
Read More +
CLASSIC CAR PORTRAITS
Immortalise your pride and joy with a professional classic car photoshoot, taken with a vintage 1960's Rollieflex. Available in a range of formats to choose from to suit your budget.

Read More +
RETRO CUSTOM MUGS
Our ever popular Retro Custom branded coffee mugs are now back in stock. While you are in the garage pondering over the next step of your project, get inspired by drinking your tea or coffee our of one of our Retro Custom mugs!

Read More +
RETRO CUSTOM LIMITED EDITION NEW BEETLE
Retro Custom were commissioned by Lancaster Volkswagen Letchworth to design and revamp a brand new 2014 New Beetle in 'retro' styled theme with air-cooled VW influences.

Read More +
GIFT VOUCHERS
Stuck for that ultimate gift for the VW owner who has everything? How about a Retro Custom gift voucher? Gift vouchers cover all workshop services and Retro Custom products and are available for however much you would like to spend.

Read More +
VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP DISPLAYS
When Lancaster Volkswagen launched their new revamped dealerships, Retro Custom were invited to organise a full showroom display of Air-Cooled Volkswagens.

Read More +
PRE-1961 FUEL DIPSTICKS
Retro Custom manufacture a faithful reproduction of the hard to find fuel measuring dipstick for pre 1961 Beetles and Karmann Ghias which did not have a fuel gauge from factory.
LATEST BLOG POSTS
VIEW ALL --
04 February 2018 by Super User, in BLOG
Darren's Rothfink Bug In For MOT
Darren dropped his super cool Rothfink branded '63 ragtop bug in for its annual MOT today.Read More + -
16 January 2018 by Super User, in BLOG
Front Axle Beam Replacement
The front axle beam on Bruce's limited edition Sunshine Beetle had seen better days and was too...Read More + -
31 December 2017 by Super User, in BLOG
Work Starts On Nick's Floorpan Repair
Work got underway on Nick's semi-auto beetle floorpan half replacement. The existing pan halves...Read More +
Retro Custom Wallpaper For Your Computer, Tablet or Smartphone
-
HIGH RESOLUTION
Optimised for your desktop PC or smartphone -
SEVERAL DESIGNS AVAILABLE
Choose from a number of different images. -
FREE DOWNLOAD
Just download and update your background settings.
Mechanical
- Published: Thursday, 24 December 2015 22:09
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 14448
Mechanical.
Retro Custom offer a wide range of mechanical services for your VW. Whether you need a simple wheel change or a full custom built engine, you have come to the right place.
Our mechanical services cover all air-cooled Volkswagens up to 1979 and also include the later Brazilian Bays. We do not presently cater for T25's or water cooled VW's in an effort to reduce customer waiting times.
We have a comprehensive range of diagnostic equipment and specialist air-cooled VW tools to get to the bottom of any mechanical issues you might have. We also have diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot air-cooled Brazilian bay, Type 1 and Type 4 fuel injection systems.
The comprehensive range of mechanical services offered include:
- Lowering
- Narrowed beams
- Detailing
- Straight axle conversions
- Disc brake conversions
- Engine upgrades
- Suspension upgrades
- Alternator conversions
- Twin carburettor conversions
We have a large contacts base where we can source OE and New Old Stock genuine VW replacement parts to keep your vehicle's mechanics in as close to original condition as possible.
When it comes to using aftermarket replacement parts, due to the minefield of poor quality parts available, you can rest assured that our extensive experience of testing many of the available parts out there means that you will always get the best parts fitted to your vehicle and avoid buying twice.
We also hold a large stock of both genuine VW and aftermarket parts including hard to find early parts. If we don't have it, we have the contacts to source it for you.
If you are looking for a high quality finish for your engine and mechanical components, we offer a detailing service where we can bring your engine up to show standard and also build up your chassis to a very high standard.
- Category: Workshop
Servicing
- Published: Tuesday, 22 December 2015 21:17
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 14248
Servicing.
Have your VW serviced the same way as the Volkswagen dealerships did back in the day.
Here at Retro Custom, we offer a range of servicing and maintenance options covering the same areas which Volkswagen did when your vehicle was new. Ranging from a basic engine service to a full advanced service, we can cover all the bases so you can drive your vehicle in the confidence that it is safe and roadworthy and will provide you with many more miles of trouble free motoring.
After each service, you will be presented with a copy of the service sheet for your vehicle's records to add to your service history. If your vehicle came without any service history, this is the perfect opportunity for you to build up a new one.
As each service is carried out, any issues found are highlighted and marked depending on the degree of urgency the work will need to be carried out. You will be informed following the service of any components found to need urgent attention and presented with a costs estimate so you can decide whether to have the work done while your vehicle is at the workshop depending on the scale of the work required.
Any non-essential works are also highlighted and we will be happy to give you a cost for undertaking these works and you can have these works done at a later stage.
If you just require a simple oil change or have any individual requirements, we are more than happy to tailor our servicing to your needs. Just get in touch with us and let us know what you require and we will give you an estimated cost.
