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46porsche Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 35 Location: Bogotá, Colombia
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Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 7:34 pm Post subject: ALUMINUM BODY |
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Time for an update. We have finished forming and welding the aluminum panels for the body. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are really happy that we got this far with the limited tools and resources we have.
Now we have to finish planishing and prepping the aluminum for painting, fixing the wheel arches, fitting the lights, and many other tasks that should take one to two more months.
I did a photoshop image of how the car should look with its numbers and class stripes! _________________ Juan Badel
http://480spyder.tumblr.com/ |
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MMW Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2012 Posts: 846 Location: northern NJ
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Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 6:16 am Post subject: |
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Juan, Very cool. It amazes me that you have the time & drive to do this. In the first pic I see lines on the body. Is that where you welded pieces together to make the complete panels?
You all should be proud of your work. Can't wait to see more. _________________ Mic
1959 356 coupe
Missing the original engine 72488
Update - third pc. found!
Now just need the case halves.
1965 fenderless beetle |
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356JAEGER Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2007 Posts: 444 Location: Norte California
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Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 6:56 am Post subject: |
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Juan,
Absolutely amazing workmanship and commitment. Can't wait for the next update. You and your amigos should be very proud. _________________ Regards,
Joel Jensen
When in doubt, think about it..
The outcome of a project is directly proportional to its preparation. |
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bbspdstr Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2012 Posts: 494 Location: PA
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 7:36 am Post subject: |
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No one knows how difficult this type of project is until they try it or at least watch it being done. No one can understand the frustrations that can get in the way, just on a technical level, a knowledge deficit when it's a first-time approach in building/forming a body like that......beyond even the basic design.
I just heard a few minutes ago that one of my 'heros' growing up, Harry Tidmarsh, had recently died. I had worked briefly with his old sidekick, Don Diehl, but I knew Harry from going to watch him work at his shop when I was a young man. Among bodies for BMW 507s and M-B 300SL Gullwings, Harry and Don used to make aluminum deep bas-relief full-size automotive prototypes for Alcoa to be used in trade shows and car shows of the '60s. Pretty heady stuff, impressive.
Fancy stuff that was hand-formed, planished and polished, not painted.
They were both fantastic metal fabricators, Harry better at gas welding aluminum, teamed up with Don, the better TIG welder of the two. I wanted to be just like them, but there are unteachable intangible aspects involved beyond "eye, artistic bent and feel" that may come from repetition IF one also gets "lucky." It is now, literally, a dying art.
Juan, to get this far is truly unbelievable. I am sincerely impressed. Keep it up, knowing you have a small group of fans here that are behind you 100%
(I also like the juxtaposition of the car posed against the graffiti'd wall.)
Best regards, _________________ Bruce Baker
www.356restoration.com |
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malibubill Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2012 Posts: 153 Location: Stylish Beach House in Baja Oxnard
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Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 8:13 am Post subject: |
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Juan:
As an artist they didn't permit me even to finger paint in school.
As a mechanic everyone attempts to keep sharp things away from me.
So, as are the pros here, I am awestruck by what you have achieved. And even my completely inartistic eye can appreciate the "Porsche" before the tagged wall.
Thanks for sharing _________________ Bill Sampson
356 Registry Talk List Monitor 2004-2008
356 Registry Forum Moderator 2008
356 Registry Hall Monitor Award 2008 |
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46porsche Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 35 Location: Bogotá, Colombia
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Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:42 pm Post subject: body is on |
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Thank you so much for all your comments. Honestly, my work is in a totally different league that those people you mention, they were experts on their craft. I am just a nostalgic dreamer with more will than skills.
We took the car out for a drive with the body on. It was just great. Still, at least another couple of months before its completely done. Thanks for all your support.
_________________ Juan Badel
http://480spyder.tumblr.com/ |
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mark tucker Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2009 Posts: 23937 Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
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Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:59 am Post subject: |
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thats sweet!!! keep on smiling & working on it. |
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Chris R Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:05 am Post subject: |
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Juan,
My name is Chris, the builder of the Frankfurt Flyer http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=80 I think you've done a wonderful job! We need to get our cars together someday and go DRIVE!
