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early
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012
Posts: 184
Location: Glen Carbon, IL
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 Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject: my 73 Sports Bug Project |
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Hello All, I have just joined TheSamba and am starting a restoration project of my 73 Sports Bug.
The paint is original and I was hoping to save it but it is too far gone and will need some rust repair on the lower quarter panels so it will need a Respray. the floor pans are original and in good shape. the body has not been wrecked either front or rear so its a good start.
The seats need recovering and carpet and headliner need replacement.
I just removed the 2 webers and am installing the original Solex and vacuum advance distributor.
thanks for your comments and Im glad to have your Feedback.
cheers. john
_________________
early-
Barnfind westy project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
my 73 sports bug project build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=497088
Current Projects :
73 Sport Bug - L13M gone now
67 Westfalia
57 oval window ragtop - sold june 2021
61 sedan
68 Corvette Roadster - Small Block, 4 Speed
86 GMC Sierra Classic- 4x4, Shortbed
94 Harley Flstn |
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drs1023
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2011
Posts: 1682
Location: Georgia, USA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Looks like you have a lot of car to start with. Congrats. Whole interior upholstery kits are available everywhere. TMI seems to have a fairly good reputation for quality and matching the original very close. I've put upholstery in two beetles within the last 8 ~ 10 months. One EMPI set and one TMI set. My opinion - the TMI stuff fit better out of the box. Quality appears the same, however, let money guide you. The EMPI upholstery came with the '73 I bought out of a back yard, so the price was right. |
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19super73
Hardcore Stock Nazi
Joined: October 18, 2007
Posts: 4351
Location: Cité Soleil
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| Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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| drs1023 wrote: |
| Looks like you have a lot of car to start with. Congrats. Whole interior upholstery kits are available everywhere. TMI seems to have a fairly good reputation for quality and matching the original very close. I've put upholstery in two beetles within the last 8 ~ 10 months. One EMPI set and one TMI set. My opinion - the TMI stuff fit better out of the box. Quality appears the same, however, let money guide you. The EMPI upholstery came with the '73 I bought out of a back yard, so the price was right. |
No they aren't if this car has the original seats and the OP wants to keep them.
Early, does the car still have the correct seats and steering wheel?
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1970 Campmobile [url=https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-47260.png]Click to view image[/URL]
1970 Fastback 1600 TL
1971 Doka [url=https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-14845.png]Click to view image[/URL]
1973 Super Beetle
1973 Westfalia [url=https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-31892.png]Click to view image[/URL]
1974 412 Variant
1975 La Grande Bug
1984 Vanagon |
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early
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012
Posts: 184
Location: Glen Carbon, IL
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| Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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@ 19super73:
Yes I still have the Original Seats and Steering wheel. Wheel is in great shape. Seat Covers arent bad but foam and/or horsehair is gone so I need to re upholster them.
Dash has a nice crack on it, but it seems most of them do. Door panels and rear panels are usable.
I read that SewFine makes a seatcover but they do not have the original fabric.
The Sports bug is a rare bird and seat covers will be hard to find im afraid.
_________________
early-
Barnfind westy project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
my 73 sports bug project build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=497088
Current Projects :
73 Sport Bug - L13M gone now
67 Westfalia
57 oval window ragtop - sold june 2021
61 sedan
68 Corvette Roadster - Small Block, 4 Speed
86 GMC Sierra Classic- 4x4, Shortbed
94 Harley Flstn |
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pittwagen
Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2005
Posts: 765
Location: North of the 49th parallel
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| Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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Nice to see another restoration!!
The problem with the Sports Bug corduroy is the heat formed pleat in the original. I have never seen that duplicated. Sewfine does not do that in their seats. I saw how that was done when I replaced the padding in the rear seats a few years back. I look on some of the European sites from time to time but nothing yet. They had the black and yellow racer version.
My seats are still in fairly good condition after almost 39 years but they will need to be redone at some point. Here's mine. We've had it since new.
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bensherb
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2009
Posts: 142
Location: Tracy Ca
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| Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Are you going for a 100% restoration ? Why remove the dual carbs? |
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early
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012
Posts: 184
Location: Glen Carbon, IL
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| Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for the Replies..
the Marathon Blue Sport Bug Looks Nice.. i hope mine looks as nice one day.
I'm removing the Dual webers because i want to sort all the bugs out before I start the body restoration. I just bought this beast and i intend to restore it to original as possible, the webers will be rebuilt and put into a box for future considerations . For now its back to stock... , sort out the bugs,.. and do the restore. then If I want to , Ill utilize the webers .
cheers... john
_________________
early-
Barnfind westy project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
my 73 sports bug project build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=497088
Current Projects :
73 Sport Bug - L13M gone now
67 Westfalia
57 oval window ragtop - sold june 2021
61 sedan
68 Corvette Roadster - Small Block, 4 Speed
86 GMC Sierra Classic- 4x4, Shortbed
94 Harley Flstn |
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19-VW-74
Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2009
Posts: 757
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:07 am Post subject: |
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HELL YES.
I want a Sports so bad 
| early wrote: |
For now its back to stock... , sort out the bugs,.. and do the restore. then If I want to , Ill utilize the webers .
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Good thinkin there.
_________________
-Austin
My 1974 Standard Beetle Build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=492617 |
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19super73
Hardcore Stock Nazi
Joined: October 18, 2007
Posts: 4351
Location: Cité Soleil
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Sportbugger
Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2008
Posts: 216
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:35 am Post subject: |
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I'm in the last stages of a Body off restoration of a Marathon Blue Sports Bug.
Only Sew Fine has the pattern for the Sports Bug seats, how ever their material is way off from stock looking.
