1977 Beetle near Cincinnati - need restoration advice/shop

[Maxhouse97]

Hi everyone,

First post here - need some advice from you smart people on how to proceed. This seems like the VW board to be on! I have a 87 911 so I know how valuable forms can be. I have a 77 Beetle that I inherited from my Father-in-law (FIL). It has sentimental value for my wife (see below).

Here's the problem: while the motor was rebuilt in the last 5 years, and the car looks great, it needs work underneath. My FIL did an amazing job, but we have already dumped $3k into it fixing the old fuel injection, etc. and I don't want to piecemeal another $3k into it getting it running well (it currently won't start/turn-over). And while it was getting a new set of twin carbs, the mechanic said the floor boards had been improperly repaired (by my FIL) ... mentioned that they were pop riveted. He said it was bordering on unsafe to drive. So my thought was to hand it over to an expert and let them go through it - body and mechanical. I don't have the time to work on it myself between my car and two kids under 3.

My goals is to have a solid, safe driving car that I don't have to fix/spend money on every month (at least the big mechanicals). Don't need a show car.

So here are my questions:
1. How much could I get in repair/restoration for a $10k budget? Obviously it won't need paint or engine rebuild, but could need significant under body welding to fix the floor pan. Also may need trans work, starter, alternator, etc. Again I would rather have an expert do a comprehensive mechanical overhaul of all the critical components/preventative maintenance rather than band-aid fixes.
2. What shop would you recommend in the Cincinnati area for a semi-restroation and significant repair (body and mechanical)? I had heard that there was a great shop in the Dayton area (just north) but can't remember the name.
3. How would you proceed? My thought was to take it to at least two shops, get an estimate and compare. Obviously I am sure the sky is the limit in what they will tell me needs done - again I want to prioritize mechanicals and a solid-running car over aesthetics (I think it already looks pretty good). How would you go about avoiding getting swindled?

Thanks for your help.

Tony

[cp23]

Did you eventually find a shop near Cincinnati? If so, would you recommend them? I've got a '79 convertible.

I live in Louisville but there's no one around here who can do a restoration.

Thanks

[mergedown]

[garyt]

Fuel injection and twin carbs? So what does it have?

Floor pan welding is pretty easy from inside the car if you take everything out.

[davetaylor]