TheSamba.com :: View topic - My '59 Beetle project. Fresh Pics Added Regularly!!

Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:54 pm

Thanks Man.. I went looking for a 60-63 ragtop and came home with this Oct 1st. I ordered sheet metal starting Oct 11th. And here we are 3 weeks later with 90% of the metal work done.. Well over 100 hrs so far. A pure joy to bring one back from the dead.. It was for sale for over 3 yrs from what I've been told. Last 2 yrs it's sat outside. Here is the worst part of the rot. The left rear floor beneath the rear seat 4 weeks ago during tear down : If you look close you can see the rear tire through the holes.

4 weeks later with new metal:

Worth every second of work... Steve

Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:21 pm

WOW!! Great work! Most people (myself included) would have parted that one out and scrapped the body. It's great to see it being brought back. =D>

Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:34 pm

CUSHE63 wrote:

Enjoy, Steve

russell wrote:

CUSHE63 - nice work...Its nice to see things done right

Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:37 pm

bugdust wrote: WOW!! Great work! Most people (myself included) would have parted that one out and scrapped the body. It's great to see it being brought back. =D>

I think that's why it sat for sale for so long.. It took someone special to "save" it from being parted.. I love a challenge. So far it has lived up to it. At least the roof was straight and rust free !!!

Steve

Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:39 pm

70 140 wrote: CUSHE63 wrote:

Enjoy, Steve

russell wrote:

CUSHE63 - nice work...Its nice to see things done right
I am not sure if Russell's hackery makes CUSHE's work look that much better or if CUSHE's mastery of body work makes Russell look like even more of a chump. Either way I am suoer impressed.

Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:58 pm

Thanks guys.. Next up: a 6 day vacation to Phoenix with my wife. I will be looking for parts for the bug of course, and I need to pick some parts up that I bought from here also. Friends, Nascar, alcohol and the Gym !!!

Next week I will be removing the "roll cage" braces from inside the car. And installing the front package area, front apron, spare tire well , and misc wheelhouse metal..

Later, Steve

Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:03 pm

Steve, you could have fun (as you have stated in previous post) for the rest of your life if you took this to a buisness level. Great job so far. Have fun.

Thu Nov 09, 2006 8:36 am

bmtx, I started working on cars when I was 15. My Dad told me to find a job with computers... I did and hated it. So fast forward 8 yrs to 1987. I wanted to see if I could make it working in a Bodyshop. The manager at the shop I am still at took a chance on a kid with lots of talent, but no one wanted to give me a shot. He is now the shop supervisor/assistant manager ( at 78 yrs old). I look forward to work almost every day. I especially like it when I am busy. With this '59 Beetle that is taken care of. I resore cars for the Owner of the dealership I work for. 67 Austin Healey, 53 Chevrolet Pickup, 72 Cutlass Convertable 455, 69 MG, 2 69 Camaro Z-28's and so on. He isn't afraid to spend money on his cars. Lots of fabrication goes into them too. Right now we are in the middle of a GMC motorhome. FWD, All fiberglass body...Hopefully by this time next yr it will be done. But for me... it's all about the Beetle !!!!

Steve

Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:20 pm

one of these?

I always thought they were wild looking with those little vandura tail lights...

Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:49 pm

70 140 wrote: one of these?

I always thought they were wild looking with those little vandura tail lights...

That's the one !!!! Just like one of those.. Gonna be cool when we are done.

Steve

Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:26 pm

CUSHE63 wrote:

Worth every second of work... Steve

Looking good!

I need to replace those rear cross members as well and was debating how to cleanly cut the old ones out. Mine also appears to need that little patch you've done just above it.

Thanks for that picture as it makes it quite clear.

Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:07 pm

coW wrote: CUSHE63 wrote:

Worth every second of work... Steve

Looking good!

I need to replace those rear cross members as well and was debating how to cleanly cut the old ones out. Mine also appears to need that little patch you've done just above it.

Thanks for that picture as it makes it quite clear.

Mine were easy to remove, because there wasn't much left to cut out. But they are really simple. Just drill out the spot welds and carefully trim out with an air chisel. The top panels were from a parts car floor. But they too were a pretty easy repair. I just had some minor areas to fill. If you need any support or pointers, just ask !!! Go for it !!

Steve

Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:01 pm

Wow Steve, thats coming out nice.

Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:06 pm

Steve,

I bought my '63 Anthracite 2 years ago. I'm planning the resto.

Right before I bought it, I drove down to Ft. Wayne on a tip to see the exact car you're restoring. It was too much for me. I'm glad you're bringing it back to life. A lot of work that I couldn't do, but glad you are.

Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:09 pm

CUSHE63 wrote:

4 weeks later with new metal:

Worth every second of work... Steve

Wow. From Tetanus city to like new!

Out of curiosity what's the final vision? Of course I'd like to see it slammed!

Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:19 pm

Tim, My boys want to slam it. I think lower, but not too far will do for me. Black will be the color. Maybe 2 toned off white. Stock looking with 12v updates. Nice stereo, beige interior. Maybe leather. It came with red and white interior, leatherette. Maybe white walls with original rims and caps. But I also like the looks of the american eagle 5 spoke. We will see.

Steve

Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:57 am

Cushe63 you do some amazing work.:shock: Congrats.=D> You have made me start looking into the parts for my bus.:D Thanks for the insperation to start on my project. 8)

Geno :D

Sat Nov 11, 2006 8:26 am

gmag69 wrote: Cushe63 you do some amazing work.:shock: Congrats.=D> You have made me start looking into the parts for my bus.:D Thanks for the insperation to start on my project. 8)

Geno :D

Thanks Geno !! If I can help in any way, just email me. [email protected]. I found Wolfberg West, CIP1 and MidAmerica the best places to deal with. Great service, Good prices, communication, fast delivery, great online stores and so on. I ordered other catalogs from elsewhere, but some I haven't received yet. After 5 weeks, that's enough waiting. I will deal with the vednors that responded right away. I have spoken with the 3 I listed on the phone too. Before I even ordered and all 3 where very helpful and forthcoming with info. Just compare prices. It seems there are only a couple of manufactures of the sheetmetal, so I went with the lowest priced. I'm Happy so far !

Steve

Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:30 am

CUSHE63 wrote: gmag69 wrote: Cushe63 you do some amazing work.:shock: Congrats.=D> You have made me start looking into the parts for my bus.:D Thanks for the insperation to start on my project. 8)

Geno :D

Thanks Geno !! If I can help in any way, just email me. [email protected]. I found Wolfberg West, CIP1 and MidAmerica the best places to deal with. Great service, Good prices, communication, fast delivery, great online stores and so on. I ordered other catalogs from elsewhere, but some I haven't received yet. After 5 weeks, that's enough waiting. I will deal with the vednors that responded right away. I have spoken with the 3 I listed on the phone too. Before I even ordered and all 3 where very helpful and forthcoming with info. Just compare prices. It seems there are only a couple of manufactures of the sheetmetal, so I went with the lowest priced. I'm Happy so far !

Steve

You deserve the props your work is amazing. I hope my bus turns out that nice. Good luck with the rest of the project. You'll have a sweet ride there when you're done.

Geno :D

Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:23 am

Nice work Steve. It looks great!