My 62 ragtop - daily driver

[TRS63]

Hi

I am already known in another part of the forum for my ghia project:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906

But I thought it might be also appropriate to introduce you my 62 ragtop as it is currently receiving my attention.

I had been dreaming some years of a turquoise ragtop beetle after falling in love with one as a student (that was for sale but I did not had the money to buy it).

And one day, in the beginning of 2014, I got a tip through several corners that brought me to this:

Yes, it was in a barn for 16 years, yes, it was not perfect but hey, a turquoise ragtop!! So I had to have it and organized directly the picking up:

I couldn’t resist to wash it directly when I parked it in my (old) shop:

And remove the terrible cover on the seats, first getting even more afraid:

But then under it..good surprise, original stuff with some defects but still not bad!!

For the good points:
-it is a 62 ragtop with my all time favorite beetle color
-Rust is not that bad (for a car used in Germany..)
-No traces of any accident
-Engine ran well after a checkup

For the bad points:
-still some rust to treat
-the ragtop had a hole
-engine isn’t original to the car
-some “reparations” were made back in the days and not very properly, like:

So I first started by changing the ragtop cover by a used one I had in my garage (I was sure that one day I will find a beetle and already had collected a few parts..):

And then I had to make a plan. Judging that the engine was running and bottom isn’t too bad:

I decided to go that way: make all the necessary mechanics and enjoy it to the max..
So after a brake, direction, tires,..refresh and a fluid change, I was on the road:

Since 2015 I used it every year from april-november almost on a daily basis, with some minor breaks but always with a big smile on my face!
It has its dents, scratches,..but it only says that this car is being used and it is great like that as I am not afraid of using it for everything: Kinder-Garden ride for my son, grocery store rides, going to work…

So, now, what’s next are you asking yourself?

My current thoughts are:
-I love driving it but it showed me this year with several minor issues that it requires some attentions to continue using it
-I am missing it in winter
-I am not taking care enough of it as I am working a lot on the ghia and have to take care of the other “daily driver/winter driver”

So the plan is the following:
-I am taking a small break on the ghia and really doing the necessary on it to get it 100% road-ready, reliable
-Body will stay like that and not be restored as I can then really use it without being always scared when parking it, when my son is playing near to it,..
-I am then selling my other “daily driver/winter driver” to save myself some time for this car and I will use it everyday all year long (if really necessary I always have backup solutions, like my motorbike or the train to go to work so no stress here )

So in order to accomplish that plan, it joins my workshop (here a picture next to its sister):

And I started collecting all the necessary parts.
For example, the all new wiring harness:

A new exhaust/heat exchanger (No original here, the car was already transformed with fresh air system and I am keeping it as everyone advised me doing it as it will be driven also in winter), new doors/windows sealings,… are also on their way.

Mechanically, my carburetor is currently being rebuilt, I am leaning toward an electronic ignition system, and will be checking the engine/rebuilding it if necessary.

Stay tuned

Antoine
_________________
Antoine
My 62 ragtop daily driver:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728873
My 914 restoration&lightweight project :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9698432#9698432
Resurrecting a 60 ghia : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906

[Vstromed715]

Very nice car, I wish mine would have been in that shape when I bought it. Nice to see someone using it as it was ment to be. Cool looking shop!

[vwuberalles]

That looks fantastic! I kinda liked the leopard print seat covers too.
_________________
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

[anthracitedub]

That car is the shizz... I would just keep it maintained and drive it, once they’re painted and pretty youll likely drive it less. I was really nervous about using my 62 when it was fresh paint... now it has some wear on it I drive it more and with less worry. I feel your pain on dividing your time trying to keep a ghia and beetle project in line.

[TRS63]

Hi guys,

Thanks a lot for your answers!

@anthracitedub: yes, you are absolutely right with maintaining it. It is very difficult for me not starting the big metal work on it as I know I can do waaaay better that the previous “repair” it had but that’s what I am doing on the ghia and I just want to enjoy the beetle for now. And it’s used/patina paint is what makes it really enjoyable as a daily J

So, next updates on where I am now in the process

First I received a lot of parts:

-the new exhaust and one of the heat exchanger: (as already mentioned I am keeping with fresh air system due to it being a daily driver all year round)

-all parts for its dual circuit conversion, and all sealings I had not changed until now:

I started a few weeks ago by cleaning the tank, and changing its filter (and of course every petrol line!):

Changed the hood seal that really needed it:
-before:

-after:

Next in line will be some work on the driver’s seat and treating some corrosion..stay tuned!

