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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 8877 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:27 am Post subject: My woodie - almost done |
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This will end up in the bastardazation/abortion thread, but I really dont care. Been messing a little bit for a couple years on this, but working seriously for the last year and its not quite done, but I am down to the final odds and ends....and there's a lot of them. Started as a $500 basket case 69 vert.
This is my own design and my first ground up build. I went through 200 board feet of ash and 2 sheets of african mahogany plywood (dark inset panels). I enlisted the help of a crazy custom cabinetmaker to do the woodwork with me and I had to farm out the paint and the metalwork. There are several other folks that have been instrumental in pulling this project off. Thanks Bart and AJ.
This was also my first complete engine build - mild 1914, dual Kads, ported heads, hideout header.
I still have to sort out the stance and the wheel/tire combo. The running boards still need to go on and like I said earlier, a lot of other things - but the car is drivable.
 _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one. |
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bugninva Samba Member

Joined: December 14, 2004 Posts: 8888 Location: sound it out.
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:53 am Post subject: |
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I like it...a lot!... don't worry about what folks say, it's like anyone else's car, a work of art that is tailored to the artist's preferences... being a carpenter, I dig it! _________________
| EverettB wrote: | | I prefer to refer to everyone as my "bitch". |
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tikitime Samba Member

Joined: December 12, 2006 Posts: 384 Location: New Westminster, BC, Canada
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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 8877 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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I really don't care what some are going to say about it and I really wasn't going to even post it here - but I am tickled with it. And being a carpenter, I am sure that you can appreciate it.
I never worked with rough lumber before but my buddy has a wood shop to die for. He has all the cool toys, so we were able to do pretty much everything I wanted to do out of the rough cut ash 2x10s. Not much scrap, but made a mountain of sawdust LOL. The millwork was what really made it. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one. |
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bugninva Samba Member

Joined: December 14, 2004 Posts: 8888 Location: sound it out.
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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i love it!... really do.. I love custom work, and appreciate it all, even if I don't care for the style.... I too wouldn't mind seeing some build pics if you documented the build for your own enjoyment...(I'm sure you did... )... _________________
| EverettB wrote: | | I prefer to refer to everyone as my "bitch". |
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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 8877 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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I have probably several hundred build pics, but here's a couple highlights.
The car that I started with
My first complete engine build
Early stages of substructure
Mock up - getting a feel for roofline
rear side panels
Door - yeah the windows crank up and down and the 32 Ford latch works.
Inserting part A into part B
Dashboard
 _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one. |
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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 8877 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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I have to say that I learned an incredible amount on this build, but planning and trying to think as far ahead helped keep mistakes to a minimum. The woodworking aspect was huge and was very educational and I miss coming home covered in sawdust LOL.
Once again, there is a bit to finish up - what I am after is a late 50's mild custom look. Just a mild deviation in that my interior is maroon and black pleats instead of red and white ones. The tire/wheel and stance is really going to make or break me on this, but I have the winter to decide on that while I finish everything else up. Thanks for the kind words - I appreciate it. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one. |
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Der Bugmeister Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2007 Posts: 167 Location: Duncan, BC
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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| andk5591 wrote: | I have to say that I learned an incredible amount on this build, but planning and trying to think as far ahead helped keep mistakes to a minimum. The woodworking aspect was huge and was very educational and I miss coming home covered in sawdust LOL.
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Time to start working on the matching trailer, then.
Looks like a great job on that. _________________ Type 1: 1957, 1961, 1971, 1979
Scirroco: 1976 (For Sale!) |
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bugninva Samba Member

Joined: December 14, 2004 Posts: 8888 Location: sound it out.
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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awesome, simply awesome!.. great work... _________________
| EverettB wrote: | | I prefer to refer to everyone as my "bitch". |
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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 8877 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:42 am Post subject: |
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Thanks a lot - I appreciate it. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one. |
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spanky324 Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2006 Posts: 746 Location: Greeley Pa
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Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:46 am Post subject: |
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| I like it!Nice job!! |
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seanboy69 Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2008 Posts: 1107 Location: Templeton PA
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Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:48 am Post subject: My woodie - almost done |
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Awsome!!! Maybe you can bring it to some shows down here next year!! _________________ In a sea of american muscle there is alittle bug hiding in the corner...
Oh, and I am 39 years old.....I am supposed to know better......ha!!!
1956 oval ragtop
1962 baha
2276 in progress |
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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 8877 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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My wife says I have to have it ready before the Campbelltown show in April, which shouldn't be a problem. Plan on hitting as many shows as I can with it as well driving the hell out of it.
In the meantime - looking at a car next weekend for a possible future project........Like I need another one LOL _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one. |
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34FraserNash Samba Fiberglass Fiend

Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1814 Location: Eugene, Oregon
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Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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Looks really good... have to say this is much better than most other VWoodies I've seen.  _________________ HBB-RW-Mongo63
Olds 455 V8 '71 411 Variant
1934 Frazer Nash kit car on a '69 pan (decided to keep it)
Tube-frame off-road buggy based on '57 beetle
1970 Fun Products MiGi Stutz street buggy on '64 pan
1927/1973 Model T Ford sedan replica
And non-VWs too... |
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oasis Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 1114
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Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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| 34FraserNash wrote: | | Looks really good... have to say this is much better than most other VWoodies I've seen. |
I couldn't agree more! Most look literally cobbled together as an afterthought. That's some real good stuff there. Well done! _________________ '09 Eos Komfort ... '97 Vento GT ... '02 Golf GLS TDI
'02 Passat (40k mi & for sale)
*****
Parked in memory: '02 Cabrio GLX ... '71 Super Beetle
... '93 EuroVan MV Westy ... '81 Pickup LX ... '85 Vanagon ... '86 Jetta GLI |
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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 8877 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:21 am Post subject: |
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Well - I bought one of those plywood bodied cars to start with and ended up scrapping it - total rot out and hack build. In the meantime, I spent a LOT of time researching on line and with books. Anytime I saw a real woodie I was all over and under it.
There are 2 things that I think anyone doing a custom must do is really work on the "look" and the engineering.
I really was trying to nail 40 Ford woodie proportions down and make a couple refinements. I spent a lot of time with verniers and photos. But it still got down to making a part and just looking at it. I redid my roof rafter profiles about 6 times before I was happy. Then I had some variations on the Ford design. The tailgate window of a Ford is really small and looks wrong - mine is the same height as the side windows. Ford also used multiple wood molding profiles - Every piece of molding on mine uses a portion of one cutter that was used for the main beltline trim.
On the engineering end, you have to think many steps ahead on how parts impact other parts. Like I had to totally rethink my rear fenders because of access to the torsion springs. How my window regulator worked nailed a lot of door details and impacted my rear window inset. Lots of details.
Like I had said - I learned a lot - my first ground up car and first custom - Made my share of mistakes, but pretty much ended up with what my vision was. I guess its kind of like writing music - you do it for yourself and if other folks like it, then its freakin' awesome....LOL Thanks again for the kind words.
Oh - one more thing - I love my VWs, but when I show it, I hope to see at least a couple folks scratching their heads to figure out what it is.... _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one. |
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GTBRADLEY Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2009 Posts: 580 Location: Katy Texas
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Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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That their is neet . I had plans at one time to build one. I was going to go with the 37 Ford(Wonderbug) front hood and the top was going to be chopped pretty low. More custom than original looking. One trick that the original conversion did not take into account is the use of the convertable as the donor. The windshield frame is more square and melts into the roof line better. I even have a chopped windshield frame in the garage somewhere for it. Great job. You can definetly hold your head high on this build. _________________ Brian B
1973 Surfer GT Boat
1966 Thunder Bug Buggy-current project
1949 Dodge Coronet-retirement project
that is family owned since new |
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73 KAFER Samba Member

Joined: September 02, 2007 Posts: 1400 Location: St. Marys, Pa.
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Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Andy,
Just stumbled upon this thread looking GREAT I really hope to see it. As long as I can get to a show I'll be drooling over it. Don't worry I'll bring my own terry cloth and wood cleaner
Mark _________________ 1973 Beetle
#3 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=775620Kafer-Cup vintage road racer |
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andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 8877 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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LOL - Thanks - and the vert was not an afterthought - I have a good friend in Milwaukee that built one of the first Vwoodies in the early 70s and after 30+ years and countless miles, his car is still one of the nicest I have ever seen. He turned me on to the benefits of the vert - The windshield is one important part, but the additional structure helps a lot as well. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one. |
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shano63  Samba Member

Joined: October 06, 2006 Posts: 3088 Location: Poughkeepsie NY
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:19 am Post subject: |
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Holy cow Andy! Very impressive, you should be proud.  _________________ 63 T1 Ragtop Gulf Blue, Certified abortion
04 Wrangler Rubicon
66 F250 4X4
Chris
Take it as it comes-- Morrison |
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