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Wed May 31, 2006 11:09 am

I am planning on a body resto this winter and I am looking for a reputable shop in or around the midwest area. Do you guys have any suggestions? Here is what I need done:

Battery Tray
Heater Channels
Lower Rear Quarters
Bumper Mounts
Spare Tire well
Paint

Also, if any of you have had the work done there, could you PM me with an idea of what this might cost?

Wed May 31, 2006 11:56 am

you could bring it down here, lol

Wed May 31, 2006 1:02 pm

Archway Imorts in St Louis MO.
No website
Phone: 314-638-7700
Ask to speak with Jim.
No idea on price.

Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:00 am

Any others? Colorado is not out of the question.

Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:13 am

You're looking at minimum of $5,000 in work.

Before proceeding -- is there anything special about your car? I've made the mistake putting time and money into the wrong car... now I've learned it's easier to road trip to a better shell.

I know of a good shop in the Dakotas and one in the Milwaukee area.... PM me.

As you're aware, you can do a ton of the prep before sending it out..

T.

Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:04 pm

I'm reasonable and in central Oklahoma. pm me with email and I can send pics of my work.

Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:25 pm

PM's sent.

Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:22 am

Still looking, are there any others?

Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:54 am

if you are still looking, there is a place in windom kansas, the guy that runs the shop, Tim Bowers, was(i think he still is) the welding and panel fab teacher at mcpherson college's Auto restoration bacholors program.
i was one of his students, and he is pretty good at what he does.
i know he has done american cars 50s and earlyer, but i do not think he has ever done any VWs.
if he is close to you, give him a call, he is a pretty nice guy.
most cars i saw are strict restoration, i dont think he does street rods.

Stellar Antique Auto Restorations
P.O. Box 42
624 Main
Windom, KS 67491
800/757-6506
E-mail: tbowers@midusa.net

Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:31 am

Darryl Auch in Neosho Missouri absolutely rocks -- full on restoration or just a tune up; he's your guy...

PM me for details...

Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:43 am

Specifically looking for a place in Iowa, Illinois, North MO of Southwest WI.

Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:55 pm

How about Fort Wayne Indiana ??? I would love to do another beetle at the shop I work for. Email me some pix of the car. Trouble spots and such. What all do you want done ? It would be better to see it in person though to get an estimate together.

Steve

Here is a link to my work in progress :

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=200224

Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:44 pm

Tim10 wrote: You're looking at minimum of $5,000 in work.

Before proceeding -- is there anything special about your car? I've made the mistake putting time and money into the wrong car... now I've learned it's easier to road trip to a better shell.

I know of a good shop in the Dakotas and one in the Milwaukee area.... PM me.

As you're aware, you can do a ton of the prep before sending it out..

T.

Tim makes an excellent point here. What ELSE does it need? It sounds like your car is pretty rusty. Does it hold sentimental value? I saw a rust free original VERY nice 64 bug w/low miles just sell on ebay for only $4400 dollars. If the car isn't a rare bug your better off $ wise to seek out a better bug.
Just my 2 cents.

Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:23 am

Emotional attatchment has set in, unfortunately. It was my first car.

Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:48 am

Hey,

Call Dan at Vintage Auto Werks in Belvedere,Ill. I don't have his number on hand, but he's on TheSamba.com all the time. Try Vintage Auto Werks.com. Nice guy!

Whizby Sunshine

Tue May 15, 2007 8:15 pm

Hello,
I'm just writing as I was looking around for resto shops in the Northern Illinois, and Southern Wisconsin area to see who was out there if anyone specializing in VW's. My dad has been building race cars, restoring old American Cars, and building hot rods for about 40 years. He's very good at what he does, and his rates are very good for the type of work he does. He's a one man operation in Cassville, Wisconsin after moving from Trevor, Wisconsin where he was at for over 20 years. He has some good pictures of his work if you get ahold of him. If you were to bring your car to him, whether it be rusty, or just need some panel straightening, he could certainly make you happy especially with such a significant vehicle like yours. I'm currently living in California and had acquired a rust-free vehicle and did some minor metal replacement on my car, but it was simple. He woudl be the guy to talk to about full body stuff. I've seen some of the work done on theSamba and the cars that have been hacked up by an amateur putting in heater channels and other small parts--don't go that way. If you would like contact my father, John at 1-262-210-1682. He doesn' t answer the phone as if it's a commercial business, but it's his personal cell phone. Let him know that his son recommended you to him, and you'll be glad you did if you get in touch with him. You can also reach him at lparello@tds.net but he doesn't check his e-mail too often. Again, he's a one man operation, but very meticulous after years of car building and fabrication, there isnt' really anything he can't do. The only thing I can say is that I've never seen him work any magic on a VW engine before, but there is always a first.
Get in touch with him if you have time!
Anyone in the Midwest give him a call, whatever your automotive needs are, he'll make your car into whatever you want it to be!
Stateline Body & Chassis
John Parello
6013 Dietrich Hts Road
Cassville, Wisconsin
1-262-210-1682
lparello@tds.net (be patient, he doesn't check this too often :wink: )
Best to call between 10am and 9pm.

-John Jr.

p.s. if you look in my gallery, you'll see my car. I had to because of work requirements (military) pay to have my car done at a production shop in SoCal, it cost me $3410 and i did almost all the prep work It was stripped by hand to bare metal, and there was very minimal masking required. I had them do the door jambs, and inner doors, as well as the dash to ensure full coverage of the car. The only other estimate that I had gotten was for $8k... So, that is one spectrum.. My bug is single stage too, no clear coat for me. My dad can give you a quote if you happen to still be looking for quality work and craftsmanship!

Wed May 16, 2007 11:23 am

blitzkrieg59 wrote: Any others? Colorado is not out of the question.

Motorworks Restoration in Colorado Springs, outstanding work!!!
ask for Jeremy

http://motorworksrestorations.com/

Fri May 18, 2007 1:55 pm

Randys' Resto Shop a one man shop does great work in Shelby Iowa. Email inquires to rrs@iowatelecom.net or give him a call at 712-544-2188.
He has been doing them quite a while and turning out some very nice work.

Dan

Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:27 pm

Hey Steve, if I bring in my car, will you be the one working on it?