We also offer a pre-MOT checkover where we check all the MOT'able areas on your vehicle and prepare it for the MOT test. All MOT tests are carried out off site by a MOT centre experienced with classic cars.
We keep a record of your MOT and service on our vehicle management system and you can choose to be automatically reminded by email or text message when your next service or MOT is due.
Our service schedules can be seen in the table below:
SERVICING SCHEDULES
Basic Engine Service
This is the cheapest service on the tariff starting at £135 + VAT for a standard engine.
This service involves undertaking an oil change, adjusting the valve clearances and checking all the ignition components and also setting the ignition timing, checking the dwell angle and tuning the carburettor. The fuel filter is changed as standard during this service and also the condition of the fuel lines are checked. A number of other engine and associated parts such as the fan belt, air filter, cooling system and clutch free play are also checked.
If any ignition parts or other consumable engine parts are found to need replacing or any other issues are found, then you will be informed of any replacement parts required or the cost of any necessary work required and work will only commence after your approval.
You will receive a copy of the service sheet for your records and to add to your vehicle's history.
Type 4 engines and engines with full flow oil systems have the additional cost of the oil filter on this service.
Basic Full Service
Starting at £325 plus VAT for a standard engine, the Basic Full Service consists of a full vehicle checkover of all the main safety components like brakes, suspension, steering, front and rear axle, tyres and electrical current users.
This service also includes a basic engine service as standard. This service is usually chosen by our customers as an interim service every 3000 miles during the periods between each Full Advanced Service.
As with all services, you will be presented with a copy of the service sheet for your records.
Advanced Engine Service
The Advanced Engine Service includes everything which is checked as standard on a basic engine service plus more.
Starting at a cost of £275 plus VAT for a standard engine, all serviceable ignition components are replaced and included in the cost. This includes spark plugs, distributor cap, rotor arm, contact points, condensor and ignition leads.
As well as the ignition components, the fan belt is replaced along with the air filter element as standard. Also, the engine compression is checked and readings taken which will be noted on the service sheet of which you will receive a copy.
Type 4 engines and engines with full flow systems have a slightly higher cost due to the higher and additional costs of serviceable parts. Please contact us for these prices.
This service is usually chosen by customers who are planing a long trip in their vehicle and have already undergone a basic full service within the past year.
Full Advanced Service
This is the major service which essentially leaves no stone unturned on your vehicle and starts at a cost of £525 plus VAT for a standard engine.
As standard, your vehicle receives an advanced engine service and everything included a basic full service plus more.
Among additional checks, your vehicle has its front wheel tracking and camber checked, the chassis and body are thoroughly checked for corrosion and associated structural and bodywork issues. The door locks, hinges and pedal cluster are lubricated and the suspension is also fully greased.
This service is normally chosen by customers who have just purchased a vehicle and want to know the full condition of their vehicle, or those undergoing their three yearly or 10,000 mile service.
Pre-MOT Checkover
Costing £35 plus VAT, we offer a pre-MOT checkover for your vehicle prior to presenting it for its MOT. All areas of your vehicle which are checked during the MOT are given a thorough examination and any small issues like inoperative lightbulbs are fixed. The benefit of a pre-MOT checkover over just presenting the vehicle for an MOT without the vehicle being checked is that the MOT tester is forbidden from correcting any defects during the test and is obliged to fail the vehicle and it will need to be re-presented for test again and this will incur further costs. Having a Pre-MOT highlights any issues which the vehicle might fail on, and gives the customer the opportunity to get them fixed prior to the vehicle being presented for MOT.
Also, many of our customers have modified vehicles and our knowledge of the MOT allows us to make any changes required to make the vehicle 100% road legal and get the vehicle through the MOT test. Typical examples of these are incorrect number plates, vehicles with no windscreen washers fitted, all-red lenses on a post 1965 vehicle, too low ride height, and so on.
The MOT test centre which we use for our MOT's are very experienced in MOT'ing classic cars and understand the lower tolerances of components compared to modern cars.
As any MOT test undertaken is down to the tester's opinion of the condition vehicle on the day, having a pre-MOT checkover done before an MOT also prevents any further costs from arising in the unlikely instance the vehicle will fail its MOT, as unlike an MOT where no checkover is made, no additional costs are incurred. Presently we have a 95% MOT first time pass rate following a pre-MOT checkover when any necessary work required to achieve an MOT has been done.
We recommend that upon purchasing your vehicle or to start your service history off that you have a full advanced service undertaken on your vehicle which will highlight any issues which are present and need rectifying. We also find that many of our customers request a full advanced service before they go on a long trip abroad.
