 1935 trophy-winning chopped pickup truck, a new Lamborgini, or an often driven 2013 Grand Sport Corvette, he treats every project the same.
If we hadn’t experienced it first hand or talked at length with his legion of fans, we flat-out wouldn’t have believed it either.
Powerstop Z-26 To The Rescue
First up on our wish list was tackling the obnoxious layer of brown semi-metallic brake dust that covers our wheels after only a few minutes of driving. Granted, the factory Brembo brakes combined with OEM brake pads scrub off speed well, but they require constant never-ending cleaning.
After doing our due diligence in brake pad research, we settled on Powerstop Z-26 Extreme ceramic brake pads. We went with the Z-26 pad option because they are better suited to our “spirited” runs in the North Georgia mountains.
While Al already had the wheel off to upgrade the brake pads, the decision was made to replace the well-worn front rotors as well. Another casualty of time spent conquering the curves of the infamous Tail of The Dragon and DiamondBack runs.
In the future, we’ll do an article on what it’s like to live with the Powerstop Z-26 Extreme pads. We’ll delve into real-world mountain performance and brake dust accumulations.
Upgrade Our Look
Few changes alter the look and presence of your Corvette more than upgrading the stock wheels. While our OEM silver wheels from 2013 were still functional, they looked like they were from 2013, which was the problem
You could literally spend hours and hours online looking at the various wheel options available. This is where we relied on Al’s keen eye for style and function to guide us in the right decision.
Fortunately, we found the perfect set of “gently loved” O.Z. Italian Superleggera III Racing rims. They’re a three-piece forged center/spun out/cast in constructed wheel.
The harmony between the beauty of form and the quality of function is readily apparent in these Italian wheels. Instantly, they changed the outdated C6 into something that caught the eye of passersby and fellow Corvette drivers alike.
Because low maintenance was high on our priority list, Al offered to paint the barrels of the wheels black to help hide any ceramic brake dust. Once again, he understood our vision and provided the perfect solution.
Much More Than The Shine
In a mass-marketed world, it’s a breath of fresh air to come across someone like Al Bathurst, who still holds fast to good old-fashioned American creativity and values. He effortlessly combines a lifetime of automotive experience with the lost art of listening to his clients’ needs.
On the one hand, we know the consequences of telling you about our great experience with Shiny Fenders, but on the other, we owe it to you to share this valuable resource.
Based on our personal Shiny Fender experience, the difference between Al and the competition is much more than the shine.
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