I have to say that the Shop and all the staff have shown great kindness, generosity, patience and unbelievable expertise. It’s has shown them in a great light ❤ The bus is a masterpiece.
Yup. Time to give Skinner's a very heartfelt thanks for all they did for you and then move on. You might want to write a special letter to Claudio. What an artist he is!
Soo sorry to you mic and Lori for the un professional job you had to go through on camera, and all the haters that don't even watch but gotta hate,God bless 🙏 for leaving all those notes for your friends ,class act
Even though I am not without understanding as to why you are not returning to the shop, Robert has been exceptionally good to you and I would have preferred to watch a positive video of you moving on and a demonstration of your gratitude to the shop and Robert only. Washing one's dirty laundry in public is never a good idea. At the same time, I sincerely wish Lori well with her surgery.
@@Visible233 I agree, they did outstay their welcome. I think this is the consequence of part paying and part being responsible for doing the work oneself. It wasn't an agreement that would survive a lengthy period of time. A month perhaps. Years, not.
@@Visible233 I came to the shop to restore my bus, as that is what they do as a service .. not sure how completing the job is a high standard ? Also there was an agreement made for me to stay there and film as this would bring advertising and attention to Robert .. which he loves .. so not like I forced my way into anything here ..
@@andrewjones-productions agree not the best arrangement.. but if they were in top of things and actually present and managing the project .. lots of delays and issues could have been prevented .. and the bus would be done and we would have been on our way long ago .. not sure why people don’t understand that .. like I wanted to be there that long ? 🤔
@@MicBergsma sure you and Lori wanted to live in the back of a van in the lot of a car repair shop for over a year. I see lots of people saying he let you live there for free, if you flip the coin around having you and Lori there in the yard he had a year’s worth of security for free. Once again sorry things didn’t work out enough that Kona could have had everything finished there but you’ll just have to keep plugging away and get it done. Can’t wait for the next episode
There always comes a time to move on. The journey this bus has lead you on has been a hell of a trail for you, your marriage and your families. Robert gave you a gift not many people get, full access to his shop and his knowledge. Kona was created by learning and trying, fixing and changing. I think it will be healthy for you guys to move on. Your admiration and gratefulness will be known to the guys when they see how much love you have and how hard this decision was. You two have done a beautiful job and its a joy your sharing with the world. Nothing worth having is easy but your dream is coming true. Much love!
You were so lucky to work on Kona in the shop. Most people will say no because of insurance purposes and got to know all those great people. Good luck, don't leave nothing out let us know
Man, I wasn't ready for my own tears to fall. Great group of people who have taught ME a lot too through this storyline. Thanks to everyone involved for all that you have done. I'm heading out to Sacramento next week for some meetings and hoping to stop by Skinner Classics!
I have a family body shop so I see things from both sides here. Without knowing ALL of the details that you have not shared its hard to figure out where the ball was dropped. From the videos it seems like you are allowed to work on the bus to save money on shop labor. But are you paying for shop space rental where your bus sits? Materials? Tool rental? From Roberts perspective if your bus is sitting in a bay that is space that could be used to generate money for his business and pay his employees. The materials and tools you use cost something as well. Also him waiting on you to get the bus to certain stages to be ready for the shop guys to work on it hurts his scheduling of the other customer vehicles. Did you pay Roberts shop to manage the timeline of the bus or are you just expecting them to do that? I am not saying you are in the wrong but I have seen situations like this MANY times. We have turned away people many times who want to work out situations like this because it often turns out bad for both parties. The shop has to deprioritize your project because you are trying save paying the full price of just HAVING the restoration done and work you in when you have money or the time to get it to the next stage. You as the customer get frustrated because you feel deprioritized. Also all the help you get from the shop guys is time they are not producing other work thus losing money for the shop while still costing the shop their wage. Dom being the painter I could see was NOT going to be a good thing from the get go. To be quite honest he is to heavy to want to get into a good position to see and spray things well. There will almost always be dry spots, runs, or other issues with people like that. Reworking paint is NEVER good. You are building layers and that paint will eventually fail sooner because of it. Paint you REALLY want to be a one and done thing. Now the work on the bus (minus the paint work) has been great, but the 2 steps forward and 1 back all the time is maddening. ORDER EVERYTHING!! And I do mean everything, its the price of a restoration. I understand you wanted the "perfect color" as well but from a shops perspective you guys were being VERY picky about something that honestly wont matter in a few short months. That color will fade and change in a year and it wont be that EXACT shave and hue. This have become a novel at this point but my point still stands. Many shops WILL NOT do this kind of arrangements for these exact reasons and I have watched it play out just how I thought it would. If customers want to save the money then build the car at home and then bring it to the shop for the work you want done, then pick it up and so whatever else you want to do. Shops cant act as your personal garage and work around you learning how to do things.
As you rightly point out, we don’t know all the details, but everything you say resonates with me 100%. Seems to have taken a lifetime to work on and goodwill (if part of the deal) only goes so far and saw it coming.
Very well said. I’ve never seen someone so ungrateful. Not many shops are going to allow you to live out back and work on your own vehicle inside their shop.
This video was almost as objectionable as the one in which you said that Lori had left you. I'm impressed with how many scenes in this video include the red VW Beetle convertible behind you. It's difficult to listen to the complaints when Robert allowed you to drive his car around. For me, you haven't made your case that Robert and the shop mistreated you. Indeed, this video screams the old adage: There are two sides to every story.
i didnt get the impression he has hard feelings towards Skinner, just the situation and the outside guy who didnt do the job properly the first time...if Skinner felt some kind of way about it he probably would have made a statement on it all. Whether he was unrealistic about how long it might take or not, he still has a budget and timeline to keep...its unfortunate that Skinner was too busy with insurance jobs but it is what it is, and he needs to go somewhere he can meet his deadlines...i got the impression they still are friends. I mean put yourself in his shoes...he can only go so fast working around the insurance work taking priority and its not hard to see how camping out in his parking lot would get old and frustrating if the only reason youre doing it is to keep the budget under control and you have to wait on others to move to the next task...its really nobody's fault, its not like Mitch is retired and can take 2 years to finish...the only person he seems mad at is the guy who kept half assing the paint job and that is totally understandable.
@@AlbertManiscalco I don't think Dom was half-assing the paint job. He did a perfectly fine job the first time, and Mitch was flaking out because it was a half shade off in color. The color is mixed by Computer, so that's not Don's fault. As for the missed lines in the second paint job, That's the sort of things that happen whn you paint panels off of the body. You have to account for it.
@@dennisp.2147 that’s fair. However, there were other issues as well with the paint job, go back and watch those episodes. Also, they wanted the interiors of the doors painted and he half assed that part.
@jasonmoses6207 Have thanked them many times throughout the series in videos and on other social platforms.. about using the bug .. everything ! if you’ve watched the whole series or maybe have forgotten by now since it is a long series ? And thanked everyone in this episode.. again if you watched the whole thing …?
@@AlbertManiscalco he doesn’t work with the insurance stuff he has a shop manager and employees who handle that side .. he was just not there most of the time to oversee and manage a project .. on vacations, working on personal buses .. sometimes on customer buses .. etc .
This is your story and you need to tell it from your perspective. I have truly enjoyed being on this journey with you both. The people at Roberts shop are all amazing craftsmen, your bus is a reflection of that. Ultimately only you can decide what's best for you. What an incredible adventure. Hopefully Lori is well. Best wishes from Oregon!!
i had to pause this about 3/4 way to comment. ive enjoyed this whole process and watched as many of these as i could. huge fan! as this is part of the process, im in my 34th year of being on my own. in my shop and yes, it gets emotional still. the life lessons and experiences you have gained here are irreplaceable my friend. the frustration the excitement, they feed off each other. its hard on everyone. excited to see it finished but remember, this is what will make you who you are today, tomorrow and 20 yrs from now!. enjoy
Hello Mitch, what misery you are in! Thanks for your information, but despite that, you were very lucky. They had been beautiful and exciting days! It is good that you have said goodbye and are moving on to another location. We are looking forward to episode 74! And go for a big golden cup and great prizes during your show, that's for sure! I'm your big fan! And get well soon to Lori! Oh yes, I also forgot, all respect for Robert who helped you a lot with building your VW Kona. Also that Robert gave you the opportunity to stay in the borrowed bus in the parking lot. Great for Robert!!! Greetings from Holland!
biggest problem you had from my own experience with my business is that it’s very difficult to do both restoration work and collision work in the same building!!!!! the insurance jobs pay more money and are always emergency type deals. the long term restoration jobs don’t pay as well and therefore get put on the back burner. a 2 year job suddenly becomes 4….. just the way that goes. i eventually quit doing insurance work, just to much of a distraction/disruption from long term restoration jobs. roberts a good guy, he just has two many hats on at the same time. he would do better if he separated the two business deals in two different locations with different crews in each location. your deal with kona was just one of those weird situations that good people get into sometimes where nobody wins.
