Walt's 1973 412 Barn Find

[NurseryWalt]

Chris Walden, that is a 1991 Nissan Figaro. The color is Topaz Mist. There were four pastel colors signifying the four seasons. Mine is fall. I bought it in 2007 with 57,000 kms on it. It is Right Hand Drive, but a lot of fun! Thanks for noticing.

Walter
_________________
'66 Bug with collector plate and '73 412 project

[chicagovw]

Any update on this project?

[NurseryWalt]

Hello ChicagoVW and others! Sorry for the delay in updates. There have been a few, but always with many weeks of nothing. The mechanic was able to install the engine and transmission. Then the VW went back to the Upholsterer for the front and rear window install. Then it went back to the mechanic who was finally able to start the engine. Sorry no pictures at the moment. But I believe I'm missing some air hoses and a leaf screen on top of the "Tuba" air scoop. Here are the latest photos before heading off to the Upholsterer. We are planning to have gray leather seats and matching door panels. This will hopefully start May 4 and take 2 weeks.
Here are the photos:

Still lots to do but getting closer.

Walter
_________________
'66 Bug with collector plate and '73 412 project

[NurseryWalt]

I have been driving it around the nursery a little bit, so that feels kind of neat!
_________________
'66 Bug with collector plate and '73 412 project

[chicagovw]

Thanks for the update! Amazing work-can't wait to see the interior when you get it done!

[Pepperbilly]

Hey Walter,

Just saw your photos of the 412 on the trailer. That car is turning out fantastically! The blue is so nice looking. Sounds like you got the engine running and curious what you think about how it runs? I was having internet problems and not getting updates about your build last couple of months...glad I just looked. I am planning on going to the big show/meet at Tsawwassen with the 412. Your friend Craig showed up at our PNW Springmeet here in Puyallup! I had Goldie at this show and won another trophy. People thank me when I show her because there are not many out there. You got to get yours done so we can show them together. It really is a lot of fun!

Bill

[NurseryWalt]

Finally got some photos of the engine. Looks like I need some air hoses and a leaf screen. Is there anything else I'm missing?

My upholsterer is still delaying. Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Walter
_________________
'66 Bug with collector plate and '73 412 project

[Pepperbilly]

Walter,

You need one of these. I have been parting out a ‘73 coupe and got some really good things. Hit the jackpot really. PM me if you are interested.

Bill

[Pepperbilly]

This is what it looks like installed.
Bill

[NurseryWalt]

Dear 412 Friends,
After 9 months, my upholstery is almost finished. We spent 3 hours yesterday removing the over spray glue and will have to do some more work this week. Here are a few photos. There are a few mistakes...please feel free to comment...but I'll try to correct them one at a time.

The Blue 412 reunited with the Yellow parts car

The front door panel

The headliner and sun visors

The back seat and drivers seat

NOS muffler...can this be painted?

Hoping to get this finished by August 17th for the Great Canadian VW Show in Tsawwassen, BC (Vancouver)

Cheers,
Walter
_________________
'66 Bug with collector plate and '73 412 project

[Pepperbilly]

Wow Walter it’s been about a year since your last posting. Good to see progress. The paint and the bright work look awesome!

I also installed a NOS exhaust that was in really good condition. I went ahead and had my muffler and tailpipe Ceramic coated by a professional ceramic finisher that specializes in exhaust systems. No regrets and looks show level quality. I found it very important to protect the muffler because stock systems are getting really hard to find.

I too would like to make the Great Canadian VW Show with Goldie. I was planning to attend last year but the weather was too much of a gamble to drive all that way.

Looking good,
Bill

[Jeremiah Berger]

Looking good ! Nice work.

[NurseryWalt]

Slowly working towards the finish line. My VW 412 friend Dave has been helping me, so it is moving more quickly now.
Here is the wonderful paint he suggested:

The air intake grill with all breaks glued and then spray painted:

The rubber seal for the air intake may be hard to find, but the door seal from a VW Beetle has the same profile (mostly).

Tire jack cleaned and then spray painted with the low gloss black paint

Found some 16 year old Auto Glym Bumper Black at my VW store. Still works great:

Engine panels that were spray painted right over the rust...but only on the top side:

Dave to the rescue, media blasted these engine panels

NOS muffler with rust already

Muffler painted with high temperature exhaust paint

Seat belts switched, rear access panel painted, tire jack in place. Dynamat to come in the future.

Installed 3 heater hoses with quality material

Heater flappers were removed, repainted, and carpet was trimmed before getting them to work silky smooth. Sometimes you have to do things yourself!

Spare tire also got a re-respray. Before

After detailing

Shifter knob was kind of corroded

Shifter knob after sanding and polishing with steel wool. There are still some carpet issues to be sorted soon.

Fuel access cover got a repaint (not pictured), but needed a carpet cover. I appropriately found a VW magnet to hold the carpet piece in place.

Still aiming for the August 17 show in Tsawwassen, BC
_________________
'66 Bug with collector plate and '73 412 project