TheDon's first VW: '64 low n slow

[TheDon]

I could do that but I would probably need to make a frame to go around the opening to strengthen it. Same amount of work if not more than just fixing the hole. I do want to make the apron removable so pulling the engine is just like on a bus, why they never did that for the beetles baffles me.
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[sovereignsamba]

[Bala]

[TheDon]

It's a possibility that I could put in an access hatch. This car will never be a concourse queen but I hope to make it nice.

whats this bus hatch all about?
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[Bala]

After '72 VW realized a hatch above the engine would be beneficial for access to the T4 engine. Vanagons and some T3 have them too, but I think bay windows are the smallest.

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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

[TheDon]

interesting. If I hadn't just spent $100 on that back 1/8 of a bug so ill probably just use my patch panel
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[TheDon]

Passenger side rear window has some pitting issues. Should be an easy fix?

Driver side is in much better shape.

Rear glass is next once I find my box cutter.
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[Sharp64]

Have you looked around to see what it would take to get it media blasted? I saw an advertisement once for a mobile media blasting service. They literally come to your house and do it in your front yard or what.
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[TheDon]

I could look into that. Thanks for the idea.
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[Sharp64]

http://dustlessblastingorlando.com/index-1.html

Not a product endorsement.
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[sovereignsamba]

[Bala]

That window rust doesn't look that bad really. If you don't blast the whole thing, you might try Naval Jelly on it. Much thicker than Ospho so it doesn't drip all over the place. Works quicker too.
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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

[TheDon]

I poked at it with an awl and it went through in some spots. I probably wont blast the entire car if the cost is prohibitive. But i'll worry about that when I get to that bridge.
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[TheDon]

All glass except doors is out. Windshield cracked as I carefully removed it. Not upset because it was delaminating on all corners and the trim was borked anyways. Kind of want to install one of those safari windows on the bug.

The front and rear glass bottom corners have rust that needs to be patched but it's not bad. I have metal for the rear on my rear 1/8th of a bug I bought.

Still need to make room in garage for panels to hang on wall but this Saturday I'll strip the fenders and running boards off since I need to lift the car to access to front fender bolts. Car is to low to reach all of them.


I should be able to fix all of the rust and make the interior as water tight as possible and keep the outside OG wish. There are some dents I would like to pound out as well as redo the pan and seal it up.



if anyone knows of a metal sunroof headliner panel let me know. I need one
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[EMPIImp69]

[TheDon]

Looks like some not uncommon front end damage. The rear apron also looks pushed in

Pulled the fenders and bumpers off. Found more rust than I had known about and some really shitty heater channel welding work. I'm going to be very good at welding once I'm done with this sheissewagen
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[TheDon]

haven't made much progress other than sell off my mercedes diesels so I can focus on the bug. This week I'm reorganizing the garage so I can work on the bug and build the body stand. I also need to get my neighbor to help me put in a 240v outlet for our electric car and welder. Now that my wife is driving a new car with a warranty its one less vehicle for me to worry about.

the heat this time of year in FL kind of sucks so I'm hoping my 12'x12' tent helps. I might invest in a big fan as well to help move the air around.
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[socal1904]

Slightly off topic, but what size tire are you running up front? And just remember to breath and take it step by step.

[TheDon]

[TheDon]

New angle grinder works great and clearing paint so I can see the spot welds on my donor piece of VW. But I think the spot welds are bigger than my spot weld cutter since the metal is still rather fused together. I did 1/4 of the spot welds. Cleared the seam sealer and paint. Then center punched each spot weld. Drilled pilot holes and then used the spot weld cutter.

I should be able to get the piece out with little issue once I cut all of the welds. What sucks is the piece I'm getting is spot welded to both rear wheel tubs and the transmission tunnnel hump so it's a lot of work.

Face shield worked great. Safety glasses and face shield for the win


I'm back at it with my bug. Slowly but surely I'll chip away at it. Going to have to do a pan off so I might as well take my time.
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