1960's Spatz Buggy Build with 1972 Super Beetle Chassis.

[Turmoil]

I picked up a 1972 Super Beetle a few years ago with the intentions of fixing it up. Well that plan never really got going and when talk of a dune buggy build started with my boy, the search for a body was on. We live on an island so getting it home was as big of a challenge as finding one. We located one luckily on Craigslist on Cape Cod and headed off in my truck to bring it home.

Before we could get started, we had to finish the garage. Buggy had to sit outside for a little longer.

With the garage finished, the project will soon get started!

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[weasel_ugs]

If your planning on using the super beetle as a donor you cant use the pan unless you change the pan head.

Very nice garage.

[andygere]

Nice looking shop, are you on the Vineyard? The first dune buggy I ever saw was heading out on the Provinceland dunes in the early '70s. I wonder if yours ever prowled the sand up there?

[Turmoil]

Thanks for the shop comments, really excited to finally have it finished! We live on Nantucket.

We had great fun taking the body off. Saving a few things and not saving a lot of things.

Chassis cleaned up and ready to be stripped. Frame head ordered and now time to try and find a ball joint front end. I want to stick with the 4 lug look.

[Turmoil]

Not to much progress but did manage to get all the super beetle front suspension removed or cut off. Will tackle the napoleon hat soon.

I have this ordered and on its way

[andygere]

Looks like god progress to me. Keep up the good work.

[Turmoil]

Well removing the napoleon hat bracket and remaining front super beetle frame head was NOT fun! I spent the time to drill out the spot welds but the places it was welded did not come apart easy. I made a mess of the hat.

I was looking at another post and noticed a frame head with the napoleon hat attached. I was wondering if anyone had a thought on who sells them, I have not had any luck locating one. The frame head I have ordered does not have the hat attached.
Thanks

[Turmoil]

Not much happening outside of a stripped chassis and a a lot of parts cleaning.

[Turmoil]

I haven't updated in awhile but we have made good progress.

Frame marked and cut. Took our time and made straight cuts.

Fitted the pieces back together and experimented with temperature setting on new welder.

Back together with new frame head for ball-joint front end.

[David17HMR]

Looking good
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64 pan Spatz body

[rubenski]

x2

[EVfun]

Clean work. I have one bit of advice. The frame tunnel has been known to crack starting with the slots for the heater controls. I would recommend taking some of the metal from the section you cut out and using it to weld up and remove those slots in the frame.
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[hillmotorsports]

If you can pry them out of Brad's hands Turnkey Manx make a gorgeous reinforcement for that part of the frame, as well as another for the pedal area.
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Rosemarie and Paul Hill
Morrisburg, Ontario

(With way more projects than spare time!)

[Turmoil]

Thanks! Good call on the heater control cuts, they will be welded up soon.

Started on the 3" body lift. 1 1/2" x 3" tube stock.

Used a plasma cutter to narrow for correct fit.

Rear piece ended up lower but will deal with that later.

Finished the rough fit.

All welded up.

[Turmoil]

Fitted the body before welding 3" frame to chassis.

Finishing the end caps and stitch welding everything solid.

Double checking seats track correctly.

[hillmotorsports]

You might consider drain/vent holes in the lower part of all your 3" tunes, at least to allow condensate to drain. Otherwise I would be concerned about internal corrosion.
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Rosemarie and Paul Hill
Morrisburg, Ontario

(With way more projects than spare time!)

[Turmoil]

Chassis painted with etching primer.

3M Seam sealer next.

Lastly, U-Pol Raptor bed liner. MAKE SURE YOU WEAR GOOD RESPIRATOR, THIS STUFF IS BRUTAL!

[cudabear]

Very nice quality work.

[joescoolcustoms]

Very nice high level quality work. That will make a very nice solid chassis.
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Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race

Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.

Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone

[Turmoil]

Thank you, we appreciate your words!