Antoine
_________________
Antoine
My 62 ragtop daily driver:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728873
My 914 restoration&lightweight project :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9698432#9698432
Resurrecting a 60 ghia : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906

[restocal63]

Nice transformation. Keep up your excellent work ! Turkis cars are really nice

[pastellgreen]

Hello, greetings from Niedersachsen!

I like your project, as I also once had a completely original paint pearlwhite ragtop from 1961 as daily driver. Later I had a original paint gulfblue from 1961 as daily driver. Here I share some expereience with you:
At both cars, the original stale air heater system worked absolutely flawless in winter, after a short driving about 1 kilometer, the windscreen was free from fog. When you drive alone in winter, there is no problem concerning fog on windows at all, when opend the ventilation window a little bit. As I also once had a 1963 with fresh air system, I had the impression that the operation on the heater knob was more easy with the stale air system. If you drive daily, the 6V batterie is as good and reliable as a 12V. For tires i used Vredestein Snow Classic. Everytime I used the original brake system with one circuit master cylinder, never had any problem. First had ice blasted the underside of the car. For protection of cavities and undercoat I used Fluid Film from rattle cans, it's so easy to do this. Renewed it on the undercoat before each winter.
In my life, I've never had a modern car, only beetle models that have get older from time to time. Now I'm driving a split, but will return to a 1960 first 40hp in pearlwhite, perhaps you have seen my post:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=729339

Thank you for sharing and much look to your projekt! If you have any questions in deutsch, do not hesitate to send a pm.

[TRS63]

Thanks a lot for all your useful informations!
-I will go back to stale air one das when I will really restore the car (when my ghia will be finished), happy to hear about it working well.
-I want to stay in 6v in any case. I think that with a new wiring it will be all alright
-You confirm what I plan for the tires, thanks
-I am going to check the fluid Film products, thanks for the advice!

Cheers

Antoine
_________________
Antoine
My 62 ragtop daily driver:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728873
My 914 restoration&lightweight project :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9698432#9698432
Resurrecting a 60 ghia : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906

[djfordmanjack]

Antoine, just read this . and I had been driving beetles (66/55/54/56/57) in winter for 20 yrs with no problems. yes Vredestein snow plus are the thing, like pastellgreen said. when you rework the electrics be sure to absolutely clean and protect each single socket and connector, especially the turn signals, headlights and taillights. battery terminal grease (Polfett) or Ballistol works well. you really have to keep the moisture out of of the connections. the slightest corrosion there will dim your headlights with 6V. also look for excellent ground wires and screws. also use plenty of grease there ! otherwise you're good to go.
But you will have to replace the horn and connectors every 5 yrs or so....

Here's some fun pics for you, take care !

_________________
Hotrods, Fords, Veedubs and Triumph Twins ! ______Barndoor + Kohlruss Coachbuilt DLX afficionado

'52 BD Coachbuild project
'54 Oval Sunroof project with my son, L275 Lichtbeige
'55 Wolfsburg panel project, Taubenblau L31 all original paint
'62 Dickholmer, custom color Seeblau L360, daily driver

[TRS63]

Wow, those are really cool pics that keeps me more than motivated, Danke!!
I will be careful with the electric, using grease like you said!!

So, next update:

First I removed the foot pegs and took care of the surface rust behind it by cleaning, treating with Ferose (rust inhibitor) and primer/paint over it:
(Pictures are mixed from both sides but they did get the same treatment, I just lost some pics )

I know that it is a temporary measure and one day I will replace the whole channel but I have to be careful to do enough to protect it but not dive too deep in it as I already have the ghia project

Then I continued with changing the seals (windscreen and back windows were made one year go..):
before:

after:

and the doors:
before:

after:

next will be the windows' seals as they need it severely:

Parallel to that I have started on the driver's seat and the engine rebuilt.. Stay tuned for the next steps!

