My 54 european deluxe from start to finish

Slow Steve · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 6:30 am Post subject:

Beautiful!
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BarryL wrote:
100 years from now when they have reverse atom regeneration attractor technology perfected and in a hand held back yard mechanic's price range, someone will dig up this thread and go, "What were those guys thinking? The whole thing was all there just waiting to be re-atomized. Funny how easily they cut them up back then."
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74 911
72 914
65 13w Deluxe
60 Ragtop

Rich's 50 · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 8:29 am Post subject:

Very^^^^^^^^^^^

54bugn · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 2:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks folks, for the positive feedback it is a labor of love, and I hope to continue the same level of work on the body as I did on the pan. I have very limited body work experience so this will be a first, so bear with me as I learn on the job. Anxious

Thanks and stay tuned.

Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

Schwing · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject:

I'm sure it will turn out great judging by your attention to detail.

Looking forward to the progress pics!
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Shadetree Westy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657279&highlight=

Single Cab - BBXXVII Long Distance Winner
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Boom · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 8:28 pm Post subject:

thats fucking sexy as hell!!!!
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67 Chubby White Chic

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dLk

kdfwagon · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 8:16 pm Post subject:

Amazing work.
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Brianna's Grandpa

54bugn · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 11:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the props all, I have been in Greenland with work for the past couple of weeks so forgive my absence, I am still around. I should be back at work on it after the 8th of June. On with the body work.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

54bugn · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:33 pm Post subject:

Hello all,

I am finally back at the bug again, and finally starting on some body work. I decided to start small and work on the extremities. Since I already had the engine lid and both rear fenders off I decided to start there.

I spent a good hour having a love hate relationship with undercoating, I love that they did it, protected some of the metal, but I hate taking it back off! I used my propane torch and a scraper to good effect, but still need some thinners or something to get the rest off.

Here is the back side part way:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

And here it is after using the propane torch, just have to use some mineral spirits to get the rest off:

And here is the outside with multiple layers of paint before:

And here it is after using the sanding disc and twisted wire wheel thanks Schwing for the tips, you can almost see me in it:

More work to go, needs some more sanding, remove the remnants of the tar, prep, rust converter, filler, primer and then see what it looks like.

Stay tuned.
Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

Schwing · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:56 am Post subject:

Looks great! The cup brush is the best for removing undercoating! Make sure you wear ear and eye protection that thing is nasty (as you can already tell).
I also used a propane torch to "soften" the undercoating so I could scrape it, looks like you did the same thing.

I noticed you have a late model W lid, if you look at the hinge mount yours is | | instead of \ /

Funny enough I have an early model W lid on my 57. It doesn't make a difference in my book as long as you have the right spring and your W is in good shape. Just thought I'd point it out before its in paint. Cool

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Shadetree Westy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657279&highlight=

Single Cab - BBXXVII Long Distance Winner
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

54bugn · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:16 am Post subject:

Hey Schwing, yes I put the ear defenders on after a few minutes, man that's loud, my neighbors will love me.

I had 2 choices of W deck lids, the one that came with the car, (think it was originally red) and my second 54's lid. Both have the l l mount, and this one is the better one, a little more surface rust, but almost no dents.

Thanks for the info and the props, I have the correct spring and I will count it as history to the car.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

54bugn · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:55 am Post subject:

So here is the W deck lid, one coat of Self Etch Primer, looks alright, just need a few dents filled, and she's ready for the paint shop.

One down

many to go. Rolling Eyes

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

Joey · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:17 pm Post subject:

Nice work Mike!
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Joey

‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

54bugn · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:57 am Post subject:

Thanks Joey, got Rage Gold filler yesterday, heard it was good as gold, its expensive as it! Anyway got all the filling done, etch primed and same on the back side:

Now on to a rear fender next, today is a very rainy damp day, maybe tomorrow will be better to expose the raw metal.

Stay tuned,

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

Zwitterkafer · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:45 am Post subject:

Nice work, Mike!

The matching license plate light housing is supposed to have a subtle raised peak, or ridge along its length. If yours is missing, I can send you one.

Cheers,
H.
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"Criticism comes easier than Craftsmanship"
- Zeuxius, 400 BC

54bugn · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks ZwitterKafer check your PM. Cool

Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

bigblue · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:39 am Post subject:

your making this look too easy! im watching...
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1966 Sedan (Dad owned in Germany '74-'75)
1970 Yukon Yellow Sedan 'Puddin' SOLD
1970 Beetle Convertible (under restoration) SOLD
1970 Sedan (fresh restoration)Trophy Queen
1973 Super Beetle (Totaled in '99)
1972 Standard Beetle SOLD

looking for a 1969 Beetle hardtop

i mess with sasquatch on weekends.

54bugn · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:50 pm Post subject:

Hey folks,

Sorry I haven't been around lately, alot going on with work and home not to mention being the summer season. Big move in my future will take up more of my time in the near future as well. But in the meantime I have a couple of video's to share thanks to my buddy Joey. Having a little summer fun with the 54's pan at the end of a car show. Enjoy! Promise I will be back soon with more build.

Link

Link

End of another great day. Cool

Stay tuned, be back soon.
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

54bugn · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject:

Hey folks,

I am trying to get going again, life has been getting in the way, but I want to keep going so a small step today.

I have to thank "ZwitterKafer", Harvey thanks for the original 54 license light housing, it was a great addition and much appreciated. I finally got around to cleaning it up, sanding, filling sanding and priming it. Sorry for the fuzzy pics.

I also cleaned up and clear coated the W decklid mechanism and the bulb holder.

So off I go I am on to work on the rear fenders and doors next.

Thanks for watching,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

54bugn · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:53 am Post subject:

Hello all, sorry its been so long since I posted, between work and life I have been too busy to do much on the 54. However through a friend with a media blasting business I took some time to get my original, rear and front fenders, original front hood and ribbed doors media blasted and etch primed. I also used POR 15 on in the inside of the fenders and the light buckets. Except for the doors all the other pieces require some repairs but the hard part is done. Hope you enjoy the pics.

_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

54bugn · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 8:39 am Post subject:

Life and work are getting in the way. I am once again moving, this time back to Ontario, looking forward to this one actually. I was driving my van back and thought I might as well fill it and tow my 54 pan back with me. I am showing how I used my trailer to tow it back. I hope I wont be stopped on the work on the bug for very long, but I will be back to finish the 54. Stand by and thanks.

Cheers, Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940


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My 54 european deluxe from start to finish
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