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Bryan67
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Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 2942
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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 Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 7:55 am Post subject: 1963 Cal Looker |
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Here`s the start of my next project. A very solid, original paint 1963 Beetle. My plans are to build a traditional 70`s style California Look sedan. Dechromed, Pan off, T Bars, mildly lowered front, detailed Fuchs wheels... but with a few modern exceptions like 4 wheels discs, modern tires, 2276 with 48 Dells, and probably a modern ignition system.
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57BLITZ
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Joined: June 12, 2012
Posts: 2385
Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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| Bryan67 wrote: |
| My plans are to build a . . . Dechromed . . . |
Very COOL!!! California Look = dechromed!!!!
I'll be cheerin' for ya Bryan!
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Bryan67
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Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 2942
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 6:39 am Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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Thanks. It will take awhile, but it will get done.
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Bryan67
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Posts: 2942
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:34 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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So here are a few shots of the teardown process. No major surprises, just an old original car.
A little rust in the trunk lid seal channel. So that will get replaced.
Out with the old 40 horse engine
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Bryan67
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Posts: 2942
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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Making a mess...
The floors look good. Hopefully they can remain.
On to the doors.
Spare tire well is solid.
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Bryan67
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Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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A few new parts. VDO Series one gauges. and restored/remodeled VDO speedo by Orange Empire.
And some custom Pro90 seats with hounds tooth inserts. Should go well with Ruby Red.
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57BLITZ
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Joined: June 12, 2012
Posts: 2385
Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:15 am Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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Wow Bryan! That Bug looks VERY solid!
For the trunk seal . . . is the rust limited to just the seal-retaining channel? You can get that from Wolfsburg West. See if you can use yer twenty-percent off coupon at Harbor Freight to get a spot welder.
How did you get Hound's-tooth inserts in the Scat seats?
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Mr. Mike 
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Joined: January 30, 2015
Posts: 513
Location: Shoreline, WA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:41 am Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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How neat, are those the factory inspector's signatures or m-codes in the bonnet forward of the ashtray & radio?
| Bryan67 wrote: |
A little rust in the trunk lid seal channel. So that will get replaced.
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Cheers!
Mike
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Bryan67
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Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 2942
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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It`s just the channel. And I`m way ahead of you. I have a pile of W.W. parts waiting to get used. And I had Scat custom make the seats. They already use the hounds tooth on some of their other seats, so it was not a big deal.
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Mark Evans
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Joined: April 21, 2004
Posts: 1931
Location: Alsea,Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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I wouldn't de-chrome it...
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EVfun
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Posts: 5481
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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| Bryan67 wrote: |
| It`s just the channel. And I`m way ahead of you. I have a pile of W.W. parts waiting to get used. And I had Scat custom make the seats. They already use the hounds tooth on some of their other seats, so it was not a big deal. |
I've pulled the hood and deck lid seal channel off one Bug and don't think I'd put it back on. They make a seal that goes on the edge of the hood for the front. I never figured out why VW put that seal on the rear.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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Bryan67
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Posts: 2942
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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| Mark Evans wrote: |
| I wouldn't de-chrome it... |
I`ve built enough "Safe" cars already. I want to build one the way I want for a change.
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EVfun
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Posts: 5481
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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| Mark Evans wrote: |
| I wouldn't de-chrome it... |
Having fought them in my youth I don't think I would install one piece windows (like the look but...) I think I would sandblast the wing vent frame and paint it black, but not the handle, button, or lock tab.
I'd remove the trim strip from front hood, not sure about the sides. I like the front VW logo, and never liked shaved hood, engine cover, or door handles. I love T-bars in place of bumpers.
...but this isn't my build. May the builder have fun and make it his way.I'd have a hard time modding a nice old Bug with so much still stock - I've got a soft spot for that too.
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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57BLITZ
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Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Mark Evans wrote: |
| I wouldn't de-chrome it... |
I`ve built enough "Safe" cars already. I want to build one the way I want for a change. |
If it were mine, I would build a traditional 70`s style California Look sedan. Dechromed, Pan off, T Bars, mildly lowered front, detailed Fuchs wheels...
But that's just me . . . build it any way that pleases you Bryan! 
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Bryan67
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Posts: 2942
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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| Mr. Mike wrote: |
| How neat, are those the factory inspector's signatures or m-codes in the bonnet forward of the ashtray & radio? |
Yes they are. I've had a few other cars with similar markings. In the trunk and in the wheelwells as well.
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Mr. Mike
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Joined: January 30, 2015
Posts: 513
Location: Shoreline, WA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:51 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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| Bryan67 wrote: |
| Mr. Mike wrote: |
| How neat, are those the factory inspector's signatures or m-codes in the bonnet forward of the ashtray & radio? |
Yes they are. I've had a few other cars with similar markings. In the trunk and in the wheelwells as well. |
Cool, me too. My Current '64 has them in the bonnet as do you, behind the door panels, and behind the tarboards. I find it really neat that they've lasted so long.
Thanks!
Mike
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vwnut1
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Joined: May 16, 2012
Posts: 495
Location: So Cal
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 8:22 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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Do you plan on taking the body off the pan? Media blasting the body to remove paint down to bare metal? Looks like a solid foundation, early '60 Bugs make great Cal-Look Beetles.
Keep that checkbook funded during the restore. The large motor and bodywork/paint can easily run $10k. I will be following this build for sure.
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Bryan67
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Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 2942
Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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This isn't my first go around for sure. Check out my photos for some of my old cars. This car will take awhile as I'm also building a 66 Bug too. But yes, I'm taking the body off of the pan (Re: original post). The trans is getting built right now and the engine is next. I have 95% of the parts just waiting to go on a freshly painted body. And as the body is at the painters, I will be building the pan.
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Bryan67
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Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 7:07 am Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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Here`s a few shots of the access panels being cut. I still have to make the covers...
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Bryan67
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Location: Fresno, Ca.
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 7:05 am Post subject: Re: 1963 Cal Looker |
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It`s been awhile, but I finally got my 63 into my friend Craig`s shop Above And Beyond. Before sending the body off to media blasting he did some welding...
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