New "build" - '61 barn find coupe

[Corwin]

I'm really bad at keeping up on build threads so I usually don't bother. I do have a bunch of pics of the car and process but I'll just post where I'm at right now.

Found the car on a farm out in the sticks and picked it up from the guy who bought it from the original owner in Arizona about 10 years ago, and it's been sitting ever since. All completely OG, with several old Empi accessories (like woodgrain trim - vinyl decal type stuff, still on the dash). All original square weave carpet was there but was completely disgusting and wreaked, so had to toss it. Even has a really cool old first aid kit in it - it's an aluminum cylinder bolted under the dash with the supplies rolled up inside it. I'll try to post a pic of it soon. Never seen anything like it.

It looks like it was in a flood at one point - there was crap CAKED on the underside of the car. That and mice made the thing home for some time. Was pretty nasty inside. But it's intact, no rust in the heater channels, etc.

The battery tray has been replaced, I ripped out most of the interior and cleaned it and am re-installing it this winter, along with new carpet. Other things done so far:
- New steering box and coupler
- New brakes with master/wheel cylinders, lines, backing plates, pads, drums, etc.
- New 4" narrowed beam with drop spindles from Franklin's VW Werks
- New oil shocks all the way around
- Indexed rear w/ notched spring plates
- Rebuilt 40-horse engine (not installed yet)
- Rebuilt headlights with some customization (will post pics when done)

Can't decide whether the whitewalls look good or if I should take them off (that's why they're only on the back). I'm leaning towards taking them off and putting on some old fender skirts I've got sitting in the garage.
Peep it:

Close up of wheels I finished a few weeks ago:

Want to give big, unsolicited props to Franklin and his crew at Franklin's VW Werks for all their help with the car. Those guys are seriously the greatest.

[diponyou]

looks sick man.
im diggin it without the whitewalls though.
get some more pics on here.i wanna see

[Corwin]

Thanks. I don't have many more pics with me, but here's a few I posted in the gallery:

[ottvw]

Looks rad I cant wait to see it at a show.
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Save a tree eat a beaver

[TailTip]

Nice find. Will be checking in to see updates on the car as time goes by.

[Corwin]

[ottvw]

Cool mine should be done by then too hopefully
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Save a tree eat a beaver

[iaccy]

nice find! I love what you did with teh rims, but like one of the other members I'm not feeling those white walls. Maybe if they were a little narrower, it would look better

[Corwin]

[seanboy69]

Wow what a find!! I love the rims!!! And I like the white walls but they do seem alittle wide. They might look too busy once you put hubcaps on though. Just my opinion. Keep up with the thread I think you are doing a great job!!

[jacobjordan24]

those wheels are sic
I love the white wall tires with those things
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72 Super Beetle in progress

[VOODOOKING]

leave the whitewalls, they look bad ass

[Eurobug]

[Corwin]

[Corwin]

Here are some before pics from when I picked it up:

As you can see, there's not much to save from this interior. The carpet was foul.

Yes, that interior light dangling there has the original ivory know still intact. That's pretty hard to come by - getting cleaned up and swapped out for the cracked one in my '55!

There's some really crazy "patina" on this thing. I love it.

[Corwin]

And here's a preview of one of my headlights. You can probably guess what's going in the other one...

[Corwin]

One more in-process pic:

[rustbuget]

sweet ride. it's still sitting pretty high though

[chickengeorge]

It looks good with the ass in the air.

VW's aren't mini trucks.

[Corwin]