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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 3:56 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Next big hurdle is the fenders (wings lol)
They were pretty beat up and needed some work
If you recall, stripped them down and found out that the signal holes in the front weren’t correct
So I borrowed a good fender from a friend and masked out a template
I took that template and transferred the holes to my fenders
They were way off
I welded up the old holes and drilled new
But I didn’t take pics because my welds were embarrassing lol
I took the fenders down to the shop and coated the inside with POR-15
Then I used bed liner and coated over that to help prevent “stars” from rocks flying up and dinging the inside
It’s supposed to be all rough like that to somewhat match the rest of my undercoating
Then I did a body filler skim coat
I sanded that down pretty close and rattle-canned some self etching primer over the top so if something to block sand
The duplicolor primer splattered some
I’d recommend not using it and getting the rustoleum if I were you
My boss let me use this Super Beetle to mount my rear fenders on for sanding
Trying to sand them loose is a pain
The front fenders will not even come close to Fitting so I have to sand them on the panel stands
As you can see, there’s still a way to go _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2025 4:47 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Big day today for Ol’ Herb
He’s legal again after 25 years
_________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Thanks , I appreciate the compliment . I try
I finished up the door glass finally
So I moved on to the carpet since the cabin can be closed up now
I chose “salt and pepper” from JBugs for Ol’ Herb
Compared to the last few items I’ve been working on, this was a breeze
Yes , I have a new knob for the heater .
Since I only plan on running this car in "good" weather, there are no cutouts for the heater under the rear seta.
There's no heat exchangers anyway, it has J-Tubes
I have new seat covers that I will install when everything else is done _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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Redfox86 Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2024 Posts: 38 Location: West Lancashire, UK
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Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 11:01 am Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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I’ve not kept up to date with this as I’ve not been on the forum for a while, but it was good to catch up and see the progress. I’m enjoying this build a lot, not only because I’ve got a lot of affection for Herbie, but also because of the high quality of the work.
Thank you for taking the time to share it all. |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2025 6:08 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Struggled with the vent windows, scrapers , and felt
Got one side installed
I tweaked the felt channel badly on the other side .
I got caught in the outside scraper
So , waiting on parts for that side
I got new drums for the surface conditioning tool so I took some time stripping them down some more
That’s a pretty coarse grit in this pass
I have to hit them again after more dent work _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Adjusted the shims on my link pins
Big improvement
Now I have to adjust the rear
It’s just one of those things
I assembled the rear when the body was off so it was a best guess kind of thing _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2025 7:37 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Ol’ Herb got a little sun after I got the doors to open and cLose from the inside. The windows are a chore and new inner scrapers are on order.
I also cleaned up the spray adhesive from the ragtop tracks and that helped tremendously for sliding it
I then noticed the front camber is way negative
I initially thought that it was just so light that they hadn’t settled, but I don’t think so now .
The guys in Facebook say to adjust shims because I must have assembled the link pins incorrectly , so that’s next _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2025 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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These 4 are original German fenders
They need some work but they are what I’m going to use
_________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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Rome Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004 Posts: 10228 Location: Pearl River, NY
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Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Quote: |
as for your fenders, pick the stock ones, even if the stock ones require hammer and dolly work or welding. aftermarket fenders are oft too thin a thickness, and some have totally wrong contours, and inaccurate sized fender rolled lips and incorrect placement of holes, horn grill, light mounting, etc... I much rather repair a dented, torn factory fender than use a pristine aftermarket fender. |
For the rear fenders- make sure that the taillamp mounting holes are exactly symmetrical/mirror-image to each other. This avoids taillamps that are at different heights, or "twisted". If you have a fender that's an original German one, take a piece of paper or paper bag, tape it flat onto the fender surface, and mark the holes on the paper. Also mark the edge of the fender edge contour (goes straight upwards from the bottom of the fender, then kinks outwards). Remove the paper, and place it onto the other fender mirror-image using the fender edge kink as the common point. |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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I didn’t go to the shop today
Instead I sid some wet sanding and buffing
_________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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zerotofifty Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003 Posts: 3105
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Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2025 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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slave1pilot wrote: |
My sashes (window lifting channels) were rusted through, so I had to order new ones.
I’ll get back to assembly after the parts come in
I bead blasted all of these parts (I know there are duplicates )
They looked like this before
They have been painted black just to keep the rust off
I droppwd off my fenders (yep, more duplicates) at the shop
I might go down tomorrow and see which ones are the best of the bunch and start doing the hammer and dolly to prep these for painting |
Money of the blasted parts should be painted a gloss black. the gears and springs I believe were simply oiled. the channels, door card support, and door latch linkage, window frame, etc... are factory painted a glossy black however.
as for your fenders, pick the stock ones, even if the stock ones require hammer and dolly work or welding. aftermarket fenders are oft too thin a thickness, and some have totally wrong contours, and inaccurate sized fender rolled lips and incorrect placement of holes, horn grill, light mounting, etc... I much rather repair a dented, torn factory fender than use a pristine aftermarket fender.
Your Bug is looking very very nice. Keep up the picture posting, it is an inspiration to see.  |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2025 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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My sashes (window lifting channels) were rusted through, so I had to order new ones.
I’ll get back to assembly after the parts come in
I bead blasted all of these parts (I know there are duplicates )
They looked like this before
They have been painted black just to keep the rust off
I droppwd off my fenders (yep, more duplicates) at the shop
I might go down tomorrow and see which ones are the best of the bunch and start doing the hammer and dolly to prep these for painting _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:36 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Thank you
I did a test fit of the doors, hood, and decklid.
Nothing is tight or adjusted correctly
I sprayed the inside of the doors Grey while they were in the booth
Once they have cured for a few days I will start installing the glass and door mechanisms.
Then I can do the cards and carpet
The seats need redone but I’m putting g that off for a bit because these aren’t horrible. _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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jitbba Samba Member

Joined: August 20, 2013 Posts: 192 Location: Schulenburg
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 8:21 am Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Man you're moving along quick! Sucks about the door but seems like you recovered fast. Looking good _________________ My other ride is a Zildjian |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2024 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Well
The bungee cords broke and one door crashed to the ground
The upper left corner took the most damage
So I had to bang it out and weld it because it’s thin and ripped
I didn’t take pics of the repair because I was in the groove
Hung up the next set of parts and the damaged door
I sprayed the sealer (forgot pics again)
And then sprayed 6-7 coats of paint on those parts as well
All of those parts are curing in the booth tonight
The doors are my priority so I can seal up the cabin _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2024 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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The doors have been painted
I sprayed them with primer / sealer but forgot to take a picture
Then I sprayed the doors with L87 Perlweiss
_________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2024 7:51 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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epoxy primer.
The same epoxy primer from Eastwood that I used on the body itself a few months back _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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shanered Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2022 Posts: 64
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2024 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Are you sanding the epoxy or is that a fill primer? Looks like its surfacing real nice. |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: My 63 body on a 59 pan Herbie project car |
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Took a few parts down to the shop to sand on a little bit
Found a few issues that still need adressed, but at least I have a dry place to do it now
The doors are really my focus now _________________ My Photobucket for my Herbie Project - http://s1288.photobucket.com/user/TK-439/library/Herbie?sort=3&page=1
Currently:
1963 Ragtop Beetle
Previously:
1967 Beetle
1968 Beetle
1970 Beetle |
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slave1pilot Samba Member

Joined: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Yuba City CA
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