TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:18 am

Instead of just starting threads with my progress, I decided to start a thread of my own that I can continue to add too as the progress advances.
The buggy when I first got it.

This buggy had been rolled without a cage so the damage was significant as you can see.

As a result of the damage the rear seat area has sagged significantly. The body sagged below the shock tower so I had to use some hydrolic tools to lift the body and constructed a cross bar to hold the body up.

After everything was straight, it was time to start the daunting task of getting the body perfect. This also meant moulding the side pods.

Then I decided to mould in a gas fuel door. Got this one at the junk yard off of a GMC Jimmy.

Decided that I wanted to paint the inside instead of covering it, so it was time to get the inside 100% straight.

Finally got some wheels for it. 17x7's in the front and 18x9.5's in the back. Rear wheel has a 3.5" lip.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:29 am

Built an enclosure for the rear that will provide storage and a place for my sub woofer.

mocked up the steering wheel. Has a NRG quick release hub

Differnet primer coats

Most recent pictures. Fisrt time that it has been all one color since I got it on 7-7-07. Almost ready for paint.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:32 am

Wow, that is coming out really nice.

--louis

Tue Nov 10, 2009 1:07 pm

You really brought that buggy back from the dead. Extensive body repair. Looks good.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 2:59 pm

Nice job - I think it looks great! What's the final color going to be? I guess something that works with the red stripe on the wheels?

Molded in side pods look terrific.

Jeff

Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:48 pm

Thanks guys. I ma going to try and match the color on the wheels (red). The interior will be black. I have a lready made a carbon fiber piece that will house the gages. Wasn't near as hard to work with as everyone made it out to be. I'm also going to construct a center council that will have carbonfiber inserts, and of course cup holders.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:04 pm

Quote: Tinnocker said it best: You really brought that buggy back from the dead. Extensive body repair. Looks good.

I agree, not only have you brought it back from the dead, but you are doing it with style. The buggy looks great. I'm anxious to see it come together.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:40 pm

That is the only body I have ever seen that is worse than mine, :shock: I also have the dubious honor of having paid too much for mine. You give me just a little hope that mine might look half as good as that one does. Well done.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:01 pm

man i wish i had your talent

Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:23 pm

Looking really good. I like the rims alot.
Chadwa

Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:41 am

Great Job Man! I thought I had my work cut out for me... Holy Cow, it rolled & you basically had to rebuild the entire body, & it looks SWEET!

I hope mine looks 1/2 as nice. I've been working on the Chassis still & putting off all the bodywork (fixing, filling, & sanding)... :roll:

Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:01 am

I was going to buy another buggy for 1200 dollars and before I left to go and pick it up, I decided to jump on craigslist. I found this one in San Diego for 150 dollars. I decided to take the 2 hour drive to check it out, trailer intact just incase. When I got there there was another guy looking at it and he decided that it was beyond repair. I seen a treasure and gladly took it off of his hands. I also knew that I wanted to do a street style build and the body style (with the wing and the scoop) was a perfect fit.

Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:43 am

It is a nice looking body, I like the way the headlights are supported; I used a recommendation here on mine, body washers sandwished between layers of fiberglass/fiber to beef up the supports, I would think your style would be stronger and easier to beef up if desired.

Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:27 pm

Arthur,

Great jop, coming along nicely. I have a question about your side pods though. At the top of the pod where it meets the body, what did you use to make the surfaces flush ? My pod fits behind the body as your appears to do, and after glassing the pod to the body, I will have approx 1/4 - 3/8" to bring the surface of the pod even with the body.

I was going to try building up that area with cloth and then body filler with the milled fiber in it to help prevent cracking, just wanted to see of that is what you did. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Looks great though.
Thanks,
Butch

Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:33 pm

I think the seats are a bit over powering.. hopefully your small enough to fit. Regardless great build :)

Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:49 pm

Butch. I glassed it in initiallt and then filled it with body filler ( fiberglass reinforced). Once it got close to being right, I then glassed over it agian. Little more filler to make it perfect then high build poly primer.

Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:58 pm

hstretch. I think the seats will fit fine. As far as if I'm small enough..... well you decide.

Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:14 am

Nice wife beater. :roll:
Dude nobody wants to see what you look like. Takeing a pic of yourself to prove something must mean you lack in other areas. :lol:
Stick to the build , the buggy looks great. Keep us posted on the progress I am watching this one I have the same body (buggy that is).

Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:50 am

There are a lot of smart asses on here. Guess you can say a lot of people that are full of "hot air." I'm just being a smart ass too

Sun Dec 06, 2009 5:36 pm

your's looks like mine (the buggy anyway) :lol:
nice job, what are you doing for a roll bar?? I was thinking of Miata style for mine.

Also, I custome made my dash because I'm 6'2 and my knee would hit the dash