Auto body repair & detailing: Old car frame questions/frustration, minor frame, collision shops


Question
QUESTION: Hello, I am getting extremely frustrated with body shops around Baltimore.  I have an old mopar (1970) 2 door hardtop. It has minor frame issues (trunk lid is tight on driver side and wide on passenger side...and is hard to close. Clearly the rear is diamond to the right...  I have the frame specs for the car from truway with the datum line.  My problem is there isn't a single frame shop that will even look at this car.  When I say old "Dodge" and "frame machine"  suddenly they all sing the we're backed up song... For the life of me..
I've seen 4x4's wrapped around trees on frame machines for days being straightened.  Whats the big deal about an old car?  Why are modern collision shops terrified of old cars?...   What I need specifically is about 4 hours on a frame machine with centerline guages and a tram.
Is there some lingo I have to use to get a body shop to look/measure/fix my car?  What do you recommend?   I am more than willing to pay cash/prevailing frame rates etc...
Nobody has even looked at this car, but no one will book time on their frame machine for me?  Why?   Any insider information on this?

ANSWER:  Jerry,
I don't understand either pal. Is this a restoration project? Is the car drivable?
In any event ,I am going to do some quick research for you in reguards to shops and
machines in your area and see if I can't hook you up.
Sit tight I'll get back to you in a day or two.
         Bill

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you I appreciate the quick reply.
Yes the car is a project. I've owned it since 1982.
Mostly finished except for the frame issues.
and yes the car is perfectly driveable.  

The car does align according to the Firestones and Merchant Tire places which have aligned it.
The car has never been wrecked but it did tow a very heavy trailer in the mid 1980's... which is what I am sure caused this.

Any help would be much appreciated...
Thanks again  

Answer
Jerry,
You said in the last reply, that the car was never hit? Why then do you feel there is some
frame damage? You wouldn't do any damage by pulling a trailer.
can you be more specific about the problems your having.
If I am reading all of this correctly, I think maybe your just having some difficulty with
the sheet metal alignment? Perhaps?
If this is the case.There are several adjustments you can make with hinges/strikers/locks etc.
I'm just about out of time here.     Good Luck.  Bill