Lisa, when you're starting out with these cars, the best thing is often to find a local aircooled-VW club for general help and for advice on who the best local mechanics are.
I lived in Lambertville for a few years in the late 70s, but then moved to California, so I have no idea what the local VW scene looks like now - BUT, I did find this group based about 15 miles from you (near Somerville) that looks promising - The Central Jersey Volkswagen Society (Click on the link).
Their monthly meetings are at The Chimney Rock Inn, in Bound Brook, although it looks like they've suspended meetings until things get healthier. Their website does have a few contact numbers, though, and the guy who wrote up the club history spent his career working at local VW dealerships, so he must know where the local grizzled old VW mechanics are hiding out. They also have a 'links' page that lists a few independent shops that specialize in old VW's.
Good luck, and let us know how things work out.
PS: Looks like a fun group:
