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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 9:09 am Post subject: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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. |
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gt1953 Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13846 Location: White Mountains Arizona
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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:25 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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Nice and your mom will look spiffy driving that car. _________________ 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}) |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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0nebadbug Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2009 Posts: 1087 Location: Rockford, Illinois
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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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Ragtop!
(Beautiful Datsun btw, ...owned a 240 eons ago & built a brutal Z32 a decade or so ago) _________________ ::: Slowoval ::: LaDawri Sebring ::: '61 Creampuff ::: Dust Storm '66 ::: |
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 8:35 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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. |
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grandpa pete Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2008 Posts: 6426 Location: St. Petersburg, FL
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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grandpa pete wrote: |
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 . |
They do indeed match, not to investigate the engine a bit more. |
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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. |
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57BLITZ Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2012 Posts: 2385 Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:19 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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. _________________ Jesucristo es mi Seņor y Salvador! |
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 11:51 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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57BLITZ wrote: |
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. |
I might keep them, the hood was shaved, and now sits crooked, the fenders had those amber lights added in place of the oval grills. I think I am leaning toward keeping them and seeing how much it might be to repair. |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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57BLITZ wrote: |
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. |
I agree. Finding a hood that properly fits your front end can be a real PiTA. It will take far longer to shop than to re-tweek the one you have. I know a guy who went through a stack of 12 trying to find one. The front fenders can be patched in the time it takes to test fit hood number 9. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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.
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panicman Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2011 Posts: 2290 Location: Canby, OR
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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. _________________ Plate of shrimp |
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2016 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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. |
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SBD Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2012 Posts: 3269 Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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Ragtops are COOL! I used to have a '63. _________________ "Just $99 down and $64 a month for 36 months buys you a brand new Volkswagen Beetle!"
mark tucker wrote: |
I wouldent waste $ or thyme on building a small motor. build it big so it dosent have to work hard.remember it's only as fast as your foot alows it to be unless you build a small turd then it just stinks as it squishes up through your toes when you step on it. |
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2016 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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.
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2017 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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.
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vwuberalles Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2003 Posts: 1357 Location: Richmond, VA
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car_cursed Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2008 Posts: 127 Location: Salt lake
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Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 1:55 pm Post subject: Re: Car for Mom: 1960 Ragtop |
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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.
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lovethatconvertible Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2008 Posts: 1434 Location: Las Vegas N. V.
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