Mitch, I have been watching your journey restoring the bus from the beginning. My favorite episodes were after Lori came to help with the bus. I realize these videos are behind real life when they were filmed. I hope Lori's surgery went well. You have a special lady there...take care of her!! The ups and downs at Robert's showed reminds me of life. Incredible highs and lows...and a lot of work in between! Looking forward to seeing the final product! Stay positive...
And so a brand new chapter begins in your lives !! Stick to your dream and stay focuses, which you are doing. Best of luck with finishing Kona and Lori's surgery. Till next time - all the best.
Its been a long journey for all of us but you guys lived it. I think Robert went above and beyond and being that vehicle is going to be like a new vehicle in the end every one at that shop except maybe Dom should be proud. I hope you look back in years and remember the good stuff as well. I look forward to seeing it completed.
Wow, so emotional! And so sad you didn't get to say goodbye to everyone.... at least you can contact most of them in the future to show them when Kona is finished. Take care of Lori, she is precious.
This has been a long time coming. I spent the past weekend with the Skinners and got a fairly complete view of THEIR version. Even before this video, we had a good idea of your point of view. I think everybody sees it for what it is. Unfortunately, I don’t read ASL, and there were no English subtitles in this episode. I find that ironic, since I am the one who introduced you to some of the Deaf Volks people. Those people, and this Bus Community in general, are who we are. You came along like so many others, and wanted to become a part of it. In a way, you have succeeded, but in other ways…not so much. We true Bus People, are not interested in perfection or restoration. We just want to preserve them and maintain them for daily use and adventures. I hope you get to enjoy Kona on that tiny island. The rest of us will be driving our buses around this wonderful world, and not worrying about scratches and dings. Aloha, Mitch and Lori.
Recently had to sell my 1966 Bus that I was restoring so I've been watching yours and living vicariously through them. Sad to see you guys leave, but it's a bit exciting to see new adventures of where Kona will go and how she'll finish getting restored. I can't wait for more!
I really hope you told how much you appreciated Roberts very generous offer for everything he has done for you these past few years and apologized for being such a burden on his shop. I understand your frustrations with delays, but these things happen in a repair business. Not to mention the whole outbreak which disrupted so much more than you realize making it even harder to run a business. I hope things go well with Kona and you also remember to show gratitude to Robert and his crew.
@portalFPV I did talk about how much I appreciate in the video.. Did you not watch the whole video ? Also, I explained I lost clips of saying goodbye to Robert, etc.Just because you don't see something in the video, doesn't mean it didn't happen.. If I was such a burden, why did he offer to have me there then ? The frustration in delays were explained in the video as well.. no one really managing the project, dragging feet, working on personal projects before customers.. etc. obviously understand delays.. but no one wants to deal with delays that could be prevented.
I watch every episode with excitement for the third year. This episode is very emotional😢. I wish you the best of luck in completing the vw bus project. Greetings from the Czech republic.
Wow, that’s a very sad video! Your explanation on what happen since the beginning day one until now makes total sense why you are not going back. So sad that you had to go through so many hoops and at the end you found yourself frustrated and upset. You can say this is a good learning experience and a good example for everyone. Deadlines are deadlines, and if a company cannot follow through it is time to walk away. We all can’t wait to see the next upcoming videos and to see if you ever fix the paint issue that you had. Very sad to see what happened to you and your wife at the end. I hope both of you are doing well, are healthy, and strong and you’re enjoying your ride with Kona.
I get your perspective on the project not moving forward at the pace you want but at the end of day the shop still have other projects to work on. Also, I believe Dom was the biggest issue and caused the most stress. I think a simple conversation with Robert after leaving for upholstery to see if he can direct more time to your bus once you came back could have been a better choice but he can’t just devote all his time to you and you alone. On top of letting you sleep there, use his shop, use his tools, stay at his home and teach you his trade. Seems like there’s a lack of appreciation. I do know you paid him but most shops will not be that accommodating not even close.
Agree with most said however the shop got killer advertising time as well and in the end Robert agreed with this approach so I think both sides scored big
@@Visible233 I mean the way he left and talked bad about the shop after staying there for a year and now this video. It speaks volumes to all the shops moving forward if another TH-camr would want to do this. Just disappointing.
Thank you for the retrospective of KONA the BUS restoration journey - Best of LUCK and rapid recovery to Lori... Stay strong Mic - and support your sweetheart wife as she heals. Take good care of yourself as well, Mic.
Glad you left that shop and moved onto Oregon. Will the interior be done there ? Then off to Hawaii? Bring on episode 74 please right away . Happy New Year
I just found this series. Thank you so much for posting your restoration adventure. I can't wait to see the finished product. You have incredible attention to detail. I think must be the nicest VW bus I've seen. Great work!🙌
"i've been here for 1 year" Mitch, March, interesting timeline. Good luck with upholstery and completion of van. Looking forward to seeing it back one day in Hawaii, or next stop with the 'folks'
Sad to see this end the way it did at the shop, I understand the frustration of the constant delays and some if not most could have been avoided if the shop kept its word and did jobs as schedualed . and if paint job would have been done right the first time. but chin up continue on and I certainly look forward to the next chapter in this restoration.
Can not wait to see the end results! You have guys have worked hard on this! These are more then projects they turn into your identities so with that being said having emotional roller coasters is part of the ride! Hopefully, the good out weighed the bad! Also, speedy recovery to Lori!
Quite agree with the last comments... I can understand your mainly focus on your own project but you can not hope that others will have the same involvement... Almost when such a project lasts more the one year !
@@MicBergsma I probably misspoke... It seems to me that you spent at least a year in the garage working on your bus... I fully understand the investment you put into it and that this project is close to your heart. But it's hard to expect the same commitment from other people, even if you're paying for the work...
I've never left a comment on your videos but wanted to say that the attention to detail that Skinner's shop has is unmatched. I don't know exactly how long the bus was in there for or how much it set you back, all I know is that you will not find that level of better than new quality anywhere else. The fact that a VW restoration shop had that many non VW vehicles in for repair was telling me that the pipeline of classic VWs was starting to dry out and they were falling on hard times. The pandemic, stimulus fueled gravy wave has run it's course for them. I understand that isn't your fault or your problem, but context clues tell a story behind the underlying stresses of the shop. I saw a lot of love for you guys shown either way.
Thank you 😊 the shop is actually an insurance repair shop .. Robert just does the vw stuff, and it’s just him not a huge shop like he tries to display himself on social media . And he uses his insurance side workers to do the body work and paint .. stuff he can’t do . Hope that makes sense
@dirtysanchezzzable If you watch the series without a critical eye you will see they went way above and beyond Mic's requests and really showcased their own workmanship in the process. Any other shop would of just sanded and bondo. Does it really matter if the turquoise paint was one shade off??? The Hawaiian sun will fade that paint in a year's time like others have already mentioned. I would of lost my patience with the project at that point if someone kept delaying it in my shop for over a year, while still needing to make a profit to keep the lights on and pay my staff. They are absolutely the best I have personally seen at VW restoration. You are welcome to make suggestions but honestly no one is willing to put the work into these vehicles like Skinner and his team are. Mics videos are free advertising for them. If you don't want drama then don't live in the shop, pay full price and learn to wait on the finished product.
So sad to watch but it is what it is, new chapter... wishing you the best of luck on the finish and waiting with anticipation for the final day and all done. sending you good vibes and happiness...
Every relationship goes through hard times every now & then,, I have watched every episode from the very beginning & you have all come a long way,, your so close to finishing the dream you had so long ago, stay the path & pick all the good memories when your done,, 👍❤️
What an emotional rollercoaster you two have been on. I wish you all the best and I have enjoyed your Kona transformation videos immensely. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the journey...
