My new 66

[oldtimercraiova]

Nice job, man

[grvwsic]

yes, great job. Thank you for all the pictures. It's a great reference.
I envy your workspace. My neighbors complained to the neighborhood watch because I had too many VW.

[swhitcomb]

[swhitcomb]

Haven’t posted in a while, but I’ve been working on the car here and there.

The spare well had a big crack in it, and a small amount of rust. Decided to just replace it. The apron had a rather large dent at the bottom, and some rust. Initially I thought I’d just patch it, but decided I’d just replace it. Should’ve just fixed it. The new aprons are total junk. Taking a lot to get it to get it to fit, and even then I’m not very happy with the way it fits.

Also got the door braces for the heater channel install. Once I get the front sorted I’ll move on to the channels.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[sportin-wood]

The progress is looking good!
_________________
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Paused 66 project bug
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"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[swhitcomb]

Been too long since I posted. Been working on the wife’s Fasty and some house projects. Tackled this in the last week or so. Next up is the channel. Ordered new rear cross members and some other various metal. Should be fun.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[hobthebob]

You're a really talented guy. Looking good!

[swhitcomb]

[swhitcomb]

Just looked back. Guess I forgot to post that I’d welded the apron and spare well in too.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

So I was making progress fairly quickly on this car. Then my wife got on a Fastback kick. We bought a 70 that turned out to be too rusted to save. Sold it to a friend, and we came across a 67. It was pretty close to home. Drove it the 15-20 mins home it was, but it didn’t run right, and pretty much nothing electrical worked on it. Did a compression test and the first cylinder I check had 50-60 psi. Cylinder 4 if I remember right. So, we tore into it, and she and I rebuilt it. Sent the case and heads to the machine shop, and replaced every single component otherwise. She blasted all the tin, and I powder coated it. Shipped the carbs off to Tim and had him rebuild them. Had the exhaust cerakoted. Tore into the electrical system and slowly got things working. It’s been a really long road, but I finally got it running about a month ago. We bought the car at the beginning of spring last year. Anyway, once it’s done I can get back on the Bug. And the 74 Ghia I bought since I bought the Bug. And way day the road, the 66 Fastback I bought a few months ago.

When we bought it.

New wheels and tires and cleaned up a little

Engine out

Rebuilt and ready to go back in

Running

Link


That’s before I fixed the original early column. It also isn’t tuned so it’s idling really high. But it finally runs, charges its own battery, (it didn’t) the fuel gauge works, all the lights work, the clock works, etc. The finish line is in sight.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Also, bought this a few months ago.

And if you’re curious, here’s the 66 Fastback

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

So, a friend sent me a Facebook ad last week. 5 lug disc brake kit, pulled off of a 66, with very low miles on it. $50. I jumped on it. Sent the guy the money immediately, and went and picked it up today. The guy had a set of drop spindles too he wanted to get rid of them. Gave them to me for free. They’ve never been mounted on a car. I’m not going to use them on the Bug, but they might work really well in my 74 Ghia.

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

I put together a quick video of the current state of the 66.

Also, the heater I ordered for the garage came today. Hope to have it installed tomorrow.


Link

_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[swhitcomb]

Got the drivers side bumper mount fitted up and ready to weld. Hope to weld it in tomorrow before the games start.

Bolted up the fender and bumper to check for fitment.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster

[sportin-wood]

Nice progress. Keep it up!
_________________
.
Paused 66 project bug
.
"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[swhitcomb]

Finally got it fit up and welded in.

It fits pretty well. The fender and bumper line up nicely when bolted up. Got some cleaning up and finish welding to do.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster