New Project 1303 Cabrio and first Post

[rothaus]

Hello from VA. This is my first post here. I will soon start the restore of my wife's '78 VW 1303 Cabrio. Looks like this is a great place to share and find information.

I found the bug and did some repair over 10 years ago and it was a birthday present for my wife. Now after these years we have some issues with rust, top, etc.

After a complete rebuild of my 71 911T http://airboxer.com/911.html, my next project is the beetle.

I will post findings and progress as soon I have some pictures.

Here is what it looked over ten years ago.

Cheers
Engelbert

[Starr1969]

Hello, pretty ride.
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HERS: "Starr" 1969 toga white w/ sunroof
HIS: "Orange Crush" 1974 Super
OURS: 1976 Riviera Camper...needs engine work

[flyboat]

Nice looking ride. Keep us posted with pics as you bring it back from road grime.
_________________
79 super Vert
62 Ragtop Bug
66 tintop Westy
Porsche 914
09 Z06 Vette track car

[JasonBaker]

Nice rides.

[Boble]

[rothaus]

It took me a while to actually start on it, but now it's real.

Now in the works

I made some progress last weekend, in between other stuff.

Here we go - no comments needed:

To be continued........

Cheers

[woodendad]

Welcome! Very nice looking car! Can't wait to see more

[Jon65]

Cool car. Like the others have said, keep us posted with your progress.

[rothaus]

Here is an update. Had to many other things going, however, last weekend I made a little progress.

Disassembly of the top.

Outer skin is off

Got some rotten wood

All is gone

Next, the sound mats, with heater gun and scraper

Doors off, they have some rust at the bottom, details later.

Engine is also out, a little easier as the 911.

The dash is gone, the wire harnes from the fuse box to the rear end as well, and the windshield.

Clean-up time and beer time.

Next weekend front wire harness and whatever is left.

Cheers
Engelbert

[rothaus]

Last Weekened I got back on it. Removed the rest of the wire harness.

Disassembled the doors etc.

Here some pictures

What happen to this car ????

Why does it have a hole, and it looks like somebody cut it out with a chainsaw.

Anyway, I think I need to fix this, besides other holes.

Here is one door. It has some rust at the bottom.

Door Hardware

[djkeev]

Boy you are ripping it apart!

Those dash holes that are poorly cut scream Dealer installed AC.
You will probably find other holes out of the engine area and into the front trunk area. I'd guess there are still brackets or holes from brackets that secured the AC lines to the belly of the car.

Keep up the photos stream! You're going way deeper than I did.

Being in Virginia, keep Chuck's in mind for supplies. As a customer of his, he can be a real help to you on a project like this. Few are the people who know these Convertibles better than he does!

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[rothaus]

Getting started again. Got the chassis and the upper body separated.

I found the complete floor section.

Any good sources for other sheet metal panels ?

I'm looking for the front section where the bumper support mount and some other bits and pieces.

Will post some pictures at the end of this weekend.

Thanks
Engelbert

[brystheguy]

Planning on replacing heater channels? I need to do that on my vert and would like to see it done here!

[rothaus]

Made some progress on the beetle, besides other stuff.

Drained and removed the gas tank.

Next, the front suspension

Is now also gone.

Now I need to make some braces for the upper part of the body, where the doors were. And then split to body from the chassis.

Installed the braces

Separating the chassis and the upper part

Transmission removed

Rear suspension removed

It's almost like Overhaul'n

But this is just a one-man show

Cheers
Engelbert

[rothaus]

Got some pieces last week.

And made some progress last weekend.

Old Floor pans removed

Cleaning up the old welds

Test fitting the new boards, just fitted with sheet metal screws

They actually did fit really good, even they are made in Brazil... LOL

Fitting the schuh

Getting closer

Looks like the schuh fits

Even the holes line up

Back apart and finish welded

Sunday night, all cleaned up and back in the garage. Now we are ready for a nice bier.

Cheers
Engelbert

[Walking Contradiction]

You've earned a subscriber. That is a THOROUGH restoration. I hope to do that with mine some day.

[mfergel]

Wow. Nice shop.
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My 1970 Standard build thread - http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=564935&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[caffeinebean]

Does the convertible need bracing when the body is removed from the pan? what about leaving the doors on?

[old gh bug]

Wow

Nice cab and a great thread so far I will be doing the same with mine next year I have just got it all together from a box of bits and i will give it a bit of a run early next year. Then i will strip it down like you have and completely rebuild with a total colour change and put my new 2.1ltr Porshe upright fan motor in it to give it a little performance.

I see you have what looks like a 911 gearbox in your garage are you going to fit that to your convertible ??
Sorry just seen its the one out of the convertible
I will be watching this thread with interest, by the way love your garage top drawer

[rothaus]

Not many pictures, however, I made some progress last weekend.

Applying seam sealer and primer

And the final coat at the bottom.

Did some cleaning/blasting of small part for the rear suspension, etc. prepping for powder coat.

More this weekend.