timmy's 1966 Type I project

[timmy2]

Hello everyone. I've been a member here for about 18 months. I had just come into possesion of a 1966 Type I (hardtop sunroof.) I've gotten some good feedback and advice as I delved into learning about aircooled VWs. I had never owned one before and knew nothing about them. I came into this one by accident; I have a good friend who owned it but had to sell it as part of a move.

Over the past eight months I have torn down the car and restored it. It is almost done. I have added my progress and some photos to the thread "What have you done to your car this week". However, in retrospect, that was the wrong place to add project information.

I thought I would break down and start my own thread. So here goes:

This is what she looked like before I started:

she was basically intact but in need of some basic repairs....

[timmy2]

I purchased her for $800.00. Again, the main purpose of purchasing this car was to help out a friend. He had owned the car for about five years, and for five years it sat in his driveway. He was moving and could not take it with him. The new place did not have room, he had small children and could not afford a project, and the deal he had to sell it had fallen through. He needed to sell it and asked me to buy it.

I dollied it home a few days later. It was not in running condition. I had it towed over to my mechanic, who laughted at it. He quickly diagnosed the problem as the generator or voltage regulator and recommended replacing both. I did not have access to thesamba.com yet, and found replacing the 6 volt generator to be a problem.

I found a place nearby that re-builds them, and he found a NOS voltage regulator.


Soon it was running, but not well

[timmy2]

I had a big issue with the carb. It leaked. That was easy enough to replace, but I had problems with the 12v electric choke because it was a 6 volt car. By then I had found thesamba.com and folks here walked me throught that one.

The interior was trashed.

I knew it would need to be replaced. I removed the seats and found I had rusted pans.

[timmy2]

My first major project was replacing the pans with Wolfsburg West replacement pans. After they had been cut out, I was told that the pans were actually in good shape, and I should have just repaired them.

I knew I was on borrowed time with the old cracked tires, but I was hesitant to replace them until I knew what wheels I wanted to use. That would have to wait until I decided what to do with the brakes. I wanted to upgrade them to disk brakes. So I waited. Waiting would be fine if I didnt drive it, but I did. I had a blowout.

I broke down and picked up a set of Empi wheels I had been eyeing at the Buggyhouse in Hayward, CA. I added a set of tires. (can't remember off hand what brand or size.)

[timmy2]

I took the winter off from the project and the bug stayed in the garage. Mostly because the sun roof leaked horribly. Once the spring came, I started tearing it down.

[timmy2]

The car went to the sand blaster in pieces.

[timmy2]

The body came out fantastic, and very little rust. Some around where the fenders attach, and a few pinholes in the sunroof.

The pan was blasted and coated. Underneath with a spray on truck liner, inside with a spray on heat resistant and sound dampening material.

[timmy2]

The body work turned out to be more of a project than I had imagined. I knew the front end had been hit at one time, and the "repairs" were sparse to say the least. Looks like the owner at the time just hammered it out and put on replacement fenders. (Two different types, I might add).

I had to get some replacement panels for the apron and the vertical piece just inside the apron. It was a labor intensive welding job and added considerably to the bodywork budget. But the guys at Mayshore Autobody did a fine job. In addition, someone had at one time cut out the stock radio slot to fit in some POS 80's stereo. I got replacement panels and knockout panels from Wolfsburg West. I wanted a clean look in the interior.

Finally, the paint went on.

While the body work was being done, I was re-building the chassis.

[timmy2]

Then engine was being rebuilt at LaVere's in Concord, CA. It may or may not be the original motor. It was a 1300cc block with an old number, but it had been bored out to 1600cc. I wanted to put it back together with this motor, but plan on putting in a high performance motor later on down the line. In order to prepare for the higher HP motor, I upgraded the transaxle with a new "freeway flyer" from Rancho.

[timmy2]

I had originally planned to put her back together myself in the garage, but after seeing how the paint came out, I chickened out and decided to let LaVere's do it. Over the next few months, I would drop by and check in, often bringing parts.

[timmy2]

I decided to install FatMat for more sound dampening.

[timmy2]

At this point, the car is back home. I installed the fuel tank and battery. It only took about 20-30 seconds to get the fuel from the tank to the carb. It started off rough but evened out after a few seconds and then purred like a kitten. It won't drive yet, it needs a clutch adjustment and I'm not sure if the brakes are adjusted yet. Plus it has no windshield.

It needs to go back to the body shop to address a few minor issues. Then on to the upholstery shop for the interior. I chose Bob's Custom Interiors in Hayward, CA for that. Doug will be getting the car soon.

After that the glass and the sunroof will go in. At that point it will be basically done

[timmy2]

That basically catches me up. From this point I will add photos and commentary as progress is made.

Again, thanks to everyone at thesamba.com for the help and advice I've recieved. This is my first car project.

Also, thanks to:

Vintage Trans & Gear
Buggyhouse
Mayshore Auto Body
LaVeres
Rancho Transmisions
Wolfsburg West

[pb_foots]

That is a beautiful color!

[oe_tuner]

With that color and those wheels it looks like the Bullitt Mustang! Very cool! Been thinking about getting those wheels too. How is the quality up close? They look great in pictures.

[Rome]

Great work! Body color and wheel color/style are a fabulous combination.

What color will you pick for the interior?

Your friend who sold you the car will want to buy it back when he sees it finished. And even if not, he'll be really proud of you for seeing it through its resurrection.

[grandpa pete]

Would you please look through your bare chassis photos and see if you can find one that shows where the accelerator cable comes out of the back of the tunnel ....I am turning a 66 into a sedan delivery and the accelerator cable is lost. ...HELP...
_________________
63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[timmy2]

HAHAHA..

It IS the same color as Steve McQueen's Mustang. It's my Bullit Bug!

I had to research the internet to find the paint code.

The interior will be basic black, but Doug said he did the stitching style as per the early Porsches. It's done and ready to go but I have not seen it yet.

[57BLITZ]

Your bug is lookin' GREAT!!! Keep up the nice work . . . and please show pics of yer new interior when you are able.

And I know you know this . . . you MUST keep the black plates on this car!!! DO NOT even think about changing them out for personalized plates!

[Aynthm]

Nice!!!