A 1970 Beetle followed me home. The build continues.

[Q-Dog]

The pans don't come with the battery hold down bracket or the hold down bolt. Now that the bracket is installed, here's how I add the bolt.

First, cut a metal tab 1"X2" and drill a hole in the center.

Put an appropriate bolt through the hole and weld a couple of beads around the head. I used a hardened metric bolt from the "just in case" box of stuff that I just can't seem to get rid of.

Mark and drill a hole in the pan for the bolt, plus a hole on either side of that. Put the bolt with the tab into the hole from the bottom and bolt it down tight. I used an oversized nut as a spacer.

Plug weld from the top, wire brush, prime and paint.

I think the factory put seam sealer around the bolt. Should I?
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Q-Dog]

Chassis is getting painted. So far, one coat over everything on top.

I need to flip it and do the bottom, then in a couple of days it will get a second coat on top.

_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Q-Dog]

Bottom is painted, 2 coats. Also managed a second coat on top.

She'll sit for a couple of days, then the adjustable front end goes on.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Q-Dog]

I already built an adjustable beam for the car because the lower shock towers on the original beam are rusted through. But I still needed to strip the old front end because I want to reuse the spindles, drums, backing plates and steering box if I can.

I knew that the shed the PO stored this car in had flooded a couple of months before I got it but I didn't think it was bad. Besides the rusted up brakes I also found a rusted lower spring pack with 2 broken springs in it. I guess the water couldn't get out after it got in.
I also got the adjustable beam bolted on. New lower needle bearings, new lower ball joints, new seals.

The old spindles are just hanging on the arms to keep them off of the ground. Now I need to clean up the old parts and see if anything else needs to be replaced.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Q-Dog]

When I first picked up this car I thought it was going to end up as parts. I wasn't even looking for another car. I'm glad I'm able to keep this one out of the scrapyard, but this little green beetle keeps getting me to do more work on it than I intended. Damn these little cars!

Oh well, I had the time so I cleaned up more front end parts. Scraper, wire wheel and steel brush to get the crud off, then inspected and primed a couple of days ago.

Painted yesterday and touched up today.

I need to clean out the steering box. The fluid is nasty.

I still have a package tray to weld in, but it's been so hot I can't get motivated to do it.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Q-Dog]

Between yard work and the heat/humidity I can't seem to get much done on the car. We hit 98 degrees yesterday! I managed to soak through 4 shirts and 2 pairs of pants ... and I quit working around 2pm.

I managed to clean up more front end parts yesterday morning, then painted them up. This morning I assembled the front end enough to be able to roll the chassis around again. I left off the backing plates for now.

It doesn't look like much work, but I cleaned up and installed Grease zerks, tie rods, spindles, bearings and steering box. Since I'm doing this work in an open shed, I don't want to install the brakes until the car is much closer to being on the road.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[biggene]

Looks like you are doing an awesome job bringing this one back from the land of the dead. Subscribing.

Oh, and don't worry about taking your time, I have been working at "finishing" up my 67 build for about 4 years now, life jut seems to keep getting in the way. But, I had someone tell me a long time ago, even if you work on the car for just 30 minutes a day, that is still 30 minutes closer to finishing it than you were before.
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There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.
Louis L’Amour
My 67 Build

[Q-Dog]

Thanks for the comments. I wish I could work 30 minutes a day on the car. Right now I'm 1600 miles away so nothing is getting done on it.

I haven't decided how far to go on this car. Originally I wanted to replace the floors and put the car back together as is, but as I spend more time with it I find more things that could/should be done to it.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[biggene]

I understand the not being able to work on it thing too. I was just able to get my 67 home after almost a year of it just sitting at my mother in laws house in her old tractor shed. I told my wife the first thing I am doing this Saturday is giving my poor baby a bath, she is nasty as you can see.

Hang in there and you will get it done. I see too many threads on here where people start off strong and then when they run into a few life snags, give up and sell the project.
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There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.
Louis L’Amour
My 67 Build

[Q-Dog]

[scrivyscriv]

Subscribed!
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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[vamram]

I'm in. Great work, one day I hope to have the skills, patience and tools for that kind of metal work.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[Q-Dog]

Thanks for the comments.

Update: Between work and family stuff I have spent about 9 of the last 11 months away from home. When I was home last week I looked over the car and placed an order for some parts with the hope I'll be able to get some work done to it in the next few weeks. So, I have a box of parts waiting for me when I get home next week, and I think I have everything I need to finish the welding on the body.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[VolksytheBug]

QDog, as you progress with your project, please let me know if you have any questions about 1970 Beetles. Mine is all-original except for the exterior paint (which is still the original color) and engine, so it's a pretty good reference car.

I love the color by the way! I wish my Savannah Beige was as vibrant as that green.
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1970 Savannah Beige Beetle - Volksy
1965 Piper Cherokee 180 aircraft

../___\
(0\_!_/0)

[Goldbug3318]

Any updates??
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1971 Super Beetle 1302S
1641 DP, lowered, 914's, etc...

1990 Ford Mustang Coupe
2008 Ford Mustang Coupe
2003 Chevy Corvette

[Q-Dog]

I wish I could report some progress, but I haven't gotten enough done to it in the last year to warrant an update. I recently spent a couple of evenings with it, made a list of needs, and collected a few more parts, but life is keeping me from spending any real serious time on it.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[mangorockfish]

[miller0358]

Just hang in there and don't give up. It took me about 3 1/2 yrs to do each one of my cars. I wanted to give up more times than I can remember, but stuck with them and this is what I ended up with. Copper 73 standard, green 71 super. Jeff

[Goldbug3318]

[miller0358]

Thanks. You can't believe how many times I wanted to sell these before they were done. Walked away many times just to clear my head. Glad I finished. I hope Q dog finishes. Jeff