But if they didn’t want to finish their job and have me there.. couldn’t they have just said that ? Not like we wanted to be where we are not wanted .. would have left long time ago if they didn’t want to continue the agreement .. be straight up and honest and no problems
@@MicBergsma People these days can't handle confrontation like that, so most people are not going to say anything. Mainly just have to be super conscious of how we are coming across to others.
for all the people mad at Mitch keep in mind hes on a budget and timeline and as welcoming and helpful as Skinner is/was he did his best to accommodate him while still keeping the lights on at the shop. Mitch's frustration was at the situation and the outside paint guy. Doesnt seem like Skinner or Mitch have any hard feelings towards each other, it just became clear he needed to finish faster than it was going to happen at Skinners shop.
@@dennisp.2147 it wasn’t a matter of can they do it cheap and fast. It was a matter of he had deadlines he had to keep. doesn’t seem like he’s independently wealthy or he wouldn’t have bothered trying to do it all himself. I think he was just expecting to be able to work around the shop schedule and not have to deal with as many delays. If he had the time and budget, I don’t think he would’ve cared but since he did have a limited time and budget, it was stressful to him. I don’t see it as anyone’s fault. him expressing his frustration is totally normal in my opinion. I never once saw him trash Skinner, just the situation.
@@AlbertManiscalco "having a deadline" is literally the "fast" portion of "Fast, cheap, good" "not being independently wealthy" is the "cheap" portion of "Fast Cheap good"
From your side only I’ve been saying to myself that you’re best out of that garage as they had clearly given up on helping you like they did. But from their point of view you are using up valuable time and space which will cost them. I’m sure though saying that you paid your way financially and gave them publicity although not looking good for them as they were not reflected in a good light towards the last handful of episodes. You’re best making a fresh start and I can’t wait to see the finished product as you’ve worked so hard both physically and mentally. Keep going Mitch. Stewart from England
One door closes but another always opens. Life, God bless her, is like that. We just move on and get on with it. Focus and all will be good. Bless you both and admire the close bond you have together. Very rare in todays climate. I have been married for 54yrs and bless every day as a new day with new challenges. Never give up or doubt your reasons for attaining your goals. Well done and I look forward to the next part of your journey. Thankyou for sharing.
No judgement here. Many relationships don't survive big projects, builds, renovations. It was tough to see the struggle but important too. This is the usual hidden truth of owning something precious.
Sad how it turned out! Sometimes when you deal with a shop for a long time, they start to take you for granted and forget that you are a customer! I've spent a week or so in a shop working on my own car (when it was the only car I had, many years ago). Helped the owner (race car builder) during the process with his projects and he helped me with my car. Nothing like what YOU had to go through! Can't wait to see the upholstery finished! Best of luck to Lori with her surgery, hope all goes well...
You over rate your value as a customer. Pretty much all shops have months of waiting lists of people trying to get their stuff worked on right now. As a shop owner I dont need you in the way using my shop as your garage. Either pay the billed at rate or move your car on out so I can get to the next 50 people waiting in line. Its not the shops fault you needed to work on your only car.
Yikes, wouldn't want to be a customer at your shop.. If customers are over rated apparently and not very valuable. customers are what pays the bill no ? If a shop agrees to such an arrangement , then yes they have a responsibility for their part. Not like he or I forced ourselves into a shop ...@@chadshumaker2789
It's your decision and you should do what is right for you, but you should also reflect on yourself. I'm telling you how I see it. That whole request to repaint added to your timeline. Obviously I don't know your exact arrangement with the shop or the people, but you certainly have been there longer than first agreed and you seem to think everyone has to jump for you. If a new location works better for you, so be it. But it seems like the workshop also did a lot for you
That's right.. it is my decision, my bus, my life, my vlog, my story.. etc. 'certainly been there longer than first agreed.. ' ? so wait, you DO know everything in the arrangement now? I understand everyone has opinions, but if you do not know me personally and actually know the terms of this arrangement, best to not make judgements of me or tell me how I'm supposed to be.. based on something you have no idea about. And if you think customers 'seem to think everyone should jump' for them.. think about that the next time you are a customer paying for a service.. just some food for though :)
@@MicBergsma You could have told us what the actual arrangement was but you omitted that. The assumption is that it makes you look bad by most viewers. We don't know you or Robert but you are the editor of the videos so we only see what you want us to see. The way it looks to me is that the addition of your wife into the shop made you much more sensitive to what was happening in the shop. Nobody wants any kind of drama at work or having to tippy toe around someone because they get upset easily. Robert needs to keep cash flowing thus the need to prioritise the insurance. They have to be finished before he will get paid and there may be some delay in how soon afterwards he gets paid depending on insurance companies. I'm just speculating but you leave your viewer with no option than to guess what really is going on. By not giving Roberta chance to rebut your claims. Also it seems to me you were waiting on parts a lot of the time which definitely delayed the project and then you changed your engine choice which ads time again. Did you add more payment to what you paid Robert for those delays? Did you pay for the use of his car to run to the hardware store etc.?? Good luck with your bus by the way. I hope time to reflect about this project helps you understand the other side as well.
Hi Mich and Lori i hope both are well sorry that you had to go through all that i saw it comming when Dom started his things.but i also know that Kona will get finished sometime . keep well
Health first! You are very sure to leave. You've had to endure all this delay too much. I'm sure you'll find people who will help you finish. Take care of your health and Lory's.
Don’t give up Mitch & Lori! I’ll be waiting for more episodes and so ya take a break 1st. Focus on life back and lower stress. Get well Lori after surgery 🤠👍 I has watched all episodes, I know it’s sad to leave that shop and good memories with them. Claudio is the master auto body work and he’s the best. I’m your fan to ya Mitch & Lori. 🤠👍
No way its final episode? so gutted watched this all way from start you're so amazing. Hope see if plan go ahead next 74 episode different shop garage after you guy need a break. 💙
It seems like everyone had a bit of burn out with the project. You included. If you are running a shop the most expensive things are full restorations because they take up so much time, and they need to use that time to run their business. I have helped friends restore their buses too and sometimes it just becomes too much. However 1 year to get your bus where it is at, is very impressive. People are under the impression that cars can be restored in 1 week because of shows like overhaulin', etc. No they take 1000s of hours. BTW I love skinner, he is a class act.
First of all, good luck to Lori ❤ hope everything went ok. Skinners is good. But the same as all good places, they take on too much work and get slow. So difficult to manage around your unique build. But you are right to move on to get things back on track.
You can’t edit video when you are working on a bus .. one or the other happens .. video editing is a full time job . If you’ve never done it you have no idea . 73 episodes of 40-50 minutes is no easy task
Anytime you enter into arrangement with restorations you run into many unfore seen circumstances that come with ever restoration. That you have to deal with unfortunately that is the nature of the beast. no matter how difficult things maybe it always works out in the end you just have to be patient and have a bit of faith. We always get tried and tested in life. Its like being a Salmon that has to swim against the current. That's what you're basically having to deal with. Welcome to life my friend. welcome to life. I think Roberts got a lot on his plate I think your overall decision to live on the premises where your vehicle is being restored was not that smartest decision to make and you have to take some responsibility for your overall decision making. As they say it takes two to tangle. I hope your relationship with Robert does end after this build. Cheers.
I guess this is the end so it’s be a great series. Thank you for Bring us along threw your journey to make a amazing bus. Good luck keep up the good camera work. You are talented
Videos are delayed because you can’t edit video while working in a bus and filing the process .. one or the other happens. I also have other jobs .. video editing is a full time job. If you’ve never done it , you don’t understand the time it takes .
@@MicBergsma Hi Mic, mine wasn't an accusation. I've done some video editing myself and I know that it is a HUGE work. In fact I don't like so much to do it for work because I don't have the patience to do it haha I prefer photo editing (for example). I know that everything was delayed for that reason. I am following you since Kona day 1 (I discovered you for that reason and stick with it also for the GoPro tips and other contents, especially lately hockey too!). But I guess that also was not possible publish that stuff too much near the facts for clear reasons. Especially when you first had the first - let's say problems - with Robert and you were still there and need to stay there maybe for months still. Anyway a huge hug from Italy, I can't wait to see Kona finished. One day I will be have mine too!
It was a sad epsode, I am sad for you leaving without saying goodbye to the guys but I understand. I've been watching you since epsode #1, it was a long way, hard way, hard work. God bless you and Lori forever
I'm surprised you found a McDonalds in America whose soft serve machine actually works. LOL. Here's to hoping Lori's surgery goes well and she recovers fast. I can't wait to see the end in site. Kona is looking awesome.
