Neil's bubbletop volksrod build

[nshaddox]

well, started wrenching on vws when I was 12. 28 now. so more than half a lifetime invested in the hobby now. I generally haven't had tons of fancy tools beyond a decent welder, but vws are pretty curvy so you have to learn how to make metal do weird things to work on them since they are all rusty now. you can do a lot with hammers pipes and chunks of wood. the English wheel is nice too for smoothing things out but very slow and limited with what it can do-or maybe with what I can do with it? still a beginner after all.

want to illustrate what can be done with some pretty basic tooling and a bit of time. maybe inspire people to get a little more creative and challenge themselves.

[nshaddox]

So does anyone know if I can run a stock fuel pump higher than the lower part of the gas tank and not have issues? Asking because I have an electric fuel pump in the parts bin and reading through its instructions saw something about how it should be mounted no more than 2' above the bottom of the tank. Does the same hold true for a stock pump? Would prefer to run mechanical for its simplicity. Both are creating pressure differentials to move fluid, so it seems like mechanical should work but maybe the capacities are different?

[andk5591]

Yes - only issue is that you may need to kind of prime the pump initially - as in have gas in the tank, and remove the hose at the back of the car until the line is full of gas and then reconnect it.

I have used gas cans on the floor and the stock pump will pull up some, but if the line is full of air, it doesnt always draw.

Even right now, the car I am starting on has a gallon solvent can sitting beside the engine with a rubber hose coming out of the top (carb height) and it runs fine. Wouldn't drive too far like that though
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[nshaddox]

cool. i'll keep my fingers crossed.

got former front fenders welded in on the sides of the car today.

[cwat1982]

Wow... such a cool project!!

Always watching for updates.
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1970 Joe Poty Sand Rover T Bug Pickup, 2095cc

[nshaddox]

worked half of yesterday and all day today.
pretty good amount of progress.

started by forming more close off bits for the 'c-pillars,' idea being that will keep shape similar from side to side.

then formed some outer skins. just a slight curve to them.
here are the results

some slight differences between the two sides, but did a bit of hammer and dolly work after the photos and feel like its possible to fine tune them to be closer.

also got a bunch of stuff for the steering set up.

quick release for the wheel, dune buggy shaft that I can cut down to length (went with 7/8" diameter since that's the same as stock more or less and I want to use the stock type upper bearing and steering column) u-joint and splined ends for it. going to wait for bubble before determining the proper length.

also came up with an idea for tackling the rear body work but want some constructive criticism.

think that looks alright?

[TheGreenVW]

Keep up the good work, it's looking great!

[cdennisg]

I like the overall shape of the mock up. Is there any need to add vents/gills/intake in that area for engine air flow?
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nothing

[nshaddox]

Shouldn't be any need for engine vents since engine will be exposed.

[cdennisg]

How about outflow for venting to the passenger compartment? That thing is gonna be a terrarium on a hot, sunny day.
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nothing

[nshaddox]

Yea. Plan is to leave firewall up front relatively open and area around transmission exposed as well for air flow. Not totally open, but haven't figured out yet how closed off. Will have to just keep adding until I feel it's 'done.'

Might also drive with bubble slightly open in back for same reason.

[WooleyNelson]

the further along you get with this, the better I like it!!!

keep up the great work and innovative design.

also, keep posting your progress, it keeps me coming back.

[nshaddox]

couple more panels formed, driver side installed.

decided to put some reverse in the panel to blend better with the headlight bucket and break up the side panel a bit more

concept

panels ready

driver side installed.

[andk5591]

That was tough to sort out (rear). I keep forgetting that you need rear wheels Now - is it being left open above the headlight bucket?
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[nshaddox]

Funny, I keep forgetting I need rear wheels too. Looks like it should just hover.

Rear wheel wells will be closed out kinda like a stock bug from headlights up. Think I posted a pic with a template to illustrate it yesterday.

[andk5591]

OK - With ya know. Yea - I liked the way to had that boxed in. Nice flow around the wheel. Wasnt sure if you were deleting that or not.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[nshaddox]

passenger side in place now

also made another ring to attach a seal to for sealing the bubble hatch assembly to the body. D profile weather strip will go on right. water should travel in left channel with lip all the way to the low point at the front where I have to figure out how to drain it out of the rockers.

[nshaddox]

couple more panels fabricated today, got the driver side in, need to trim and roll the edge on the passenger side piece and weld it in this weekend hopefully.

raw panel

drivers side in place

[andk5591]

I like that a lot.....You do know this thing is getting too pretty.....
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[eyetzr]

Looks great, I keep thinking that it needs something at the rear that looks like wings. If you watch a lady bug right as it lands, the wings protrude on the back before they are drawn in. The hood lines are already there and you could slip some cool tail lights in there as well. This build is looking like something from Men in Black. I am loving this build. Cheers
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I think he meant "rare", as in "not well-done"