[supergonzo]

WOW..
What was the quality of work Motion performed back then? I never had work done there myself. So I do not know from personal experience. For the most part I think their work was okay. I was in the shop bays quite a few times, looking at what they were working on. At this time I was young myself and working as a mechanic/car painter in a collision shop, to support my Hot-Rod habit.

What was their reputation in the NY area? They weren't a hardcore one-stop race shop, as they did not have a machine shop, but sent the work out to be done. They then assembled the necessary parts at Motion. This was for short blocks. Other than that they did most of the work themselves. Their reputation was okay I guess, Motion appealed to the guy who knew a little, but not alot about muscle cars/vettes. There were many specialty shops that were more popular among the super stock racers. Motion Phase III Vettes were promoted heavily and appealed to the guy who could afford them and didn't know much else about cars. Don't get me wrong they RAN and were FAST most times.

Custom Corvette Enterprises is another specialty shop with a GOOD reputation. I don't know Robert,so I really can't comment on his situation.
As far as teeneagers working on cars, I don't think I ever saw that at Motion. As far as the quality of work they did overall, I'd say they were okay. To be fair I am sure every place has one or two or more horror stories, sometimes things just screw up.

As far as Joel Rosen not living up to his end of a bargain...well.....
My main point about Motion is that it was a place that was well advertised. Got featured in local magazines, etc. etc. Who do you think paid for all that advertising???
Was their work a good value??? Here's an example:

1973...Buy a Hot new CD Ignition from JC Whitney at $29.95
....or Buy the same Hot new CD Ignition from Joel with a Motion sticker on it for $89.00

.........Funny thing is that....ITS STILL WORKING!!
Buy a beautiful 69' BB Camaro, mostly all original for $25K
OR by nice undocumented "Phase III" BB Camaro for....$100K