New 79 Vert bought today

[Cusser]

[HippyTom]

Officially, I’m BACK in it. This was my last one. Shoulda kept it. 71 Super Vert.

[HippyTom]

So after jacking it up and crawling around under the car today, I’m thoroughly impressed how nice the undercarriage is. Pans done and pristine. Vert rails perfect. Factory undercoat in fender wells. Inner fenders and heat channels look factory fresh. No rust at all. Underside on luggage shelf pristine. Just doing a little cleaning under there for now but will detail paint it under there like I did my others.

Gotta replace shocks/struts all the way around. I think it has the originals from 79. Worn out is an understatement.

[Cusser]

[HippyTom]

Well, adjusted the valves and changed the oil this evening.

The valves were all really tight. I mean waaay tight. But got that resolved easily.

Changed the oil and it was bad. Some thick oil on the sump plate and in the screen. Luckily I had a new screen. That one will clean up fine but having extras means I don’t have to clean it right then.

So as I anticipated, there’s been some lack of routine stuff done. But the car hasn’t been used much for a long time either.

But after a test drive all is well. I’m runnung non ethanol gas and some heet gas treatment to get any water out of the fuel system.

Next is diff fluid change, carb rebuild, new distributor and related ignition system components. And new shocks / struts all around.

[VW_Jimbo]

AWESOME!!!!

Sounds great!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[HippyTom]

So I took the interior out and cleaned up the floor pans. Then POR15’d the pans. Below is a before and after. I don’t believe the carpet was original. It was rough so I removed. I’ve ordered new. And the original VW rubber mat just crumbled. I ordered a new one. I’ve ordered a ton of parts this past week.

The worst part was someone had covered the inside of the pans with rattle can rubberized undercoat. I hate that stuff!!! It rusted UNDER it as it held moisture. I scraped every inch of that crap off. Then wire wheeled and covered with POR15.

There was plenty of solid metal there. One tiny pin hole I JB Welded. Blended it right into the contour of the pan. Can’t even tell now.

So next is carb rebuild and new distributor Tuesday. Then detail paint the undercarriage and clean the top.

[HippyTom]

Carb has been soaked, rebuilt, rejetted, and a new 009 Distributor with the Pertronix electronic ignition from my old one switched over. The carb looks and functions like brand new. The car runs like a new car!!! Strong little 1600 DP.

This weekend I'm going to work on cleaning the top inside and out and getting the wheels refurbished. Maybe replace the front seat pads, paint the undercarriage...we'll see how far I get.

[HippyTom]

Now a lady at work wants to know if I'm interested in her 72 Super hard top. Its been sitting in her garage over 7 years. She says it needs some work as it hasn't been run in many years, but it's not a rust bucket.

I might go check it out this weekend. It's not something I'd really go after right now (like a late 50s or early 60s vert, 71/72 Vert, Oval sunroof, or even a late 60s or early 70s sunroof), but if it's a good car and a good deal, I might get it. We'll see.

[HippyTom]

So I got busy cleaning the Vert top and headliner. The white canvas top was put on 10 years ago and has sat outside in FL ever since. It had a lot of stains, mold, mildew, etc and I was concerned it wouldn’t come clean.

Topps cleaner and brush didn’t phase it. Tried some Woolite in hot water and slight improvement. So considering the moldcand mildew stains, I tried some cleaner with a small bleach content and BAM!!! Looks brand new. Tomorrow I’ll apply the Topps sealant.

The headliner also cleaned up like new.

I also cleaned up the wheels with CLR and scotch brite pads. Much improved but they'll still need need to be repainted.

[HippyTom]

Applied 3 coats of RaggTopp protectant today and Ospho'd the wheels and all the rust areas on the car. That should stop it in its tracks until I can get it painted.

Next is detailing the undercarriage.

[HippyTom]

Have I ever proclaimed my absolute hatred of undercoat? It’s the Devil!!!

I scraped every inch of the underneath of my tunnel to rid it of that hideous scourge. Then wire wheeled, sanded lightly, and coated it and my driver’s side Vert rail with POR15.

The underneath of the pans had a good undercoat that sets up hard, so I just cleaned it up a bit and painted it gloss black. Tomorrow night is passenger side rail and pan. Thankfully no more scraping.

Then I’ll do the front beam and suspension and the rear forks another night. Then rear suspension.

This sure would be easier with a lift.

[docdanracy]

Nice work so far
_________________
Doc
1970 Sunroof Bug Yukon Yellow (L19K)
Custom 6.5x15” 914 Sport Wheels wrapped in 185x65x15 Contis
Empi shifter, full compliment of gauges, 1679 with mild cam, stock induction

SOLD: 1974 Marina Blue Standard Beetle undergoing restoration/preservation
1679 with Kadrons and header/QP
914 sport wheels 5.5" ET40 wrapped in 195x65x15 Kumhos

[HippyTom]

Thanks. No work on the car tonight. Got home too late. But got lots of VW parts delivered today. Jbugs, Wolfsburg West, eBay.

Carpet, seat pads, rubber mats, trunk liners, door seals, top boot, little parts here and there, etc.

Lots more work to do. Enjoying every bit of it. Using my OCD to my advantage. LoL.

Considering buying a 69 Vert and a 72 Sedan. I need another garage!!!

[VW_Jimbo]

[HippyTom]

I'm talking with a contractor currently. But by the time I go through HOA paperwork, permitting, and actually get the construction done who knows how long it will be.

And all these cars are finding their way to me now. For a year I had another house for sale a mile away with an empty 3 car garage. Couldn't have had these come up then...noooOOOOooo. Only a couple months after I sold it.

I've got room in the back yard, it's just not covered. Gotta get that garage built!!!!! Fast!!!!

[Cusser]

[HippyTom]

When we were looking to move I found a house with attached 3 car garage and detached garage with 2 double doors. With space on each side and between and extra deep. But it was across the street just outside my daughter’s school zone.

I have a clearing in my back woods I can fit a big garage. My plan is to be big enough I could fit 6 of my Silverado crew cab 4x4s in. We’ll see.

[VW_Jimbo]

[joey1320]

Great work on the project. The top came out perfect.

I've been contemplating getting a garage built also. I need the work space. I own 3 acres but I have huge trees that will need to come down first, so that's going to cost a small fortune. I thought about getting the metal enclosed ones but not sure about their quality.

Garagejournal.com had been my porn for the last few months
_________________
**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0