hello guys - let me re-introduce myself. i am rudy and i live in austin. i am a huuge lurker here but hardly every post, i think i posted in the introduction thread a loooong time ago. well, i decided to document my struggle to restore a 63 ragtop i just picked up. i've always wanted to do this, but it's embarrasing to admit that i am a complete noob. only experience i have with a vw bug was in high school, when i had a 64 my dad bought me. i was starting to learn things, then i left for college... had to sell the bug for money, big mistake.. anyways, here i am almost 10 years later with more time and a little bit more money. i am up for the challenge!

so the car. i was told it was an og 63, not grafted, with a 1600 dp. the engine doesn't work, it's stuck. the pans need to be replaced, maybe just the bottom halves, but more than likely the entire sides. the passenger heater channel needs some fixing up, still looks like it's in good shape, but not sure. the part where the door meets the body also has rot, needs some fixing as well. the rest of the body is in really good shape though, just surface rust. the rag is a cracking canvas that needs replacement,it sucks. from what i can tell, it was painted 3 times. originally a greenish, then a blueish, then a white. the dash is not cut. it had a shitty radio and speakers i threw out. it needs a back seat and uphostery and headliner.

i am talking way too much. hopefully it's worth what i payed and i don't turn out to be a sucker. i am excited and can't wait to get this on the road. if some of you guys are in austin, maybe we can meet up and you can teach me a thing or two, i am ready to learn. here are some pics:





[img]http://rudesite.net/rudeBug/bug13.JPG/img]










*edit- smaller pictures!

nice project I think the decklid is wrong, but overall looks better than mine when I started.

Nice project! looks like you have alot of fun ahead of you Keep the progress pic's coming we love to see em!

Looks like a good project. The hood is from a 62 or earlier, it has the holes for a crest.

Just so you know, the heater channels show definate signs of rusting from within. You must stop the rust a.s.a.p. Pm me the body panels you need, I think I'd have what you need. Also, rivets in I.D. plate look really shiny and new in comparison to the plate their holding. Aluminum tarnishes in Arizona, Does it in Tx. too? Very cool car nontheless.

Good project you got there! Definitely keep the pics coming!

Cool Ride..

I'll find some time to get to come see it .. see if I can lend a hand..

Its a start, but looks like a good foundation. You have to just love ragtops

Could you resize your pictures: I cant see em, theyre too big