To everyone saying there are no subtitles and you can't understand him. TH-cam has built in subtitles hit the CC button on the screen and it will enable subtitles.
TH-cam didn't build them in, I typed them in. YT would not be able to auto recognize how I talk and what I'm saying. But yes, you do have to turn hit that CC button for the subtitles to appear :)
Seems like there are probably good upholstery shops a lot closer to Vacaville. I’m sure LA has a ton of them. Also don’t forget that adding the 21 window roof plus many other custom changes probably extended the project longer.
Working as a independent carpenter, I've had more than one job go south because of "change orders". Inevitably, the owner considers it a trivial addition to the project (even if it adds weeks of work) and begins to complain when the job isn't finished on time and under budget. And then there's the whole issue of when is good enough, good enough? It appears that Robert does excellent insurance repair work and has a passion for VW buses, but in no way would I have expected a shop like that do do "concours" level detail.
So sad that the time with Robert had to end , but onward and upwards , to new and better things , it was an awesome episode tho buddy , all our love to you three you lori and of course kona the bus
I know...I know the feeling! It's hard for you and Lori went thru the year. I feel the same way when I retired from CSD Auto Body shop in Fremont with good memories thru my emotional before we moved to Colorado Springs, Co. I guarantee you and Lori will be much happier in Oregon with Kona and move on.... Remember "Goodbye" will always say...See you later
Been watching a couple years, from very very early on. First time i couldn't understand a word you said. Dont know the difference. But will rewatch later.
you have to turn hit the CC button on the bottom of the video to turn on the subtitles.. I showed instructions how to do this in the beginning of the video. I've changed this so anyone can watch in their own language now
Sad to see how things ended with the shop. It’s too bad things couldn’t be worked out regarding the timing of things. I’m really puzzled about choosing Dom to be the painter. I had the sense immediately that his heart wasn’t in it - and his skills weren’t at the desired level. The whole experience with him seemed to be a strong contributor to the ending of things. Looking forward to the next installment.
I think it was a way for Robert to make and pocket money off of me honestly. He didn't pay Dom to paint my bus.. although I was paying the shop for him to paint it. They had a trade arrangement. And I found out about all this from Dom.. halfway through the painting. Robert didn't tell me that was the arrangement. That's one thing there.. no honesty. And we just thought why would someone be motivated to do a good job if not getting paid?
Darn...what a setback, what a blow up.... Hopefully everything will go well with Lori's operation (big thumbs up for Lori from Antwerp - Belgium and a speedy recovery wished) Come on Mitch...don't lose heart either...everything will be alright, let's put our minds on Lori for a while and then let's get back to work. Paris and Rome were not built in one day and you see how beautiful they are years later...that will happen with you too. Cheer up both of you...health comes first, the rest will come naturally. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
The arrangement between you and the shop was never ideal for either party and amazing it continued so long. I am surprised the shop let you stay and work on site really. I am sure this was not ideal for them. Also appreciate you’ve had some frustrations over the paintwork too.
Yeah not the most ideal, but to clarify I did not force Robert into staying there .. it’s what he offered since he knew I’d be filming .. I.e. attention for him and shop
@@MicBergsma thanks I appreciate the reply. Totally understand nobody was forced into do anything. I meant that yours and Roberts expectations of how things would go at the start of the project were possibly different than how they ended up. With things going on as long as they did, this wasn’t what either of you expected I think. Good luck with Kona. Really enjoy your videos. Best wishes.
Is this the final episode❤️❤️🥰🥰😭😭😭😭😭?? I’m all choked up; my heart is breaking; I’m a complete mess of sobbing, wet tears❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭😭😭!! Oh, my heart hurts right now!! I’ve been watching since episode 1!! It feels like saying goodbye to dear old beloved friends!! I’m crying!! Mitch, Lori, & especially Lady Kona…we all will dearly miss you guys…as well as all the shop crew!! Seeing all the work & fun antics in each episode. I don’t want to say goodbye😭😭😭😭😭!! It hurts too much!! I hope this really isn’t goodbye. We’d all love to see more videos with you guys getting Kona all fixed up and done. I hope this isn’t the end!! (Grabbing my teddy bear, crying…)
It can't be that the release lever on the gearbox has to be milled off because the engine doesn't fit. If the dimensions are kept exactly, everything must fit neatly into each other without rivets blocking the motor. Before the engine goes in, it is always necessary to check the gearshift first if all gears go in cleanly.
Wow ein sehr schöner T1 ist das geworden ich wünsche euch eine alseits gute fahrt ! Und viel freude mit diesem schmuckstück👍ich wünsche lori für die operation alles erdenklich Gute
I have to say that the Shop and all the staff have shown great kindness, generosity, patience and unbelievable expertise. It’s has shown them in a great light ❤ The bus is a masterpiece.
Yup. Time to give Skinner's a very heartfelt thanks for all they did for you and then move on. You might want to write a special letter to Claudio. What an artist he is!
Did you watch the whole
Video ? I did both of those things ..
Soo sorry to you mic and Lori for the un professional job you had to go through on camera, and all the haters that don't even watch but gotta hate,God bless 🙏 for leaving all those notes for your friends ,class act
@@GeorgeWalker-hg5yt Haters love to hate! Thank you George!
Even though I am not without understanding as to why you are not returning to the shop, Robert has been exceptionally good to you and I would have preferred to watch a positive video of you moving on and a demonstration of your gratitude to the shop and Robert only. Washing one's dirty laundry in public is never a good idea. At the same time, I sincerely wish Lori well with her surgery.
@@Visible233 I agree, they did outstay their welcome. I think this is the consequence of part paying and part being responsible for doing the work oneself. It wasn't an agreement that would survive a lengthy period of time. A month perhaps. Years, not.
@@Visible233 I came to the shop to restore my bus, as that is what they do as a service .. not sure how completing the job is a high standard ? Also there was an agreement made for me to stay there and film as this would bring advertising and attention to Robert .. which he loves .. so not like I forced my way into anything here ..
@@andrewjones-productions agree not the best arrangement.. but if they were in top of things and actually present and managing the project .. lots of delays and issues could have been prevented .. and the bus would be done and we would have been on our way long ago .. not sure why people don’t understand that .. like I wanted to be there that long ? 🤔
@@MicBergsma sure you and Lori wanted to live in the back of a van in the lot of a car repair shop for over a year. I see lots of people saying he let you live there for free, if you flip the coin around having you and Lori there in the yard he had a year’s worth of security for free. Once again sorry things didn’t work out enough that Kona could have had everything finished there but you’ll just have to keep plugging away and get it done. Can’t wait for the next episode
1 year restoration time is nothing! You can be glad and thankful that you guys have come that far! All the best!
TIME, EXPENSE, OR QUALITY - PICK 2 ... 🤨😮🧐
The only constant is change. Forget the bad times, cherish the good. Thank you so much for taking us on this journey with you.
Thanks for coming along ! 🤙🏼😎
There always comes a time to move on. The journey this bus has lead you on has been a hell of a trail for you, your marriage and your families. Robert gave you a gift not many people get, full access to his shop and his knowledge. Kona was created by learning and trying, fixing and changing. I think it will be healthy for you guys to move on. Your admiration and gratefulness will be known to the guys when they see how much love you have and how hard this decision was. You two have done a beautiful job and its a joy your sharing with the world. Nothing worth having is easy but your dream is coming true. Much love!
Thank you, appreciate your comment !
You were so lucky to work on Kona in the shop. Most people will say no because of insurance purposes and got to know all those great people. Good luck, don't leave nothing out let us know
Man, I wasn't ready for my own tears to fall. Great group of people who have taught ME a lot too through this storyline. Thanks to everyone involved for all that you have done. I'm heading out to Sacramento next week for some meetings and hoping to stop by Skinner Classics!
