TheSamba.com :: View topic - syncro 1/4 panel damage

Wed May 02, 2012 2:44 pm

I am looking at purchasing this syncro from a friend. It has 55,000 original miles (carfax verified) and should definitely be saved. The guy he purchased it from said a tree fell on the rear 1/4 but it doesn't really look like tree damage to me. Anyway, I have a titian red shell with a good 1/4 section I could supply the body shop.

Any ideas on what this would cost to have fixed? Are there any body shop recommendations in the the Reno/Tahoe/ Grass Valley or Sacrameto area ? I'm not a body person but I'd like to have it done right. The van has some other paint blemishes and I was thinking of pulling all the glass at the same time and possibly have the whole thing re-sprayed.

Just trying to get an idea of cost before I throw down the money for the van.

And damage from a tire blow out

Wed May 02, 2012 3:19 pm

I would call up J's VW RENO and see what they say. They've got a great deal of Vanagon/Syncro experience (that's all they do) and i'm sure they'd know of a close shop they trust with vanagons.

Wed May 02, 2012 3:26 pm

Please keep us posted on what you learn. I'm interested in getting my syncro AW painted and am very interested to hear if there are any body shops in the area that can do the job well.

Otherwise, I'm planning to ship my van to North Westy....

Wed May 02, 2012 9:32 pm

Clarify. Are you going to also provide a rear hatch, or are you just providing the quarter from a body shell as stated? I ask because repairing that hatch alone is going to be about half the hours as repairing the body. I'm thinking 20 hours to repair the body, plus materials and any needed parts. So, $2k in labor at a good shop (100hr) to get it in primer. Then you'd do whatever as to painting and add that cost. But if you're going to have that hatch repaired, then that changes things.

DougM

Wed May 02, 2012 9:39 pm

I recently got a quote to fix this damage for $1400 if I supply the panels. This was just to prime and not paint.

And the damaged panels from your blowout can be bought new from BusDepot.

Wed May 02, 2012 9:51 pm

Thanks for the replies. I totally forgot about Jays in Reno. Those guys have been super nice in the past and I'm sure they have some ideas.

Idaho Doug. I should have clarified. I have a complete super dry 2wd shell with the hatch on it still. Being from Michigan I am somewhat blown away by rust free cars out here ;)

Wed May 02, 2012 10:08 pm

Heh, grew up in Holland, MI, college in Lansing, first job in Deeetroit. Yeah, I left the rustbelt over 20 years ago and am still amazed at nice older cars around here as daily drivers when in MI they'd be collecter condition...

DougM