I started a project log, and since I would like to be a member here one-day, I figured why not post it here also.

A little about me:

http://www.dlkweb.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=5899



Here is where it all started. In 1998 bought a mix mash of parts from Germantown Tennessee that the owner called a 1957 beetle. It is kinda one, and kinda not... It is a 1957 Ragtop Oval, with a 1955 front clip, 1960 doors and front apron, non-4 tab hood, and had a later convertible decklid. Oh, did I mention it is on a 1963 pan? Yeah, a bit of a Frankenstein, but that's probably best because I'm not much of a purist to be honest. I like them to look original, but drive better than new.


I immediately added some wood trim, custom steering wheel, and custom gauges... I also really like big blinkly lights that use yellow garden hose gaskets as washers... Pffffttt..... As if. I yanked all that stuff out, and fixed the holes in the dash pretty early on.



Within a year, I had it pretty much as a driver with some Empi's, a roof rack, put the dash back to mostly stock, etc... Drove it a while until my 1959 panel came into the picture (no not the one in this picture). Then some minor club drama I wanted no part of, a move to Houston in 2005, then overseas later and everything was put on the backburner. Worst of all, Germy as he is called was parked under a tree at my father-in-laws house...



Fast forward 8 years, and I get my own Barn Find... Only I made it myself. I always seemed to do things the hard way.

oooh, Hello Rust.


You can see where I previously welded in the gauges that were cut into the dash on the sides of the speedo. Going to try and make the trunk paint worthy, so will be cleaning that all up.


I'm going to miss playing with my semaphores when I rip out the wires. One of my favorite features that I welded in myself.


This car had dual carbs at one point, and someone hacked big holes in the engine compartment to change jets or tune I'm guessing. This is the 'patch' panel.


As you can see from the inside, this cutout was done with surgeon like precision. Actually, that's probably sturgeon like precision.


More Sturgeon like precision.

More rust.. Going to have to order some heater channels from Gerson.


Going to have to clean-up / reweld the front clip


Can you believe the car was completely wired with WHITE wire. All of them. Any colors you see I added those during trouble shooting... Someone took a LOT of time to do this. They took a lot of care, but it still SUCKED a lot... Oh, and yes, it is mounted on a board, with PVC pipe spacers, and oil cooler gaskets for vibration resistance.... You know, the little orange donuts.


All gutted out! I've been wanting to do that for over 10 years.

Rust in the window channel.


More rust in the window channels.


So one year, I asked for metal working classes for my Birthday. I can't recommend enough Ron Covell and his classes. Top notch. I made this part using only a hammer, leather sand/lead bag and a shrinker / stretcher.


Some test fits of the panel.

Here it is getting stitched in slowly to make sure it isn't warping. I plan on making this beetle as much all metal repair as possible with no overlapping panels, and minimum amount of filler just to keep my skills in practice. Probably easier said than done.


Pretty much the way the project is as of now. I'm just trying to get a little done every day that I can, even if it is just to clean the garage in-between mini-projects.

I'm trying to find a decent 4 tab hood within driving distance, and really would like to find some pressed oval rear fenders. I have some original american fronts, and one driver side rear fender that I almost completely toast but I could probably fix it. I at minimum need a drivers side. A set of repops are $500 shipped, and I am pretty sure they are not high quality.

Also, if anyone needs anything welded that is only an afternoon job, let me know, and I have no issue helping out with that.

I love a good challenge. I miss the nights of rust repair on my car.....ok maybe not but it was fun at times.

Wow, nice write up, and nice work. Looks like you've got some skills and patience

Holy cow, looks good!

Previous owner was a professional hack! Jeeeeezuz! Lol!!
Nice metal working skills!

I enjoy it when I enjoy it, and when I don't... Well, I get A.D.D. and end up working on something else in the man-cave. THAT'S where I have to learn to re-channel my energy...



Thanks! Not sure on the skills and patience, but at least on the internet it looks like I have them, Haha! If it is on the internet it must be true.



Thanks!


I couldn't agree more. But at least it saved it from the crusher, and ended up in my, hopefully capable, hands.