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Galloping Gertie - It's got a name, now to fix her up
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heywebonya
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:03 am    Post subject: Galloping Gertie - It's got a name, now to fix her up Reply with quote

I bought a 65 / 73 VW tub buggy and can't decid who got the better end of the deal. I paid $1400 in non-running condition. After several hours she is running and I have re-done the drums (waiting on new brake lines to be delivered).

The buggy is a 6V system (I will conver to 12V when the starter dies)

Thoughts?
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manxdavid
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Post a few photos and we'll let you know...

BTW 6v starters run quite happily on 12v.
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heywebonya
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:48 am    Post subject: Pictures of GG Reply with quote

It took me a bit of time to organize more of the pictures.

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wythac
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you lived in the Pacific Northwest, "Galloping Gertie" would be a rather ill fated name for a buggy....it was the nickname of the old Tacoma Narrows Bridge, that had a habit of swinging like a hula girl's hips in a windstorm....it finally fell apart in a storm in 1940..

Looks like it's all there....start scrubbin', and good luck!
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Genom
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 10:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That tail is a rather unique variation on the El Lobo/Lithia/Lido/Enos 500 theme.
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Thanatos
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good find!

My suggestion for the rebuild:

Keep it in the late-60s to mid-70s period, with the lowback Mustang-type seats, Magnum 500-style wheels with fake knockoffs (or the slot mags, either would look good), Mustang taillights, wind wings and bullet mirror, similar color to what's on her now, maybe some narrow whitewall or redline tires, Grant GT steering wheel, copper Hurst shifter, Holley Bugspray carburetor, stock bug gauges with an add-on voltmeter/oil-pressure/oil-temperature trio, Learjet or Kraco AM/FM/8-track stereo and JCWhitney old-style lap belts. Similar-type bumpers and exhaust. If a top floats your boat, a black vinyl-coated hardtop or black pleated vinyl soft top would be apropos.

You've got a great-looking vintage buggy here, I would suggest maintaining the look. Outside of TheSamba, I don't see too many authentic period builds/restos of fiberglass buggies, and not even that many here.

(Just my $0.02. Smile )
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viperbgy
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 3:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

IMO....you did good Wink
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Q-Dog
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 4:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like it is in pretty good shape. I'd do a little scrubbing and drive the heck out of it. You can always work on it during the winter.

I miss my buggy.
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heywebonya
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:15 am    Post subject: Thanks for hte suggestions and help. Reply with quote

Thanks for the replies and support. I am rewiring the bird's nest under the dash. This winter I am planning to pull the tub and welding up a new floor pan.

Any suggestions for the thickness for the floor? I am thinking 20 ga steel with 1" x 2" outer frame.
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Russ Wolfe
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are planning on just flat pan with no ribs in it, I would go 16ga for the floors, minimum. 20ga would be too flimsy, and would pan a lot.
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heywebonya
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 5:13 am    Post subject: Need help with priorities - wiring Reply with quote

OK, there are many, many projects I can spend time and money on to get GG up and running. Currently the bug is a 6V system and I would like to go to 12 V. I have found several threads discussing conversions that indicate all I will need to do is swap the generator to alternator and the bulbs.

What about the turn signal relay? ignition? if I do need a new starter down the road; should I put another 6V starter in (1963 transmission) or try to modify the system for a 12V?

Any help is appreciated.
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heywebonya
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 4:04 am    Post subject: Removing the floor pans Reply with quote

I had been delaying the inevitable that I would have to remove the body and wiring to replace the pans. It is pretty amazing I was able to drive this around. The tunnel is in great shape because of some tar-like sound deadening material.

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Next step weld in new frames.

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I am traveling for two weeks for work - so lots of time to think about the project.
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heywebonya
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 2:09 pm    Post subject: New floor pans and painted Reply with quote

It's been a while since I posted new pictures of the buggy rebuild and thought I would share. It is really challenging to build a buggy with three little ones and trying to be budget minded.

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I had been driving this around town and did not realize/appreciate how bad it was under the floor mats! I like that the PO used particle board, plywood, and aluminum patches to keep it together.

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I took my pans off for this picture!

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This was the point that shifted my thinking from "I just threw $1400 down a hole to I own a buggy" Very nice feeling and sense of accomplishment!

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A little bit of paint and it looks like an adult might own this buggy!

Thanks to Samba family for the good (and sometimes excessive) ideas, help and assistance.

Jeff
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veeweeman
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice buggy and you did really nice work on the pan...glad you went the 16 ga. route over doing replacement pans...most replacement pans are made with thinner then original metal and they are not as strong as the original...you will get many years of happy use from those new pans.
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Thanatos
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One question, heywebonya: Are you going to keep the period 60s/70s look with the vintage wheels, mirror, seats and taillights, or modernize it?
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heywebonya
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:41 am    Post subject: Final design - camo and nice seats Reply with quote

34FN,

I bought the buggy as a fun family design and the color selection (after I looked into getting it painted) was pretty limited. The seats are from a 97 Dodge Neon (the back seat fits really nicely as well.

I used the seat belts from the Dodge as well.

The paint job was based on the boys input, simplicity, and cost. Plus I put veteran's plates on the buggy.

If you search camo, there are several (3) buggies with camo paint jobs.

Jeffrey
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heywebonya
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:19 am    Post subject: Olive drab with decals Reply with quote

I wanted to rattle can the paint job as cars often have issues with bikes, mowers, and other things. Also I am on a pretty tight budget. The seats are from a 1996 Dodge Neon - turned out really nice. The back seat is comfortable as well.

I sanded, primered, and painted in my garage. It looked kind of plain; so I went with WWII Jeep Willy type of decals.

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Do I need any more graphics?

I have matching rims (white baja) but need to save up for some rear tires 225/70 r14 or larger.

I am trying to avoid the rolling joke (head shaker) and have something pretty fun for the trails and dunes.

Jeff
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GTBRADLEY
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could use a four star generals flag Laughing Or a license plate that says "PATTON"
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vpogv
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like it with the minimal painted on extras. One thing though is make sure you don't get caught in some rain - those seats will never dry.
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myxomycota
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thats just cool as hell!
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