Front end damage?

sportin-wood · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject: Front end damage?

So after removal of my front fenders, I'm noticing a possible reason why my hood never had a clean seal. After scraping off some of the factory undercoating, I noticed some rust lines where it appears the front end was hit (albeit not that bad, really). The factory paint has cracked off in these 2 areas (see black and red arrows in the first picture). There's also some kind of dimple effect where the apron meets the body at the top (green arrow). My question for anyone with bodywork knowledge is this: Being a novice at any kind of body work, does this look like it warrants some type of pulling out by a body shop? I should also point out that the left half of the apron is pushed in about 1/2-3/4"....and I'm considering replacing the apron altogether because at least one of the front bumper mounts needs to be replaced.

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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sleepywiesel · Samba Member Joined: June 22, 2010 Posts: 89

Here you can see the front quater panel of my '60 beetle. The front was also slightly damaged. But I could hammer it out. You see the Quaterpanel has some pressings and is not flat.
Your black pointed line is for the sparetire. The old tires back in the fifties and sixties were bigger than the new tires today. So this "Dent" is stock to make space for the spare tire.
But the other pressings seems to be "enlarged" a little bit. Would be a challenge to make them smooth again.
You could try to bolt the bumperholders on the car and connect them with a strong beam.
Then bolt the body back onto the pan and put a car jack between the beam and the frame head. But be careful with it. Just put a bit stress on the construction. Then you could try do hammer and dolly it out.
The section pointed by the green arrow should be removed easily.

Replacing always should be the last option.

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'59 beetle
'60 beetle

superdude72 · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:32 pm Post subject:

Definitely got a little bit of damage there. You can try and straighten it yourself with a hammer and dolly. Also an oxy/actlyne torch heated in dime size spots for a couple seconds and then tapped with a hammer can help the metal form back into its original state. Sort of a metal memory.
Otherwise, devise a way to pull on the front while you tap on and around the creases.

therealfrogman · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:14 pm Post subject:

Very similar to what I have with my 65, I have tried pulling and heating those areas but I think mine is much worse and my body skills are just building up.

If that was mine I would pull the front section off and work it without it, however, I am just speculating on the outcome, the problem I see are the rust spots and the aftermath.... Everytime I start something like this I end up buying new steel so just ignore me please! I enjoy these learning threads and have very little to offer as far as quick fixes.

Everything I know I learned here and or by trial and error, and here Laughing

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sportin-wood · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 2:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'll definitely try some gentle "persuasion" to start with, as I don't want to "f" it up worse. From a glance, the lines are actually fairly straight, but the hood doesn't close as straight-on as it should. I don't have a lot of bodywork experience, so I'm a little apprehensive about doing worse damage to it...
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Paused 66 project bug
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"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

Mike Fisher · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:40 pm Post subject:

2-3 lb hand sledge & dolly. You can't hurt inner fenders!
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69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

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luizzsf · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:03 pm Post subject:

Any pics of how a straight front looks?

sportin-wood · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 7:15 pm Post subject:

sleepywiesel · Samba Member Joined: June 22, 2010 Posts: 89

sportin-wood · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:39 pm Post subject:

It actually doesn't look too bad! Besides, as long as it works good, with the fender on, no one will be able to see any imperfections. Wink

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Paused 66 project bug
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"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli


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