Old Rail

[Skellington]

I picked up this random sand rail for really cheap. I figured that I would use it for parts or fix it.

I looked for damage, and this is what I found:
Rusted lower frame

Bent beam?

At this point, I figured that the frame was old and not really worth saving. Everyone told me that it was an old home built, so it's not worth repairing. I noticed that the tubes on this buggy were really nicely bent. Most the frame was made from one tube on either side with many complex bends. No normal person would home build this in the 60s or 70s. I noticed this cap on the swing plates; that's not stock VW.

It was stamped Hooker. I looked up hooker vw parts and I found the very early first engineered sand rail from hooker industries made in the 60s. This sand rail is a Wallabug made from Hooker Industries hot rod company. After finding this out, I decided to repair it.

[Skellington]

I started to strip it down and repair the rust.
Right side rail is pretty bad. Suprisingly, the chassis is still rigid with this swiss cheese frame.

I chopped this little piece of tubing. It was the only other rusted spot besides the lower frame rails.

I pie cut some 1.5" square tubing for the lower rails.

I have prepped the support tubes

And while trying to get things easier to get to, i pulled the rest of the pieces apart.

Now I need to organize my messy garage so I can have space to work. Now I can easily tip the buggy up onto its side to make welding more enjoyable. Nobody likes welding upside down on their back.

[Wulfthang]

That's really cool!

[MikeAdams]

I saw one like that for sale but I have too many projects

SUPER cool you are restoring it
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Trip Report #1:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=222632&highlight=fonts

Trip Report #2: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=248234

[jsturtlebuggy]

It is called a Wallabug made by Gary Hooker of Hooker Headers.
Made back in the late 1960s and from what I understand it was design by Gil George who worked and was part owner of Hooker Headers before starting Funco building off road racing chassis.
Nice buggy to go to the old school buggies events.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[Skellington]

[joemama]

Love it! Really cool old rail. Simple is fun!

[earthquake]

I would put a TEE-PEE exhaust on it for that "Old School" look!
It might be a little hard to fine nowadays.

eQ
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74 CLASS 11 LOOK-A-LIKE
69 DUNE BUGGY
79 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II
05 SCION XB SERIES RELEASE 2[#437]
95 Chevy C3500 dually
98 Ford E150
Link to Kelly J. Nolte 3/20/53 - 11/6/08
https://time-zonelabs.blogspot.com/p/about-kelly.html
DEATH TO CHINGERS!
[From a military recruitment poster in the novel "The Stainless Steel Rat" By Harry Harrison]

[BFB]

Super cool and love the cut back tires.
Keep this thread updated as you go will ya.
_________________
Forced induction can overcome a lot of obsticles that gets in it's way
"You are the Engineer and the Mechanic.  
Build it your way not the way someone else does it. Their way might not work for you." - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
“ The monkey see monkey do mentality seems to run deep in VW people. "Gene Berg said it was so 30 years ago so thats the way it is" “ - bdkw1

[DHale_510]

I replaced my old teepee exhaust a couple of years ago. The Funco design required an odd two piece style to clear the frame. I had to have it all custom made by a header maker and it was a lot more money than back in the day. He used the old rusty one as a pattern but it took a bit of time. I added a stainless Supertrapp muffler and high temp powder paint. It looks better than ever though....
Dennis

[ORANGECRUSHer]

At first glance I wasn't impressed, but seeing what that could be in those old ads changes my mind. I'd bring it right back to what it was. I love vintage.
_________________
Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc