My new 66

[swhitcomb]

Had some early days at work the last few days, so I’ve been working on getting the channel in place, as well as the rear cross members.

Went out to the parts car and took a few of these off of it. I don’t plan on using them, just needed them to align the car properly.

That was the first day. Got it trimmed up and sort of fitting.

Second day I played with the cross member and package tray area.

Close and almost ready to weld.

When I was done I decided to weld up some extra holes in the decklid that have been bothering me since the day I bought it.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

It’s been waaaay too long, but I finally did some work on the Bug today.

Cut off the lip on the channel that interferes with the seat track. Cut a little, weld a little, cut a little, weld a little. Almost ready to fit up to the car and get lined up.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Yes got it directly from their website. It shipped from somewhere in the southwest. Arizona if I remember correctly. I’ve watched 3 or 4 install videos. You’re right, looks fairly straightforward. Last year my wife and I went to a show in North Carolina, and there were several cars that had them, all parked pretty close together. They’d all been built by one guy. Talked to him, and he showed me all the details of the kit, and which one to order. They do sell a cheaper version. He’s the one who sold me on the more expensive one. It has the pop up sun visor wind deflector thing, and the track is a better design. Glad I talked to him.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[sportin-wood]

The installation videos I've seen for those sunroofs make it look fairly easy. Should be a sweet addition! Did you get that directly from their website? I know there's a vendor in Florida that sells the Britax ragtops for them.
_________________
Dave

.
1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[swhitcomb]

Haven’t forgotten about the Bug. Been working on my Basement all winter, and doing spring and summer projects on our house. I did however, order this.

Got to get yhe channels in, and the inner fenders done. Then I’ll install it. Great company to deal with. He had the one I wanted in canvas in stock, and sold it to me for the price of the vinyl one $100 cheaper.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Finally got it fit up and welded in.

It fits pretty well. The fender and bumper line up nicely when bolted up. Got some cleaning up and finish welding to do.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[sportin-wood]

Nice progress. Keep it up!
_________________
Dave

.
1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[swhitcomb]

Got the drivers side bumper mount fitted up and ready to weld. Hope to weld it in tomorrow before the games start.

Bolted up the fender and bumper to check for fitment.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

I put together a quick video of the current state of the 66.

Also, the heater I ordered for the garage came today. Hope to have it installed tomorrow.


Link

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

So, a friend sent me a Facebook ad last week. 5 lug disc brake kit, pulled off of a 66, with very low miles on it. $50. I jumped on it. Sent the guy the money immediately, and went and picked it up today. The guy had a set of drop spindles too he wanted to get rid of them. Gave them to me for free. They’ve never been mounted on a car. I’m not going to use them on the Bug, but they might work really well in my 74 Ghia.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Also, bought this a few months ago.

And if you’re curious, here’s the 66 Fastback

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

So I was making progress fairly quickly on this car. Then my wife got on a Fastback kick. We bought a 70 that turned out to be too rusted to save. Sold it to a friend, and we came across a 67. It was pretty close to home. Drove it the 15-20 mins home it was, but it didn’t run right, and pretty much nothing electrical worked on it. Did a compression test and the first cylinder I check had 50-60 psi. Cylinder 4 if I remember right. So, we tore into it, and she and I rebuilt it. Sent the case and heads to the machine shop, and replaced every single component otherwise. She blasted all the tin, and I powder coated it. Shipped the carbs off to Tim and had him rebuild them. Had the exhaust cerakoted. Tore into the electrical system and slowly got things working. It’s been a really long road, but I finally got it running about a month ago. We bought the car at the beginning of spring last year. Anyway, once it’s done I can get back on the Bug. And the 74 Ghia I bought since I bought the Bug. And way day the road, the 66 Fastback I bought a few months ago.

When we bought it.

New wheels and tires and cleaned up a little

Engine out

Rebuilt and ready to go back in

Running

Link


That’s before I fixed the original early column. It also isn’t tuned so it’s idling really high. But it finally runs, charges its own battery, (it didn’t) the fuel gauge works, all the lights work, the clock works, etc. The finish line is in sight.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Just looked back. Guess I forgot to post that I’d welded the apron and spare well in too.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

[hobthebob]

You're a really talented guy. Looking good!

[swhitcomb]

Been too long since I posted. Been working on the wife’s Fasty and some house projects. Tackled this in the last week or so. Next up is the channel. Ordered new rear cross members and some other various metal. Should be fun.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[sportin-wood]

The progress is looking good!
_________________
Dave

.
1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[swhitcomb]

Haven’t posted in a while, but I’ve been working on the car here and there.

The spare well had a big crack in it, and a small amount of rust. Decided to just replace it. The apron had a rather large dent at the bottom, and some rust. Initially I thought I’d just patch it, but decided I’d just replace it. Should’ve just fixed it. The new aprons are total junk. Taking a lot to get it to get it to fit, and even then I’m not very happy with the way it fits.

Also got the door braces for the heater channel install. Once I get the front sorted I’ll move on to the channels.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

[grvwsic]

yes, great job. Thank you for all the pictures. It's a great reference.
I envy your workspace. My neighbors complained to the neighborhood watch because I had too many VW.