I have a family body shop so I see things from both sides here. Without knowing ALL of the details that you have not shared its hard to figure out where the ball was dropped. From the videos it seems like you are allowed to work on the bus to save money on shop labor. But are you paying for shop space rental where your bus sits? Materials? Tool rental? From Roberts perspective if your bus is sitting in a bay that is space that could be used to generate money for his business and pay his employees. The materials and tools you use cost something as well. Also him waiting on you to get the bus to certain stages to be ready for the shop guys to work on it hurts his scheduling of the other customer vehicles. Did you pay Roberts shop to manage the timeline of the bus or are you just expecting them to do that? I am not saying you are in the wrong but I have seen situations like this MANY times. We have turned away people many times who want to work out situations like this because it often turns out bad for both parties. The shop has to deprioritize your project because you are trying save paying the full price of just HAVING the restoration done and work you in when you have money or the time to get it to the next stage. You as the customer get frustrated because you feel deprioritized. Also all the help you get from the shop guys is time they are not producing other work thus losing money for the shop while still costing the shop their wage. Dom being the painter I could see was NOT going to be a good thing from the get go. To be quite honest he is to heavy to want to get into a good position to see and spray things well. There will almost always be dry spots, runs, or other issues with people like that. Reworking paint is NEVER good. You are building layers and that paint will eventually fail sooner because of it. Paint you REALLY want to be a one and done thing. Now the work on the bus (minus the paint work) has been great, but the 2 steps forward and 1 back all the time is maddening. ORDER EVERYTHING!! And I do mean everything, its the price of a restoration. I understand you wanted the "perfect color" as well but from a shops perspective you guys were being VERY picky about something that honestly wont matter in a few short months. That color will fade and change in a year and it wont be that EXACT shave and hue. This have become a novel at this point but my point still stands. Many shops WILL NOT do this kind of arrangements for these exact reasons and I have watched it play out just how I thought it would. If customers want to save the money then build the car at home and then bring it to the shop for the work you want done, then pick it up and so whatever else you want to do. Shops cant act as your personal garage and work around you learning how to do things.
Well said
I agree... 😢
As you rightly point out, we don’t know all the details, but everything you say resonates with me 100%. Seems to have taken a lifetime to work on and goodwill (if part of the deal) only goes so far and saw it coming.
Very well said. I’ve never seen someone so ungrateful. Not many shops are going to allow you to live out back and work on your own vehicle inside their shop.
That's how it can be. 🙂👍
This video was almost as objectionable as the one in which you said that Lori had left you. I'm impressed with how many scenes in this video include the red VW Beetle convertible behind you. It's difficult to listen to the complaints when Robert allowed you to drive his car around. For me, you haven't made your case that Robert and the shop mistreated you. Indeed, this video screams the old adage: There are two sides to every story.
i didnt get the impression he has hard feelings towards Skinner, just the situation and the outside guy who didnt do the job properly the first time...if Skinner felt some kind of way about it he probably would have made a statement on it all. Whether he was unrealistic about how long it might take or not, he still has a budget and timeline to keep...its unfortunate that Skinner was too busy with insurance jobs but it is what it is, and he needs to go somewhere he can meet his deadlines...i got the impression they still are friends. I mean put yourself in his shoes...he can only go so fast working around the insurance work taking priority and its not hard to see how camping out in his parking lot would get old and frustrating if the only reason youre doing it is to keep the budget under control and you have to wait on others to move to the next task...its really nobody's fault, its not like Mitch is retired and can take 2 years to finish...the only person he seems mad at is the guy who kept half assing the paint job and that is totally understandable.
@@AlbertManiscalco I don't think Dom was half-assing the paint job. He did a perfectly fine job the first time, and Mitch was flaking out because it was a half shade off in color. The color is mixed by Computer, so that's not Don's fault. As for the missed lines in the second paint job, That's the sort of things that happen whn you paint panels off of the body. You have to account for it.
@@dennisp.2147 that’s fair. However, there were other issues as well with the paint job, go back and watch those episodes. Also, they wanted the interiors of the doors painted and he half assed that part.
@jasonmoses6207 Have thanked them many times throughout the series in videos and on other social platforms.. about using the bug .. everything ! if you’ve watched the whole series or maybe have forgotten by now since it is a long series ? And thanked everyone in this episode.. again if you watched the whole thing …?
@@AlbertManiscalco he doesn’t work with the insurance stuff he has a shop manager and employees who handle that side .. he was just not there most of the time to oversee and manage a project .. on vacations, working on personal buses .. sometimes on customer buses .. etc .
This is your story and you need to tell it from your perspective. I have truly enjoyed being on this journey with you both. The people at Roberts shop are all amazing craftsmen, your bus is a reflection of that. Ultimately only you can decide what's best for you. What an incredible adventure. Hopefully Lori is well. Best wishes from Oregon!!
Thank you ! And great comment!
Wow this was emotional. But these farewells seldom go to plan.... Life goes on..
Yep !
Thanks!
Hi! Thank you so much for the support!! 🙏🏼❤️
i had to pause this about 3/4 way to comment. ive enjoyed this whole process and watched as many of these as i could. huge fan! as this is part of the process, im in my 34th year of being on my own. in my shop and yes, it gets emotional still. the life lessons and experiences you have gained here are irreplaceable my friend. the frustration the excitement, they feed off each other. its hard on everyone. excited to see it finished but remember, this is what will make you who you are today, tomorrow and 20 yrs from now!. enjoy
Thanks !
I admire you & Lori, it's a great example of the hard work & TIME + big Money to seriously restore a vintage vehicle. Best Wishes.
Appreciate it ! 🙌🏼❤️
Hello Mitch, what misery you are in! Thanks for your information, but despite that, you were very lucky. They had been beautiful and exciting days! It is good that you have said goodbye and are moving on to another location. We are looking forward to episode 74! And go for a big golden cup and great prizes during your show, that's for sure! I'm your big fan! And get well soon to Lori!
Oh yes, I also forgot, all respect for Robert who helped you a lot with building your VW Kona. Also that Robert gave you the opportunity to stay in the borrowed bus in the parking lot.
Great for Robert!!!
Greetings from Holland!
My brother I am waiting so bad for you next video I will love to see the end result of your interesting project. God bless you and your wife
biggest problem you had from my own experience with my business is that it’s very difficult to do both restoration work and collision work in the same building!!!!! the insurance jobs pay more money and are always emergency type deals. the long term restoration jobs don’t pay as well and therefore get put on the back burner. a 2 year job suddenly becomes 4….. just the way that goes. i eventually quit doing insurance work, just to much of a distraction/disruption from long term restoration jobs.
roberts a good guy, he just has two many hats on at the same time. he would do better if he separated the two business deals in two different locations with different crews in each location. your deal with kona was just one of those weird situations that good people get into sometimes where nobody wins.
Mitch, I have been watching your journey restoring the bus from the beginning. My favorite episodes were after Lori came to help with the bus. I realize these videos are behind real life when they were filmed. I hope Lori's surgery went well. You have a special lady there...take care of her!! The ups and downs at Robert's showed reminds me of life. Incredible highs and lows...and a lot of work in between! Looking forward to seeing the final product! Stay positive...
Thank you so much 😊 🙏🏼
And so a brand new chapter begins in your lives !! Stick to your dream and stay focuses, which you are doing. Best of luck with finishing Kona and Lori's surgery. Till next time - all the best.
Absolutely! Thank you !
Its been a long journey for all of us but you guys lived it. I think Robert went above and beyond and being that vehicle is going to be like a new vehicle in the end every one at that shop except maybe Dom should be proud. I hope you look back in years and remember the good stuff as well. I look forward to seeing it completed.
I disagree. Robert seemed to be reliable about 50% of the time. He was a big part of the problem. Not keeping his word MANY times.
@@mwreyf1 💯 percent the biggest frustration there
@@MicBergsmawould you recommend the shop to future customers?
Wow, so emotional! And so sad you didn't get to say goodbye to everyone.... at least you can contact most of them in the future to show them when Kona is finished. Take care of Lori, she is precious.
This has been a long time coming. I spent the past weekend with the Skinners and got a fairly complete view of THEIR version. Even before this video, we had a good idea of your point of view. I think everybody sees it for what it is. Unfortunately, I don’t read ASL, and there were no English subtitles in this episode. I find that ironic, since I am the one who introduced you to some of the Deaf Volks people. Those people, and this Bus Community in general, are who we are. You came along like so many others, and wanted to become a part of it. In a way, you have succeeded, but in other ways…not so much. We true Bus People, are not interested in perfection or restoration. We just want to preserve them and maintain them for daily use and adventures. I hope you get to enjoy Kona on that tiny island. The rest of us will be driving our buses around this wonderful world, and not worrying about scratches and dings. Aloha, Mitch and Lori.
