Who can repair & restore my 75' super conv't? (Los Angeles, CA)

[scbrvt]

I am looking for a local shop or skilled hobbyist in the Los Angeles area to resurrect my baby. I bought my 1975 Superbeetle Convertible in 1991 (from the original owner) when I was 15. Up until January 15, 2018, it was my daily driver. At 3:31 am, my trusty yellow steed was smashed in front of my house by some hit-and-run loser doing high-speed doughnuts in the street. After a period of public mourning, she was retired to my garage until I could afford the repair work.
The time has finally come, however, I can't find the guy who did the previous restoration and I don't know where to look for someone else I can trust with the project. I would love to get started soon. I have not had anyone give me a quote. Any recommendations for a shop or VW hobbyist who could house and complete a potentially lengthy restoration project are welcome. I want someone who I can collaborate with on the details. Thanks!

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If you are in Ca., you are pretty much in VW Mecca. If you can't find someone to do this you gotta be living wrong. Saying that, it would probably be MUCH cheaper to go on "the Samba", and buy another one.

[Abscate]

Ask moderators to move your post to the late and SuperBeetle Forum
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[VW_Jimbo]

Send or post some pictures. Would like to see what you have, to see if I would be willing to offer my hobby time up.
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There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[scbrvt]

[wheel607]

You are probably thinking all in restoration on that pile would be around $10,000. That price would be about 30K short. You need to learn the terms before you ask for something like "restoration" This is a major job, and the rear end damage is only part of what is wrong here. MUCH, much more needs to be done. Every photo shows previous fillings with a whole lot of bondo, front, back, sides etc. When dealing with the insurance company accept the "total" as I am sure they are offering and move on. This VW is not worth the repair, no matter how many years you have owned it. Sentimental value is not compensatory.

[Mike Fisher]

ISP West in Carson, CA does good VW work.
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[VW_Jimbo]

[Zundfolge1432]

Delete

[Abscate]

You need a fork to stick in that.

Frame is bent and I think the 40k is about on the mark.

Or

Do it yourself and make it happen.
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[EverettB]

[scbrvt]

What part of “hit and run” implies there is insurance money? SMH
Thanks for your opinions, but I asked for a reference.

[Mike Fisher]

[joey1320]

Pretty much all the major VW part sellers are in California. I would start by contacting them to see if they work with anyone in particular for their own personal vehicles.

That repair will be extremely challenging. Best of luck.
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[KTPhil]

It will be "totaled" and will probably have to be registered as a "salvage vehicle" which may be uninsurable in California.

You will be money ahead buying an intact car and restoring that. Maybe strip your car's usable parts and end up with a combo vehicle for half the money.

This is not a restoration, it's a remanufacturing after body removal and frame repair.

It may be hard to find a shop that would even take on the project as you define it... they may want payments up front because your project is the classic type for owners to walk away from it when it gets over budget, and the shop ends up owning a piece of junk.

[scbrvt]

@ktphil it was a hit and run parked car. I garaged it and renewed registration as PNO. The registration/salvage title is not a problem because insurance was never involved.
FYI, I am perfectly capable of finding service for my car. I’ve kept it running and looking sweet for a really long time without asking for your help, after all. I know there are a lot of great shops in the area, but not a ton who can take on a lengthy project and do it with the kind of care one would use to build a car for themselves or their kid. I don’t want to end up with something that isn’t sound on the road. This is primarily the reason why I’m not taking it to the classic vw shop conveniently located within walking distance of my home- every time I go there I end up back within a few days with the same or a new problem.
Not a bad idea to use it for parts, but all the more reason that I need someone who can house the project long term. The quality VW shops I know have very small lots. (Jomag, westside independent, and the much missed Wabbit Wepair) I have an amazing all metal custom welded dash, new interior upholstery and seats, new dark brown convertible top, custom wooden steering wheel, one hell of a sound system, all new glass, new hoses. Only about 3000 miles on a rebuilt engine, 1 month old exhaust system.
Not really feeling the condescending “throw it in the garbage” vibe I’m getting from most of you. I’ll call a few of the places that were actually recommended and have someone check it out IRL. You guys can keep having your Debbie Downer fun. When I’m up and running, however and whenever that will be, I’ll post new photos and let you know what happened. ✌️

[CanStan]

I don't think anyone is trying to be a Debbie Downer or condescending to you. The advice given (as much as it might hurt to hear) is realistic and based on a lot of collective experience. It seems you have a lot of sentimental attachment to the car. I totally get that- lots of us do. What the collective "Samba World" is saying is that it makes absolutely zero financial sense to fix it. If the money means less than the memories, by all means, I say go for it. But if $20,000 or $30,000 (or maybe even more) to fix it is a lot of money to you, you can probably buy another equal car for $5,000 and make some new memories in that.
It might be different if you were able to do the work yourself. You can consider your time as 'free'. But if you want to pay $100+ per hour for someone else to do it, you will be spending the value of the car many times over to get it done.

I couldn't agree more with the suggestion of stripping all the good parts over to a new car, and then the original Beetle still lives on. Seats, stereo, convertible top etc are all reasonable to transfer over. The engine too maybe, but I'd be leery about any damage to it from the crash.
It could take years to bring your car back to life (if you can find anyone willing to take it on), but you could be cruising down the road in a new car within the week.

Best wishes for whichever route you take! Keep us posted.

[Abscate]

You just heard the sound of 5000 samba members tap out.

The fact that you didn’t insure it tells all.

You are the only one who can save this car. Welding , straightening, new parts, all doable but not on. A paid clock.
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