Lodi Welding
133 Willow Grove Street
Hackettstown, New Jersey
Owner: Don Bushgans

"A tradition of skill and workmanship using the highest technology of today and the craft
and care of four generations of metal work experience."
(From Lodi Welding's "Mission Statement")

I needed a piece of channel iron.
The Type 4 or "Pancake" engine was heavy enough and powerful enough to require a brace.
This "mustache bar" attached to the engine with rubber mounts and each end of it bolts
to what passes for a frame on the van. Though my van ws never particularly rusty to look
at, one soft spot turned out to be where the right end of the mustache bar bolts up.

Since at that time I didn't own a welder, I went looking for a professional to do the job.
I had met a guy who was doing some nice restoration work on a bunch of VWs, so I
paid him a visit. Unfortunately, he had a really bad back so he referred me to Bushgans.

Unpon my arrival at Lodi Welding, Bushgans bragged incessantly about his VW rust repair
abilities. He had several cars around and the work looked good. Still, as I told him, I was only looking
for about three feet of channel iron.

Bushgans told me he would do the job but required a two thousand dollar deposit.
I told him that sounded like a bit much, but he said it prevents him from being stuck with
mid-project cars. I figured that made some sense and I had plenty of other things to
do with the expected refund.

After having the van towed to Lodi Welding and paying the deposit, I sat back and waited.
About two weeks went by and I called to check on the progress. Don told me he needed more money!
When I asked why, he said "Restoration's expensive, you'll be able to enter car shows with this thing
when I'm done with it."

After the initial shock wore off, I became intrigued with the idea of my beloved camper being
"showroom new" again. I went to the bank to take out a loan. A condition of the loan was that
I had to get a pay-off total. Bushgans complied with a bill for FIVE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

All I wanted was one piece of metal, but I sent the money and waited in anticipation of my "new" van's arrival.
I had moved out of state by that time. When all was said and done, my van was at Lodi Welding for 18 months.

Next is what I saw when the tow truck arrived...