Cipica, VW 1303S from '74

[tzepesh]

Post with pics will follow, there is progress on the front end. But now, a question: Can anybody post the dimensions of the rear bench back boards? They should look like in the pictures below. I need the dimensions of the cardboards (a sketch is fine, one is a trapeze and one a rectangle) and the size of the carpet on them, because I think it is a bit larger than the cardboard. I do not have any of them and I need to make them.

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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[Dodgy]

Hi tzepesh

I dug out my rear seat from my pile of parts and made some measurements for you, plus photos:
(dimensions are with the photos)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2167815
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2167817
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2167816
The boards are quite thin, maybe 4mm hardboard.
This seat has had a cheap cover fitted at some time in the past (maybe by me, I can't remember!) but the boards, cover material and strap are factory original.
The lower cover is attached to the carpet that extends up to the rear window, to bridge the gap when the rear seat backrest is folded forwards.
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'75 1303 (current project) owned since 1989!
'72 Squareback - full resto completed 2008 - now sold
356 Speedster kit, completed 2005 - now sold

[tzepesh]

Thank you very much, it is all that I needed! It helps me a lot.
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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[Caledfryn]

Hats off to you, I think I'd have given up about three pages back.

Are you still going to do a rack conversion?

[tzepesh]

Thank you, Caledfryn. But my work is nowhere near what others around here are doing (did you see Jeremy G. or Chinaclipper's topics?). I saw you pics on Dodgy's topic, the chassis looks perfect! Please do start a restoration topic, you are doing a great job!
And yes, I am going for rack and pinion. Actually I have re-used the reinforcements/supports I have already done on the first body.

Now some new pictures. Front end is taking shape! Last week (I was lazy and did not post pics) I welded in the (repaired) bumper sections with parts from the old front end. The repair panels were very bad. The front valance is also in. I put on the fenders and hood to align everything. I am very happy with the result. And this week I welded the front side panels. I still have to make some patches and the tins did not fit so well at the bottom (you can see I made some cuts, now I have to fill them).
Oh and I forgot: I bought a new MIG gun and ground clamp. Maaaaaan, so much difference! It is like a different welder! I just point it where I want to work and it does it all by itself
Rotten right side reinforcement

Test fit

Repair

Final test

And side panels

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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[tzepesh]

Well, I forgot to take pics of the front wheel wells after grinding and primer, I will do that later after I weld back the shock towers. I worked on the back, so it has new bumper supports. I tried to keep as much of the original metal as possible. I used the fenders, valance and hood to check how it fits. It looks spot on.
Funny story about the rear hood. The original hood is in very bad shape, so some time ago I got another one, paint mark shows 1300 badge. I tried to fit it and I could not open it. It rubbed on the body at the top. Then I realized it was a 3-screw lock hood, so a pre 71. With my hood it worked well. So I asked around and a friend had one saved from scrap. I went to get it, but it had a broken off hinge. I also got one more hood without louvers to take a hinge from it. Well, it fits pretty well. It is the dark red in the picture. So now I have so many wall decos !
And the grinder broke

Now, pics. First trial fit:

Welded corners:

And final trial:

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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[tzepesh]

Who want to see some new pics of how I ruined an 1303 ?
What could this cutout be for?

Covering a hole by another hole.

And I welded back the strut reinforcement.

Left to do on bodywork: rear luggage tray, "death foam" area inside cleaning, many small patches and the lower door skins. Not much, I would say.
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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[Fairmounter]

Nice 1303s, my friend just bought a very original 74 1303s
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1973 Westy Tintop

[Fairmounter]

Nice 1303s, my friend just bought a very original 74 1303s
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1973 Westy Tintop

[VW_Jimbo]

Love the rag clip!
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Jimbo

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

[tzepesh]

VW_Jimbo, me too . I have actually had it on my old body for ~15 years. First time I stepped in a ragtop beetle made me want one. But I also like the late Supers most (well, as GermanLooker), so why not combine both things I love most on a car?
I don't want to be wrongly understood, I can't wait to finish this one and start on my wife's 65 sunroof, pre 67 look nicer.
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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[tzepesh]

Request for help (again): could somebody measure the position and dimension of the FRONT bumper bracket hole in the fender for a Super? Even if it is the US model (D shaped instead of slot). Similar to this rear fender hole:

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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[tzepesh]

News. Not the news I wanted for last week, but still a good progress. Remember the rust holes on the rear? They are no more.
Chinaclipper, do you follow this? I took some pics of the way I use small magnets for small patches. The edges align perfectly, then a few spots around and then fill everything.

Still waiting for the front fender measurement, if anybody can do it.
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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[tzepesh]

Last week's progress. More cancer out, zero rust metal in. I re-used the rear body supports I repaired last year for the old body. And I used patches of the rear luggage tray from the old body.

More pics to follow, I already started the week well, finishing all the rear bodywork patches, front right inner wheel well, and front luggage tray. I'm getting so close to finish the bodywork!!!
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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[VW_Jimbo]

That’s a great feeling!!! But I know when I get there....there is still a mountain of work to do!

Looking good!
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Jimbo

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

[tzepesh]

Jimbo, I know there are still lots of details, but frankly I just want to see it out of the garage and off to prep and paint. And that is veeeeery close, only a couple of weeks. I still have to work a bit on the chassis, upholstery and then final build.
Now, pics:

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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[tzepesh]

And I'm happy to say I finished welding the body. I changed the left lower A pillar, welded underneath the reinforcements, new hood seal channels front and back and all other small patches. And I checked the fitment of the rack and pinion steering, all is good. I also did a test fit on the chassis. I was afraid I welded the frame head wrong last year, but the body fits nice, all bolts align to holes, and there is only a difference of 3-4mm side to side on vertical axis at the very front. Nothing to worry about.

Left to do: strip all paint, check the doors bottoms (one looks perfect, one has some small holes, I think I will just plug them instead of changing the door bottom), and some welding on the chassis and floors. Paint shop is scheduled for beginning of July.

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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[tzepesh]

Nothing much to show, just a lot of work preparing to send the car for prep and paint.
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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration

[vamram]

Nice, can't wait to see it painted!
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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!!

[tzepesh]

Big milestone today, I took the body to the scrapyard. I meant painter. So this is just to add some more pics:

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'74 1303S, L98B Viperngrun (extra glitter), German Look
'64 1200, Sea Blue, under restoration