Hot Rod Beetle Ute

[nbturbo]

I finished restoring a 1950's Pepsi esky today.I bought 2 about 20 years ago and restored the Coke one about 15 years ago.Will take one with me when I attend Hot Rod shows.I have many early Coke and Pepsi bottles still full of their product.

[nbturbo]

Made a small ally switch panel to fit under dash.Will need a couple of extra switches for the spot lights and perhaps windscreen washers.

[vaughn bros.]

Under dash shaped, nice. Ain't easy making that kind of stuff.😀

[nbturbo]

It is always testing me.2 big holes are to get an 8mm socket up to tighten the 5mm bolts.Makes it so easy to fit it.Will paint it body colour.

[nbturbo]

Decided to modify later stainless wiper arms for the Oval.Drilled out the rivets,polished everything.I put some more tension on the arms to get the rubbers to wipe better.Shortened and bent the arms like the Oval ones.Assembled with new blades that just arrived from CIP.

[nbturbo]

I have made a start on the tray.Cut 6 panels which will be the 4 corners for it.Have made the first one-to go front,drivers side corner.The blue tube has a plate welded to the bottom with a blind 10mm nut welded to it.A 10mm bolt comes up thru the floor.I want the whole tray to be able to lift off with maybe 8 bolts holding it.The 40mm wide plate welded on edge, will be what I weld the sides to.

[vaughn bros.]

[nbturbo]

[Retrovan]

Good luck with the body work on the tub,

Will be some fine manipulation.

But very enjoyable.

Just done my air ride's

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[nbturbo]

Herman,did it work out OK? My rears took ages to get the angles correct to allow good bag deflection between fully expanded and fully compressed.Did you make all the brackets or purchase new stuff?

[nbturbo]

On a roll now.More progress

[Retrovan]

[nbturbo]

Understand everything you wrote. With the VW IRS rear, there is a large angle change of the bag mounting plates during very small suspension changes.Also went for the parallel plates at 90deg to bag. I am fortunate that I still have normal suspension movement and still have it low because I have lifted the whole lot up 3 inches. Thanks for sharing.

[nbturbo]

Started to build the tailgate from scratch.Had some sealed stainless hinges here.I have made it 440mm high at this stage,but can shorten it to 400mm if needed.It will pivot on the drivers side so I don't have to walk into traffic to get at the handle.I have to make a panel under it with mesh to let the hot air from the radiator out.Also have to fit the tail/brake/flasher lights and a number plate somewhere on the rear.

[nbturbo]

Spent most of the day on it and didn't really go forward much.Cut a rusty superbug door to get the lock and handle.Grit blasted both to check for any wear.Both good.Blow them out then soak in CRC for a while.I made a custom end plate from 3mm flat bar.Used the VW door bits for templates.Tomorrow I will make the tailgate frame and the plate on the LH side for the striker.

[nbturbo]

Got a tailgate that opens/closes and stops on the striker.Have to remove it now to fully weld.Got these LED round lights that will fit at the bottom corners of the tailgate.Will buy a 4 pin door jam switch to get power to the lights.Fully weld and skin it,then fill in the back corners each side.

[Retrovan]

Love the work so far,

Have you been working on the ute ?

Can not wait for updates.

Thanks for sharing

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[nbturbo]

No Retro.Because I am a softy,got talked into helping a bloke with a 63 Ford Falcon.He bought it from pics from another State here.When it arrived on a transporter-it was an absolute POS.I have had a diff from a V8 Falcon ute here modified.Had 340mm cut from it and earlier disc brakes fitted with the hand brake in the caliper.Had to fabricate a complete rear chassis to be able to fit the Ford 351 Windsor V8 that it came with.The Authorities here are very strict on engine conversionsThat motor was junk,so he bought a new 302 Windsor fully rebuilt from your Country.Had to cut the front radiator panel to fit a much wider and thicker radiator.Also had to fit an air con condenser and push fan.Still have to modify the grille and front body panel.It has kept me from my project.I am getting very short on patience now.

[Retrovan]

Great that you helping someone else, Sad that your Ute is standing.

But yours was always a open project or did you have a completion date set in stone.??

Well we are also stuck with this lockdown issues, so my MeFusco is also standing awaiting paint.

So not sure if I will still make my deadline of 1st Jan 2021

Well that is how it is, keep well

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[nbturbo]

Discovered a long time ago, not to set deadlines in concrete, when you have to involve other people in your project.I needed an air con condenser and push fan for the Falcon project.Got the bloke to call round March 31st to measure up.He was going to order the stuff next day.Monday 6th went to see if it had arrived.He had completely forgotten about it.Stuff arrived Friday 10th.It's the only place here where I can source stuff.I would really like mine finished by last weekend November to take it to the biggest VW show we have here.Pretty sure it will be the 2021 show I get to.