UN-baja-ing a 1960 Type 1: Build Thread

[zwillisgosteli]

[Dialed!]

We got this for the rear of the car too

[zwillisgosteli]

Gas tank prior to clean up. Eventually I'm going to fix the tiny amount of pitting and paint it the right color.

[zwillisgosteli]

Obviously the car needs to be painted. The front and rear clip are not original and 10 or 12 metal panels have been replaced, not including heater channels and pans.

I'd like to paint the bug mango green, however the original color is Indian red and I am torn between the two.

Thoughts?

[vwuberalles]

Unless your goal is for it to match the birth certificate, as in depth as the repairs have been on this car I'd say you're safe to paint it whatever color you want.
_________________
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

[56Cabrio]

Paint it what ever color you want, my oval was originally black but i liked L11 pastel green so much that's what color i went with. Mango green is a great color.
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1956 Rag Top owned since 1988
1956 Convertible owned since 2000
1963 Hard Top

RIP Dad 4/20/1951 - 2/4/2023

[zwillisgosteli]

That for your input guys. You're right, not much paint is left and I'm going to be painting the inside and outside when it does happen. I'll probably go mango. A lot of prices I've seen were higher because the red pigment in the paint is more expensive than other colors.

[Rome]

Strongly consider NOT to install the H rear apron with your 2 engine choices. The H apron comes up higher than the '65 apron, reducing the front to rear linear space in the engine compartment. It'll be much more difficult to maneuver either engine into the mounting position with the H.

Also, is your firewall still the original 1960 contour along the bottom for the 36 hp engine, shaped like a sideways "C"? If so, and I cannot see it clearly enough in any of your photos, that will require you to remove the fresh air heater boxes to get the engine in. If you have access to a fresh air firewall that has the sideways "D" shape, that gives you enough additional height so that the HB slides under the bottom edge.

My preference to the engine would be the 1600 SP, since your later transmission likely has the final drive ratio 4.12 which was the factory match to the 1500/1600 SP's in the Type 1.

Since you are handy with a welder, how about welding in the mounting points for shoulder belts halfway up the B-pillar so that you can use 3-point belts?

My first Beetle in the mid '70's was also a '60; VIN 3092993. Is your VIN close to that?

Body color: My friend Stock Steve painted his '60 Mango Green (his gallery photo):

[zwillisgosteli]

[zwillisgosteli]

After a hiatus from working overtime and traveling we are back to working on this hunk of shit.

The engine is almost complete. We did a top end kit and most the external stuff is new as well. Refreshed the tin. Waiting on the flywheel to be resurfaced now, then installing the clutch kit and putting the engine in to test it.

Most of the welding and grinding is close to done on the body, time for seam sealer, body filler and primer eventually.

[zwillisgosteli]

[zwillisgosteli]

We are still part way down the long road of prep for paint.
Slowly plugging along on this thing and making it look more like an actual car.

[Kthomas]

Do you a picture of your luggage tray area ? ( I think that’s what it’s called ) Area under rear seat. Is yours relieved for the later transmission ? My 60 was originally flattish for the old split transmission but then someone beat it out so as to use a later transmission and nosecone. I’m interested in seeing how it originally looked. Are you going to relieve yours. It looks like the later cars had a squarish hump there. I would like to find a piece like that but ?

[Larmo63]

This is a fun build to follow because I'm old enough to remember guys chopping up ragtops, ovals, and cabriolets to make Baja Bugs.

It broke my heart back then to witness the desecration, and now people are welding the cars back to what they should be.

Bravo.

Good save!
_________________
Lawrence
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‘61 Mango Green Single Cab
'62 Pearl White Ragtop sedan
'66 Ruby Red Cabriolet
'86 Porsche 911 Carrera

[zwillisgosteli]

[zwillisgosteli]

[zwillisgosteli]

These B pillar pieces were impossible to find. Corey made some by hand that still need to be cleaned up.

More sanding to do. Hoping to have the body in primer by the end of September.

[zwillisgosteli]

The engine is complete and running now. I’m trying to figure out how to post a video of its first time starting.

[zwillisgosteli]

still working on rust repair.

One fender in particular needs a lot of work.
The hood needed a decent amount of work as well, they're all still in progress

[zwillisgosteli]

Corey is getting rid of 100% of the rust.

the underside has been cleaned, welded, primed and painted gloss black just for now.