The Thunderbug build

[The_Thunderbug]

Hey everyone! New to the samba here, so forgive me if my posts read a bit goofy.

I wanted to start a build thread to document the work done to my 69' Thunderbug. of course I am a few months late to the start. soi I figured I will drop everything I have up to this point.

I picked this guy up from a man in Grass Valley who had it sitting out in the dust for a long while.

When we go tit it needed a bit of love, didn't run right, wiring was a mess, interior was grosser then it looks here.

So far we have spruced up the motor, given it a few good services, rebuilt the entire wire harness, and other fun stuff.

Shes off to paint at the moment, and can't wait to get her back!

I have spoken extensively with Tony Vierra, the original builde of the thunderbug, but any memories or info anyone else has would be amazing!

Here's how she was when we pulled her from the dust

[The_Thunderbug]

One we got her home, it was time to identify what it was. The Thunderbug was built by the original bugformance down in sunnyvale. Seems like there was less then 100 made, so it was kinda hard for me to track down. A lot of character though, super thick fiberglass, nicely made channels for wiring, the works!

First thing had to get rid of the nasty interior, the seats were actually comfy, but way to big. none of the gauges worked either

much better with the race trim seats

[The_Thunderbug]

Did a whole bunch of servicing to the engine and transaxle, looks like whoever built it originally actually had their head on straight. Motor ran strong after a good tune up, and found that the entire trans was probably rebuilt, nice mounts and shock absorption to. spruced it up with some fun color bits when we got it all together. Nothing too crazy.

rusty old bits :

fun new stuff and a painted exhaust

[Glenn]

Back in the 70's Motion Mini-Car had a race care called the Thunder Bug.

It was a division of Baldwin Motion of Chevy fame.

I lived 2 towns away.

_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[The_Thunderbug]

Wiring was a big project we wanted to tackle. wherever the original builder had succeeded with the mechanics, they had failed with the electrical. The entire harness was hobbled together with old school tech and was waiting for a fire, not to mention most things running from direct battery power, oof.

we went about striping it out

out with the old and in with the new. My buddy and I are no wiring experts, but we do know how to learn. We started with the American wiring co wire harness that was an extremely impressive kit. everything documented and labeled well. not to mention ell made. of course we modified it to fit our uses, but it was an amazing starting point that I would highly recommend.

we had all our wiring clean as a whistle, and made it obvious where to hide everything. We even used DT connectors as quick detach system so that whenever it needs service its two plugs to take the whole hood off!

I'm a machinist by trade, and it does have its perks. I designed and machined this dash, and we finished it off with ISP gauges

[The_Thunderbug]

[The_Thunderbug]

I'm a big nerd for history, it doesn't really need to be valuable things, just history of objects excites me. I was able to track down Tony Vierra, the original owner of bugformance, and the builder of these bodies.

He is a wonderful guy to talk to and gave me a lot of insight. He even told me that he had the original logo stickers laying around. To my astonishment, he sent me two!! I wanted to honor the sticker in the best way I knew how.

There was a silly Popeye magnet on the front when I got it, that was bolted through a large hole in the hood. I thought this hole would be perfect for making a legit emblem that could hold the sticker and show it off. I got tot work machining the mount. it will get bolted in when we get it back from paint

ol' popeye seen here

new mount design

machined!

[oprn]

Very nice find and a really sweet start to your new hobby! The Impala tail lights are a classic touch.

Enjoy!

P.S. You may not be happy with your dress up distributor cap long term... I have heard.
_________________
We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[The_Thunderbug]

[oprn]

I have not been in the market for them at this point. Maybe someone else knows...
_________________
We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[jsturtlebuggy]

Speedway Motors shows several different years of Impala tail lights in the online catalog.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[torchwerks]

Try United Pacific for taillight lenses

https://upcarparts.com/Search?count=30

[The_Thunderbug]

Thanks!!

[The_Thunderbug]

finally back from paint!! My friends shop did an awesome job, got it all back together and machined a new bracket for the license plate light

[The_Thunderbug]

I am hoping someone can help me out here.
I pulled the original gas tank because it was rusted beyond repair. Thinking it was a 69 gas tank, I got a replacement from j bugs. Obviously I have to cut and weld in a new filler, but when the new tank arrived it wouldn't sit in at all. This was due to the "lobes" shown in the picture not allowing it to sit.

Can anyone help me figure out what this original gas tank is?

This is the original. the bottom is unmodified and has indents so it sits in there nicely

Here is the new one I bought next to the old one. Really need to find out which one I need!

you can see here the lobes that sit in the indents of the tank

[Q-Dog]

The paint looks great. Your original tank should be a mid 60s, up to 1967, with the filler inside the trunk.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[The_Thunderbug]

[Dale M.]

What lobes are you talking about....

There is nothing wrong with new tank....The issue here is old tank has been modified to fit between shock tower bump ups...

_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[Scotie]

That paint looks fantastic. Is it paint or gel coat?

[The_Thunderbug]