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

Sat Feb 01, 2025 12:19 pm

Another great update! It is always so much fun getting those new panels in hand! That apron looks AWESOME! Keep up the great work!

Sat Feb 01, 2025 2:04 pm

kintail wrote: 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.

I am doing this exact same step and same parts on my '55. As you could expect, nothing fits perfect right out of the box. I will try to document my progress as I go. The challenge I see is getting the engine seal channels to line up properly with the side channels at the same relative height for a good seal fit.

Sat Feb 01, 2025 2:19 pm

I look forward to your insights on this undertaking. The challenge focus is the reason why the apron comes not "complete"! is my guess as well.

Sat Feb 01, 2025 2:23 pm

Check out pages 27 and 36 in my 54 build. It is all on putting those rear pieces in. Took me a few times to get it all correct!

Sun Feb 02, 2025 1:20 am

In between waiting for parts, I think everybody here passes the time by reading about others experience and recording our journey for others to learn by. So I have been reading yours VW_Jimbo, and I appreciate the page references 27/36 for rereads.......and the many photos to go thru step by step. 8)

Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:19 am

A few more parts arrived today. One of them being a complete WW wiring kit for the '54. After looking at this mess

and realizing that paint stripping as well on 70 yr old wiring that already had a few questionable repairs. Another CIP sale once again came to the rescue @ $520 Cdn. Just when you think you have all the parts for the build, always something else!

Tue Feb 11, 2025 10:40 am

The problems Dan22 is having with the inner apron part is something we have seen here before, can't remember where but definitely seen this process before.

I will say to kintail that when he ordered the part I was aware of the fitment issues but didn't say anything because as bad as it is, it is the only game in town so we just have to suck it up and proceed as best we can.

Having done the work of fitting the rear apron and bumper bracket mounts in the past what I will say is that it helps a lot to have an original set of fenders to help locate everything, which Scott has. A set of clecos and bunch of patience will get you there. Also helpful is that Scott bought a Wolfparts rear apron so he can know that at least that part is correct. What is really nasty is when everything is as bad as the inner apron part, then you are lost.

Don

Wed Feb 12, 2025 11:50 am

Show us a picture of your crunched up rear apron and the inside valence. Some guys have rebuilt the original.

Wed Feb 12, 2025 2:52 pm

As background,my garage has a 2013 STI and related parts , plus some estate items from last Nov, that need recycling...... leading me to be crammed in a corner. All solvable in a couple of months......

Engine in with muffler which blocks the $$ shot. Which leaves outside and inside apron shots for speculation.

I think the inside piece with the body to engine seal may be fine. Which Dan had to do some tricks to fit. The passenger side lower rear apron appears pushed in more compared to drivers side lower which looks pushed out from beating the apron up to clear the tailpipes.

Another 10 days before the weather warms up......muffler removal next target!

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Fri Feb 14, 2025 5:51 pm

Thanks for the extra photos. That apron does not looks so bad from those views. Looks restorable.

If you end up replacing it, don't destroy it during the removal. Someone would rebuild it especially if it is original.

Fri Feb 14, 2025 6:28 pm

Not bad, but not good with muffler off.

Fri Feb 14, 2025 6:36 pm

Send that apron to me!

Fri Feb 14, 2025 6:50 pm

So the c-channel for the engine to body seal provides a shelf or anther conduit for the taillight wire?

Jimbo - will see what Cam wants to do...... and the assessment is it will buff out?

Fri Feb 14, 2025 10:57 pm

kintail wrote: Jimbo - will see what Cam wants to do...... and the assessment is it will buff out?

Easily! But if not, let me know what I owe to ship!

Mon Feb 17, 2025 3:55 pm

Your bumper mounts might be OK. As you stated on my thread, take the fenders off and access all the conditions. Be careful taking out those special 14mm fender and bumper bolts. Use penetrating oil and back and forth action to get them loose and not spin off the weld nut or break the bolt.

Keep all those bolts even if you want to replace them with new! They are only used on the oldest cars.

Wed Feb 19, 2025 1:01 pm

It's finally here!! Ordered early in December '24, the wait was well worth it. Two photos compare the faded original to the new original. Perfection!!

And do I put the original markings on the back of the front door card and back seat?

Wed Feb 19, 2025 4:13 pm

Nice! WWCI seems to do good work. I bought their seat cover and door panels. They are nearby me and I see them at the local shows. It all looks good.

Wed Feb 19, 2025 5:35 pm

Their attention to detail in matching the original colour and fabric texture and matching carpet is as close to perfection as you can get. You pay for this of course, but is well worth it. I'm very pleased!

Sun Feb 23, 2025 4:52 am

Weather warming up. Removed gas tank to find more rust at bottom of front firewall. This matches rust evidence in the front heater channels inner firewall. A couple more green panels ordered.... Master brake cylinder wiring not attached but will be addressed on new harness install. Maybe add new steering coupler to list. Also the new gas line shown (cut) in the photo was looped around the passenger side steering tie rod. Every time the steering wheel turned the fuel line rubbed against the steering tie rod.... mainly caused by not replacing the original fuel reserve valve/filter and using a direct gas fitting to the tank!

Mon Feb 24, 2025 8:11 am

Wow screw terminals on the brake light switch. Might be original to the car.

Don