Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop

[car_cursed]

My mother is easily the greatest person I know, she raised myself and my disabled sister alone without much help. She worked very hard all of her life, and made numerous sacrifices. She has always wanted a ragtop, now that I am older and have the means I have decided it is time I do something for her that she would never do for herself.

I started my search about a month ago, l was looking for something with a relatively straight and rust free body as I would need to outsource any body work. A Craigslist search came up with one in Tucson. It had 1 picture and a 1 line description, and a great price. I was sure it was a scam. I contacted the seller whom sent me more pictures easing my mind, It was not all original, but this car will be a weekend driver, not a show piece. I was assured there was no deep rust, the car had disc brakes, which my mother being the typical stereo type Socal driver will desperately require . Narrowed front beam, BRM wheels. I was told the ring an pinion were making noise, but the car otherwise ran fine.

A deal was struck and I had to pay a bit more for the seller to hold the car as I could not pick it up immediately. I went on vacation for a week, and the day after I returned I rented a trailer and drove the 12 hours to Tucson. The car looked good in person, rough paint which was fine, 1600 engine on a later IRS chassis. The car was solid, even under the battery, the 1600 started easily and pulled strong. there were a couple dents here and there, but nothing major.

The goal for this restoration will be a cross between Cal style and stock. It's going to stay low, with the BRM wheels. It will be repainted to factory option color, with factory interior. The engine will probably stay the 1600 that is in it for now, maybe upgrade to a 1835 later. The tear down will begin this winter as I am needing to add onto my garage to accommodate this, and a couple other project vehicles. So far I have removed the deck lid stand offs. Next up will be sourcing a new hood and front fenders, and getting it ready to paint. then rewire as I do not like how it is done now.

If anyone is familiar with the history of the car I would love to know more about it.

Pictures.

Picking it up.

In the event anyone is wondering, these are my other projects.

1964 Datsun 1500 Roadster 3 seat

1972 Vespa Small Frame 90

I must also say I have a very understanding spouse, as the Datsun was a bit of an impulse purchase after I sold my 74 BMW 2002, and now I added the VW to the house, even though it will eventually make it's way to a new home with my mom. That's a couple years away.

[gt1953]

Nice and your mom will look spiffy driving that car.
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[hitest]

I always thought the early Datsun roadsters were beautiful- and made great use of Speedwell steering wheels. I have a 1600 waiting for me at a neighbor's house. He is waiting for one of us to give in- so I'm sure it will be mine.

Nice son you are.
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[0nebadbug]

Ragtop!

(Beautiful Datsun btw, ...owned a 240 eons ago & built a brutal Z32 a decade or so ago)
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::: Slowoval ::: LaDawri Sebring ::: '61 Creampuff ::: Dust Storm '66 :::

[car_cursed]

Looking closer, I think I am incorrect on the chassis. I believe that the chassis and body are still original matching. So, I've go that going for me.

[grandpa pete]

The only way to confirm matching body and pan is to find the number under the back seat and then the body plate behind the spare tire...match them to the number on the title .
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

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

[car_cursed]

[car_cursed]

Disassembly begins tonight. My 6yo daughter is have friends over for a slumber party, so what better time to get out of the house. Any suggestions on order? I was planning interior->Windows-> engine. I plan on leaving the current wiring harness through paint so I can reference it and use it to pull a new one when re-assembly begins.

Going to stop at Home depot and buy a bunch of storage tubs, and some zip lock bags to keep track of everything.

[57BLITZ]

I like your plans, but I gotta ask . . . why do you feel the need to replace the hood and front fenders?
If you have original fenders, I strongly suggest repairing them! Same for the hood.
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Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!

[car_cursed]

[hitest]

[car_cursed]

Got the interior stripped tonight. Went quick with the exception of a few bits of the GM 3 point seat belts that were installed. I'll need to drill out a couple bolts.

The Bad.
Large holes on the B pillars for the aforementioned seat belts. This was expected.

When the car was customized some short cuts look to have been taken. Like the doors to fit 1 piece windows.

The good.

Still have not found any rust. And the pans look to be original.

[panicman]

The cut doors make my teeth hurt.

Does your mom know you're doing this?

Very awesome, and I think you will wind up with a very cool car.

It being a '60, you might take a browse through the 60-61 restoration sticky at the top of the 58-67 forum page. Even though you're not hell-bent for 100%stock, it might help you better understand some of the 1960 oddities you're sure to encounter.
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Plate of shrimp

[car_cursed]

She does not know about this. Hoping to keep it quiet, which might be hard as I have two young kids. So I haven't told them who it's for either.

[SBD]

Ragtops are COOL! I used to have a '63.
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"Just $99 down and $64 a month for 36 months buys you a brand new Volkswagen Beetle!"

[car_cursed]

New (to me ) doors. one small ding, and some surface rust. Will need new seals and scrapers, but overall in good shape for being 55 years old.

[car_cursed]

Small update, been slowly gathering parts. Bought a fuel filter relocation bracket, new popes nose, some replacement body parts(spare tire, and lower valance). Also have new (to me) rear pop outs on their way. I also just got the Zertifikat in the mail yesterday. Looks like it was originally a L 363 Arktic car. So the debate of color will now begin. Also my mom found the car on a recent visit, whey she felt the need to go in the barn is beyond me, but now she can have some input. She has already decided she wants original style wheels, but I get to leave it low.

[vwuberalles]

Looks like a fun project! Also, nice Vespa! My bugs share their garage with a couple of those too.
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1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040

[car_cursed]

I need Samba's knowledge. I have read and read on the steering wheel issues for 60/61. My mom purchased a wheel she was told will work with the original 6 wire turn signal and steering column. I do not think it will please let me know if it will or not.

Second from my research I think I may only need to replace the horn ring it it is not the correct model?

Please help me figure this out.

[lovethatconvertible]

Here is a Great thread started by duginabug, all about the '60 & '61 Horn working's

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=369613&highlight=horn+wiring+hell
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1960 Convertible