Go back and watch it with CC turn on, the entire episode is captioned
@@I_hate_cats thanks. I did that. I’ll leave my comment as is, but now I am filled in a bit better. It’s time to move on!
Was crying with ya Mitch! So many good times and what a beautiful country you have too! Cant wait for the next update! 🤙❤🇬🇧
☺️ thank you !🙏🏼
Recently had to sell my 1966 Bus that I was restoring so I've been watching yours and living vicariously through them. Sad to see you guys leave, but it's a bit exciting to see new adventures of where Kona will go and how she'll finish getting restored. I can't wait for more!
Sorry to to hear about your bus ! 😟
Congratulations my friend , you graduated Volkswagen 101 !!!
I really hope you told how much you appreciated Roberts very generous offer for everything he has done for you these past few years and apologized for being such a burden on his shop. I understand your frustrations with delays, but these things happen in a repair business. Not to mention the whole outbreak which disrupted so much more than you realize making it even harder to run a business. I hope things go well with Kona and you also remember to show gratitude to Robert and his crew.
@portalFPV I did talk about how much I appreciate in the video.. Did you not watch the whole video ? Also, I explained I lost clips of saying goodbye to Robert, etc.Just because you don't see something in the video, doesn't mean it didn't happen.. If I was such a burden, why did he offer to have me there then ? The frustration in delays were explained in the video as well.. no one really managing the project, dragging feet, working on personal projects before customers.. etc. obviously understand delays.. but no one wants to deal with delays that could be prevented.
I watch every episode with excitement for the third year. This episode is very emotional😢. I wish you the best of luck in completing the vw bus project. Greetings from the Czech republic.
Wow, that’s a very sad video! Your explanation on what happen since the beginning day one until now makes total sense why you are not going back. So sad that you had to go through so many hoops and at the end you found yourself frustrated and upset. You can say this is a good learning experience and a good example for everyone. Deadlines are deadlines, and if a company cannot follow through it is time to walk away. We all can’t wait to see the next upcoming videos and to see if you ever fix the paint issue that you had. Very sad to see what happened to you and your wife at the end. I hope both of you are doing well, are healthy, and strong and you’re enjoying your ride with Kona.
100 percent ! Love this comment and thank you 🙏🏼!!
I get your perspective on the project not moving forward at the pace you want but at the end of day the shop still have other projects to work on. Also, I believe Dom was the biggest issue and caused the most stress. I think a simple conversation with Robert after leaving for upholstery to see if he can direct more time to your bus once you came back could have been a better choice but he can’t just devote all his time to you and you alone. On top of letting you sleep there, use his shop, use his tools, stay at his home and teach you his trade. Seems like there’s a lack of appreciation. I do know you paid him but most shops will not be that accommodating not even close.
Agree with most said however the shop got killer advertising time as well and in the end Robert agreed with this approach so I think both sides scored big
@@Visible233 I mean the way he left and talked bad about the shop after staying there for a year and now this video. It speaks volumes to all the shops moving forward if another TH-camr would want to do this. Just disappointing.
and he had a car to use. Seems to me Robert was really, really good to them.
@@--RO-- that’s my point. No one I’ve ever seen get a car restored get to do all of that.
@@Visible233 That I did not know sad way to end a positive idea
Thank you for the retrospective of KONA the BUS restoration journey - Best of LUCK and rapid recovery to Lori... Stay strong Mic - and support your sweetheart wife as she heals. Take good care of yourself as well, Mic.
Thank you and you too ! 🙏🏼😊
Glad you left that shop and moved onto Oregon. Will the interior be done there ? Then off to Hawaii? Bring on episode 74 please right away . Happy New Year
Yes , yes , and yes ! Happy new year ! 🎊
I just found this series. Thank you so much for posting your restoration adventure. I can't wait to see the finished product. You have incredible attention to detail. I think must be the nicest VW bus I've seen. Great work!🙌
Thank you ! 🙌🏼😊
"i've been here for 1 year" Mitch, March, interesting timeline. Good luck with upholstery and completion of van. Looking forward to seeing it back one day in Hawaii, or next stop with the 'folks'
Thank you so much ☺
Sad to see this end the way it did at the shop, I understand the frustration of the constant delays and some if not most could have been avoided if the shop kept its word and did jobs as schedualed . and if paint job would have been done right the first time. but chin up continue on and I certainly look forward to the next chapter in this restoration.
Such an accurate statement. Most of all could have been avoided .. thank you ! 😊 🙌🏼
Can not wait to see the end results! You have guys have worked hard on this! These are more then projects they turn into your identities so with that being said having emotional roller coasters is part of the ride! Hopefully, the good out weighed the bad! Also, speedy recovery to Lori!
Absolutely becomes a crazy ride ! Thank you 🙏🏼!
Quite agree with the last comments... I can understand your mainly focus on your own project but you can not hope that others will have the same involvement... Almost when such a project lasts more the one year !
I’m not sure why you think I made the project last a year ? 🤔
@@MicBergsma I probably misspoke...
It seems to me that you spent at least a year in the garage working on your bus...
I fully understand the investment you put into it and that this project is close to your heart. But it's hard to expect the same commitment from other people, even if you're paying for the work...
Time to not look back ... just be thankful for what you've got 8-D
Yep !
I've never left a comment on your videos but wanted to say that the attention to detail that Skinner's shop has is unmatched. I don't know exactly how long the bus was in there for or how much it set you back, all I know is that you will not find that level of better than new quality anywhere else. The fact that a VW restoration shop had that many non VW vehicles in for repair was telling me that the pipeline of classic VWs was starting to dry out and they were falling on hard times. The pandemic, stimulus fueled gravy wave has run it's course for them. I understand that isn't your fault or your problem, but context clues tell a story behind the underlying stresses of the shop. I saw a lot of love for you guys shown either way.
Thank you 😊 the shop is actually an insurance repair shop .. Robert just does the vw stuff, and it’s just him not a huge shop like he tries to display himself on social media . And he uses his insurance side workers to do the body work and paint .. stuff he can’t do . Hope that makes sense
@dirtysanchezzzable If you watch the series without a critical eye you will see they went way above and beyond Mic's requests and really showcased their own workmanship in the process. Any other shop would of just sanded and bondo. Does it really matter if the turquoise paint was one shade off??? The Hawaiian sun will fade that paint in a year's time like others have already mentioned. I would of lost my patience with the project at that point if someone kept delaying it in my shop for over a year, while still needing to make a profit to keep the lights on and pay my staff. They are absolutely the best I have personally seen at VW restoration. You are welcome to make suggestions but honestly no one is willing to put the work into these vehicles like Skinner and his team are. Mics videos are free advertising for them. If you don't want drama then don't live in the shop, pay full price and learn to wait on the finished product.
So sad to watch but it is what it is, new chapter... wishing you the best of luck on the finish and waiting with anticipation for the final day and all done. sending you good vibes and happiness...
Thank you 🙏🏼 😊
So I fast forward through this one
Yes! been looking forward to more episodes and boom I woke up, made coffee and one is here.
Awesome ☕️ 😊🙌🏼
Hope to see the rest of the build even if you move on loved the build buddy and understand your frustrations
Thank you ! Yes, more episodes to come don’t worry 😉
Every relationship goes through hard times every now & then,, I have watched every episode from the very beginning & you have all come a long way,, your so close to finishing the dream you had so long ago, stay the path & pick all the good memories when your done,, 👍❤️
Thank you so much for the positive comment ! 🙌🏼😊
What a fantastic video! Hope you and Lori are ok after such an emotional journey - look forward to the next episode!
Thank you! 😊
What an emotional rollercoaster you two have been on. I wish you all the best and I have enjoyed your Kona transformation videos immensely. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the journey...
Thank you for comment ! 😊🙌🏼
all the best to you guys - emotional filled episode - but - almost there - good luck on her recovery
Mahalo 🙏🏼😊
That one was quite an emotional journey. Glad it's not just me who doesn't like touching door handles in public areas!
Haha you are not alone ! 🤙🏼😊
You've also got to consider that you might have worn out your welcome camping in the yard
But if they didn’t want to finish their job and have me there.. couldn’t they have just said that ? Not like we wanted to be where we are not wanted .. would have left long time ago if they didn’t want to continue the agreement .. be straight up and honest and no problems
@@MicBergsma People these days can't handle confrontation like that, so most people are not going to say anything. Mainly just have to be super conscious of how we are coming across to others.
for all the people mad at Mitch keep in mind hes on a budget and timeline and as welcoming and helpful as Skinner is/was he did his best to accommodate him while still keeping the lights on at the shop. Mitch's frustration was at the situation and the outside paint guy. Doesnt seem like Skinner or Mitch have any hard feelings towards each other, it just became clear he needed to finish faster than it was going to happen at Skinners shop.
