This was an excessively expensive 3-month long disappointment. I am leaving this review to help classic car owners avoid this place as an option based on the following factors: Specifically, the invoices are convoluted and nearly impossible to interpret, so Ididnt really know what I was paying for because I couldnt make sense of them. As far as I can tell, they repetitively charged me for the same hours for the same line items on several occasions. The labor hours accrued were excessive. This is due to one of two factors; they are either lacking the skills to be reasonably proficient or they are price gauging by falsely inflating labor hours. For example, they installed a hydroboost system in my 60 Thunderbird, which seems to work ok so far, but for an installation (when performed by professionals)that averages 4-6 hours, I was charged $3200 @ $110/hr standard shop rate. They charged the ac (does not blow cold), bled the brakes, tightened up some oil pan hardware, installed some new brake lines, and fixed a rear quarter window. Parts were roughly 1K. The total bill was $8500. After 3 months in their shop they broke my drivers door window glass and an aftermarket radio that I paid about $700 for. They, didnt bother to tell me that they damaged my car and simply delivered it back to me that way. I find that sort of business ethic to be incredibly indecent. They also ran the battery down and didnt bother to charge it. After spending $100s in diagnostics I checked the rear quarter window that they had allegedly repaired, and it immediately jumped off the track when I triggered the button. They did a good job of re-repairing it, but they would have delivered it to me that way if I hadnt caught it and asked them to correct it. They were actuallyplanning on charging me extra for fixing it again but must have experienced a moment of clarity and decided not to. After 3 months, a relatively short punch list, and dropping $8500, I expected a lot better, and frankly much more, for my patronage and I certainly didnt expect my car to have sustained any damage in the process, or be regarded as an afterthought. I have no problem paying premium prices for good work when labor is assessed fairly. When you drop your car off at a place like this it becomes a hostage and you either pay the unreasonable ransom to get it back or you never see it again. Unfortunately, this ordeal was ridiculous and I am simply thankful that my car is finally out of there...never to return.

Simply an awesome restoration shop with very skilled and innovative craftsmen. Lots and lots and lots of excellent projects under there belts. And always interesting projects underway.If you are a classic Jaguar person, youll likely already be at least aware of their next door neighbor Classic Jaguar of whom they are associated.

The acceptable final results of the engine transplant project performed by the Mercury Charlies crew was marred by their consistent inability to return phone calls or communicate during the process.Most recently I had a time-critical question for Chris regarding his choice of some engine components. I called early in the week and spoke with owners daughter Roxie, who assured me Chris would call just as soon as he finished a phone call he was on. 4 days and one additional phone message followup later, I finally got a call at end of day on Friday. By then I had long since given up and just had to make my own decisions without input from Chris. Looking back during the estimated two week project which stretched into over 2 months (and final cost some 60% greater than the initially discussed high range), I was reminded that on numerous incidents I NEVER received a return call for messages left either on voice mail or with the receptionist.On the other hand, the finished project was generally completed in a professional and knowledgeable manner. There arent many shops left that do this kind of work, and I recognize and appreciate that.On the positive side, Id be remiss if I didnt mention that Chris made a personal end-of-day trip to my house with some replacement ignition parts, several weeks after I took possession of the completed project and he even offered to re-install my spark plugs (I declined.. Im not yet completely helpless). They are clearly trying hard. Im confident that remaining issues will soon be resolved.Phil A.Dripping Springs

Cool shop and great people! Glad we made the stop.

Moved from California to Texas recently, brought my 70 cobra jet Mustang which was approximately 60% completed. Talked to several shops in the area and was most impressed with Charlie and Will, and decided to go with them to finish my car.Good rates! Extremely friendly and knowledgeable and even allowed me to watch and participate in the process. Their level of communication and responding to any inquiry I had was beyond my level of satisfaction. Very Very pleased with the outcome. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who is searching for a shop to help complete their project.-Mark Weeden and Benjamin Jones

They do it right. Check out their shop if you need more proof.

Great place. Great crew. Good looking work.

This was my first but not last time to use this garage, Charlie and the guys do a great job and are extremely helpful, I highly recommend them.

The go-to guys for those in the know. Just ask J.J.

Brought my 65 Riviera to Charlie for some work. Charlie is a great resource for these classics. He was able to get the car running great in no time and was able to fit me into the shops very busy schedule. Great Customer Service!

