I agree with Al, there's not much to an Ercoupe. We don't need mechanics who know Coupes, we need good mechanics, period. This fellow doesn't seem particularly observant or alert, which would make me think 2 or 3 times about going back to him.
Also agree with Al that you should start getting involved in the wrenching. Having been through several annuals by now, I never look forward to them, but have come to accept the hassle as part of the cost of owning a many-decades-old machine. A good mech could and should find many more items than what you mentioned to upgrade, not to pad the bill, but to prevent problems in the future. As a contrast, if you had your annual done with the guy use, it would be in the hangar several weeks (mostly untouched unless I'm there), you would be subject to a series of rants, insults, and tales-along with amusing cuss phrases from New Zealand, you would go through every emotion known, you'd get a $2000-$5000 bill for the first annual, and it would, in the end, be very thoroughly gone over. Ralph Finch Davis, CA
