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Fri Mar 26, 2004 3:48 pm

I know what the answer may be but I need to ask those who know better than a beginer.
I just looked at a 1973 Squareback runs very good interior good pans good. But there is a major problem in the front see picture.
BTW sorry to the person whos squareback is in this picture I have no camera and this was the only one I could find that showed the hood well.

The drivers side of the hood matches the fender great but that is the only part that lines up. The pass side has a 1/2 to 3/4 too big gap in the front and the back on that side is good. The hood is off the same amount under the windshield. and the front valance does not fit. From what I can tell it was a bolt on piece until this POS body man got to it. He welded it on and the fenders are to far apart in the front. If I line the hood up then the gap on the pass side will be over 1" with a 3/4 overlap on the drivers side.

OK sorry about the long post. Is that fixable or could that mean I beam and other BIG prolems?
Thanks
Tom

PS I am just having bad luck finding a STD trans Squareback here.

Fri Mar 26, 2004 6:25 pm

It's probably fixable. You'll have to look it over real good and verify that it hadn't been in an accident, and poorly repaired.

Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:15 pm

Bobnotch wrote: It's probably fixable. You'll have to look it over real good and verify that it hadn't been in an accident, and poorly repaired.

I have NO doubt that it as hit in the front nobody would ever to a rust repair that is this bad. Even the 90deg bolt on flanges that hold on the valance are bent to about no angle and then beat and welded so they would stay.
Tom

Sat Mar 27, 2004 10:36 pm

The more I think about what it would take to fit the hood It must have been hit hard.
If I get the hood to line up under the windshield area. I would then need to move the front of the drivers fender about 1/2 out after that I would need to move the Pass side about 1-1/4 in then I would have a nice fit.
I think it is a cut off and replace and would need a frame machine or Tree trunk with my come-along :roll:
Tom

Sun Mar 28, 2004 12:27 am

twmart wrote: PS I am just having bad luck finding a STD trans Squareback here.

Tell me about it! I am in So Cal also and I jumped on a 69 square with lots of holes in it. I purchased based on a presentable paint job that hid problems underneath, and I may have a year's worth of work at a bodyshop to look forward to. Sorry for the regional competition, but if I find another 69 square that's clean and rot free my current square will become a parts car.

Keep looking, they are out there.

Sun Mar 28, 2004 8:55 am

twmart wrote: The more I think about what it would take to fit the hood It must have been hit hard.
If I get the hood to line up under the windshield area. I would then need to move the front of the drivers fender about 1/2 out after that I would need to move the Pass side about 1-1/4 in then I would have a nice fit.
I think it is a cut off and replace and would need a frame machine or Tree trunk with my come-along :roll:
Tom

If it's that far off, then it sounds like it needs to be clipped. My 71 had a similar fit of the front hood when I got it, and it had already been clipped. Fortunately, it was a rusty clip, so I had no problem cutting it off, and putting another front clip on it. I cut mine thru the fuel tank area, as it was easier for me to get it square there (using the fuel tank opening to check it). After I installed the clip, I bolted in place first using the fenders to help align it. I added the hood to check the gaps between the fenders, the cowl, and the nose. My hood is still slightly shifted to the left (by about 1/16"), but my gaps are even the full length of the hood, and across both ends. The fit and finish is very close. I called it good, then welded the clip in place. This was my first clip job, so I was happy that it turned out as well as it did. I hope this helps.

Sun Mar 28, 2004 9:35 am

Bobnotch wrote: If it's that far off, then it sounds like it needs to be clipped. My 71 had a similar fit of the front hood when I got it, and it had already been clipped. Fortunately, it was a rusty clip, so I had no problem cutting it off, and putting another front clip on it. I cut mine thru the fuel tank area, as it was easier for me to get it square there (using the fuel tank opening to check it). After I installed the clip, I bolted in place first using the fenders to help align it. I added the hood to check the gaps between the fenders, the cowl, and the nose. My hood is still slightly shifted to the left (by about 1/16"), but my gaps are even the full length of the hood, and across both ends. The fit and finish is very close. I called it good, then welded the clip in place. This was my first clip job, so I was happy that it turned out as well as it did. I hope this helps.

Well maybe I should make an offer then what should I start with? BTW just so you know when looking under the trunk area the only place you can tell it was hit are the front apron/valance thing and the front 2 inches of each inner fender. I would need to cut to the back of the gas tank opening or if it could be done bend the inner fenders straight with a "new" front piece.

Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:33 am

twmart, if you are interested, I know of a 72 square that was for sale recently for $250 OBO. The car was located in Lancaster, doesn't run, fairly straight but missing a bunch of stuff, and looks like a $150 car. It's been up here in the desert for years and years and is fairly rust free.

Let me know if you are interested and I will find out if that square is still around. If you get both cars cheap you might be able to make one good car out of the two. :)

Another option is find what parts you need from Small Car Connection in Hesperia. http://www.chrisvolkswagen.com/homepage.htm

Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:51 am

Class 11's alter ego wrote: twmart, if you are interested, I know of a 72 square that was for sale recently for $250 OBO. The car was located in Lancaster, doesn't run, fairly straight but missing a bunch of stuff, and looks like a $150 car. It's been up here in the desert for years and years and is fairly rust free.

Let me know if you are interested and I will find out if that square is still around. If you get both cars cheap you might be able to make one good car out of the two. :)

Another option is find what parts you need from Small Car Connection in Hesperia. http://www.chrisvolkswagen.com/homepage.htm
Please do find out about that one. I have one locally $300OBO complete but body is very rusting. The only body panels good are the Driver door, hood and rear hatch all glass is good also floors are rusted and it is an automatic.
Thanks
Tom

Sun Mar 28, 2004 12:15 pm

Wow, that was fast! Ok, I am out the door in a few minutes. It's about, oh, 10 miles from my house! :lol: Will report back later what I find!

Sun Mar 28, 2004 5:31 pm

No go, car is gone.

Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained.........

Sun Mar 28, 2004 9:39 pm

Class 11's alter ego wrote: No go, car is gone.

Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained.........
Well that stinks I how it did not get scraped/junked!
Thanks for looking
Tom