1960 Beetle Rebuild for my daughter's wedding

[bad91teg]

awesome wedding gift. wish you luck ,but im sure you get er done judging by all the good work you already done

[cory43767]

36 horse ready for new exhaust. Hard to find 1 1/4 exhaust pipe locally. The exhaust is rotted off between the muffler and the stale air heat exchangers.
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[cory43767]

All the panels are fitted to the body and welded, albeit poorly, to the body. My mig skills are sub par at best and Tig welding was worse. I guess my lack of patience is not helping me.
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[cory43767]

Decided while I have it all apart I should replace the wiring harness. After pulling it out, it's in pretty good shape for 60 years old. Still I would rather it be done now than fight with it later.
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[mukluk]

[cory43767]

Decided to get the bonnet and engine compartment all cleaned up while I have everything stripped. Cleaned up the dash and the interior also.
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[cory43767]

Made up a new body dolly that is lower. The lower stance allows me to sand it all down and prep for paint.
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[cory43767]

Fitting the fenders for body prep and adjustment. A lot t more damage than what I remembered...
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[cory43767]

Locating the front turn signals. Found out the fenders are a little bit different. Fortunately I have matching front fenders, but the one has a dent. The pink one was in great shape but was stamped differently. Plus the turn signal hole was drilled wrong. Busy weekend, now off to bed.
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[rah253]

Sweet project, amazing wedding gift!

[cory43767]

Made some progress being quarantined at home the past few days. I'm hoping to hash out the Bondo work this week and next, then shoot the base coat clear coat in two weeks. That gives me 5 weeks to put it all back together... Ugh.
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[jimdubs]

The car looks really good, especially considering the rushed time frame.

One word of advice, though you may be aware. Try putting the body filler on as smoothly as you can, leaving it all lumpy and gloppy like that only makes more work to finish it.

Good luck, I hope you are able to get it done in time!

[cory43767]

Thanks Jim for the advice. I am not a body man and it shows... I don't have the patience to perfect it. I will definitely try to smooth it out better. Luckily the body is in great shape. The hood has a lot of dings and has had a lot of repairs from the past but it will do for now. I think I have located/bought all the parts I need. Only thing I'm having trouble finding is a 4 tab VW emblem without breaking the bank...
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!

[birdmansuperbeetle]

Until you try to do what you are doing it's hard to believe how much work it is. The classifieds are full of half finished projects that have overwhelmed the average "shade tree " guy. Your pictures look just like mine, rust in all the same places. I'm not quite as far as you and I started in 2015. Great job and your daughter is a lucky woman.

[cory43767]

Looks like a nice project Birdman! Love the Fuch wheels!
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73' Standard Bug finished - sort of
60' Beetle - Moved to Pole Position in the garage!