Following a full advanced service, we recommend a basic full service yearly or every 3000 miles and a full advanced service every three years or 10,000 miles - whichever comes first. This will allow us to keep on top of any potential issues and substantially increase your vehicle's reliability.
If you are unsure which service is best for you, or if you require more information, please contact us for more information.
WANT TO BOOK ONE OF OUR SERVICES?
- Category: Workshop
Book your vehicle in with Retro Custom.
- Published: Sunday, 13 December 2015 16:19
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 18067
Book your vehicle in with Retro Custom.
JULY 2025 UPDATE: There is currently a six week wait for service booking slots.
We are experiencing a very heavy demand for our services at present, so are not currently accepting any welding, restoration or bodywork repair bookings.
If you wish to book your vehicle in with us for service or short term work, please click the blue tab on the left and complete the form.
Once we have received your booking request, we will contact you with available dates you can bring your vehicle in to us for the work you require. Please allow up to 48 hours for us to get back to you. If you have not heard from us after this time, please call us on 01462 743611.
Unfortunately, due to heavy demand for our services and to reduce customer waiting times we are only accepting bookings for air-cooled vehicles up to 1979. Please note that we do not presently work on Volkswagen T25's or T4, T5 or T6 vans.
All intermediate work and restoration bookings are subject to a works estimate before the vehicle can be booked in with us and due to demand we presently have a waiting list for these jobs. Please contact us with your requirements and we will inform you of the current waiting times according to the work you require and when we can accommodate your vehicle.
Going on holiday in your vehicle? Need it MOT'd for a VW show? Please let us know if you are intending on going away in your vehicle. We strongly advise booking your vehicle in well in advance, especially during the peak season of March to September when demand for our services are at their highest.
If you are unsure when your MOT is due, please let us know your vehicle registration mark and we will tell you when your MOT expires.
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Please supply us with as much information as you can regarding the work you require.
- You will be issued a slot on our schedule according to the work you have informed us that you require. Due to our busy schedule, we will not be able to accept any additional work on your vehicle which will take you over your vehicle's allocated slot so please make sure you inform us of all the work you wish to have undertaken on your vehicle.
- If your vehicle is booked in for an MOT and is found to require extensive rectification work, you will be re-booked in on the schedule according to the work your vehicle requires. This may not be immediate and you may need to bring your vehicle back to us especially if the vehicle needs major repairs.
- If your vehicle fails its MOT and requires rectification work, we cannot guarantee we can allocate you a slot before the free retest period expires.
- If you have a deadline you need your vehicle for, we cannot guarantee that we can fit you in if you require a lot of work to be done to your vehicle prior to your deadline. We will advise you if this is the case.
- Your vehicle will be inspected when it arrives and a works estimate will be issued. Once you have agreed with the works estimate and costs, work will commence. No additional work outside the works estimate will be undertaken without your consent. If your vehicle is found to need more work than expected, you will be informed of any additional costs and extended timescales.
- Submitting the form does not guarantee you a booking of a workshop slot with Retro Custom. We reserve the right to refuse to undertake work if necessary.
- Category: Workshop
TRUST MY GARAGE
Retro Custom are proud to be a fully vetted and accredited member of the Independent Garage Association's Trust My Garage Scheme.
The Independent Garage Association is part of the Retail Motor Industry Federation, one of Britain's oldest motor trade organisations. All Trust My Garage members operate under a strict code of practice and are part of a collection of Britain's best local garages and vehicle repairers.
All members are dedicated to providing the highest standards of personal skill and service and by choosing a TMG approved garage you can rest assured that your vehicle will be worked on and serviced according to the manufacturer's standards and the IGA's own strict standards of practice.
To find out more about the Trust My Garage Scheme, click here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TESTIMONIALS
What are our Customers saying about us?
I wouldn't trust anybody else with my 'baby'. They will look after your car as if it were their own, and they will give you time and service money can't buy. It's a pleasure being their customer.
Helen Burman // VW Karmann Ghia
Very high quality of work, profound knowledge of everything air cooled and friendly and helpful to go with it. Won't take my bus anywhere else.
Paul Silom // 1972 Bay Window Camper
Fabulous company who have given us fantastic service looking after our bay Hatty for the past five years.
Helen Shepherd // Brazilian Bay
Found Larry and his team on the internet. Been looking for an aircooled specialist for ages. Hey got one in Baldock. From stage one to completing a absolute full overhaul checking all the nuts and bolts and completing a major service these guys were brilliant. And at an affordable price. Magic.
Des Baggott // Brazilian Bay