Aztec 7, the journey begins

kazmij · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:19 am Post subject: Aztec 7, the journey begins

My son and I have been searching for a project to work on, he is 10. I felt it would be a good way for him to learn about various mechanical systems. He is however somewhat of a Top Gear fan and immediately started looking for anything high end Europen. I was thinking more like late 60's muscle car, so I thought I could sway him to a mid 70's Porsche 944. He wasn't impressed, so he set about looking on ebay. He came across a FiberFab Aztec 7 "complete kit car" that was very reasonable and after reading some more about the history of this model it sounded pretty good. Very basic mechanical system and a futuristic looking body. So we are now the proud owners of as we call it "vintage" kit car. Our plans are to strip it down to it's chasis and restore it from the ground up trying to keep it original to it's roots as a VW base kit car.
I hope to garner some knowledge on this site, I already have over the last week or so and keep a running thread on our progress. We hope to finish it and show it at Carlisle's Kit Car show one day. So here are a couple of pictures of when we went down to pick it up. Wish us luck!!!

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Dale M. · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:05 am Post subject:

Did you get the "flux capacitor" with it....OOPS wrong car....

Looks like great place to start with a junior gear head....

Dale
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 2739

I just sold mine.

I didn't get a real chance to dig into it but I wish I had. I like the styling.

What I did notice was that the doors were a little flimsy as was the rear hatch. I would definitely add in a steel subframe to help them out.

Obviosly be very careful of the windshield...its worth its weight in gold.

I would also consider relocating the shifter and ebrake.

TC/TeamEvil · Samba Member Joined: February 16, 2004 Posts: 1616

Nice find, and pretty complete as well ! !

Considering that the windshields are rumored to come from the Lamborgini Muira and cost $2,000/$3,000 each, you're very lucky.

With the design based on the Bertone concept car:

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2009/07/02-bertone-alfa-romeo-carabo-concept/

Your son ought to be very happy. His dreams of running a Top Gear style ride are assured. Even keeping a VW engine in place, you can build it up to a nice horsepower number., and suspension upgrades are an email order away.

Looks like you both are in for a wonderful time ! !

Luck,

TC

kazmij · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:11 am Post subject:

I did notice the rear hatch was very flimsy, just sorta hanging out there. Some sorta framework to stabilize it is a must. Took off the doors yesterday and thought to myself, there has to be a better way. The right side door is cracked were the outer skin meets the inner.

jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 2739

While I didn't explore it thoroughly I think that might be a good opportunity to split the doors and see if you can get some steel in there around the perimeter and at the hinge points.

I added a crazy amount of steel in my old Avenger...but it made a word of difference.

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My old Aztec 7

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Letterman7 · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:29 am Post subject:

You're not too terribly far from me. If you need a hand on something, just let me know!

Rick
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kazmij · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 3:09 pm Post subject:

Well today we pulled the front and rear clip off, as well as some of the interior bits. Finally got to the chassis tunnel and found the VIN number. Apparently this Aztec was built on a '69 bug.

I know I will probably go with all new wires, but I just can't seem to bring myself to cut through all those old wires, even though they are a little on the stiff side. I have never seen so many wires for something so basic. Well the next step is to get the passenger compartment off the pan, which is totally gone and needs replaced.

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jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 2739

Gut the wiring. You will be SO happy you did. Wire it while it is still off the pan.

Letterman7 · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:05 pm Post subject:

FarmerJohn · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:47 pm Post subject:

you should try to come to carlisle this year to get ideas and inspiration
run up a list of needs and wants , go through the swap meet to see what you can find . and hey you'll get to meet some of us there too Very Happy

kazmij · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:14 pm Post subject:

The plan is to come to Carlisle on Saturday, we have been going for a long time but usually for the import part of the show. Have always dreamed about all the very cool kit cars there.

FarmerJohn · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:31 pm Post subject:

be sure to stop bye and see some of us buggy folk Wink

Letterman7 · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:25 am Post subject:

And the Sterling group! Introduce yourself to the guy with the red and black factory model...
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kazmij · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:41 pm Post subject:

WooHoo!!! removed the windshield tonight. I sure was dreading this. Had to wire through so many different layers of sealant applied by PO. Took it slow with many pieces of 28 ga steel wire and finally got all the way around. Now to find somewhere safe to store it till I am ready for again.
Tomorrow off comes the cab from the rusty pan.

vpogv · Samba Member Joined: August 14, 2008 Posts: 217

Build a case/pallet for it to protect it. Well worth the time to keep it safe.

jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 2739

I wrapped mine in about 5 layers of bubble wrap and put it in the back of my closet.

kazmij · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject:

Got the body stripped off today, now it has been reduced to a rusty VW. Pans are totally gone and the are a couple of rust spots on the tunnel. Right now I am thinking of building a frame like you guys with the buggies do and put in diamond plate floor panels

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Sorry for my ignorance, this is my first VW anything, even though I do sorta know my way around a car. I have done a lot of searches on front beams and have seen many photos of such, but I have not seen a set up like this. Anyone know what this is?

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jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 2739

That is a "select-a-drop" (I think thats what they called it) in your front beam. Its the old school way of adjusting the front ride height. Nothing wrong with it. Lube that center threaded rod and adjust to your hearts desire.

While you have it apart I think you should drop the pans and relocate the shifter and ebrake. I know the original console is designed for the shifter in its stock location its really not an ideal driving position.

Relocate it back by about 8" and use the dash space for a radio or gauges.

Letterman7 · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:13 pm Post subject:

Yup, old style select-a-drop. Soak everything in rust-buster just to get the nuts moving on those threads! Jeff has a good suggestion on moving the shifter back as well as dropping the pans. Both well covered in other threads here.
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