Some background: I manage a facility that stores and looks after over 150 exotics, race cars, and classics. My customers rely on me to send their cars to the best shops I can find and when it comes to the classics, Mercury Charlies is the place. Not only do they care for the beauties in my care, but they geek out on what I bring them as real car people should.Kevin C.Petrol LoungeAustin, TX

After my father rebuilt our 1956 Customline, we had some fit and finish issues as well as a spark problem that we just couldnt hack. We called up Charlie and he said not to worry he would take care of it for us. Charlie and his team are top notch with impeccable knowledge and had my car back to me in no time! Also Team Member Chris is a Tuning Wizard!

Charlie, Will & Ethan are great to work with. They know all the secrets of working on classic vehicles. They recently repaired the brakes on wifes 1962 Thunderbird & it has never braked like it does now. Fabulous. They are always generous with their knowledge of what it takes to do it right. Highly recommend them for maintenance or that really bug restoration project you have wanted to do for years.

You car guys in Texas are very lucky to have a gifted car genious ( Mercury Charlie ) in you myths. I didnt ever expect to speak directly to him, but when I did he was real and down to earth and I could hear the passion for what he does in his voice. I hope to meet him some day soon.It was a pleasure to speak to you MC. Down here in the Florida keys your God like.

We live in Michigan, i called mc and left a message and he called me back that night was really impressed on his knowledge about our 50 merc was a great help, thanx for taking the time to chat with us

These guys are great!! I have a 63 impala super sport with a 409 engine. Charlie and his gang are fast and reliable. They also fixed little things that needed fixing to keep my car up to snuff that were low or not on the list but they knew I’d be happy with it fixed. I had heat issues with my engine and they had some good solutions and so far the car is running the best it’s run since I owned it!! You know your in the right place when pretty much every employee has a classic car as a daily driver!!!

Great people! Will not disappoint!

Worst customer experience I have ever had. This guy does shabby work and starts a job and says he cant finish it while charging over $100/hr. Buys parts but doesnt install them properly. Took my vehicle down the road and said he has so many customers coming from there with the same complaints. DO NOT USE THIS GUY CHARLIE! Im suing you too crook!

My brakes went out in my 1951 Chevy truck just down the road from Mercury Charlies shop. I coasted in and Charlie upgraded the brakes and did a bunch of other repairs. Workmanship was top notch. His crew is skilled at solving problems with these old cars. If the part cant be found Charlie will just fabricate it on the spot.

When getting an old vehicle restored, rewired, re-anything this is the guy you want to touch that vehicle. He just knows all the secret handshakes an old car needs. So far, my husband and I have had two vehicles worked on by Charlie and his merry gang - a 62 Rambler and a 66 F100. The F100 was more predictable and had parts available. The Rambler is a weirdo. Both had the same result; awesome.Know what youre in for; a job done right. It wont be a quick process; the work done correctly should not be rushed. But, go in knowing your project will be amazing when it rolls out of their doors.

First time customer and now I won’t take my classic anywhere else. Great people, really evaluated what I needed and my prized Elco is running as good as it looks. You can try the rest but CM is the best.

Bitchin Kool

They take their time but its better to have the work done right the first time. Im excited to see my 1963 Lark back on the road thanks to these guys.

Charlie and his staff are always friendly, helpfull and make you feel at home.

Charlie and his crew saved me from a disasterus first time experience with classic cars. I went through two builders that took five years and couldnt complete the car.Charlie and crew finished it in a month.Every car they build is personal to them and it dont leave the shop until it is right and detailed. Hell! He even made me wipe off my own handprints. Mercury Charlie is my shop for the life of the car.

Not just a garage.. but pure Mercury... Oh and Charlies the real thing. There are still Outlaws in shining armour...

Great place great hospitality lovely people thanks for giving up your time to talk to us

If you love old cars this is a place to visit every person there was fun to talk to and the atmosphere is great stop in an say hi to charlie

The guys over at mercury Charlies always surpass my expectations. Honest professionals who build real hot rods .

Charlie and his crew did a great job on my 55 Chevy

Great hot rod and restoration shop.

If it can be done, Charlie has done it! He and will Pulley make a great team!

Nice cars and good quality!!

Best customer service ever!

Visited website was still under construction.

You wont regret it

Great guy and great work!!

Smooth

Its what I like!

Very friendly people.

A very nice classic restoration workshop.

Always nice to talk Hot rods and custom cars here