My 54 european deluxe from start to finish

[Major Woody]

Looking good!

[54bugn]

Thanks Major Woody.

Time for the front seats to go together. Canvas cover over springs, foam padding and cover, pull!

For the seat backs that slip over, the silk fabric that Sewfine sells is a must so it will slip over the padding, works great.

Passenger seat done.

Same procedure for drivers seat.

Starting to look like something in here!

Chrome trim for door panels should be here this week.

Stay tuned.
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[favguy]

Man, I just love that upholstery/paint combination, it's looking great. You're going to be sat driving along soon thinking you've fallen through a time portal to 1954!

You must be stoked to see it looking so close to finished and so beautiful after all these years at it... Simply stunning.

The quality of the seat kits look very close to oem too

[54bugn]

Thanks favguy. It has been a labour of love building this car back to where it should be. But your right, I never imagined it would turn out this good when I started, very happy how it's turning out. Very excited to start driving Shultz and taking him to shows.

I have been very happy with the Sewfine product. The covers fit very well and the quality is excellent. Also the door panels are quality in my opinion. Easy to work with when ordering as well. Helped me out with the armrest too.

Almost finished, stick around for the finally.

Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[54bugn]

Hello all, received the chrome panel trims from WW. Now have three out of four panels on with the chrome on. Last (door) panel to install tomorrow.

Working on the rear seat back that I am missing. But I am still missing the rear seat back mounts. If anyone has any closeup pics and/or measurements of those mounts I would appreciate it.

Stay tuned.
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[54bugn]

Last door panel installed. Some pics below of the look minus the rear seat backrest. Still working on that.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[René R.]

Looks great!
_________________
Gone but not forgotten: 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1966) - another 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1996)

[54bugn]

Ok folks this is it:

Rear seat backrest found, fixed, covered and new mounting brackets produced and installed:

Which means the interior is now done:

Which means the car is now complete:🎉🎉🎉
Some post first wash pics:

Now it will be appraised on Friday, safetied Wednesday next week, and get it plated and on the road. Can't wait!

Cheers
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[55 ragger]

Very well done Mike congrades
I happy for yu it looks great . Looks like yu left the hub caps off
For the safety ??

[Russ]

once on the road apply for collector plates, insurance is way way cheaper

car turned out great
_________________
Cruiser pedals for sale (see my ad's)
55 hardtop finally finished
65 beetle done:)

[54bugn]

Thanks 55ragger, a little different since you last saw it in person. I always take the hubcaps off when I wash the car especially with the repop hubcaps, major water trap, plus I was using the whitewall cleaner and it is pretty corrosive from what I understand. Once it's all dry they go back on for the appraisal, then back off for the safety.

Hey Russ, thanks, look forward to meeting you at the Vancouver show. Yes I will get regular plates just for 3 months, and put in the application for the collectors plates same time.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[René R.]

Looks great!!
_________________
Gone but not forgotten: 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1966) - another 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1996)

[55 ragger]

Mike you could look at giving those re-pops
a thin layer of grease ,on the inside . they will last a lot longer
cheers

[txoval]

I would scuff the inside up and paint them...no more worries.

You did a fantastic job

[54bugn]

Thank you all for the props, I will figure out how best to protect the hub caps, thanks for the ideas.

In the meantime the appraisal tomorrow.

Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[54bugn]

Appraisal done, see if I can afford the insurance, lol. Hagerty here I come. Needless to say it went well.

Next up the safety inspection before I can licence it.

Stand by,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[zodlaw]

Amazing job, well done! Its good to see you are finishing it up!
_________________
68 build that had been sitting for 18yr in a garage.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8119987#8119

Bagged 69 pile (SOLD)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=591100&start=0

[palmgreen57]

Hi,
Perfect work !
nice color
yan

[54bugn]

Thank you zodlaw and palmgreen 57. Feels good to almost have it on the road. A couple of more days to go.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[txoval]

Is the appraisal for your registration of simply for insurance?

Obviously there is risk involved, but with Hagerty I simply took photos and gave them a value of $10k. Is my 54 worth more than that...yeah, but I'm not going to pay out the rearend for insurance on a car that I drive on nice days.

Plus, besides paint, I did the majority of the work.

I pay $140/year