1966 Vert (Hendrik) Restoration / Build Thread

[crdouger]

A great friend and I are beginning a journey to restore his 66. It looks great from 10 feet but has some previous restoration issues. We are going to begin with a complete teardown to see what we have to work with then will begin the restoration and painting process. We'd love to have you follow along, share advice and experience and ask questions. While we aren't noobies, we aren't professionals either. So thankful for the VW community with lots of great people.



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[crdouger]

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[67conv]

I wish you guys all the luck and success you'll be needing on this project. The 1966 Convertibles have many one year only attributes aside from all the usual undertakings for restoring a vintage VW vert. Read = RUST repair! You mentioned the floor but how do the side support rail structures look on both sides?

I'm not so sure I'd tear this one apart and do a frame off restoration on it if you intend to keep it's current "look", unless you'd be willing to go all IN on it, making it a proper restoration (not a restomod re-imagination). Including losing that "fat wide whitewalls on early smoothies" look, the 2 tone interior panels idea, white steering wheel, etc. But instead do a proper restoration befitting a rare basically complete 1966 convertible with her original bits and pieces. You have a pretty good head start on the engine it appears.

Otherwise, unless it's really rusted up under there (Michigan?!) I'd pretty much be inclined to roll it as it is now - As a head turning solid daily driver! My .02 worth...

A couple original '66 vert pics:

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1967 VW Convertible, owned /driven /pampered for 34 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned /driven /risen from the dead for 20 years.

Previously owned: 72 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Super Beetle bought NEW; 79 Convertible bought NEW; 67 type 1 savanna beige; 67 2.0 911S; 73 2.4 911T; 63 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 64 356 SC sunroof coupe; 72 Type-3 Squareback; 68 + 69 Type-3 Fastbacks; 87 Vanagon GL Wasserboxer

[crdouger]

One of the things I like about the collector car community is there is a lot of room for different opinions. Some people love the purist restoration, some love restomods, some run rat rods and some love the rust patina. This one will stay true to 66 in all of the permanent things, but will get a lot of personal touches (white walls, panels, etc.) to fit the owners preferences. All of those things can easily be switched back later if desired.

Beautiful car pics. Thanks for sharing!

[crdouger]

Disassembly begins! It's amazing how fast it goes with a couple friends.


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[matthew henricks]

Looking forward to seeing how you attack the metal repair and front clip. Love that donor car but hard to see what it could possibly donate.
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1964 Original Owner build Thread. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=702135&highlight=

Ambulance Fan's. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=627707&highlight=

Parts i am looking for:
64 bug nice used front/rear Black LHD floor mat.

[crdouger]

Yeah...we will see what the donor car has to offer. A neighbor had the car and offered it for us to use if there were any useful parts left on it. The car doesn't show any signs (that we've seen yet) of ever being in an accident. Worst case, it's a reference and measuring point for us. Best case, we do some grafting from it. Time will tell. Thanks for following along and sharing.

[kingstrider]

Wow that's going to be a beautiful Bug. I love the color combo!
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1963 VW sedan

[crdouger]

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[crdouger]

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[matthew henricks]

Thank you for all the detail. Never seen a vert come apart and how different they are in the doors and windows.
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1964 Original Owner build Thread. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=702135&highlight=

Ambulance Fan's. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=627707&highlight=

Parts i am looking for:
64 bug nice used front/rear Black LHD floor mat.

[crdouger]

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