Well said
It seems like Skinner offered him the standard "cheap, fast or good, pick two" option you hve in restorations and Mitch was expecting all three.
@@dennisp.2147 it wasn’t a matter of can they do it cheap and fast. It was a matter of he had deadlines he had to keep. doesn’t seem like he’s independently wealthy or he wouldn’t have bothered trying to do it all himself. I think he was just expecting to be able to work around the shop schedule and not have to deal with as many delays. If he had the time and budget, I don’t think he would’ve cared but since he did have a limited time and budget, it was stressful to him. I don’t see it as anyone’s fault. him expressing his frustration is totally normal in my opinion. I never once saw him trash Skinner, just the situation.
@@AlbertManiscalco great observations 🙌🏼
@@AlbertManiscalco "having a deadline" is literally the "fast" portion of "Fast, cheap, good" "not being independently wealthy" is the "cheap" portion of "Fast Cheap good"
From your side only I’ve been saying to myself that you’re best out of that garage as they had clearly given up on helping you like they did. But from their point of view you are using up valuable time and space which will cost them. I’m sure though saying that you paid your way financially and gave them publicity although not looking good for them as they were not reflected in a good light towards the last handful of episodes. You’re best making a fresh start and I can’t wait to see the finished product as you’ve worked so hard both physically and mentally. Keep going Mitch. Stewart from England
You've hit all the points. Thank you Stewart!
One door closes but another always opens. Life, God bless her, is like that. We just move on and get on with it. Focus and all will be good. Bless you both and admire the close bond you have together. Very rare in todays climate. I have been married for 54yrs and bless every day as a new day with new challenges. Never give up or doubt your reasons for attaining your goals. Well done and I look forward to the next part of your journey. Thankyou for sharing.
Thank you for your words ! 😊🙏🏼
No judgement here. Many relationships don't survive big projects, builds, renovations. It was tough to see the struggle but important too. This is the usual hidden truth of owning something precious.
Thanks! Just keeping it real, I don't want to be fake and act like everything is perfect all the time
Amazing how much work you two did..
Crazy !
Heartwarming is all I can add.
Sad how it turned out! Sometimes when you deal with a shop for a long time, they start to take you for granted and forget that you are a customer! I've spent a week or so in a shop working on my own car (when it was the only car I had, many years ago). Helped the owner (race car builder) during the process with his projects and he helped me with my car. Nothing like what YOU had to go through! Can't wait to see the upholstery finished! Best of luck to Lori with her surgery, hope all goes well...
You over rate your value as a customer. Pretty much all shops have months of waiting lists of people trying to get their stuff worked on right now. As a shop owner I dont need you in the way using my shop as your garage. Either pay the billed at rate or move your car on out so I can get to the next 50 people waiting in line. Its not the shops fault you needed to work on your only car.
@@chadshumaker2789 This was in the '70s. Get over yourself...
@philgrindle2741 Yes, was forgotten I was still a customer for sure. Or that's just how they treat customers.. Thank you!
Yikes, wouldn't want to be a customer at your shop.. If customers are over rated apparently and not very valuable. customers are what pays the bill no ? If a shop agrees to such an arrangement , then yes they have a responsibility for their part. Not like he or I forced ourselves into a shop ...@@chadshumaker2789
It's your decision and you should do what is right for you, but you should also reflect on yourself. I'm telling you how I see it. That whole request to repaint added to your timeline. Obviously I don't know your exact arrangement with the shop or the people, but you certainly have been there longer than first agreed and you seem to think everyone has to jump for you. If a new location works better for you, so be it. But it seems like the workshop also did a lot for you
That's right.. it is my decision, my bus, my life, my vlog, my story.. etc. 'certainly been there longer than first agreed.. ' ? so wait, you DO know everything in the arrangement now? I understand everyone has opinions, but if you do not know me personally and actually know the terms of this arrangement, best to not make judgements of me or tell me how I'm supposed to be.. based on something you have no idea about. And if you think customers 'seem to think everyone should jump' for them.. think about that the next time you are a customer paying for a service.. just some food for though :)
@@MicBergsma You could have told us what the actual arrangement was but you omitted that. The assumption is that it makes you look bad by most viewers.
We don't know you or Robert but you are the editor of the videos so we only see what you want us to see. The way it looks to me is that the addition of your wife into the shop made you much more sensitive to what was happening in the shop. Nobody wants any kind of drama at work or having to tippy toe around someone because they get upset easily. Robert needs to keep cash flowing thus the need to prioritise the insurance. They have to be finished before he will get paid and there may be some delay in how soon afterwards he gets paid depending on insurance companies. I'm just speculating but you leave your viewer with no option than to guess what really is going on. By not giving Roberta chance to rebut your claims. Also it seems to me you were waiting on parts a lot of the time which definitely delayed the project and then you changed your engine choice which ads time again. Did you add more payment to what you paid Robert for those delays? Did you pay for the use of his car to run to the hardware store etc.?? Good luck with your bus by the way. I hope time to reflect about this project helps you understand the other side as well.
A new Part of your Life begins..
Greedings from Germany 😊
Yes so exciting!
That was a tough episode. looking forward to the next phase of this amazing journey.
Yeah it was tough to relive it .. stay tuned for the next chapter !
Wow ! When you guys pushed the bus out of the workshop it looks A M A Z I N G !! Wishing all the very best with the next steps.
Thank you so much !
Such beautiful blue eyes Mitchy.
I've made that drive many a time. All weather, all times of year. It's a pretty one.
Hi Mich and Lori i hope both are well sorry that you had to go through all that i saw it comming when Dom started his things.but i also know that Kona will get finished sometime . keep well
Thanks 🙏🏼!
Health first! You are very sure to leave. You've had to endure all this delay too much. I'm sure you'll find people who will help you finish. Take care of your health and Lory's.
Don’t give up Mitch & Lori! I’ll be waiting for more episodes and so ya take a break 1st. Focus on life back and lower stress.
Get well Lori after surgery 🤠👍
I has watched all episodes, I know it’s sad to leave that shop and good memories with them. Claudio is the master auto body work and he’s the best.
I’m your fan to ya Mitch & Lori. 🤠👍
Thank you for the support and kind words ☺️🙌🏼
No way its final episode? so gutted watched this all way from start you're so amazing. Hope see if plan go ahead next 74 episode different shop garage after you guy need a break. 💙
Yes, we are heading to upholstery shop ! Not final episode!
@@MicBergsma phew my heart, so glad not final! take care both your self, look forward to next episode
It seems like everyone had a bit of burn out with the project. You included. If you are running a shop the most expensive things are full restorations because they take up so much time, and they need to use that time to run their business. I have helped friends restore their buses too and sometimes it just becomes too much. However 1 year to get your bus where it is at, is very impressive. People are under the impression that cars can be restored in 1 week because of shows like overhaulin', etc. No they take 1000s of hours. BTW I love skinner, he is a class act.
First of all, good luck to Lori ❤ hope everything went ok.
Skinners is good. But the same as all good places, they take on too much work and get slow. So difficult to manage around your unique build. But you are right to move on to get things back on track.
Thank you 🙏🏼
The fans of this project know a little about waiting for things. It's taken you almost two years to post a video you shot in March 2022.
Couldn't agree more. This has been drug out way too long. I've lost interest to know if this was every completed.
yes, is true 2 years.
You can’t edit video when you are working on a bus .. one or the other happens .. video editing is a full time job . If you’ve never done it you have no idea . 73 episodes of 40-50 minutes is no easy task
It is crazy . Now get that interior and windows put in !
Yeah!!
Love watching this chapter of your life. It's real shame the issues you had. Glad to see you moving on.
Us too !
Anytime you enter into arrangement with restorations you run into many unfore seen circumstances that come with ever restoration. That you have to deal with unfortunately that is the nature of the beast. no matter how difficult things maybe it always works out in the end you just have to be patient and have a bit of faith. We always get tried and tested in life. Its like being a Salmon that has to swim against the current. That's what you're basically having to deal with. Welcome to life my friend. welcome to life. I think Roberts got a lot on his plate I think your overall decision to live on the premises where your vehicle is being restored was not that smartest decision to make and you have to take some responsibility for your overall decision making. As they say it takes two to tangle. I hope your relationship with Robert does end after this build. Cheers.
