It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild

[jerrybromley]

Here's my 73 convertible the day I brought it home for a winter project

don't get me wrong I knew it was going to need a lot of work. (I even bought a new miller MIG) but this surprised me

We all know the Super relies on the body to support the steering and that part of the body was rusted beyond repair, so some one found an interesting alternative

I'm not even sure what kind of rack and pinion this is but the steering linkage had an extra ujoint in it and felt a little jerky
The damage did not end there

Well you get the idea . What will follow as I get to it will be the pictures of my attempt to save this poor old girl and have her safe and fun to drive again

[joey1320]

Don't judge a book by it's cover... Wow that's a lot of rot.
I'm rooting for ya
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**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[jerrybromley]

The first order of business was to fix the chassis and floors

[jerrybromley]

And then on to the rear of the car

and test fit

[Chad1376]

Wow - you are a brave man. Looking at what's you've repaired so far, I'm sure you'll be able to bring that car back to life. Keep at it.

[joey1320]

That was a quick update. Nice work so far. Keep the pics coming.
_________________
**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[Mikedrevguy]

A 73 with rack n pinion? That a PO addition?

Ambitious for sure, but looks like you are handle it . Good job.
_________________
74 1303 (RevBug): plan for German Look
76 914 with 2260
79 VW Iltis
69 Bwajaja
"The wise speak because they have something to say; while the foolish speak because they have to say something." Plato

Illigitimi non-Carborundum!!

[wcfvw69]

I saw your title, then looked at your "before" picture where it didn't look too bad. I also noticed the Michigan license plate in that picture and thought "this isn't going to be good"..

You are a brave guy. Keep chipping away at it.
_________________
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[jerrybromley]

Thanks for all the encouragement Lord knows I can use all I can get

So as I looked over the front of the car I assumed I would have to cut it apart piece by piece and weld it back together as I had seen others on Samba do.

As it happens I was given the phone number to WAYOUT Salvage in Kingston (Arizona) edit Arkansas
(479.665.4126)

I had many conversations with Derrick and came up with a different plan
Here's the next installment

The rust that you can see is minimal mostly surface. Arizona is of course so much drier than Michigan even the areas I can't get to will be in better condition than mine

[Zundfolge1432]

Derrick is located in Arkansas, Kingston Ark.
www.wayoutsalvage.com

[garyt]

Late model SB floorpan, came with rack and pinion. Nice work. Was it originally orange?

[jerrybromley]

I have never taken a car of any kind apart at this level and this is my first VW of any kind so............ Ignorance is bliss I dove it

As you can see I started by cutting away small sections to see what I was getting into. At each point I tried to leave some of the original car so if need be I'd have something to weld to

[vamram]

That is amazing. The car screamed "CRUSHER, PLEEEEEASE!!!

Are you keeping the rack and pinion? I think the section to the front of the napoleon's hat is shaped differently for that than a factory '73.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[jerrybromley]

Yea the car was orange and I have been told that late models had rack and pinion ........But trust me this was definitely not factory or for that matter I doubt it was a VW rack

[jerrybromley]

OK so now we are in the present and here is my first test fit

My goal here is to make sure all the body bolts line up with the chassis bolt holes . Then bolt everything in place and weld it back together

More photos will come but from here on out I seem to be in charted waters

[jerrybromley]

[260KMN]

Excellent work and dedication. That car was bad.keep up the good work.

[jerrybromley]

Transplant nears completion.
I still have some cosmetic welding to do inside but the structure is now solid

This is the front cleaco'ed in place

Welded solid ......The front end is one with the body

She kinda looks like Frankenstein's bride
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670629&highlight=

[garyt]

You're good at this.

Wonder what the rack came from if not a late beetle?
What will you put on it? Apparently late 3 bolt is easier to change ball joints than later two bolt struts.

[vamram]