Cheers

Antoine
_________________
Antoine
My 62 ragtop daily driver:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728873
My 914 restoration&lightweight project :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9698432#9698432
Resurrecting a 60 ghia : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906

[TDCTDI]

Beautiful car!


If y'all want to see some EPIC metal work, you should check out his Ghia thread. I don't know why he bought the car other than it's having a title.

His build inspired me to make my own panels.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[bad91teg]

tht pic of it clean/dirty 50 50 shot is cool. awesome first pic in snow

[TRS63]

Thanks a lot guys

@TDCTDI: wow, really happy if it inspires you! Keep at it!

So, next updates, windows have been out:

And their seals are all renewed, it was much needed!
Before:

After:

A good cleaning of the door cards followed:
Before:

After:

Ready to go back in!

I also removed the engine in order to have a good access to change the wiring harness:

Another engine that I am rebuilding will go back in as this one isn’t really fit anymore.. More on the new engine later J

Without the engine in, I saw that the back ends had been “fixed” really badly in the past with some metal “welded” over rusted one:

That will be all cut and replaced with fresh metal as otherwise it will get fast worse being driven under all weather..

Stay tuned!

Antoine
_________________
Antoine
My 62 ragtop daily driver:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728873
My 914 restoration&lightweight project :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9698432#9698432
Resurrecting a 60 ghia : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906

[EverettB]

Nice progress, I'm enjoying your thread.

I went through it again and this photo is awesome!

[Eric&Barb]

That basket weave pattern seat upholstery is not original till about 1967, but sure looks better than the seat covers that were on them!

The Dansk Heat exchanger probably does not have the interior exhaust pipe corrugations/finning, that the original VW ones have to pull more heat out of the exhaust gasses. Due to that the Dansk heat exchangers do not put out as much heat to the VW interior.
Very likely the original one can be repaired very easily.

Note cut away heat exchanger differences between original 40 fresh air with 50 mm outlets and 1500 fresh air 60 mm outlets.

_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[bad91teg]

could you give us some info on your shop. what year was it built .. the walls and door looks so cool. really cool shop u got there

[67 Florida Deluxe]

Great find! A '62 or very early '63 (w/hood crest) Turkis ragtop is on my bucket list. I love how well the paint cleaned up and finding the original upholstery under layers of seat covers is so cool! Keep up the great progress

-Kent
_________________
-Kent (BaT "daleallen")

OG member of the '67 Posse

A few of my toys, past and present
'56 Oval, '66 KG Conv't, '67 21-Window, '67 Bug, '79 SuperVert, '55 Pre-A Continental

[TRS63]

@EverettB: thanks a lot for coming by, really appreciated!

@Eric&Barb: the material for the seat is the derby grey, those are the original seats/pattern. In between I took care of the driver’s seat, pictures will follow.
Concerning the heat exchanger: only the silencer is a Dansk, my heat exchangers are original VW with the finnings J

@bad91teg: sure. It’s a very old barn, built in 1560. It was partially destroyed by a storm in 1714 and rebuilt in 1719. When I first visited it, it was love at first sight and I feel so lucky that I could buy it.

@67 Florida Deluxe: thanks a lot mate!

Well, a very overdue update but I was quite busy the last weeks.. that doesn’t mean the beetle did not get attention!

First I got the future engine disassembled and sent to the machine shop:

It will be rebuilt as original with the exception of a “big bore” 1385 kit.

I put back the cleaned door cards:

I continued the disassembly and the poorely done “weldings” showed up:

So I bought the necessary (putting back the right color fender beading at the same time):

And time to cut:

Stay tuned!

Antoine
_________________
Antoine
My 62 ragtop daily driver:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728873
My 914 restoration&lightweight project :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9698432#9698432
Resurrecting a 60 ghia : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906

[TRS63]

Sooo, a lot has been happening here and I didn’t updated this thread

First I repaired all the back, starting with the sides :

Made a template and formed the part:

And then welded it in place:

Other side also got repaired:

And repaired the original apron to adjust everything :

Ready for Assembly:

Stay tuned, the next updates are coming

Antoine
_________________
Antoine
My 62 ragtop daily driver:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728873
My 914 restoration&lightweight project :
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9698432#9698432
Resurrecting a 60 ghia : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713906

[Eric&Barb]

Good work!
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!