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Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:31 pm

Does anyone know of any good shops in the DC area that knows how to work on VW's?

Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:24 am

http://www.peekperformance.com/

Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:24 pm

Are there any others?

Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:04 pm

VW restorations and customs in Manassas.
10404 Central Park Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 361-3374

always heard good things about them. If you are looking for cheap, don't call them, they do quality work, but not for free...

Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:28 pm

bugninva wrote: VW restorations and customs in Manassas.
10404 Central Park Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 361-3374

always heard good things about them. If you are looking for cheap, don't call them, they do quality work, but not for free... Thanks.....Quality is the only way to go w/VW's.

Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:16 am

There is also Metric Auto Haus in Pasadena MD. I am not sure how far away from you that is so I tried to keep it as close to DC as I knew. If you go to the metric auto haus website and look at thier forum they have some pictures of cars that they are in the process of restoring/customizing.

Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:20 am

bugninva wrote: VW restorations and customs in Manassas.
10404 Central Park Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 361-3374

always heard good things about them. If you are looking for cheap, don't call them, they do quality work, but not for free...

they did some work for me back in the early 90's....thought it was good but last year i began restoring my car and found bondo, bondo, bondo 1/4 inch thinck in some spots.

not saying all their work is like this but that was my experience.

Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:22 am

crowe66 wrote: They did some work for me bad in the early 90's....thought it was good but last year i began restoring my car and found bondo, bondo, bondo 1/4 inch thinck in some spots.

not saying all their work is like this but that was my experience.

:shock:
not normally what you hear about them, but thanks for sharing your experience..that's what these forums are for.

Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:46 pm

bugninva wrote: VW restorations and customs in Manassas.
10404 Central Park Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 361-3374

always heard good things about them. If you are looking for cheap, don't call them, they do quality work, but not for free... That phone number doesn't work......

Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:59 pm

luv4skating wrote: bugninva wrote: VW restorations and customs in Manassas.
10404 Central Park Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 361-3374

always heard good things about them. If you are looking for cheap, don't call them, they do quality work, but not for free... That phone number doesn't work......
sorry...that is the only number i can come up with through various online yellow page sites...

Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:40 pm

I think Paul (the owner) has gone out of business. I called this number over a year ago and always got an answering machine.

Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:10 pm

crowe66 wrote: bugninva wrote: VW restorations and customs in Manassas.
10404 Central Park Drive, Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 361-3374

always heard good things about them. If you are looking for cheap, don't call them, they do quality work, but not for free...

they did some work for me back in the early 90's....thought it was good but last year i began restoring my car and found bondo, bondo, bondo 1/4 inch thinck in some spots.

not saying all their work is like this but that was my experience.

I own a car that was prev owned by one of the guys there... bondo.
I've tried going by there on weekends, weekdays at various times, and there's *never* anyone there - though there are cars (projects) in the lot.

Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:30 pm

I don't see the problem with 1/4" thick bondo in spots.

Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:57 pm

I was not sure if you were only looking for body work or also mechanical repairs. Anyway, I thought I would share my experience and give you a reputable resource.

During the past two years, I had my entire front end replaced (67 bug) and a transmission rebuilt by two different shops in Northern Virginia. After the front end was replaced the steering would not return as detailed in the Volkswagen Service Manual, and over time the tires started to wear unevenly. Each time I returned, I was told that I should give it more time so the front end could break in, and there was nothing wrong. This went on for about one year. Last year my transmission went (4th gear) and I brought it to one of the places mentioned in this post. They rebuild the transmission and when I install it, second gear would do nothing but grind. I drove the car to their shop and they charged me an additional $400 to remove the engine so they could fix the transmission. When I got it back, second gear was better but I could not down shift from 3rd to 2nd unless I was going under 10 miles per hour. I was told it would wear in and silly me believed it. Two weeks ago I tried contacting them via their web site and email to see what could be done. No response whatsoever.

Here’s the bright side. There is a place called W.B. Motors in Fairfax Virginia (703-978-7000) that works on foreign cars and specializes in repairing old VWs. They fixed my front end by replacing two tie rods and doing a perfect wheel alignment. Just last week the mechanic (Larry) rebuilt my transmission using German parts and it shifts flawlessly and slides into 2nd gear at any reasonable speed. My understanding is that Larry worked for VW for years rebuilding engines and transmissions. I have owned at least 12 bugs and have tremendous confidence in Larry’s skills and the overall shop. Regret the lengthy story, but true VW masters are like WWII vets, they are leaving us…

Let me know how you make out. Thanks

Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:19 pm

crowe66 wrote: I think Paul (the owner) has gone out of business. I called this number over a year ago and always got an answering machine. Thanks at least you tried....

Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:23 pm

2067Bug wrote: I was not sure if you were only looking for body work or also mechanical repairs. Anyway, I thought I would share my experience and give you a reputable resource.

During the past two years, I had my entire front end replaced (67 bug) and a transmission rebuilt by two different shops in Northern Virginia. After the front end was replaced the steering would not return as detailed in the Volkswagen Service Manual, and over time the tires started to wear unevenly. Each time I returned, I was told that I should give it more time so the front end could break in, and there was nothing wrong. This went on for about one year. Last year my transmission went (4th gear) and I brought it to one of the places mentioned in this post. They rebuild the transmission and when I install it, second gear would do nothing but grind. I drove the car to their shop and they charged me an additional $400 to remove the engine so they could fix the transmission. When I got it back, second gear was better but I could not down shift from 3rd to 2nd unless I was going under 10 miles per hour. I was told it would wear in and silly me believed it. Two weeks ago I tried contacting them via their web site and email to see what could be done. No response whatsoever.

Here’s the bright side. There is a place called W.B. Motors in Fairfax Virginia (703-978-7000) that works on foreign cars and specializes in repairing old VWs. They fixed my front end by replacing two tie rods and doing a perfect wheel alignment. Just last week the mechanic (Larry) rebuilt my transmission using German parts and it shifts flawlessly and slides into 2nd gear at any reasonable speed. My understanding is that Larry worked for VW for years rebuilding engines and transmissions. I have owned at least 12 bugs and have tremendous confidence in Larry’s skills and the overall shop. Regret the lengthy story, but true VW masters are like WWII vets, they are leaving us… It seems you are right about the VW masters, and thanks for the info, I'm going to offer $1200 for the 68Bug, because it needs so much rust work, and see how it goes.

Let me know how you make out. Thanks

Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:23 pm

A very good mechanic is Fred the motorhead near Annapolis, MD. He is actually in Edgewater, MD and his shop name is Annaptown Imports". He owns a 1966 bus. Great guy and once diagnosed my car over the phone which meant I was able to meet a very important meeting. He aint cheap but he is very fair.

I hope it's okay to give his shop number here. It is 410-956-0849.

Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:15 pm

luv4skating wrote: 2067Bug wrote: I was not sure if you were only looking for body work or also mechanical repairs. Anyway, I thought I would share my experience and give you a reputable resource.

During the past two years, I had my entire front end replaced (67 bug) and a transmission rebuilt by two different shops in Northern Virginia. After the front end was replaced the steering would not return as detailed in the Volkswagen Service Manual, and over time the tires started to wear unevenly. Each time I returned, I was told that I should give it more time so the front end could break in, and there was nothing wrong. This went on for about one year. Last year my transmission went (4th gear) and I brought it to one of the places mentioned in this post. They rebuild the transmission and when I install it, second gear would do nothing but grind. I drove the car to their shop and they charged me an additional $400 to remove the engine so they could fix the transmission. When I got it back, second gear was better but I could not down shift from 3rd to 2nd unless I was going under 10 miles per hour. I was told it would wear in and silly me believed it. Two weeks ago I tried contacting them via their web site and email to see what could be done. No response whatsoever.

Here’s the bright side. There is a place called W.B. Motors in Fairfax Virginia (703-978-7000) that works on foreign cars and specializes in repairing old VWs. They fixed my front end by replacing two tie rods and doing a perfect wheel alignment. Just last week the mechanic (Larry) rebuilt my transmission using German parts and it shifts flawlessly and slides into 2nd gear at any reasonable speed. My understanding is that Larry worked for VW for years rebuilding engines and transmissions. I have owned at least 12 bugs and have tremendous confidence in Larry’s skills and the overall shop. Regret the lengthy story, but true VW masters are like WWII vets, they are leaving us… It seems you are right about the VW masters, and thanks for the info, I'm going to offer $1200 for the 68Bug, because it needs so much rust work, and see how it goes.

Let me know how you make out. Thanks I talked to Larry and he is the man thanks, I offered $1200 for the car, no response yet.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:48 pm

i am in nv also. i have been trying to reach vw restorations by phone.
no answer. does anybody know of a good paint shop in northern va area?

Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:18 pm

tacky wrote: i am in nv also. i have been trying to reach vw restorations by phone.
no answer. does anybody know of a good paint shop in northern va area? Call Monk at 703-339-7272 he is in Lorton, Va., he will know someone who will paint it and he is a body man, tell him Eddie sent you, the guy with the dreads. :)