TheSamba.com :: View topic - New project - 1954 VW Beetle Deluxe w/ VW Canada prodn plate

Sat Dec 07, 2024 9:40 pm

Pulled the trigger on the West Coast Interiors fabric kit to match the OG fabric in evidence. This needs to be replaced.

Now to get some work done. Found a local welder to make the tray and rear window repair as needed. In the meantime dealing with minor surgery so a wee bit of recovery time in order.

Thu Dec 12, 2024 4:00 am

Mika has a super nice quality repair panel for your rusted section ! Would be a shame to cut what seems another really good ( even donor) body that maybe still could be used for another project in future ! 54s don't grow on trees anymore... :D

Thu Dec 12, 2024 7:04 am

I understand your thoughts on this as well.... a lot of vw cars and parts have disappeared over the decades. And thanks to new technology and those who have stepped up to reproduce parts accurately and affordable.

I should have taken a full picture to the extent the body has been cut before I got it. The pan is gone, and the b-pillars have been cut for the semaphores. the bottom of the body has been sitting on the ground for decades so the heat channels are rusted pretty badly. Plus the front clip cut off as well. I did order some great repair panels from Mika just as the Canada Post strike started...... Hopefully ends soon!!

The VW Canada plate was saved for the record.

Thu Dec 12, 2024 9:16 am

In the foreground a rare 1953 VW Custom sunroof to be restored. In the background the remains of the '54 donor body.

Fri Dec 27, 2024 6:22 pm

Got some replacement sheet metal today from Virtanen Replacement Panels for both doors and A pillars. This was held up because of the Canada Post strike here but they arrived safely.

Found out both headlights on the car are the originals put on at the factory, noted by arrow mark on glass and two rivets on chrome headlight ring. Hopefully the stone chip on one can be reasonably repaired.

Determined that heater channels have to be replaced. Klassic panels now ordered. Discussions regarding body work continue. Ordered European bumper kit to return to original and.... birth certificate on the way!! Last time I ordered one of these they were free from VW..... oh well.[/img]

Tue Jan 07, 2025 5:27 pm

This is a parcel tray I cut out of a '59 that was intended for your convertible but should work in your '54. It is different from the '54 but since no one will ever see it, it should be Ok

Don

Tue Jan 07, 2025 5:42 pm

This clip is possibly a late '59, but I usually consider this a 1960 because of the rib differences. A '54 is completely different, but this could work. I do not think a '54 rear seat will fit with this clip installed though. In a '54, the rear cargo shelf curves sharply downwards at the front edge, then curves outward at the bottom sharply to meet the crossmembers and the whole lower area is more flat and the seat base sits on it and the seat back meets the sharp upper curve.
I can make pictures if needed of a '54 body and '54 back seat.
As correct as this car is, might as well go all the way.
Best of luck!
Don

Tue Jan 07, 2025 5:48 pm

Oops.. I just replied impulsively seeing this latest picture in the gallery. I forgot the correct '54 package area was already posted above.
I would use that '54 donor car. Other people will want to buy the other donor clip pieces left over too.
Best of luck!
Don

Tue Jan 07, 2025 7:17 pm

Quote: I can make pictures if needed of a '54 body and '54 back seat.

I actually have a 54

However I think you're right. As soon as it warms up a little I can head over to John's place and directly compare the two and figure out if the '59 tray will work or not.

Don

Tue Jan 07, 2025 7:32 pm

I like your '54 too!
I know your clip can weld in and look decent, but I am fairly sure the '54 back seat will not fit in with the later clip.
I do all kinds of vw welding as my hobby, and I have early beetles for each year from 1951-'60.
Still, I learn new details very often even after 30 years. We will know soon.
Thank You.

Thu Jan 16, 2025 6:53 am

Another update.....

Since my garage is not insulated, work is restricted until warmer temperatures and spring show up. -20C is no fun for the fingers.

