A good garage who could restore a MK1 Cabrio

[Ben]

A chap at work has asked me if I knew of anyone who could effectively restore a MKI cabrio - I do not know what the current condition is so will treat it as being old and tired and needing to be returned to nice and minty.

So does anyone know or suggest a company or individual that knows golfs inside and out and is very resonably priced.

[bennyboy]

golf??

[Ben]

Yes - a 1989 Karmann Cabrio

[Stuart]

A tough one this.

Does it require plenty of mechanical work too?

Does this guy have transport or does it still drive? Does he need it collected?

What's his budget? People often say that they want something restored and then suffer PTSD when they get the bill. It's vital to comprehend the difference between 'restore' and 'tart up'. The mere fact that you've mentioned the phrase 'reasonably priced' set alarm bells off with me straight away.......reasonable pricing and resto's are often polar opposites.

In my experience, it is better to split up the work. Let the bodywork professionals do their bit and then pass across to the mechanics/engineers at that point.

Find out some more about it and then by all means post something up here. I have some ideas for this sort of work but the people I would choose in terms of engineering are not that local.

[Ben]

Body work can be covered by Chris - it's more the mechanical - I'll find out more today

[Stuart]

If it's more the mechanical stuff, then I'd recommend Jamie @ GBH, but specifically him and no-one else over there. His passion for mk1's is second to none and as he's building his own rather special one at the moment, I think you'd be assured of the attention to detail that most of us would be delighted with. If you are not able to make sure that it's him doing the work, I'd be less inclined to travel. Nothing to do with Bob, Geoff or Dan's abilities but more the amount of insight they would have in building one and the motivation to treat it like their own.

GBH's labour rate is fair but get a proper job sheet organised with them, prioritising work and jointly planning a working budget. As soon as that looks like it's been used or depleted significantly, revisit the workshop and see where the money and time has gone. Communication is key with any restoration work, as budgets are quickly evaporated. Maybe use the old maxim of 'twice the price and thrice the time', OK that's my old maxim but you get the gist.

If you cannot get it to Colchester (Langham to be precise) then maybe get it booked in with Chris @ APT. These would be my first choice if I had carte blanche but I know Gary is immensely busy and they may not want to take on a project such as this.

* I have said 'you' above when I mean 'him' whoever this dude is. If he decides he wants a project manager, let me know

[Ben]

I spoke with Christian - they are just to busy