WA VW Restorers?

michb69 Learner Dubber

1 post · joined Aug 2006 · 12 Aug 2006, 11:00 pm

#521699

Hi,

I'm looking to restore a fairly decent condition 1968 VW Type 3 Notchback in WA. Looking for respray with some rust work, reupholstery and carpets throughout, new shocks and probably some engine rework (though she's sound runner, she's a little tired). BUT, I'm struggling to find people in WA who do this. Anyone have any experiences or recommendations to start me off?

Thanks

1500S Custom Title Time!

1,418 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 13 Aug 2006, 9:08 am

#521760

Why not start with yourself! I'm sure you can take the seat covers off and just take them the motor trimmer, get new ones made and re-fit. VVW and other specialty VW suppliers have stock covers ready to go if you don't want custom ones. New shocks...... remove and replace your self. Carpets....... once again there are places in OZ who supply off the shelf and you fit. What about the roof liner? They can be bought in ready to install as well. If you can get the raw material, they are quite easy to sew on a regular sewing machine. Just cut oversize from the old one. Not too difficult to fit and can be done in a couple of days if you like to go slow. It doesn't cost you any more! Now the engine....... why not pull the motor yourself and strip it. A good experience with no need for many specialised tools, the only increase in cost is the 36mm socket. You can up it to 1641 without machining................. maybe you will have to get the heads machined on the cylinder seat. See!!! Now we have saved quite a bit towards that rust repair and new paint.

Just believe in yourself and have a go. At the end of the project you can then tell others "look what I have done", not "look what I have paid everyone else to do"!

DH

[ Edited on 12/8/2006 by 1500S ]

Samblers Officially Full-On Dubber

236 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 14 Aug 2006, 10:57 pm

#522551

I feel for you dude - I'm also looking for someone in WA who can do some panelwork on my splitty but no-one seems to be able to recommend anyone else.

If you want to pay top-whack then you could try Rowe & Sons panel beaters, they do some very good work on old cars and have done VW's but as i said you'll have to pay.

Otherwise, I'm looking for a non-VW specialist but good-quality panel-beaters... going to try Murrays panel & paint, and also gets a quote from the Vee dub place in Osborne Park... expensive but know what they're doing.

Sorry that doesnt help much!

MISS VDUB Administrator Mrs KOMBIBOB

2,565 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 14 Aug 2006, 11:26 pm

#522574

I refuse to go anywhere near the Vee Dub centre in Osborne Park, a bunch of rip offs! Try giving Bill a call at Volkswest in Kenwick, he should put you onto someone good, as he has been in the business for many years and is always more than helpful!

This is why i have done most of the work on my car myself, some times at the end of the day its easier, and you dont have to wait and harrass people to do what ends up being a half assed job. There is a lack of good workers in WA!

Ash x

1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"

kevo Officially Full-On Dubber

371 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 14 Aug 2006, 11:50 pm

#522601

Samblers wrote:Otherwise, I'm looking for a non-VW specialist but good-quality panel-beaters... going to try Murrays panel & paint, and also gets a quote from the Vee dub place in Osborne Park... expensive but know what they're doing.

Sorry that doesnt help much!

i second that, Murry's panel and paint is good, he is a perfectionist!
and yer VW centre is a little more expensive but they do it right the first time, no F*****G about.

76 baywindow kombi - V8 & Weddle racing diff and gearbox
Daily driven beach cruiser

71superbug The Itch Itcher

1,184 posts · joined May 2004 · 15 Aug 2006, 12:31 am

#522617

MISS_VDUB wrote:I refuse to go anywhere near the Vee Dub centre in Osborne Park, a bunch of rip offs! Try giving Bill a call at Volkswest in Kenwick, he should put you onto someone good, as he has been in the business for many years and is always more than helpful!

This is why i have done most of the work on my car myself, some times at the end of the day its easier, and you dont have to wait and harrass people to do what ends up being a half assed job. There is a lack of good workers in WA!

Ash x

didnt u get messed around with panel work ash?

not trying to have a go, just thought u would have got referred by volkswest seeings as ya knew the guy?

vee dub centre in ossie is not necessarily a rip off although john (knows his shit) tends to make the price up depending on the hour of the day. so. catch him at a good time and get good work. theres no denying they know what they are doing.

1916 na engines producing 110+rwhp. sounds like theyh must know what they are doing.

Anthony

Doug Sweetman Nil Bastardo Carborundum

2,128 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 15 Aug 2006, 10:34 am

#522694

My 2c worth;

Unfortunately the VW scene in Perth is not big enough to support any 'specialist restorers'. We have a couple of very good service and mechanical centers (Arnoldi, Vee Dub Repairs and Spares in Freo (Kurt), and if you are a millionaire, the Vee Dub Center in Ozzy Park (remember, bring cash, no EFTOS), but no one that really specialises in panel and paint.

If you give Bill at Volkswest a call he will put you onto a great upholsterer called Pat, he has moved a couple of hours out of perth but is very cheap and good quality (installed my headliner for $250). Dont let the fact he is an alcoholic put you off.

I know that Bill has a panel shop that he used to send all his work to, cant remember the name (have always done all my own), but the quality seemed good on the cars I had seen in his shop.

No one argues that Vee Dub center knows their s%^t, its just a personal decision whether or not you get along with their owner (I dont) and whether or not you agree with their prices (again, usually I dont, but I have bought stuff from there in the past). Sometimes it can be cheaper to buy from over east (Classic Vee Dub, Vintage, Micks etc) and pay the freight.

Good luck !

Samblers Officially Full-On Dubber

236 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 15 Aug 2006, 10:57 am

#522699

Aaaah, getting some good info on the Perth VW business scene here!

Bill at Volkswest doesn't do panels and paint... he was the guy who put me onto Rowe & Sons nearby (Who i had been told to contact anyway buy a friend who had his concourse-condition '62 splitty done there)... the best quality you will find but v. expensive.

I too had heard the rumours about Ozzy park VW place... I had to to go in there for a part the other day and the owner seemed very knowledgable and helpful... he wanted $77/hr for labour for my panel work which works out at $3000 for one 40hr week... pretty steep. But, he did seem to know his stuff.

When I'm ready i'll be talking to Murrays and getting a quote from them.

BTW, Kurt at Freo won't recommend a panel/paint place on principal in case it all goes wrong ("he said, you said" situations)... and the guys at Balcatta were'nt able to point me in any direction either.

MISS VDUB Administrator Mrs KOMBIBOB

2,565 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 15 Aug 2006, 3:21 pm

#522775

didnt u get messed around with panel work ash?

not trying to have a go, just thought u would have got referred by volkswest seeings as ya knew the guy?

vee dub centre in ossie is not necessarily a rip off although john (knows his shit) tends to make the price up depending on the hour of the day. so. catch him at a good time and get good work. theres no denying they know what they are doing.

1916 na engines producing 110+rwhp. sounds like theyh must know what they are doing.

Anthony [/quote]

No Anthony, i did the panel work myself thank-you! The only trouble i had was finding a fibreglasser in Perth that wanted to do the work, and when they did, they took their sweet ass time.

I dont like Vee Dub centre as they have tried ripping me off numerous times. My dad and i both enquired about a body kit and the price i got was $200 more than the price they gave my dad. :puke

For second hand parts i go to Volkswest in Kenwick but all my new parts have come from George at Classic Vee Dub in Sydney. George has always been cheaper, and very helpful!

Ash x

1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"