Seattle Area Body/Paint Shop For my poor Ghia

DasDave · Post by **DasDave** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 4:34 am

Hi there! I'm looking for a reliable body/paint/restoration shop in the Seattle/Tacoma area for my 71 Ghia. I'd like to stay away from the typical collision/bondo type shop and get some quality work done. I managed to mangle the nose and tweek the fenders slightly in a low speed collision (Yes I cried). I'd also like to have the pans replaced and various other fixes while I'm spending money I don't have. I know it'll cost me more then finding a cleaner Ghia and starting over, but the car has grown on me over the years. Just feels like bad karma to smash it and then abandon it. I feel like a dumbass driving around with the nose smashed in knowing it was my own damn falt. Can anyone help?

onevwnut_99 · Post by **onevwnut_99** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 5:00 am

I don't know just how much your wanting to spend on the resto job, but Throughbred Autobody in Auburn does awesome work. Also you might consider Auburn Chevrolet, yes, Chevrolet. I had someone back into my 74 ghia and crunch the nose. I took it to Auburn Chevrolets bodyshop, because I found out that the body guy that works on the vetes used to work on VW's in his younger days for Pete Lovely. He can shrink metal better than anybody I know, which limits the amount of body filler you use. All they ended up doing once he shrunk and pounded the nose back into shape was skin it and paint it. Hope this helps.

John Kelly · Post by **John Kelly** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 6:51 am

I don't do body and paint anymore, but you are welcome to stop by for free advice. I'm in north Seattle. I also make nose sections for Ghias, and have a lot of used Ghia parts.

About sheet metal shrinking: After talking with another metalshaper, I made a shrinking disc which makes it relatively easy to do filler free metal finishing work. A great tool that some restoration shops have.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com (206)367-3305

68purGhia · Post by **68purGhia** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 7:26 am

I had AIR Inc. in Auburn do the body and paint on my coupe and they did a excellent job pulling the nose out and welding up the holes where the 70's front signal lights were so I could put bullets on. My friend Brad owns and operates it, give him a call 253-877-1763, tell him Denis sent ya! Follow this link to my Ghai.
http://home.attbi.com/~denis.heath/ghia.html

DasDave · Post by **DasDave** » Tue Oct 22, 2002 2:32 am

Hey, thanks for the replies! I'll check'em out. I just want to turn it into a beautiful daily driver, nothing over the top. John-I've stumbled across your web site several times, looks like you do good work.
-Dave