Still Looking for a Body Shop Recommendation

gheezerghia · Post by **gheezerghia** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:37 pm

I'm looking for a good Body Shop in the Northern California area. I plan on showing the car so the work needs to be good. Thanks

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:50 am

First step..

I wouldn't limit myself to just Northern CA.

Transporting isn't as expensive as a botched job by a hot rod shop... I've seen 15k jobs done that destroy the factory lines and/or welds on a VW.

With a bit more description of what you're looking for, I can help you with some leads.

I frequent the Walnut Creek area.. know of a few shops around there.

When you say "show" do you mean drive it to a show or enclose trailer it for a 100point restoration?

I commonly send my bodies 400 miles away to have just the steel work done by a shop that knows how to recreate panels etc.. not just buy them from a catalog.

Ghias are of the most touchy since they're coach built... there are no 2 alike - EVEN if you can get steel panels.. they all need to be reworked to match your lines.

Any budget you're trying to stay within? ("as little as possible" or "fair" or "good deal" are not helpful).

Are you looking for Turnkey or just the paint/body done?

Pix of your current car will help direct it to the correct shop.

T.

gheezerghia · Post by **gheezerghia** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:34 pm

AirHead, Thanks for the reply. The car is a 69 coupe that is straight except for a few door type dings, a rust hole(nickel size) on the lower part of the right front fender, and a very Minor dent on the nose(looks to be from a bumper "towel bar"). That's it. It's a very clean body. I plan on showing the car in the NorCal area and will drive it to all of them and around town too. I have a vert I show that I'm tired of tip toeing around in the garage so this one will be more user friendly. I can re-assemble the car myself so all I need is the paint and body done. I'm going to have it painted it's factory color (Oriole Yellow). I gotta think with the car stripped to the bone like it is and very little to repair, I could get it done for 7500 or less? If I knew how to include a photo I'd send one?? Any help in this area? Thanks for your time

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:57 pm

In california I'd budget $11k to have this done correctly.

In the Middle country $9k

Remember small blemishes to be repaired correctly require disassembly by drilling out all spot welds.

PM me and I'll post your pix.

Tim

dave@dubwerkz · Post by **dave@dubwerkz** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:29 pm

MNAirHead wrote:In california I'd budget $11k to have this done correctly.

In the Middle country $9k

Remember small blemishes to be repaired correctly require disassembly by drilling out all spot welds.

PM me and I'll post your pix.

Tim

sounds about right i know all the shops here in livermore are around 4500.00 just to shot the car with one block there are shops that will do it cheaper but ya get what ya pay for in this trade thats for sure.

gheezerghia · Post by **gheezerghia** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:30 pm

Dave are any of them worth going to?

dave@dubwerkz · Post by **dave@dubwerkz** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:21 am

most shops are insurance based shops now so your car will sit for a very long time. we do no insurance work at all and only do vws water and aircooled cars.you are welcome to come buy the shop anytime to see what we do if ya like what we do thats great if not then thats fine to. we are just trying to fill what we see as a void for the vw owner not alot of shops wana work on these cars but it is something that we really love to do. feel free to give me a call 209 740 6506

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:22 am

Never received your photos for posting.

T.