1975 Beetle Convertible Resto/Mod Build-Chop,Dash,Suicide,Shave.

[MACJELLY58]

Just a quick update. I got it flipped on to it's side to work on the stuff that I saved for later. Well, it's now later. There was more than I remembered. I knew I had to fix up the Heater channel reinforcement welds and add a few more. But, I totally forgot about the rear fender areas and the front of the Heater Channel. Of course the Heater Channel I bought did not exactly fit and I had to "adjust' it a bit, which left some spaces. It took up the whole weekend. It feels a lot better though.

And then the other side. 'Til next time.

[VW_Jimbo]

That’s the way, uha uha, I like it, uha, uha. Yeah, that’s the way I like it.

Nice job JELLYMAN!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Epilog79]

Progress is progress is progress. That thing will be so much stronger and stiffer with all the under side welding. Way to keep nibbling away at it.

[Buggeee]

Tight like that the car is going to be a joy to drive.
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1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[MACJELLY58]

Thanks my Bruddahs~

Much appreciated, You checking in on me.
Thankfully, I think I'm on the last "Major" STUPID thing. Still got a bunch "Minor" stupid things for later.

I always thought the old "Rumble" seats of the past were pretty awesome. I never had a chance to ride in one, but really cool. So, next up is installing a folding single rear seat. I harvested this one from my old 2010 Explorer's third row seating. I took the one with the attached seat belt mount.

I stripped it down and found a lot of surface rust. The Foam looked alright. The first obvious problem was the rear mounting feet. They were of different heights.

Another problem with this seat is the height of the back. Folded down in the Explorer, it gave a good amount of space. But in the back of the Bug, it would severely interfere with the two front seats.

So, I cut it down a bit. This also made it a little easier to work with and test fit.

Then, fabricated the mounting feet extensions to the same height. I had to fiddle with this a bit. The height and the distance between the front mounting and the rear mounting drastically changes the angles of the seat, both in the upright and folded down positions.

I just tacked them in and clamped the seat in for a test fit. After getting it situated as best that I could, I drilled the mounting holes and bolted it in.

After making sure that it all worked, I cut some reinforcement plates outta the remainder of the Door bar leftovers. Then, bolted them in place to make sure I welded them in at the right place.

Same thing for the front mounting to the Cross Support.

I went to the final welding of the mounting feet to make it, "Strong, like Bull".
I totally forgot to remove the seat foam and melted a little bit while grinding. Not terrible, I can fill it in later.

Anyway, I got the Feet all filled in and put in some angles for more support.

Then another test fit to make sure nothing magically moved of shifted.

Next, was to fit the top of the seat back. I trimmed it up as much as I could and welded that back on. Trying to keep the protruding to a minimum. I think I mentioned that, I'm sorta a large guy(and getting larger by the day!!)

And...another test fitting. Folded down, with the foam installed, the seatback slants slightly upwards towards the front seats. That's okay with me, it should help keep items from sliding forward during braking.

Exhausting. The cut down seatback is now about 18-5/16" high. Passable, but I removed the Headrest foam and plan to add the cut off section to the Headrest. That way, it can add another 6 to 7 inches to the setback. Then can be folded down towards the floor. HAH!! ..... We'll see how that goes.

[Epilog79]

Wow, I am always amazed by your resourcefulness and creativity. Who would have thought to scavenge that particular set of seats and make them work? I have seen a set of Audi TT mk1 rear seats in the back of a convertible bug, but you’re going to out do those.
Keep up the good work.
Besides since my kids were middle schoolers, no one has sat in the back seat of my bug. It’s just a place to hold the chair and cooler.

[MACJELLY58]

Thanks EPI.

I was just gonna have it a two seater, with the rear as a nice flat "Cargo" area. You know nice and clean. Then I got to thinking, it would be nice to have an emergency seat just in case. Say, If the Wife and I are out cruising and I get a call from my Girlfriend...then at least my wife has a place to sit.

[MACJELLY58]

I only had an afternoon this weekend, but I was able to get a little further on the rear seat. Hopefully, these pics will give you a better idea of what I'm going for.

I cleaned up the cut out portion of the seat back and cleaned it up. As it happens, it's just about the same size as the Headrest.

I cut the foam to fit the new back's shorter size.

Then, cut and welded the Headrest bar to the small section. And then, to the seat.

I think it looks like the robot in the movie, "Heavy Metal". Yah, dating myself.
But, that puts the seat back height at 25 inches. Just about at the top of my shoulders.

[DUNGBTL]

Love the creativity of your build!

No criticism here, and it’s hard to tell from the pics, but make sure that the rumble seat front beam has enough cross section to transfer the load to the sides w/o deflecting. A tube section connecting to the floor and attaching mid beam could help if needed.

Carry on…love the build!

J.

[vamram]

You're like "AAA-Demolishing, Inc." Can't stop cutting and burning metal, can ya?

Man, this is going to be a crazy (as in great) car!
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
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'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
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Save the Supers!!

[MACJELLY58]

Thanks DUNBTL !

I used to feel kinda lonely, until I saw your build. You sure got yourself something Very different there. I...like it! If only I had the skills.

As for the Cross Beam thingy, I was worried too. The Convertible apparently uses that as support, as well as, the Heater Channel reinforcement. It seems a lot more Beefy than the sedans. Also, the seat is only wide enough for skinny people. I'll have to see. Thanks for looking out for me.

Hey VAMRAM

First off, sorry about the state that your car came back in. At least the paint job is freaking Awesome. Love the Blue!!
Thankfully, I think I'm at the end of the STUPID stuff. Just gotta paint, reassemble, upholster and a Motor!!

[MACJELLY58]

I had a few hours today, so I finished up the seatback extension. I needed to make it less," Flesh Slicing". I dug up some 1\4" round bar....You guessed it, it's from the bed Box Frame.

Cut off two sections and welded them onto the top and bottom. This stiffens it up as well.

Then I cut some scrap to connect and cap the two pipe supports. Sprayed the Weld Though on them and some on the inside of the Pipes.

Welded those on and I'm done!! Well, with messing with it. I started to clean it up. Ran outta time.

[MACJELLY58]

Just got a little cleaning and painting in this weekend. Just some pics for a satisfying looksie.

Waiting for that to dry, I trimmed and glued the Seatback into one piece.