Original 1956 Oval convertible

[grailoc]

I got from a friend a front beam from March 56 which is the same month as my beetle, so I started the restoration process. it is my winter project.
Thet plan is to put it on the vert once complete because the one I have in place is 4" narrow.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[BulliBill]

I am so glad you are dumping that narrowed front beam for a return to a stock front end. I was quiet about it, but for me it was glaringly annoying that someone did that to an otherwise incredibly original old vintage Kabriolett. Nice move! That Kab will finally be PERFECT!

I have a long-stored "project" USA spec 1957 Kabriolett awaiting a full restoration, also black with the red interior. You Kab is an inspiration to me, and my Kab is almost at the top of my "to do" list...

Bill Bowman
_________________
I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

[grailoc]

[grailoc]

Here is clearer pictures of the engine with those great cyclone filters.
So happy to be able to get a set in my hands.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

and a picture of the garage:

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

The bug is on the stand, while rebuilding an original front beam I am going to redo all brakes and drums, sandblast the surface rust and paint what has to be painted satin black.
Wheel bearing will also be changed as well as link pin and king pin.

I also built those custom wood beams that fit the wheel dolies, so I will be able to move the car around.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

The beam is now desassembled, and all of the grease inside the tubes has been removed.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

the small hole at the top of the arm was to check the inside of the structure and make sure there is no bad corrosion. By chance the metal is still fresh inside but I will inject a treatment to keep it preserved and weld it.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

However the portion in between the 2 tubes had more corrosion so I cut a bigger hole I order to remove the rust and get the sandblast gun blast inside it.
After I will put a corrosion treatment and weld a small patch of metal.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

I am restauring all of the brake, and the rear right plate seems to be missing the little metal pins that keep the 2 screw in place.

Does anoene know how I can make a repair for that or find this little piece ?

thanks for help.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[ProjectX]

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211609185A


_________________
Even my nuts are plated.....

195? Project "X"
1954 Oval Convertible

[grailoc]

[grailoc]

Here are new upates,
today I started to remove the front beam bushing.
Here are some picture of the little tools I have built for that. It did work pretty well.

and after some times:

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

Here is a collection of few nos parts I put my hands on to redo the link pin king pin and rear backing plates.
Wheel cylinder are NOS with ATE stamping on them, just to it has surface rust while staying on the shelf for years.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

I also removed the fuel tank and will perform complete clean up of the front end compartment.
I will probably redo the pading by using horseair in order to keep things clean and as original as possible.

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

Since the front beam is out I decided to redo the wheel arch protection.
Nasty job to remove the old protection. I am not fully done, but not rust issues so far !!

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

the wheel arch is now to ground metal.
No rust issue at the end.

Here are the tools I used:
1 and 2 were the most efficient tools without grinding to much the og metal::

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

some progress guys still removing tar in the front end, I addressed the nose of the frame and the front kick wall:

_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[grailoc]

Hi everyone, a long time I do not posted in my thread.
I am looking to continue into the frontend resto and decided to replace the front half of the quarter panel that was damaged somewhere in its life:

Here are picture showing what I am dealing with:

no rust at all just the wraped front end panel that I need to replace.

I have opened a specific thread for that and looking for some advices into finding the proper replacement sheet metal.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=706977

thanks in advance anyone for help !!
_________________
My 59 low light ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452128
My 56 beetle convertible: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7796259
My 60 SO23 westy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341539
My oldspeed 36hp autotechnik express build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670827
My garage build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199438

[motofly196]

Are you talking about the wrinkle right underneath where the headlight conduit bolts in, and the buckles above the front beam shock tower area? Looks like hammer and dolly time, maybe a little time with a shrinking file to me. I'd need to see better pictures of what you're talking about, maybe it's worse than what I see?