TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:58 pm

I converted a 1972 fastback to an older type 3 front one piece fiberglass. The car was involved in an accident and the front was misaligned. I hated the way the 70 and up front looked, so I got a one piece front and did a little surgery. If you have any questions let me know and I will be glad to answer them for you. I will be taking it to paint before the end of this month. Let me know what you think.

Here is the latest and greatest. Lowered the frontend 3 clicks.
Got Paint and almost finished with interior.
Also got sandblasted natural finish empi 8 spokes.

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER PAINT

INTERIOR

Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:09 pm

Looking Good!!!! Brings back memories of my 69 Fasty before it conracted that most fatal disease, CANCER. Keep up the good work and enjoy the ride. Good Luck!

Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:40 pm

was it hard to put the lights on? looks like a good alternative how much was it?

Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:07 pm

Thanks nodrenim! That's the only way I can keep this car from going to the junkyard.

Ivan - I got a deal from one of the guys here in thesamba for the front end and I made a makeshift mount for the lights. It was actually easy to work with fiberglass.

Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:45 pm

well it looks nice and straight. are all fiberglass frontends one piece?

Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:12 pm

What did you do for the gas door?

Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:26 pm

It is a one piece front end.

It's kinda hard to see but I put a moon pop-top polished gas cap I'll take a better pic tomorrow.

Thanks

GAS cAP

8)

Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:31 pm

I like the idea of the one piece fiberglass. If needed, how would you open the front end? Are there hinges?

Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:34 pm

I'll have to remove the whole thing. It only takes a couple of minutes. 2 screws on the side and 4 acorn nuts on the hood.

Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:11 am

Johnny I have a 71 sqbk and would like to do the same, as the front end is jacked up after an accident and would rather deal with the one piece front end then try and find replacement parts and pay the high shipping prices. Let me know PM later and see what we can come up with. thanks for your help.

Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:14 am

That turned out pretty cool. Great color too.

Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:37 am

Nice, the car looks sweet now.

Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:41 am

Does it skitter all across the road? My square blows front end sideways in a crosswind; can only imagine that less weight over teh steering wheel would worsen the problem. That fiberglass come with some lead weights? Sure looks sharp tho; easy fix to a bummer of a problem.

Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:26 pm

Chory wrote: Does it skitter all across the road? My square blows front end sideways in a crosswind; can only imagine that less weight over teh steering wheel would worsen the problem. That fiberglass come with some lead weights? Sure looks sharp tho; easy fix to a bummer of a problem.

How is your upper torsion arm adjustment? What tire pressure are you running?? How is you front end alignment?
I drive my 71 fastback at over 80 mph, in cross winds, and have no problems.

Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:48 pm

Chory and Russ:
Front end is kinda off because of the camber or toe...I dunno which one but alignment is a little off. It is not hard to keep straight though...I drive it to work 3 times a week...steering is kinda hairy but very light and responsive. i actually like it like that. I'm trying to put 135 on the fronts so the tires won't rub at all when I make a u-turn.

Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:59 am

johnnyr3 wrote: Chory and Russ:
Front end is kinda off because of the camber or toe...I dunno which one but alignment is a little off. It is not hard to keep straight though...I drive it to work 3 times a week...steering is kinda hairy but very light and responsive. i actually like it like that. [b]I'm trying to put 135 on the fronts so the tires won't rub at all when I make a u-turn./b]

try using the correct offset wheels and it should solve any and all rubbing issues.... you should be able to run at least a 165 up front without rubbing..

Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:31 pm

"try using the correct offset wheels and it should solve any and all rubbing issues..."

what are the correct offset wheels?

Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:05 am

aldendavid wrote: "try using the correct offset wheels and it should solve any and all rubbing issues..."

what are the correct offset wheels?

stock Type 3 wheels are 46mm offset...

nice resurrection, btw...

Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:10 am

LOOKING GOOOOOOD! Turned out very nice, glad to see it all painted up. Now comes the best part, enjoying the ride!

Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:45 pm

u 3 clicks down in front
are you using 165s

looks odd with the Fat chick Tail lights and the sweet curved nose of the hood

Have any pics of the car after you took the bad peices off and put the fiber front on it

what all did you have to take off

Definitely put some gas shocks on the front and some hinges
that would be sweet

nice job
luv not seeing lines for the front hood
that would be a sight
seeing someone hinge their front up to put gas in (my 67)
or to get stuff out of the trunk

what color is that