Rust Problems in a 1971 Super Beetle

cookrw

I got this beetle for $1400 thinking it was a good first venture into the Volkswagen world, but maybe not. I thought there was just a little hole in the corner, but when i pulled on it, the whol panel came off. Is there any way I can weld a new floor into it? I am a pretty good welder, and I would be sad to just have to scrap my first beetle ever. This is what the back floor of my super beetle looks like:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Left side:

Right side:

What came out:

What the beetle looks like:

UJSLOST · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:

DAAAAAMMMMMNNNNN! Thats pretty bad. Its fixable, I guess anything is fixable though with enough money, tools, and time. I bet the heater channels are shot all to hell also.

cookrw · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

I will truthfully say that I have no idea what a good heat channel is like, but they seem relatively sturdy all of the way up until the last four-six inches near the rear. I really don't have to much money as a sophomore in college, but can I weld some plate over the hole to keep the car from folding in half?

66foot · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject:

cookrw -

A little POR-15 and you will be just fine.

Take some pictures of the engine and in the trunk. You may have other areas that are of concern also.

Pat (66foot)
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"The perfect race car crosses the finish line in first place and then falls to pieces."
Ferdinand Porsche

Glenn · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:27 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the wonderful world of VWs an rust.

UI hope you can weld.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

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johnnypan · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:

just a little spot putty and the rest should buff out Laughing

....save those pics and build the car.... save another one from the crusher....

zoti · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject:

With the parcel shelve in this condition I would dig really dip into the car before even thinking about spending money.

Check the heater channels and the vert support rails under the heater channels. I suspect you will find more rust.

airmech67 · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:57 pm Post subject:

Never seen one with the rear crossmembers completely gone before. Shocked

Looks like the rear ends of the heater channels have been filled with expanding foam too.

zoti · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:09 pm Post subject:

Why would you stuff the heater channels with foam?

delliott101 · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject:

A recent issue of Hot VWs has a story of (I think) a '56 Bug that was sitting so long, a tree grew through it. It was salvaged and is now a show car.

Anything is salvageable
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volksie boy · Samba Member Joined: September 29, 2007 Posts: 296

wow

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72 super and a 75 camper

restosuper71 · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

but on the bright side its now real easy to get to the starter lol
to me 1500 for that bug with that much rust was a little to much money
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jamesdagg · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:42 am Post subject:

I agree with digging deep for more rust. Looks like a parts car to me. I would not have paid more than $500 and only for parts.

Get another '71 or '72 Super that is more solid and put them together. If you do find another ask here about what to look for rust wise.

Taking the body off the pan is not easy for a casual welder. You need a garage for sure and much time and money. Also a pre '68 is more valuable and more worth restoring.

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

swhitcomb · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:06 am Post subject:

Whoever charged you 1400 for that should be shot. Looking at the expanding foam It's obvious they knew it was that rusted. If it were my car, find a piece of metal big enough to cover the whole, spray some rust inhibitor on the area, and pop rivet a patch there. Save up, and do it right. It's a long, hard, expensive process. I had a 71 super vert with the same rust. I tried to fix it myself and got in way over my head. I could fix it now, but that's 12 years and several thousand dollars worth of metal fabing equipment later.
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My 74 Ghia
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cookrw · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:

swhitcomb · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

To an extent. However, your car should be fine without it. The rear firewall is still in place. I'm 100 percent sure there's more rust on that car. I would guess a lot more. Just take your time with it. I went head 1st into mine and had no idea what i was doing. Made the car pretty much unrestorable and still bought all the metal to do it. Like 1k in metal, and sold the car for 100 bucks.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

toolbox212121 · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

With rust like that you should check the headframe. Crawl under the front and look up.
_________________
1972 Super Beetle "El Rojo"
2005 Prius

Glenn · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:01 pm Post subject:

I bet the foam around the rear window has rotted out the back of the car.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

cookrw · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject:

zoti · Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject:


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