Since the car came with the engine lid lock from the factory I decided to clean it up The key also operates the ignition. When I bought the car it appeared that the key did not work on the engine lid. However carefully cleaning out the lock and putting graphite in, it now operates smoothly 110%. Cleaning all the locks and door handles has to be the most satisfying part of a restoration.

A couple of new developments.....

Like mkhanshaw, I was also struggling to find somebody to undertake the heat channel project and also door hinge repair who had previous experience. Fortunately, I did find somebody local who had done this for a fellow VW club member on his 1966 Beetle sunroof.

So this work will start in early summer.

Another direction for the '54 Beetle. Years ago I got a NOS set of Foxcraft fender-skirts for my 1959 Beetle Kabriolett and test fit them on my then '53 Canadian Standard.

(As a side-note this '53 still exists under new ownership and hopefully returns to the road after basically being in storage for 50+ years.)

I like the fender-skirt look and discovered Ricardo of Split Parts Unlimited is reproducing them.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1212609

So ordered a set and eagerly wait their arrival. Since they are based on an original set they should fit perfectly in my original German rear fenders. Be aware that reproduction fenders will not fit and need modification!

And also finally decided I will be repainting the car in the original ultra maroon.......

Wed Jan 22, 2025 8:32 am

So the Klassicfab heater channels and firewall arrived yesterday. Along with a pair of well done lower door hinges from Neil Shaddox. A couple of more parts to arrive shortly to complete the list.

One item to be replaced is my H pattern rear apron. Rather than cut two exhaust holes in the apron, the previous owner decided to roll/crush it up to fit. Have ordered Wolfpart but will keep original to see if it can be repaired later.

Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:19 am

Nice updates! It all looks so familiar! Keep at it, it will get there!

Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:05 am

kintail wrote: So the Klassicfab heater channels and firewall arrived yesterday. Along with a pair of well done lower door hinges from Neil Shaddox. A couple of more parts to arrive shortly to complete the list.

One item to be replaced is my H pattern rear apron. Rather than cut two exhaust holes in the apron, the previous owner decided to roll/crush it up to fit. Have ordered Wolfpart but will keep original to see if it can be repaired later.

Those look high quality! Do the heater channels include the bottom section with the nut inserts in them?

Thu Jan 23, 2025 3:00 pm

Yes it is!

Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:10 am

kintail wrote:

Yes it is!

That is great news! I am following your thread as I feel like I may be shortly behind you on work

Fri Jan 24, 2025 3:57 pm

My body guy says summer start but maybe fall. I have lots of prep work to do in the meantime once it warms up. Panel came in yesterday for drivers side rear floor from Mika at http://www.restorationpanels.com/.

Awaiting a couple of other items to arrive. But we are on the same path!!

Sat Jan 25, 2025 6:49 pm

Playing around with a front seat tonight. Lower support needs to be re-welded in properly to get proper fit/tension on cloth upholstery. Was surprised to find large thick cardboard pattern for back of seat.

The tan colour is what the whole seat frame should be painted? Wire for upholstery goes thru two holes in each end of this bottom seat support?

Rear fenders are original!

Sun Jan 26, 2025 3:06 am

Accessory collector since getting into the hobby decades ago. Missing Petri horn ring out of '59 Kabrio,

so adding this to build along with the Foxcraft skirts:

Sat Feb 01, 2025 5:18 am

The 1954 rear apron from Wolfart arrived the other day. A work of art unto itself!! However, it needs a couple of additional parts to fully function.

I have ordered from CIP1 the c-channel strip for the aprons rubber seal to the engine lid. And the Autocraft rear valence with inner strip for the body to engine seal. So will see how these unrelated parts will come together.

The other choice was to salvage my crushed but OG apron for these parts.

Also I am fortunate to have locally Samba member Sunroof with his '54 Cdn Standard experience as a consultant on this build. Don has been extremely helpful and both of us have been in the VW hobby for a long time.