Thanks ! I did not ask to live at the shop .. Robert offered it because knew I would film the process ..
Let's see the rest of it man! The interiors, all the bells and whistles, and let's hear some sounds - motor and music buddy!
Stay tuned!
I guess this is the end so it’s be a great series. Thank you for Bring us along threw your journey to make a amazing bus. Good luck keep up the good camera work. You are talented
Thank you so much! But, definitely not the end!
I was pretty sure it was going to happen, and now it fits of the why the video are so in the past
Videos are delayed because you can’t edit video while working in a bus and filing the process .. one or the other happens. I also have other jobs .. video editing is a full time job. If you’ve never done it , you don’t understand the time it takes .
@@MicBergsma Hi Mic, mine wasn't an accusation. I've done some video editing myself and I know that it is a HUGE work. In fact I don't like so much to do it for work because I don't have the patience to do it haha I prefer photo editing (for example). I know that everything was delayed for that reason. I am following you since Kona day 1 (I discovered you for that reason and stick with it also for the GoPro tips and other contents, especially lately hockey too!). But I guess that also was not possible publish that stuff too much near the facts for clear reasons. Especially when you first had the first - let's say problems - with Robert and you were still there and need to stay there maybe for months still. Anyway a huge hug from Italy, I can't wait to see Kona finished. One day I will be have mine too!
Hello, I am from Algeria and it is 2019 and I have been following you until this year. Good luck to you.😊😊😊😊
It was a sad epsode, I am sad for you leaving without saying goodbye to the guys but I understand. I've been watching you since epsode #1, it was a long way, hard way, hard work. God bless you and Lori forever
Thanks for coming on this journey with us! :)
@@MicBergsma I will go with you till the end, I want to see Kona ready and you happy 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
I'm surprised you found a McDonalds in America whose soft serve machine actually works. LOL. Here's to hoping Lori's surgery goes well and she recovers fast. I can't wait to see the end in site. Kona is looking awesome.
Haha 🍦 thank you 🙏🏼!
You should have left earlier! Wish you all the best for finishing the bus, I really want to see it on the road, after watching 73 episodes!
Agreed. Thank you so much! :)
Safe travels and prayers for Lori,s surgery 🙏🏻
Be safe Mitch
Thank you!
To everyone saying there are no subtitles and you can't understand him. TH-cam has built in subtitles hit the CC button on the screen and it will enable subtitles.
He said as much right at the beginning. People are too lazy to pay attention.
TH-cam didn't build them in, I typed them in. YT would not be able to auto recognize how I talk and what I'm saying. But yes, you do have to turn hit that CC button for the subtitles to appear :)
@@weschilton yep ;)
Seems like there are probably good upholstery shops a lot closer to Vacaville. I’m sure LA has a ton of them. Also don’t forget that adding the 21 window roof plus many other custom changes probably extended the project longer.
Working as a independent carpenter, I've had more than one job go south because of "change orders". Inevitably, the owner considers it a trivial addition to the project (even if it adds weeks of work) and begins to complain when the job isn't finished on time and under budget. And then there's the whole issue of when is good enough, good enough? It appears that Robert does excellent insurance repair work and has a passion for VW buses, but in no way would I have expected a shop like that do do "concours" level detail.
So sad that the time with Robert had to end , but onward and upwards , to new and better things , it was an awesome episode tho buddy , all our love to you three you lori and of course kona the bus
Yes on to the next chapter! Thank you !
I know...I know the feeling! It's hard for you and Lori went thru the year. I feel the same way when I retired from CSD Auto Body shop in Fremont with good memories thru my emotional before we moved to Colorado Springs, Co. I guarantee you and Lori will be much happier in Oregon with Kona and move on.... Remember "Goodbye" will always say...See you later
Been watching a couple years, from very very early on. First time i couldn't understand a word you said. Dont know the difference. But will rewatch later.
He posted about this a few weeks back. Turning on TH-cam captions should help.
@@dc4870 gotta figure out how to do that.
@@KA4UPW there should be a "CC" button when the video is playing
@@dc4870 Yep! Thanks for paying attention :)
you have to turn hit the CC button on the bottom of the video to turn on the subtitles.. I showed instructions how to do this in the beginning of the video. I've changed this so anyone can watch in their own language now
Claudio 💔 Even I’m heartsick about saying goodbye to Claudio! 😢
wow, Emotional. Memories, good and not so good. Goodbyes are sad, but its the start of a brand new phase. Very nicely filmed.
Appreciate it!
Sad to see how things ended with the shop. It’s too bad things couldn’t be worked out regarding the timing of things. I’m really puzzled about choosing Dom to be the painter. I had the sense immediately that his heart wasn’t in it - and his skills weren’t at the desired level. The whole experience with him seemed to be a strong contributor to the ending of things. Looking forward to the next installment.
I think it was a way for Robert to make and pocket money off of me honestly. He didn't pay Dom to paint my bus.. although I was paying the shop for him to paint it. They had a trade arrangement. And I found out about all this from Dom.. halfway through the painting. Robert didn't tell me that was the arrangement. That's one thing there.. no honesty. And we just thought why would someone be motivated to do a good job if not getting paid?
Very emotional episode. Happy New Year to you all. God bless.
Same to you!
Darn...what a setback, what a blow up....
Hopefully everything will go well with Lori's operation (big thumbs up for Lori from Antwerp - Belgium and a speedy recovery wished) Come on Mitch...don't lose heart either...everything will be alright, let's put our minds on Lori for a while and then let's get back to work. Paris and Rome were not built in one day and you see how beautiful they are years later...that will happen with you too. Cheer up both of you...health comes first, the rest will come naturally. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
Thank you so much !☺
😥😥😥Ich möchte die nächste Folge sehen, ohne Ende!!!!!!!! Dann Bitte Kopf hoch 😊
The arrangement between you and the shop was never ideal for either party and amazing it continued so long. I am surprised the shop let you stay and work on site really. I am sure this was not ideal for them. Also appreciate you’ve had some frustrations over the paintwork too.
Yeah not the most ideal, but to clarify I did not force Robert into staying there .. it’s what he offered since he knew I’d be filming .. I.e. attention for him and shop
@@MicBergsma thanks I appreciate the reply. Totally understand nobody was forced into do anything. I meant that yours and Roberts expectations of how things would go at the start of the project were possibly different than how they ended up. With things going on as long as they did, this wasn’t what either of you expected I think. Good luck with Kona. Really enjoy your videos. Best wishes.
Ok now the end is special. Made me tear up
I might have shed a couple tears while watching this episode :( But cant wait to see the interior!!!
Sad times but time to move on and get that bus closer to completion. I feel for you both as it looks like it’s been a huge drag sometimes
Yeah was really hard reliving it honestly as we edit it. Sucked it couldn't have been a better experience. But yes, on to the next chapter!
So so sad to end this way ❤️ you guys
Is this the final episode❤️❤️🥰🥰😭😭😭😭😭?? I’m all choked up; my heart is breaking; I’m a complete mess of sobbing, wet tears❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭😭😭!! Oh, my heart hurts right now!! I’ve been watching since episode 1!! It feels like saying goodbye to dear old beloved friends!! I’m crying!! Mitch, Lori, & especially Lady Kona…we all will dearly miss you guys…as well as all the shop crew!! Seeing all the work & fun antics in each episode. I don’t want to say goodbye😭😭😭😭😭!! It hurts too much!! I hope this really isn’t goodbye. We’d all love to see more videos with you guys getting Kona all fixed up and done. I hope this isn’t the end!! (Grabbing my teddy bear, crying…)
It said to be continued at the end.
@@CraigScottProductions oh cool
Love the end!!! Dammit I'm in tears of joy
Awe thanks Frank ! 🥲
It can't be that the release lever on the gearbox has to be milled off because the engine doesn't fit. If the dimensions are kept exactly, everything must fit neatly into each other without rivets blocking the motor. Before the engine goes in, it is always necessary to check the gearshift first if all gears go in cleanly.
Wow ein sehr schöner T1 ist das geworden ich wünsche euch eine alseits gute fahrt !
Und viel freude mit diesem schmuckstück👍ich wünsche lori für die operation alles erdenklich Gute