Here's some pictures of their covers:
Can't wait to see more pictures of your restoration.
Here's the latest of mine (should be ready this summer after 3 years of working on it)
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69 Jim
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2004
Posts: 6264
Location: Chickengeorge's Neighbor
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:38 am Post subject: |
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| Sportbugger -That thing is beautiful... |
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Sportbugger
Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2008
Posts: 216
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:58 am Post subject: |
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| 69 Jim wrote: |
| Sportbugger -That thing is beautiful... |
Thanks 69 Jim!
I bought it in January 2009 sight unseen from out west here in Canada, once I got it home and started the disassembly I found it was full of rust, I chopped out every rusted panel and Mig Welded new panels in.
I used Lead solder for filling the seams, very little body filler,
New Heater channels, new Floor pans, new Fenders.
The Chassis was painted with Eastwood's Ceramic Satin black paint, after I painted the body I hand rubbed it from 600 grit to 2000 grit and followed up with a 3 stage Buff, Polish and Wax.
I'm putting it back together with all brand new Rubbers seals, grommets and plugs, new Harness, carpet and Headliner.
Having a hard time getting a set of good Sports Bug Rims, I have 8 of them and none of them are worth restoring, all corroded and pitted.
Mid America Motor Works was talking about reproducing them, but no one there is getting back to me on this
There was a link to this on their site but they recently disabled the blog: http://blog.autotainment.com/2010/03/29/ne...ree-months.aspx
guess it's not going to happen. |
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early
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012
Posts: 184
Location: Glen Carbon, IL
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:17 pm Post subject: |
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wow Sportbugger you have done a nice job!
I bought mine sight unseen also ( other than 4 pictures ) and had it shipped to the midwest.
I have been looking for a Sport Bug for a long time and had to jump on this one quick. Amazingly it is not Rusted out much just the Lower quarters and around into the rear splash pan, Hopefully not much work.
I dont really plan to go as deep as you have on yours but only time will tell as I tear into it.
_________________
early-
Barnfind westy project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
my 73 sports bug project build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=497088
Current Projects :
73 Sport Bug - L13M gone now
67 Westfalia
57 oval window ragtop - sold june 2021
61 sedan
68 Corvette Roadster - Small Block, 4 Speed
86 GMC Sierra Classic- 4x4, Shortbed
94 Harley Flstn |
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Sportbugger
Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2008
Posts: 216
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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| early wrote: |
| wow Sportbugger you have done a nice job!. |
Thanks Early!
also forgot to mention all new Brakes lines, hoses, wheel cylinders, linings, drums and master cylinder, the only pieces I kept of the old brakes system was the 4 backing plates, which were sand blasted, primed and painted like new.
keep us posted on your restoration, you sure have a good car to start with. |
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early
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2012
Posts: 184
Location: Glen Carbon, IL
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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SPortbugger, The photo you posted of the Seat covers, is this photo yours or did someone else order those?
I'm wondering what color combination that is, looking at their Catalog I see Black vinyl that could be paired with the Black Marble Charcoal or the Bahama Blue / Black color but I dont see anything like the Darkish Purple Fabric that My seats are.
The Pleats seem different as well.
thanks. I'll post some more Photo's when I get a NEW Camera, I just returned from a Trip to Virginia and Sadly my Digital Lumix camera was Pilfered from my Checked Luggage ( I know my mistake for packing it) and along with it were 4 memory cards with 3 years worth of Photo's , you can imagine my dissapointment when I opened my Bag to find NO CAMERA ! Argh!!
_________________
early-
Barnfind westy project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
my 73 sports bug project build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=497088
Current Projects :
73 Sport Bug - L13M gone now
67 Westfalia
57 oval window ragtop - sold june 2021
61 sedan
68 Corvette Roadster - Small Block, 4 Speed
86 GMC Sierra Classic- 4x4, Shortbed
94 Harley Flstn |
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Sportbugger
Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2008
Posts: 216
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Early
The picture was from an add a while back here on the Samba, someone selling Sport Seat covers that they bought from SewFine.
Plus I've seen Sports Bugs done before with SewFine covers and this is what they look like.
The Vinyle is too plasticy and the fabric sections: the pleats go in the wrong direction, the VW ones go side to side, and yes the original '73 VW color originally black, faded quickly to a purple hue.
SewFine's back seat cover is way off, the OEM had the whole seat in cordoroy (no vinyle strip in the middle)
Soo sorry to hear about your camera getting theived....it's a cruel world, people don't realize those pictures can't be replaced, I'm sad for you pal. |
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Sportbugger
Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2008
Posts: 216
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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More pictures of the Chassis with new Brake Lines and Master Cylinder:
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pittwagen
Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2005
Posts: 765
Location: North of the 49th parallel
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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Well that Sewfine upholstery doesn't look that great. I think I'll stick with the original stuff a while longer.
Sportsbugger you have done well. I had the exterior of ours painted in 94 with all the windows, trim etc. out/off but that has been it. No rust -ever. It ceased being a daily driver at that point so it has had a pretty easy life.
I have a 73 Standard that gets the regular driving although it just turned 60,000 miles this last year. |
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69 Jim
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2004
Posts: 6264
Location: Chickengeorge's Neighbor
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| It's great to see a proper restoration. Once again, great, tastefully done work. |
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19-VW-74
Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2009
Posts: 757
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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Hey sportbugger,
I read your restoration thread on SBO a while back but you stopped updating the car after the body came back from paint...
You should start a new build thread here - I don't think there are any Sport Bug restoration threads on TheSamba yet.
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-Austin
My 1974 Standard Beetle Build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=492617 |
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