Local shop recommendation

[Fahrbomb]

Folks,
Can anyone recommend me a local shop to sort out some issues?

I have a few things I want sorted out, gas smell in the cabin, occasional exhaust smell/possible leak, and an oil leak issue. I just don't have time to dedicate to fixing them right now and want it resolved so I can get back to driving her for now.

Thanks in advance.

[Raj]

Sorry, I cant vouch for anyone. I only hear mixed responses on local 'experts'. Some recent stories make me very weary about outsourcing anything.

[Fahrbomb]

Thanks Raj,
I've heard of one or two shops to stay away from, but haven't found any that are trusted yet....

[Tom]

Thanks Raj,
I've heard of one or two shops to stay away from, but haven't found any that are trusted yet....

That's because they don't exist.

[Markus]

Anyone ever go to Freccia Brothers In Greenwhich CT?

They found me on IG and I checked out their feed. They have been working on VWs since the 70s apparently.

[gary haberman]

I'm surprised no one recommended G.T. Precision in Massapequa (did Tony fall out of favor as he was recommended to me on this site). I had him do front end work on both my '62 and '66 (finally on the road), king/link, tie rod ends pins and ball joints respectively (stuff I don't see the need to do myself). His labor prices are $100/hr and he will of course mark up parts unless you provide them yourself (not many mechanics will permit this) but he won't guarantee the parts if you provide them. Turnaround time was reasonable and he is genuinely a nice guy and very knowledgeable.
My two bugs are my only cars (that's why I have two). With both being on the road, I now have the opportunity to work on one of them at a time and not fear that I am without transportation due to an unexpected issue (which too often seems to be the case!).

[Glenn]

Tony has about 20 aircooled VWs on the property... last time i was there.

Luckily he was able to rebuild the alternator in my Civic, the same day, when it decided to drop dead at his back door.

[Fahrbomb]

I saw that shop listed in the vendor section and am glad there is good feedback. I listed the car for sale as I'm leaning toward the opinion that I'm in over my head and it's too much to take on. If it sells it sells, if not I may very well take it down to his shop. thanks guys.

[gary haberman]

Sorry to hear you are considering selling your car-realize that you have friends on Long Island who can offer help; I for one am not a natural born mechanic but I'm learning and getting satisfaction from every improvement. These are old cars and most likely, you've acquired one that was not well taken care of (I have one myself)-there's hope. You'll find that you can take on almost any repair with some research and some advice.
Reach out-

[Raj]

Gary.
I think Brian is ( or at least was) looking for something a little more solid. Dont think Tony ( or his style shop) has the desire to do this type of work, and honestly, this car @ $100 an hour would prob be cost prohibitive to restore. If you have been following, Brian was weighing the options of getting a welder and going to town. I don't think his current decision is that outlandish.

Slightly off topic.....Were you cruising in the black bug this AM? 830ish coming from Farmingdale heading to round swamp rd. is by the state park gold course. I was in the Thing but was many cars back off to the side. Always nice to see some air cooled VWs on the way to work!

[Fahrbomb]

Gary, thanks for the words, the VW community has always been a good one to me although I was never in the air cooled groups until my current vehicle.

Raj nailed it though that given the condition of the car if I'm not doing it myself it will be quite expensive. Ultimately I made a bad decision on the purchase. I was initially interested in doing things myself but have come to terms with the fact that I'm kidding myself on having the time/ability to do it anytime soon. I'm disappointed but have come to the conclusion that rather than get financially deeper into something that may never come to fruition, its better to move on and hopefully find something down the road that is better for me.

[Brown]

When you get a car that is in need of a lot of rust repair and body work, that is very time consuming work and hard to even find fiends to help that can devote that much time to someone else's project.

Glenn has always said you're better off getting a car with a better body that needs mechanical work than the other way around.

Sorry it didn't work out, this time.

[Glenn]

Glenn has always said you're better off getting a car with a better body that needs mechanical work than the other way around.

Damn... someone actually listens to me.

[Raj]

Glenn has always said you're better off getting a car with a better body that needs mechanical work than the other way around.

Damn... someone actually listens to me.

I really think its the type of car. Not to knock those that love them a nice juicy fat chick, but the 'inventory' of later model VW are much more plentiful then earlier models. ( lets not even talk about t2). That being said, Agree.... find a solid later car if thats your preferred model. For the others that want a solid early car, you'll have to pay more and/ or look out west as local inventory isnt as readily available.

[Brown]

Glenn has always said you're better off getting a car with a better body that needs mechanical work than the other way around.

Damn... someone actually listens to me.

I always listen to the old timers"

[Nicholas322]

I finally found someone I can recommend,
Burt Hurns of BUGMEE auto restorations
he only does vintage VW's
95 East main street
Elmsford NY 10523
914-610-6768
bugmee.vw@gmail.com

tell him Nicholas Cremato with the red 66 sent you
my bug has serious problems and I could not get another mechanic to get it running for 11 months
this guy lives and breathes Volkswagens.