My 65 project

[therealfrogman]

I started this project a year and a half ago and basically spent a year learning what to do and how to do it right here on the samba.. I bought a 64 with a perfect 65 pan and then a matching # 65 with rotted pan and channels but the body was straight. The 65 with the body I am using was modded with shaved trim, doors, lame LED lights picked up at autozone, etc. Today I got my son and a friend to help me swap out the bodies so I can sell the other car and have some room to work. Anyway, I have a crap load of cash into this already parts, tools, you name it. Here are some pics of it so far..
Pan

Dash

Rust

Channel

Old doors

Rear taillights

The pan has a 4 inch beam with Airkewld spindles, I havent decided what method to use to lower the rear but I will be dropping it. I have new channels from WW ready to go in as soon as the other car is out of the way. There is alot of work to be done and I will post more pics as I make progress.
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[6Speed]

looks like a good project! take lots of pics and keep us updated!
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'57 Beetle

[andk5591]

Good luck and keep moving - Glad to see another 65 going to be back on the road
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[iaccy]

It'll all be worth it when it's on the road

That's what's keeping me going!

[PaintingWithPressure]

any new updates Frog ? Hows things comming along with this project ?
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paintingwithpressure.com

[therealfrogman]

Well I finally got the passenger side channel out and planned on fitting the new one in there to see how it lined up and I found this wrinkle that I didnt notice when I recieved this stuff from WW..

The other side is good

I bought this stuff from WW because of the good things I have heard but further reading about Kolkerholm channels has me believing I made a mistake and they didnt have anything better than what I bought unless I missed something.. I have sent them an email asking for a replacement channel but there are other things I dont like about the way its made.

I was hoping to post some progress pics today but oh well.
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[57Drag]

That sucks.
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http://smg.photobucket.com/home/57Drag/index

[PaintingWithPressure]

Oh man that sucks , is WW gonna take it back ?
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paintingwithpressure.com

[therealfrogman]

I talked to Ron at WW and not only will he take it back but he has scheduled fedex to pick the old one up and deliver the new one on thursday. I really like that kind of service with one email. So it looks like I will endure the fitment issues and be back on schedule.

Pics coming soon.
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[therealfrogman]

Its been really hard to get going on this project and all I have to show are a few pics of pre-fitting the passanger side channel. I have a rear cross member being delivered today that will give me little reason to not have more done this weekend. The biggest issue so far is the fitting of the fender well at the base of the A pillar, I decided to just pull the metal out a little bit and re-shape it to the channel..

The back section fits pretty good..

Except for this gap...

I am really taking my time with this. I will be working on replacing some panel in the front wheel well tonite and then I will try and get the new cross member to fit..

Im a little concerned about pulling the cross member out without putting to much flex or sag on the body. I am using the bugme method using a jack under the dash so hopefully I wont mess things up to much.
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.

[therealfrogman]

Been a while since I posted so here is progress as of today. I am having trouble fitting the channel at the A pillar. I am going to try and level the car out better before I get my sledge hammer out, anyway there is progress.

I wish some of these parts fit a little better like the cross member not having the same curves as og but I will figure it out as I go and bend and cut where I need to. I guess it wont be a show car
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73 Camper Tin Top/Type 4 1.8 engine, Single progressive EMPI carb, electronic ignition SVDA W/ Vacuum.

Really appreciate what Everett has done here. Almost like he hand picked some of you. I am very thankful for all the help I get here.