TheSamba.com :: View topic - Need a VW Shop-Philly Area

Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:03 am

I just bought a 66 Squareback in real nice shape and am wondering if anyone knows of a good VW mechanic in the Philadelphia area. Thanks.

Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:25 am

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=vw+repair+philadelphia&spell=1
this google string returned this:

Gary's Vw Restoration Center
1139 S 58th Street - Philadelphia, PA
215-474-5415

Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:28 am

where exactly are you anyways? that might help some...i think i saw a shop in Ambler too back in the day when i was there [i used to live in Hatboro].

Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:15 am

Wagenwerx
Wyndmoor, just outside the city
215-836-2506
ask for Howard

He does excellent work, he sorted out heat, electrical and emissions problems on my '81 Westy, works on other AC and WC VWs as well.

What part of the city are you in?

Sun Feb 06, 2005 7:07 am

Thanks everyone for the tips on shops. I'm in South Philly--two miles from City Hall (for those familiar with the city), but I'm willing to go a bit for a good mechanic.

Kevin

Sun Feb 06, 2005 8:04 am

there is corbo's off of 202, I think he is considered to be in West Chester or Exton. I think the road he is on is 10. The way I used to go was down Rt 100 to exton, then left at the major intersection at Exton mall, follow that past the interchange of 202, and a few miles up on the left is a Wawa, take a left at the Wawa and he is a few hundred feet on the right, behind another shop. You cannot miss the VW's back there. The road that runs to Exton I think also runs past Villanova. There is a Home Depot at the Interchange with 202.
Highly recomended! Had him do a few repairs for me, always great, fast, and cheap! He is an older gentleman, looks like rip van winkle, Takes a nap about midday, and cat's galore! If you go check out his short bus!
There is another place near king of prussia, I will have to see if I can find some info on them, good place for parts. And of course Bus Depot is in the area, and East Coast Metric in Kimberton, a bit hard to find but a great little place, with a lot of parts in stock!

Wed Feb 09, 2005 4:56 pm

I'm in Philly too, also like a mile from City Hall. Howdy neighbor. Feel free to drop me a line if you ever need help etc.

Quote: Gary's Vw Restoration Center
1139 S 58th Street - Philadelphia, PA
215-474-5415

He doesn't really do repair work anymore. He pretty much just works on his own cars; which fill his shop, maybe 5 busses, 15 bugs.

I generally do most of my work myself, but here goes:

FWIW:

As far as in Center City goes:
Reds & Son
338 N 13th St
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 627-6362
I've never had them work on my acvw, but I have had them look at my 01 Jetta. They often have an acvw in the shop though, theres a 70's 911 there at the moment as well.

Nazzen's German Auto Repair
1142 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 551-2222
a little closer to you (i used to llive maybe 8 blocks from the shop). I've never used them, but they have a decent reputation, mostly watercolled though.

You could also try:

Savich Auto
55 E Baltimore & Wycombe Aves (store front is on Wycombe)
Lansdowne, PA 19015
(610) 259 2567
I've never used these guys, but they do air and water cooled vw's. They also have some classified ads up here on thesamba.

Volks-Tech
Burlington, NJ
609-387-3031
About 30 min from center city phila

Clarences' VW
Riverside, NJ
856-461-9589
About 30 min from center city phila

Chris Daniels Auto Repair
75 Rockhill Rd
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 667-4644
recommended to me by someone else, never used them.

Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:12 am

Just updating the listing for Clarence's VW:
Clarence's VW
520 Pavillion Avenue
Riverside New Jersey 08075
Phone: (856) 461-9589
Fax: (856) 461-6469
clarencesvw.com website says "This website is now offline. Check back again later. " and page info is from 2005
Aerial view on Google Maps shows a bunch of VWs there but maps.live.com shows far fewer and you can't tell which picture is more recent or at least I can't.

Volks-Tech is listed as:

Don's Volks-Tech
426 High St (rear)
Burlington, NJ
(609) 387-3031

Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:19 am

Precision VW Services
1525 Belfield Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19141-2115
(215) 329-4411

They sponsored Punch Buggy

15th & Belfield in the Logan section

Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:15 am

meinvw wrote: there is corbo's off of 202
Well, not anymore. He's moved into the Exton area - that shop in Frazer burned several years ago. Dan's a good guy, but lately he's been getting sloppy with his work. For those in the West Chester area, Jim Burns is a good man to know. Like Dan, Jim is an older gent that keeps very weird hours (3pm to midnight is not unusual). He works by word of mouth, so his phone isn't listed. PM me for it!

Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:32 pm

Try this guy: George Gallager # 856 705 0308. Used to work for Clarence's Vw in Riverside, which is no longer around. George is a good guy and you wouldn't be disappointed. He'll even come to you. He's located in Riverside, NJ. Tell him Steve sent you.]
Steveo sjvwc.net

Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:33 am

There is a Aircooled VW shop located in Levittown ,past 5 points on New Falls road and Fallsington/Tullytown road, a block before Tyburn road.

Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:48 am

I'll do it i work at a shop in the northeast... Afcar auto in the top 10 in philadelphia pm me if you want it done

Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:07 am

I'm looking for someone in the Philly area to do transmission work that i can't do. I've got a '72 bus w/ a 2.0. I was shooting for Dan Corbo, but after that comment about him getting sloppy, i'm hesitant. Any one else? i'm in Ardmore, west of the city.

TIA

Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:46 am

jakeandgenny wrote: I'm looking for someone in the Philly area to do transmission work that i can't do. I've got a '72 bus w/ a 2.0. I was shooting for Dan Corbo, but after that comment about him getting sloppy, i'm hesitant. Any one else? i'm in Ardmore, west of the city.

TIA

If your looking for a rebuild...some good things have been said about this guy here...

http://sjvwc.net/forums/trans-shop/new-trans-builder-in-town/

After reading, join the club :D

Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:21 am

can't read without joining, and since I'm going to want a rebuild this info would be useful

Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:44 am

Rick73Super wrote: can't read without joining, and since I'm going to want a rebuild this info would be useful

Here's the contact info, posted on the site.

Steedle Trans Engineering
Specializing in Air-Cooled VW Transaxles.
Matt is the owner opperator and is located in the Moorestown / Cinnaminson area on Lenolla Rd shop located next to the Rusty Wagen VW repair shop.
Email [email protected]

Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:02 pm

I presently live in Willow Grove, north of Philly, and have done my own work and work for others for years. No shop yet though, just a driveway. But if you ever need a hand or a place to do some work, let me know. I'd be happy to help you out!

Tue Aug 10, 2010 1:02 pm

I noticed that this thread hasn't been updated in a few years. I am a new owner of a 72 Super Beetle Convertible and am not too handy. Please point me in the right direction.

THANKS

Fri May 31, 2013 10:49 am

csclassics wrote: I presently live in Willow Grove, north of Philly, and have done my own work and work for others for years. No shop yet though, just a driveway. But if you ever need a hand or a place to do some work, let me know. I'd be happy to help you out!

Hey, do you know of any shops in the area who know how to do an alignment on a classic VW? I've taken my buggy to NTB and they really had no clue how to properly align the rear tires.