1958 L245 Beetle - Back to driver build

[bavarian1]

Well I finally have some time to put some pics together of a project I started in May. Its been about 15 years since my last VW resto, '63 panel, which now looking at prices I should have held on to, but had a couple kids etc, oh well...

So after looking casually for a few month's I found a '58, good price and the pan was solid, so it was a go. I really wanted to stay pre '61 because I like the smaller window's and the glass tails. This time I wanted to build something I could drive and enjoy. The last car I did ended up being a trailer queen and I feel like I was cheated from really experiencing it. I miss the fun of driving an old VW.

I have gotten quite a bit done so the post's will be going up quick to catch up.

First was the tow trip home

Unloaded and figure out what I need to source,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bavarian1]

More of the work that needed to be done,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bavarian1]

Even though it looks rough, compared to some of my other cars I don't see it as a huge project,

Missing generator, fan, carb, air cleaner, inspection covers and has wrong decklid, and one wrong wheel, but other than that all the pieces were there.

Seats, OG door panels, wiring all there and only one cut at last 6" on a tail lamp,
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bavarian1]

Front had a hit,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bavarian1]

Pan was nice and solid though,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bavarian1]

Engine pull, time to break out the putty knife, wire brush and Gunk engine cleaner,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[stale air]

Looks like a pretty solid start. Its alway great to see another L245 car being saved.
Keep the updates comimg!
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WANTED: Henry Veale Santa Rosa plate frames
WANTED: Brittsan Motors Fresno plate frames
WANTED: Any Georgia plate frames

[caleb0101]

[stale air]

[bavarian1]

Fuel tank valve shot, and a pinhole leak in tank,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bavarian1]

[bavarian1]

Parts washer, Ebay $160 shipped, LOVE IT!!!

Lots of cleaning

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[Bug-nut]

Sweet!!! Another '58-'59 being saved. Keep up the good work my friend. Subscribed!
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1959 Fjord Blue Volkswagen Beetle
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

1962 Austin-Healey Sprite

[bavarian1]

All the seat frames were in good shape, padding had original backing cards and tags,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bavarian1]

Front end was going to need a rebuild, original steering bushing was destroyed,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bavarian1]

Meanwhile pull the trans and cleaned up underneath the car. Brushed off the surface rust and dirt and hit it with a coat of rust inhibitor,

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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White

[bus guy]

Nice project!

[wcfvw69]

Agree, nice project. What's your plan on the nose repair of the front quarter panels? I'm hoping you pull them back out or have a body shop pull them out.

I see so many bug owners cutting off minor damaged front clips that could be easily pulled back out and the metal massaged to where you'd never know it had an impact.

Keep up the good work.
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Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[Volktales]

I second the pulling of the front apron instead of replacement. My own '66 had been hit hard enough that the inner structure was deformed around the front axle. Bought a reproduction clip assembly and quickly realized it was of very poor quality. Took the car to a reputable body shop and asked them their opinion. They attached it to their frame machine and pulled the front end back into shape without any issue. I was very pleased, especially when realizing the kinks in the quarter panel completely disappeared during the pulling.
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1974 "Restfalia" Camper 2000 cc EFI 2001-
1970 Beetle first car, rotten, yard art 1985-
1966 Sunroof Beetle, restored 1998-
1964 Ghia, ongoing project 2007-
1962 Beetle Beryl,original paint survivor 2012-
1970 Savannah Beige Beetle 2012-
1992 16v GTI, 100% stock 2006-
1991 "Terseo", wife's old daily 1995-
1969 Chevrolet CST/10 (family owned since new)
1965 Gold Corvair Monza 2021-
1966 and 1965 Monza 2022-

[bavarian1]