TheSamba.com :: View topic - VanSlyke VW

Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:47 pm

Looks like you found yourself a nice dry DC. Nice work on the dogleg and corner . good luck with it .

Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:32 am

Thank You!

More History:

I got an email this past weekend from Michael in Tennessee. (Very cool guy) It turns out that there is a high probability that his brother in law (Ty) may have been a previous owner of the Van Slyke around 1992. Michael shared numerous stories including details of a 3 way trade which he was involved in to get it from the PO. (thing, bug, truck) as well as more history on the dealer, and it's place in town. Michael also shared some background on the local VW scene, and gave me some leads on who might be able to help me track down some information. I have Ty's cell number and I hope to talk to him in the next day or so. Stay tuned.

Thanks again Michael :D

Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:39 am

Just a bit of mid-week progress,

I got one lower gate channel trimmed and fitting nice. Time for POR-15 and a bit of spot welding.

Next, I spent an hour or so on the ground hammering the passenger side corner. It turned out much better than expected and I've decided not to use my Gerson lower truck corner. Some more hammer dolly work, and some time with the shrinking disc should get it very close with minimal filler necessary.

Stoked!

Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:06 pm

its been a LONG time since i read this thread..and i am floored!! has come suchh a long way!! keep going. dont stop.

Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:49 am

Thanks Blue.

I'm really enjoying working on this truck. Even during the cold ass winter we had. I'm learning as I go with welding, panel fitting, body work, etc. Plus I get a bunch of new tools.

Recent progress:
From this:

To this:

Next Sunday (Easter) will be 1 year of me owning this truck.

Mon May 11, 2009 10:18 am

Been busy lately with a new son and work and all, but here are some update.

I decided to use the tall Gerson outer with hinge mounts, and I'm glad I did. It needed only minor tweaks at the rocker to get nice gaps all around. Here it is all welded up with a new to the truck cargo door swinging very nicely.

Mocked up with dogleg before welding.

The rear floor is pretty solid, however, I did cut a new piece for the outer inch and a half. You can also see the welding on the B pillar.

I decided to just patch the front floor. Here is my patch piece just tacked in while I fit an inner dogleg patch. Note my poor attempt at the pressing.

I've also tacked in my drivers side battery tray. Still waiting to finish the corner.

I hope to get the gates swinging soon, as well as finish the corner. Then maybe some primer. Ooooh-we am I looking forward to block sanding.l

Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:05 am

- Gerson drivers Side Floor In.

- Passenger side gate bottom channel done. gate swinging.

- Small patches on the a-pillar and the inner dogleg.
- A couple coats of POR15 on the hidden ares.
- Pulled my heaterboxes, and some tin to be cleaned up and painted.

My Dogleg is still not in, but it fits like a glove. I hope to have that in real soon, and get going on my drivers side gate and wheel well.

Just got to find the time.

Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:56 pm

Well, after a couple months of fitting, I finally got the Gerson dogleg outer welded in.

Got the truck turned around, then spent a bunch of hours cleaning the garage. It was nice to literally turn the corner.

Welded up about 40 holes in the nose where someone went crazy welding nails. I hope to spread some Kitty hair soon.

Also made some progress on the drivers side corner and wheelwell.

Before:

After:

I wanted to keep as much OG metal as possible, since it is so nice. The wheel well is mostly welded in and metal finished now. The corner needs a bit more final fitting, then it's ready to get crimped.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:46 am

Any progress? I hope this doesn't end up as another father/son project that never happened. Although having a new little one does tend to force your priorities into the correct order.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:58 pm

Been a bit sidetracked for a while, but I'm back into it.

I got a new single bay shop to work in, so I can make a mess and not worry about dust in places it shouldn't be.

CE Safaris went in today. I also turned the pop-out around on the third door. (Doublecab thing) Just a bit of finish welding and grinding, then I can really get into the sanding and paint. I'm shooting for mid-summer to be assembling. I hope it's this summer.

Wed Jan 31, 2018 7:31 pm

Figured I'd take a shot at reviving an old thread. Any progress on the DC? We appreciate all the info on the sheet metal repair.

Van Slyke VW/Subaru of Knoxville was still a going concern in May of 1980 when they sold my 1979 Black Super Beetle Convertible Epilog new. I spoke to its original owner, and he said that his wife wanted the white Convertible they also had in stock, but it had some mechanical issue, so they bought the black one. I too would like to find a Van Slyke dealer plate. Attached is a photo of my 63 DC.

Sat Jun 22, 2019 3:07 pm

I grew up and lived in Knoxville for years. My 69 beetle and 72 Super Beetle were bought new from Van Slyke. I now use the Van Slyke license frame on my 66 even though it did not come from there. They serviced a 77 Rabbit that I owned in the early 80s' so they were still in business then. Snider Volkswagen was the other VW dealer in Knoxville during those days.

Mon Jul 01, 2019 2:22 pm

Great thread, how did it turn out ???

This was my '63, the day I sold it in 2005.. :cry: :cry: :cry: