# Need a good welder/resto shop- vintage car

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-a-good-welder-resto-shop-vintage-car/49213>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\
**Created:** [May 29, 2008, 10:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-a-good-welder-resto-shop-vintage-car/49213 "2008-05-29T10:25:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![airhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/airhead/32/7471_2.png) [@airhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/airhead)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2008, 10:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-a-good-welder-resto-shop-vintage-car/49213/1 "2008-05-29T10:25:00Z")

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I bought a Beetle convertible that is in great shape, but somebody hacked out the supports underneath. Beetles have heater channels along both sides of the underside of the car, to provide structure and occasionally some heat. Convertibles have an extra support in that area to make up for the lack of a roof structure. Somebody thought the solution to replacing them was to just remove them, fantastic! I need new ones welded in. To do this, the body has to come off the pan (surprisingly really simple, I’ve done it before), but first the door openings have to be supported so the car doesn’t become a big taco. I can get any replacement metal, I can find every write-up available, and I may even be able to get special braces especially made to support the car without any welding to the frame. But I can’t weld, and I need to find an experienced shop/person to do it, along with little stuff like fixing door gaps, etc when it’s done. Preferably someone who does a lot of old cars, and can do it in a reasonable amount of time. I know good work isn’t cheap, I’ll pay to have this done right. The car is on the road so I can bring it anywhere. If anyone knows who can help me out, let me know! -Sean

Support rail mine is lacking:

 ![http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/226121.jpg](http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/226121.jpg)

Mine has the upper part shown here, just not the bottom.

![http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/75267.jpg](http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/75267.jpg)

Mine:

 ![http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/444549.jpg](http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/444549.jpg)

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**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2008, 10:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-a-good-welder-resto-shop-vintage-car/49213/2 "2008-05-29T10:40:54Z")

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I leveled, then shored up the Mustang with 2"x6" and shims when I cut out the structural cowl. I was worried about the same thing. Worked perfectly, the new cowl panel was _exactly_ centered, calipers showed less than .25 mm from perfect. (In other words, better than the mass-produced factory achieved.)

Talk to camarojoe, he knows pretty much all the WNY shop guys. Neat little ride man. :tup: