My first Bug build... Finally on track

[Cmontoya9]

I bought my first Bug about a year ago from my neighbor, a 72 standard that was sitting in his yard for as long as I've known him(about 7 years). I "bugged" him about it for about 5 years and he finally gave in and sold it to me for $500. Sweet!...or so I thought. In the excitement of my persistence finally paying off, I threw him the cash without really even looking over the car, just dragged it over to my yard. After checking out my new ride I soon realized I might have gotten in WAY over my head. Rust everywhere! I live in New Mexico, cars don't rust like that here. After about a week of kicking myself I decided well, lets see what happens. First things first, gotta see if it runs. I set out replacing the fuel lines, got some gas and a battery, gave her an oil change, took a deep breath and turned the key. Success! After sitting for who knows how long, fired up on the third crank! It's alive! Again, the excitement was back, so much so I had to go around the block. It ran great, engine feels strong, trans shifts smooth, all was good...until the first stop sign, NO BRAKES! Got home safe though, thanks for asking. And so it begins...

[marchanel]

Sounds like you got lucky on the engine. After sitting for seven years I would suspect you may need a new master cylinder, wheel cylinders and rubber lines at the very least. Do you know how to weld? It's going to need some welding to fix the rust. I think you did alright, a running bug for $500.00. You can sell the engine and transmission for more than that. If the rust is more than you want to tackle, you can part out the car and make some money.

[gt1953]

Do you have any manuals? Tools? etc to be able to work on a vehicle of that vintage?
Post a picture in your gallery for us to see.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[johnnypan]

So ya drag a car outta the dingweeds after 7 years,fire it up and go riding with out checking the brakes?

Brave...foolish,yet brave..

now fix the brakes,clean it up,sell it and find a rust free example...

[Cmontoya9]

Brave? no. Foolish? Most definitely! A learning experience for sure. Luckily I live in a small rural neighborhood. And so the story continues. So unfortunately the bug sat for another year, this time in my yard, while I finished some projects I had going and trying to come up with a game plan. Finally, it was time to take it to work with me. I started by removing the fenders, bumpers, and what used to be the interior. Great...more rust. I decide at this point the only smart thing to do is to completely strip the car down to bare metal and see exactly what this thing is hiding. Oh boy! Hidden under all that 30+ year old orange paint was more bondo than I thought was even possible. This thing was starting to look like it was used as a bumper car at a back ally carnival. So the price list of new parts starts, new floor pans, new heater channels, new rear luggage tray. The right rear fender was new! unfortunately, it was installed over an old accident, the quarter panel is pretty rough. All said and done, My list just for sheet metal is at about $1000. Ouch! I realize that this is completely out of my budget, and even if I had it, I am still a rookie with the welder. I admit defeat...

[Cmontoya9]

[Cmontoya9]

On a side note...YEA! I finally figured out how to post pics!

[marchanel]

Myself, I'd say that body is beyond saving although I've seem people on here start with worse. I'd pull the engine and transaxle and any other parts that are good. Look for a better body, swap the parts you saved and you should come out OK.

[Cmontoya9]

My thoughts exactly! I have seen some amazing people do some amazing things on here with a much bigger mess to start with than I had. I envy all of you with the skills to do such beautiful restorations. Unfortunately, my budget and skill set are no match for you! So after a few weeks of thinking, searching and praying for something good to come out of this mess I've gotten myself into, I come across a pretty solid 68 minus motor, trans and the seats. After some negotiations, we settle on $300! I'm Pumped! Body is straight, never been in an accident(not a major one anyway), the bumpers, fenders, and both aprons have all seen better days, but that's minor compared to what I was looking at before. It even has factory pop-out windows. My biggest hangup, the 68 was an auto-stick! Thanks to all the fine folks here on The Samba, I knew exactly what was in store for me converting it to a standard. The 72 was stripped of anything usable, and after a month on craigslist with no luck, it met its untimely fate with the local auto recycler. Man, that hurt. The 68 is now completely stripped and body off, ready for work. Which brings us to where I am today. The installation of the clutch cable tube is complete and things are finally moving forward. So that's my story, thanks for listening to my babble, and from here on we journey together. To be continued...

[marchanel]

In my opinion sometimes they just get too rusty to fix but you saved what could be saved. Sounds like you're off to a good start. Take your time and do things right. And this time before you drive it make sure the damned brakes work.

[Cmontoya9]

So here is the new bug. Not too bad at all.

[Cmontoya9]

Got it stripped down and body off. I will be replacing both the front and rear aprons and the spare tire well.

[Grifter]

Looks like a good score for $300, and it even has some cool patina
_________________
Greg
1970 Beetle...a work in progress
Yukon Yellow
Stock SP, Bosch vac advance
30PICT-3 swapped to a 30PICT-1

"At least I know that I don't know. Question is are you bozos smart enough to feel stupid? Hope so"

[oldPSUguy]

I'd rather spend my money on mechanicals than rust restoration. Admitting defeat is better than going forward with a project that will take all your money and net you nothing you couldn't get by backing up and taking a fresh start. There are still enough good bodies out there for folks who want a restored beetle.

[Cmontoya9]

Finished my clutch cable tube installation today Got halfway through welding in the new battery tray.

[Cmontoya9]

So progress has been kinda slow on the pan, work has been busy. I have been trying to strip all the old paint and seam sealer off the pan. I also found a nice hole in the right front floor pan so I have a new pan half on the way. I also plan to completely rebuild the front end (ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.) and wanted to see what you all recommend for parts, where to buy and such. Does anybody know where I might be able to buy a complete kit for the front end? And what my best bet would be for paint on the pan. I was planning on a few good coats of epoxy primer and several coats of single stage gloss black. I have heard a lot about POR-15 but I have no idea where to get it. Do I need it? I live in the desert so rust isn't usually an issue here, but this is my first bug and I understand they are maybe a little more prone to rust than other cars? I also thought maybe just using some duplacolor bedliner spray over some good primer. Thanks for your help guys.

[Q-Dog]

I wouldn't cut out that pan, I'd just patch the bad spot and move on. The new pans aren't nearly as solid as the originals.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Cmontoya9]

I see what you mean. My pan half came in today and it is pretty flimsy. Should I just cut a piece out of it, enough to patch the hole? The whole area around it is pretty pitted, kinda worried about trying to weld to it. If I use the whole panel, welding would go smooth, but I don't want it to be weak.

[Cmontoya9]

So I took your advice and made a patch for the hole in the floor. I have it tacked into place and it feels good and sturdy. I figure I can always use the pan half later if need be or maybe just put it up on CL. I replaced the battery tray also(probably didn't really need to). Oh well.

Still need weld my seat tracks in and clean my welds up a bit(still a rookie with the welder). The rest of the pan is fairly pitted, but thee are no more holes so I think i'll leave the rest alone. So as far as paint on the pan goes, would I be ok with a good epoxy primer and single stage black? I'm gonna do top and bottom, and maybe a bedliner coating on the bottom after paint. What do you guys think? And I will post a pick of the finished patch when I get it finished.

[Cmontoya9]

Got my patch job done today, came out pretty good!

Feels good and sturdy, don't think i'll have to worry about it anytime soon.