LiveTheVanLife Restorations · La Paz, Mexico
Classic VW restoration.
Your next chapter starts here.
Paint, bodywork, mechanical care and interiors for Volkswagen Vanagons and Buses. Thoughtfully restored in Baja, for the way you want to travel.
A restoration, built around you
Keep the character.
Make it yours.
Your van is more than a vehicle. It is a collection of journeys, a place to feel at home, and a reason to take the long way. We help you look after what makes it special and bring the next chapter to life.
At LiveTheVanLife Restorations, we restore Volkswagen Vanagons and Buses in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Paint and bodywork, mechanical care, and upholstery come together in one workshop, with the work shaped around your van’s condition, your priorities, and the way you want to use it.
Whether you are preserving a familiar classic or planning a more personal finish, the first step is a conversation. Our clients travel from across the United States and Canada, combining a carefully planned restoration with time in Baja.
Start here · The Virtual Workshop
Your van.
Your ideas.
See them come to life.
Explore a new look before the real work begins. Our interactive Virtual Workshop lets you build a visual starting point for your van, then save and share your ideas.
- Try classic VW colors, custom shades and two-tone combinations.
- Explore wheels, exterior details and camping accessories.
- View your design from different angles and bring it into your project conversation.
Use it to explore ideas. Confirm final colors with physical paint samples and discuss fit, availability and the work we can offer with us.
Explore the possibilities 01 / Restoration services
A considered approach to the whole van.
Start with the areas that matter most. We will help you discuss a practical scope, from the foundation of a paint and bodywork project to the details that make the finished van feel like yours.
Paint & bodywork
Rust repairs, body preparation and a fresh finish begin with understanding the van underneath. Our starting guide explains the process and how to request an estimate.
Explore paint & bodywork →Mechanical care
Look beyond the paint to brakes, suspension, cooling, electrical systems and drivetrain needs. Review our current mechanical services alongside your wider restoration plans.
Explore mechanical services →Upholstery & interiors
Bring a new feel to the space you spend time in. Discuss seating, materials and interior details that suit both the van’s character and everyday life on the road.
Explore upholstery & interiors →Upgrades & finishing touches
Consider the practical details that support how you travel. Browse our optional extras, then use the inspiration guide to organize ideas for a conversation with us.
Explore optional extras →Looking for ideas? Browse the upgrade inspiration guide. It is a planning resource; available work depends on your vehicle and the scope we agree. We do not currently offer engine conversions.
02 / Meet the workshop
Real vans.
Individual stories.
Every restoration starts with a different vehicle and a different owner. Take a closer look at the work, hear from customers, and get to know the place where it happens.
03 / From an idea to a plan
Start your project with a clear next step.
- 01
Tell us about your van
Send the year and model, clear photos, known issues and the work you have in mind. A Virtual Workshop design can help explain your ideas.
- 02
Discuss the work
Review priorities, an initial estimate and scheduling with us. The vehicle’s condition, parts and discoveries during disassembly can affect the plan.
- 03
Plan the journey
Once arrangements are confirmed, organize delivery or transport to La Paz. Use our travel guides to plan the rest of your visit.
- 04
Make time for collection
Wait for us to confirm readiness before fixing return travel. Allow time to review the completed work, ask questions and spend time locally.
Restorations are scheduled in advance. Workshop visits are by appointment. Read our frequently asked questions and restoration terms as you plan.
04 / Keep exploring
Useful tools. Better-prepared adventures.
Know your Volkswagen
Find reference material and practical tools for Vanagon, T3, Syncro and Westfalia ownership.
Make the most of Baja
Build a trip around the places, food and experiences that make the peninsula special.
Get the logistics in place
Explore transport, flights and vehicle storage before confirming your arrangements.
The next chapter starts with an idea
What would you do with your van?
Try a color, explore the possibilities, and save a starting point in the Virtual Workshop. When you are ready, tell us about the van and the work you have in mind.
Classic VW restorations, powered entirely by the Baja sun.
Our La Paz workshop operates completely off grid. Two solar systems power our office and restoration shop, putting Baja sunshine to work on every build.
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