VW 1303 bodyshops

[Aidan-48mtc]

I've a 1976 VW 1303 which has a lot of meaning to me - it was the first car I travelled in, my dad picking my mum and I up from the hospital following my birth many years ago! Time took its toll and eventually it rusted in quite a few places. As a keen 17 year old I dismantled it, bought a welder and then went to university. Upon my return, I moved out and it has sat in my parent’s garage ever since (over 20 years!). I've come to the realisation, that unless I get some help I'll never get to drive it. Therefore I would like to have the bodywork restored and it to be at the rolling shell stage (with windows), so that I can then park it under my carport and spend an hour here and there to slowly restore it. I realise this isn't going to be cost effective, but couldn't afford normal hourly garage rates. I'm in no rush (its been 20 years so far after all), so would be happy for a garage to spend their 'spare' time on it. Therefore I'm looking for recommendations/ ideas for garages that could take a dismantled floorpan/ body and weld it and paint it.
Oh an apologies for lurking so long

[austinsmirk]

might help if you tell people what part of the country you are in. 1303's with their mcpherson strut suspension are a bit more annoying as a project- at least the early stuff with a beam front suspension can have the body lifted and still roll about.

I've had loads of beetles (a long time ago) Have you driven a 1303 recently ? the last one I had, which was a very very sorted 1303S, I can recall, telling my gf of the time, don't let me buy another- ultimately they are hard work for daily driving and the 1303 is arguably a much much better bug to drive than all the earlier stuff. world of difference for nostalgia and maybe an occasional summer car of course. problem with beetles is rust, rust and more chuffing rust. at least its a very common model and parts are easy/cheap.

[TV200]

Sorry - Berkshire. However I'd be happy to put the car (well the bits) on a trailer and take it anywhere.
I'd never use it as a daily driver, it'd only be used on dry days for 'pleasure'. I spent too long being driven to school in it where each puddle it went through led to a splash in the back footwell!

[lowdrag]

There is a very good specialist in Leicester and he has been retoring bugs for about 30 yerars if that might help. I have lost his details but can get them within 24 hours from a friend who has used him to look after her Kharmann Ghia.

[larrylamb11]

In Berkshire you could try Henley Beetles in... err.. Henley (well, Shiplake actually) or VooDoo VW in Newbury. They could both do what you are looking to achieve.

[TV200]

Thanks - however I don't think VooDoo and Henley Beetles still exist - can't find websites and Companies House shows the company names as dissolved.
Would happily consider taking the parts to Leicester though.