74 Thing

[62CdnNotch]

This is a new beast for me. Its not in horrible shape but not the best either. Drivers pan seems good, but normal rust in the passenger side.
The inside rockers are a bit weak and there is some rust on the exterior. The rear drivers wheel well is going to need some work.

It is not the original motor and I have not tried to start it. It has been off the road for at least 5-10 year.

I hope this is not going to be a big headache. I have always wanted one and a convertible Volkswagen.

Any input is appreciated.

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1962 Type 3 Notchback
1965 Euro Beetle
1966 Beetle
1972 Westfalia (sold)
1974 Thing

[62CdnNotch]

_________________
1962 Type 3 Notchback
1965 Euro Beetle
1966 Beetle
1972 Westfalia (sold)
1974 Thing

[62CdnNotch]

_________________
1962 Type 3 Notchback
1965 Euro Beetle
1966 Beetle
1972 Westfalia (sold)
1974 Thing

[Zylinderkopf]

Yikes! You got some rust issues....but there is plenty of good metal there to work with. Around here we like to say make it run, make it stop, make it go, then make it pretty.
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1963 Beetle
1966 Beetle 1300
1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1971 Super Beetle
1974 Thing


"A lot of people never use their initiative because no one told them to."

[62CdnNotch]

I hope its still got enough metal Zylinderkopf, and not out of my wheel house for repair.

I have never tried to repair the rockers on a Thing. Is this something that could be done with the body on pan.
Or is it hard to remove the body and better to just plan to remove the body.

Who is the best to order metal from??

Thanks
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1962 Type 3 Notchback
1965 Euro Beetle
1966 Beetle
1972 Westfalia (sold)
1974 Thing

[Zylinderkopf]

I haven’t done much body work but I would think that once you start poking at those rockers you will keep finding more rust. Better to take the body off. You can still get metal body parts from the Thing Shop or go to the samba classifieds. If I were you I would just address the mechanical issues first and enjoy driving it for a while before getting into all that body work.
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1963 Beetle
1966 Beetle 1300
1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1971 Super Beetle
1974 Thing


"A lot of people never use their initiative because no one told them to."

[Smushy]

I was trying to buy this one and it quickly disappeared - glad someone I know got it
Let me know if you need a hand I'm not far away.
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1964 Type3 Notch
1971 Type2 Dormobile
1971 Type2 Westfalia
1973 Type2 Kombi
1977 Rabbit
1961 & 1964 Heilite Single Wheel

[62CdnNotch]

Thanks Zylinderkopf. I will do exactly that.

Hope to see you soon Smushy!! Im going to need some help.
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1962 Type 3 Notchback
1965 Euro Beetle
1966 Beetle
1972 Westfalia (sold)
1974 Thing

[KAmes]

I replaced my rockers with the body on the pan, it's not that hard. I think, well I know a better restoration can be done off the pan, but it's a bigger commitment. Taking the body off the pan is really easy when everything comes loose, often times you end up breaking things you didn't plan to fix. In my case I just wanted a presentable driver, not a show car. Leaving it together does allow you to repair this bit or that and then drive it the next day. Some guys are really into doing the work, others just want to have a car. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle. I'm always wary of getting buried in a forever project so I'm careful to keep it in my personal fun range if I can. Yours has rust in the usual places but there's a lot that looks good about it too. It looks like a lot of fun!