Do you have any more designs planned? I am working on the coupe version of mine.
KUDOS-
Chris |
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46porsche Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 35 Location: Bogotá, Colombia
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Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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Chris, great to have you here!
In short, if it wasn't for your beautiful Frankfurt Flyer my project would probably not exist. It was just a great inspiration to get started and to know that it could be done, I found it by chance on the web, and it came just in time. I also have to say that your fabrication skills are just amazing.
I have no new projects planned yet, since I still have my hands full with this one.
It will be great to know more about your new car.
Thanks again for your message and for the inspiration! _________________ Juan Badel
http://480spyder.tumblr.com/ |
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foamcar Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2010 Posts: 136 Location: michigan
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Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:24 am Post subject: |
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Chris, I too really enjoyed reading about the car you built. How did you do it so fast? It has taken me 12 years of plugging along to restore my 63 coupe and I am still not done.
Phil Planck |
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46porsche Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 35 Location: Bogotá, Colombia
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Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 9:22 pm Post subject: 90% done |
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Dear friends, the car is now 90% done and I would like to share the latest picture with you.
_________________ Juan Badel
http://480spyder.tumblr.com/ |
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oliver365 Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2012 Posts: 140 Location: uk
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:12 am Post subject: |
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Awsome car & skills sir |
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Bulli Klinik Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2005 Posts: 2079 Location: Bulli Klinik, Colorado Springs
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:42 am Post subject: |
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Primo!
Did you hand planish the car while it was together or did you wheel the panels? _________________ I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs |
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46porsche Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 35 Location: Bogotá, Colombia
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:05 am Post subject: |
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I wish i had access to an english wheel. The car ws planished and sanded after it ws put together. Everything by hand. _________________ Juan Badel
http://480spyder.tumblr.com/ |
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356JAEGER Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2007 Posts: 444 Location: Norte California
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:07 am Post subject: |
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Amazing workmanship Juan. Any plans for more ?
Regards,
Joel _________________ Regards,
Joel Jensen
When in doubt, think about it..
The outcome of a project is directly proportional to its preparation. |
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46porsche Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 35 Location: Bogotá, Colombia
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you Joel.
A collector here in Bogota has shown interest in comissioning a car. But building one would be to costly. I am looking for two more buyers so I can build three at a time. That way I could pay rent for a better space. I built this car in my home´s one car garage. And I don't think i would like to do it that way again. _________________ Juan Badel
http://480spyder.tumblr.com/ |
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bbspdstr Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2012 Posts: 494 Location: PA
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:53 am Post subject: |
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Juan, you are an inspiration ESPECIALLY to a 'professional.' (with a larger small shop, a small but usable English wheel and arthritic hands from metalwork for too many years "the old fashioned way"). I can no longer complain about much of anything if you can do what you have done with what you have. Congratulations to you and the handful of others around the world who have the vision, inspiration and dedication to achieve what you show and thank you very much for sharing that. _________________ Bruce Baker
www.356restoration.com |
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46porsche Samba Member
Joined: April 02, 2013 Posts: 35 Location: Bogotá, Colombia
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Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you so much Bruce, your words are too kind. I can see how this trade could take a toll on your health with the years. Its tough.. But I can also see how when there is a passion it cant be stoped. _________________ Juan Badel
http://480spyder.tumblr.com/ |
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roy mawbey Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2012 Posts: 397 Location: Sussex England
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Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 3:32 am Post subject: |
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Well done Juan, by hand that is really a great achievement.
Cheers
Roy _________________ Roy
RHD356A super75 106954 |
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Craig Richter Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2012 Posts: 19 Location: Laguna Beach
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Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:51 am Post subject: Vintage Porsche-style project |
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Just had to pitch in here Juan, to congratulate you and your friends on your wonderful and creative project. You have done what most all of us here have dreamed about doing, but didn't, or couldn't. You should be very proud!
Craig |
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