Jimmy V’s 54 Oval Project

[VW_Jimbo]

Another 3 1/2 hours of Bug time!

My starting point is right where I left off on May 16th.

Installed the "new to me" hinge support on the passenger side, replacing the rusted through one that was holding the decklid into position. Then I had a look at the quarter panel seal area to decklid reveal. Much better! I feel like I can beat on the steel to get it to do what I want.

Maybe just a little pressure applied to the decklid edge will give me complete coverage! This is for a later date. Lets move on!

It was then over to the left side rear bumper support. I purchased a set from Autocraft. Great form and the steel is actually the same thickness! I also need to finish welding the apron onto the car.

I clamped the apron to the quarter panel so there was no air between the pieces.

I then went through and welded the apron to the quarter panel. And then welded every hole remaining on the panel.

Onto grinding for a few minutes.

With it all holeless and mostly flat, I drilled some holes into the bumper support and set the piece into place. I had previously marked it's location after I had the bumper in the perfect position!

I set the bumper support into place and Cleco'd it in! Can you hear it? PROGRESS!!!!!

From there I removed the paint on the support piece and primed everything in copper weld through primer.

I then reattached the support and Cleo'd it in to place. Followed that up with a few clamps, to get the steel hem flat against the quarter panel.

I then welded it to the quarter panel using 8 of the 28 holes. I do not want to fully commit till I can get the bumper back onto the car again!

With that all done, there was one broken bolt still stuck in one of the fender bolt holes. It was being held captive by its keeper - RUST! So, I used the steel nut trick. Threaded a steel nut onto the protruding bolt in the engine compartment and then zapped it with the welder.

Then I got my 13mm socket and ratchet and removed the bolt! Easy breezy!

Next time, it will be the other side, and replacing the steel at he holes I drilled out for the bar clamp. Then the rear end is completed. Well, except for some grinding and finish sanding.

Until next time!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[tomsbuggered]

Nice work Jimmy, it is really taking shape.

Be careful, you may work yourself out of a job.
_________________
June 1956 VW Oval Beetle

[VW_Jimbo]

[VW_Jimbo]

Got another 4 hours in on the Bug!!!

Thought that I would get the bumper bracket on the right side in. Here I go!

My starting point.

Going to start with the hole that I made to squeeze the body together with that pipe clamp.

Took a small scrap of steel and placed it on the backside of the quarter panel.

Then traced the hole with a Sharpie.

Then over to my CORDLESS SHEER!!! So much better! This attachment was on the discount end cap at one of the Home Depot I go to everyday. Best $50 I have spent in the last several years.

Wicked tool!

With that cut out, it was time to finalize the welding at the rear apron. Followed by welding up all the holes from the later style bracket.

Ground those welds down, sprayed some weld thru and clamped up the bumper bracket.

Plugged a few holes and placed the circular patch. Do not want to do anymore than that until I can get the rear fenders & bumper back on to be sure that the bumper arms are correctly located.

Welded in the circular patch. Then ground everything down. Sprayed some weld thru on all of it to keep it from rusting.

I then installed the rear fender on the car, to start on patching that up.

Check out this tear.

And this one.

Started by cleaning this one up.

Started by drilling a hole at the end of the crack. Better safe than sorry.

Then I started welding it up.

Finished that up and moved onto the bumper bracket entry.

Found the end of 2 cracks and drilled 2 holes.

Then started welding it.

I then had to shuffle some parts around and ran across a set of pop out windows I purchased several months ago. Was not sure if they would fit the rear quarter window of pre 55 Bugs, so I did a quick check. They look like they fit pretty well!

And that’s when the clock ran out! Tomorrow is a new day. Let’s hope I can get some Bug time in!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[67rustavenger]

Nice work there. I was wondering when you were gonna tackle the rear fenders.

Curious, why not hammer smooth, the bent area's around the bumper support holes first? Does that have affect on how long the repairs will last after the repair work is done?

Anyway, it's nice to see you making progress on your car.

Have a great holiday off.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[VW_Jimbo]

[MACJELLY58]

Hello Sir,

I'm glad to hear that you and the Mrs. got some quality time, especially with all that is going on nowadays. As always, I get a great deal of SATIFACTION watching you tackle the repairs on the '54. Every time you come to a new section, I cringe
Then, you make it all okay. It's like watching a great drama that all works out alright in the end! Thanks again for the viewing pleasure. Also, I've never heard of the RIDGID JobMax. That's a pretty versatile little goodie!! It's nice to have access to Tradesman's knowledge and tricks!

[VW_Jimbo]

[VW_Jimbo]

Another 4 hours. But man, I did not have any focus today. Too much drinking last night!

Dove straight into the rear passenger fender. Here’s the worst of it.

And then, flip it over to find some really crappy repairs.

See that spot, in the middle, that looks thicker. Well it is. It is a bolt who’s head was removed and then the shaft was welded in for a reinforcement piece, I guess.

Then down on the bottom rear is another bolt welded in!

And finally the front area which connects to the running board.

Started off by cutting out the bolt at the lower edge.

Bent some steel and welded it in. That made the fender way more ridged. So, I went ahead and welded up the cracks.

And patched up the turn signal light hole.

Then it was back to the lower edge.

Then back to the lower face. Look at this cute little patch!

That’s when my 4 hours was up. Sprayed some primer and cleaned it all up.

Looking better, but still a ton more to do!

_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[grailoc]

[VW_Jimbo]

[RandyV]

Excellent Jimbo! Catching up on this thread, but kudos to you for saving her and very well, I might add! Can't wait to see the finished product!!

[VW_Jimbo]

[tomsbuggered]

Got to admire your perseverance Jimmy. Those compound curves are a challenge to replicate. When I tackled the rear fenders I rough formed the patch over a 20 lbs propane bottle
I ended up buying a cheap English wheel second hand to complete the patch.
Keep going, looking good.

Tom
_________________
June 1956 VW Oval Beetle

[VW_Jimbo]

[VW_Jimbo]

Well, got another 3 hours in on the Bug! Man, the older I get, the more hard it becomes to get free space in a day! It makes no sense.

Continued to work on the trunk floor panel area. Need to get this panel welded in! It continues to evade placement.

My starting point!

Made sure that the panel matched up.

I need to close up all of those spot welds that were drilled out, so that the “new to me” panel has something to attach to.

So, I broke out the welder. I know - SHOCKER, and started filling in the holes. I used one of my trusty 1/4” thick copper pieces, clamped on the backside, so that the molten steel did not leave the spot until it was cool.

After the welding was done, it was all ground down and then sprayed with a weld through primer.

Same series of events took place at the rear seam as well. They are both ready for me to reset the panel and get to welding. And I was making that happen, when the youngest came out to the garage all stressed out. Seems her Jeep has a MIL on steady. I reset this a few days ago after pulling a high reading from an O2 sensor #2/1. I guess it may really have an issue. I get to find out! Wish me luck!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[67rustavenger]

Getting old sux! Ask me how I know.

A question. Are you using a flux-core welding machine? I can't remember.
Old age will have that affect on ya.
I have a gas rig. It lay's down decent beads. When tuned correctly. Otherwise I can blow holes through metal with the worst of them.

I Fd up my drivers side rear fender a couple weeks ago and need to either repair of replace it. It's rubbing the tire, pretty badly.
So I think I need to weld the fender lip to get some rigidity, so it will hold it's shape.

You're fender fix post should help me a bit.

Keep it up. 5 years from now you will have a driving car. Lol!.
JK!
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Dan22]

I like the smiling shoe! (last picture).

Looking good on the car progress too!
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1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074

[VW_Jimbo]

[VW_Jimbo]