Aussie/Euro/German look 63 ragtop project

[Dasdubber]

Well, I am about 18 months into a full body off resto on my (former hardtop) 63 beetle...now ragtop after I grafted one in.

I have about 100 pics or more detailing each step of the resto thus far and rather than putting up every one of those, I'll just put up enough to give a snapshot...and you can go to this link for full pics and details:

http://www.netspot4u.com/~manxclub/gallery/album95

Here is how it started, a one owner 63 Australian assembled beetle....crashed around 10 years ago by the original owners daughter, then parked under their house.

[Dasdubber]

The old couple who owned it saw me driving my old beetle pictured below (also a 63) up at the post office and they said I could have their old bug as they thought it would be going to a good home.

[Dasdubber]

Required a new front clip (from mid tank forwards) and rear body mount modified to suit the 68 b/j s/a pan I was to use - originally going to be a cal-looker....then plans changed.

[Dasdubber]

Started out with 6in Fuchs (fronts were narrowed to 4.5in as the real skinnies were way to expensive!)

[Dasdubber]

But as stated plans changed and decided to go semi-german look as there haven't been too many of them built in Australia to date (although numbers are increasing rapidly!)

So I ended up selling the fuchs and going with these:

[Dasdubber]

First body mockup to start checking clearance of wheels etc

[Dasdubber]

4 point roll cage originally fabbed up when it was a hardtop...however after I grafted in the ragtop I couldn't open the roof up fully, so had to have a new main hoop made up!

[Dasdubber]

2L type IV powerplant was called upon for motorvation...had a custom exhaust made to suit - turned out very nicely! Here is a progress pic:

[Dasdubber]

Here it is prior to extractors before being HPCed, and stainless muffler being polished:

[Dasdubber]

Here is the first interior mockup showing the dash modification to house the stereo.

[Dasdubber]

Had a crack at my first figbreglass sub enclosure - this will change slightly though as I will be ditching the 6x9s as they are not really necessary with the sub.

[Dasdubber]

Amps will be housed under the bonnet, and gas struts replaced hinge springs.

[Dasdubber]

Fast forward to me painting the beetle in my father's garage (after many months of bodywork including lots of rust repair, crash repair, and panel beating).

[Dasdubber]

After 3 coats of base colour (custom mix) and 4 coats of clear, things were looking a lot better!

[Dasdubber]

Plus many hours spent colour sanding, reflection shows my house renovations also still in progress!

[Dasdubber]

Body was back on pan (on and off a few times to trial fit everything) temporarily before pulling it off again to finish all brake lines, fuel line etc etc.

[Dasdubber]

Engine back in (just the other day)...custom breather box, fuel reg in place.

[Dasdubber]

Had my first attempt at flames for something different and it turned out pretty well (in my opinion!). Mallory dizzy, 40 dells, 71x94.5 2L with 1800 valves, everything balanced should make for a nice healthy powerplant.

So that brings you up to date - more pics to come as it is all reassembled...click the link up top in first post for all the pics.

[dub_crazee]

Thats unreal!!! i LOVE the german look...kinda gone for that on my bug but yours is stunning! Love your other bug too can we have more pics?

Whats the Aussie scene like??

Dean

PS we're guna kick your but in the ashes this year
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69 Beetle
71 Bay
71 911

[sixfootdan]

Looks awesome man! I like the radio design, You should show it to the people who gave it to you when it's done?
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Schrodinger's cat walked into a bar and it didn't.


GO SEAHAWKS!!!