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Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:34 am

Yeah, It was a 71 Coupe that got in a fight with a sawzall. It was like that when I bought it. Never went out lookin for a "roadster " per se, but when I saw this one, I couldnt believe how good the body was.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=354240&highlight=
If you look back to the thread where I bought the car, youll see the doors were crudely welded shut which I think alot of people looked at just saw junk. I actually had another ghia with this one that I couldve replaced the roof with but the more I thought about it - I thought Id just finish what has already been started. I knew I couldn't put the roof back on and make it look right, but I think I can finish it, especially with the help from this fantastic forum

Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:20 pm

I do remember seeing that thread now about the doors welded shut.
I guess if someone has already did all that work to convert it then sure why not ! Its a good solid looking car so it would be a shame not to follow through. Once you get the hang of that welder you can make alot of great things happen :D . Thats the fun part about it you can be creative without having to follow the rules of a stock restoration.
Have fun with it !

Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:52 pm

Nothing ground breaking to report, just a update.
Ive been sanding down all the rough spots mediablasting left and filling in the holes for the trim, etc.
I cut the rain guard off the windshield pillar, maybe you guys know this maybe not - but IF you do this do it in sections and weld it up as you go.
I did it all at once and the sheetmetal is not connected after the cut and will bend easily. got some paint on also.

Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:13 pm

It is sick how clean your car is :shock: wait till you see the crap I have been doing, feels like I am building from scratch :? ...learning a valuable lesson though. 8)

I did the same thing you did on the drip rail, the other thing about that is that on my '63 there is a ton of lead on that pillar and trying to weld that gap back up has created a lead lake underneath the car...

Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:37 pm

slafa wrote: It is sick how clean your car is :shock: .
no doubt, I keep waitin to find something horrible, but it seems every bit of bondo i remove, there just isnt anything their but a lil dent.
I have fond some small pinholes around the headlights, and a few in the rockers - that im not sure how i'll deal with, dont really feel any rust to speak of inside though ( on the headlight anyway)?
Should I just weld em up?

Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:02 am

You should try finding a vert sections to weld in. I saw a resent add
here on samba for cheap. It included windshield frame and rear.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=797775

If sand was used for blasting, You need to treat metal so as to
remove all media from pits in metal. I do not remember what to use,
But it is in liquid form. I blasted a friend 60 somthing Malibu and he
had gallon jug of this stuff and was told he really needed to use it
before primer.

Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:23 am

metal wash? I use metal ready

Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:51 am

brettsvw wrote: You should try finding a vert sections to weld in. I saw a resent add
here on samba for cheap. It included windshield frame and rear.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=797775

If sand was used for blasting, You need to treat metal so as to
remove all media from pits in metal. I do not remember what to use,
But it is in liquid form. I blasted a friend 60 somthing Malibu and he
had gallon jug of this stuff and was told he really needed to use it
before primer.

ahh, I ve thought about it and several other people have suggested it.
My thoughts are, this car is NOT an investment and I dont want to ruin an otherwise decent body trying to patch vert sections on it.
I think it will be fun to finish as-is and Im learning a ton in the process.

as far as the metal wash, does the same apply to mediablast?
I have been spraying it with a rust inhibitor, but havent "washed" it.
Dont really feel any residue, the surface is very rough bare metal. Ive been sanding it down semi-smooth then priming it.

Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:37 am

You will not feel any media by rubbing with your hand. The media beds
itself in the rough surface of the metal.
I do not know what was used to prep the metal as I only was helping a
friend out. My dad owned a industial media blasting company and I
had full use of his equipment. I just remember my friend being very
adamant about how important it was to cleaning the metal before
primer.

Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:40 am

welding the convertible top window at the post is easier than filling in top
of the windshield area where roof was cut off. back area is not bad either.
I know older vert Ghias all started life as a hardtop.

Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:49 pm

well, the sanding in nearly done and im abount ready to apply filler and start smoothing it out - any advice will be appriciated
I thought I would get some poster board and start mocking up the rear end. I don't want to just cover it with fabric, I figure I can always do that after I fail miserably. I would like to close it up and cut some rear seats inlayed in that backing. I thought the first step would be to close up the gap and work form there.
Here is some pics of my mock-up and my lil Helper man.

Tue Jun 16, 2009 12:40 am

Nice work man. Just read your build thread from the beginning. It's real good to see that despite the slightly contriversal decision to make a roadster you carried on with the idea and are making a damn fine job of it too. I take my hat off too you mate. Well done.

Any updates??

Tue Jun 16, 2009 2:22 pm

Thank you for the kind words, I dont see myself being anywhere close to the caliber "builder" compared to most of the guys here doing it but I figure I may as well post it. I have never restored a car before, without major help and Im trying to do this one solo so I can really learn what Im doing and why Im doing it.
As a result of that I decided to not get in a rush, this project for me is more about the build and less about the result .
no updates so far, I have been working on the pan, gonna get some adjusters coming for my beam so maybe soon I'll be able to
make it post some pics attempting to make a adjustable beam.
Also, the PO gave me a TON of parts that I need to get rid of, pretty much a complete ghia in pieces and you can see from my build what im not using. stuff like rear pop-outs, and really good dash pad, door panels, seats are perfect, turn signals ........
Pm me if you need any of this

Tue Jun 16, 2009 2:48 pm

Dude, whether you see yourself as a caliber builder or not at least you get off your arse and have a go yourself which a lot less people seem to do these days.

If you need any pointers on how to do the beam just PM me your email and I'll be happy to give you any advice I can! I'm sure you'll nail it tho.

One more thing. How come all you bloody Americans always seem to have MASSIVE garages! It's just not fair!! I really need to move over there one day :D

Tue Jun 16, 2009 4:01 pm

very nice work indeed.

from a transplanted virginian.

Tue Jun 16, 2009 4:53 pm

F4u5T wrote: Thank you for the kind words, I dont see myself being anywhere close to the caliber "builder" compared to most of the guys here doing it but I figure I may as well post it.

This car is going to kick ass because the builder of it has the Balls to make it happen :D and because of the help and support of other Sambanistas, I know because F4u5T and I are in the same boat, relying heavily on the expertise of those who know better :wink: It is about the journey afterall :D

Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:06 pm

ok , still waiting on the adjusters to get here and I think Im gonna clean the pan up before I take the beam off.

here is what I been tinkering with lately. Not gonna go back with original taillights and I have made a template close to what I want.
Not quite sure how to go about actually creating it, suggestions are always welcomed.
My plan is to split the block into half, the employ Slafa's air chisel technique to work the metal into shape and weld the halfs together.
Ive seen some slick hotrods that use LED strips for taillights, that are flush with the body. Thinkin of doing that right up the edges for my lights.
What do you guys think? Stupid unobtainable idea ?

Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:49 pm

Just remember the light got bigger so you could see the cars from the side.My car at night is stealth unless you are behind it.Nice work so far.

Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:02 pm

i think before trying two sep pieces I would try one piece with a sorta v cut at each end. once its shaped weld where the cuts meet and you might have what you want.
maybe make a paper template over it to get a rough idea of the shape of the v cut. hope that all made sense.

Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:38 pm

I don't share your vision, but no one I know shares mine. I say if it's what you want, go for it!