66 mild custom build log

hatchethairy · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:01 pm Post subject: 66 mild custom build log

This is my first post. A few months ago I bought a 66 coupe for more than I should have paid(not bitter). The drive there was a couple hours, and I really just wanted a Ghia. There were a few problems I spotted that should have been a dead giveaway to find a better car, but sometimes your eyes just want to see the good in everything. Here's some pics to show what I'm working with...

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

Notice the arch on the rear fender? You can't see it in the pic, but they did the same horrible sheetmetal work to the rockers. Heater channels rusted completely and the rockers will have to be completely redone at some point in time.

Passenger side rockers are just as bad.

Heater channels made of swiss cheese. Spray foam was all over the place in here. Should have been a sign to walk away. I have already removed most of what was in there, but some still remains.

Couple small patchable holes in the floor pans. I've stabbed around with a screwdriver quite a bit, and everything feels good otherwise.

Typical battery tray rust. More spray foam on both sides.

This is exactly how the motor looked when I got it. Everything had been removed topside, but nothing to keep critters and moisture out. It's not locked up, but definitely deserves attention. I may go ahead and bump the 1300sp to a 1600sp, but need to open everything up first and see what it needs to just get running for now.

Unfortunately I am missing the glove box door and the trim piece to go with it. I have seat frames and springs, but the rest of the interior was pretty much trash.

Special pancake gas tank.

Looks like some critters have chewed on a few wires, but most of it looks repairable.

Inner fender damage. Maybe a bottle jack and some spot welds will fix it?

hatchethairy · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:27 pm Post subject:

First and foremost I want to get it running and roadworthy. I will be narrowing the beam 2 in., installing adjusters, and some drop spindles. The car came with a new set of tires, so I decided to get some portawalls for the poor mans white wall solution in the meantime. Here's a couple pics I am using as inspiration...

I want to do a white top with the sea blue body. Black rims, chrome hubcaps(or none), portawalls, and euro style bumpers. Later on I may try and find some earlier smoothies, but for now the stock rims will do.

c21darrel · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:50 pm Post subject:

Its not too bad, good luck with your build! I had a Sea Blue 66 glove box door I sold like 2 weeks ago...

hatchethairy · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject:

pabloghia · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:23 pm Post subject:

That trim you want to toss out is the most valuable item on the car. I hate to see you do it.
But its yours to do what you want.
Good luck.
_________________
67 Ghia Cabriolet

hatchethairy · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:50 pm Post subject:

jwold · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:27 pm Post subject:

I've got a 66 parts ghia with not much left on it but I do have a glove box door just sitting there...PM me.

Sorry, no chrome trim on it but the push button latch is there.

As you can see the car was originally yellow. The blue is kind of sparkly.

hatchethairy · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:21 am Post subject:

hatchethairy · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:56 am Post subject:

Just to make sure, I messaged the seller of the car to see if he may have the door laying around somewhere still. There were quite a few scattered boxes of parts, so we'll see. Should know for sure tonight.

jwold · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:21 am Post subject:

OK, no worries, the car isn't going anywhere soon.

hatchethairy · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:15 pm Post subject:

Bored up at work. Wanted to see what it would look like with a white top in primer before paint is ready.

hatchethairy · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:24 pm Post subject:

Bent up flap area. Need to do some research on how all this functions.

Alternator stand corrosion is pretty bad. I'll be looking for one soon.

I spent a couple hours pulling the carb apart, dipping it for a 1/2 hour, and everything looks great minus the idle cut off valve shown below. I really would like to use this carb, but worried it may need a new body to work right. Gotta look into what I need to do here. The hole is wallered out pretty good, but only because the part has a funky thread flaw pattern. I tried to take pictures of what is going on, but it isn't showing well.

c21darrel · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1119150

hatchethairy · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:17 pm Post subject:

hatchethairy · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:38 pm Post subject:

Need to dig through the parts that came with the car to make sure, but I don't think I have the throttle linkage for this carb. Anyone have just the linkage they want to part(y) with?

Basketcase · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:28 pm Post subject:

ah yes...been there done that. gotta love old cars. sometlmes we do see stuff but don't want to.
looks like a pretty good project. usually l've found beer cans and rags covered ln roof tar. must notta had the spray foam yet.. Laughing

hatchethairy · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 7:50 pm Post subject:

Basketcase · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:29 pm Post subject:

excatly. one thlng at a tlme. and do yourself a favor.....don't keep track of how much $$. lt will drlve you nuts!

hatchethairy · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:08 am Post subject:

John Moxon · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:11 am Post subject:


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