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ObliviousJeff Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2022 Posts: 11 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:54 am Post subject: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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I've been hanging out for a year or so, but I figured I'd finally post here. I've hit a bit of a wall on this build, and I'm trying to build up a little motivation to finish it up.
It started as a 70 beetle based kit car that I bought off craigslist for $1000 about 18 months ago. In that time, I've stripped it back to the chassis, removed rust, treated the metal, painted with POR15, rebuilt the transmission, had the engine rebuilt, new...everything really, and have it mostly reassembled. I think you can tell what I'm going for. Kind of an open wheel roadster/hot rod look with the engine hanging off the back in the open like a dune buggy.
Not sure if this is the best way to link the photos, I'll try to reupload or edit it if I have to.
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eyetzr Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2013 Posts: 1423 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2022 3:38 pm Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Looks good, pan was in nice shape. _________________ I think he meant "rare", as in "not well-done" |
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ObliviousJeff Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2022 Posts: 11 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2022 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Yeah, It didn't look good when I first got the body off, but when I started grinding away the rust, it was only surface deep. I had to weld up a few holes that were drilled into it, but that was the worst part. |
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1501 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 6:28 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Imo, you need to plate over the big windows in the tunnel. That is the backbone of the chassis and needs to have any necessary holes it in be as small as possible and any larger holes should be reinforced with a doubler plate.
Other than that minor issue I like your concept. Sorta like a rear engined Lotus 7 / Locost car that I have thought about. Also check out a Brogie Roadster drag car. He incorporated a rear spoiler/ whale tail / wing in the back that looks cool imo.
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1501 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 6:30 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Here is a pic of a car that was fs local. The mag wheels on this car really suit it imo.
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ObliviousJeff Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2022 Posts: 11 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 7:30 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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The holes are there because the shifter and pedal box are moved back for this car. Welding shut the access holes was on my list for final assembly. The car had those before I got it, and they didn't seem to have affected the structure, but I haven't closed them up yet in case I had to remove the pedal box/shifter assembly after doing some testing. I will still have access to them even after the body is on, even if it will be a bit harder to reach. |
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1501 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 9:24 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Just making sure you have things under control. My bug project came with a similar pedal access hole that I have to do something with. I have half a notion of reinforcing the tunnel and leaving the access hole with a screw on cover. |
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ObliviousJeff Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2022 Posts: 11 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 10:02 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Yeah, I was unhappy with the size of the access holes to begin with. I'm thinking that I should just weld in some nuts so I can eliminate the hole near the pedal box, but I do like having access to the underside of the shifter, so I was thinking on more reinforcement there or just tacking it. |
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NachoCar Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2013 Posts: 322 Location: Ms
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 7:17 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Very cool build.....I like where you have taken it.
You HAVE to finish the sucker before spring! |
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1501 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 7:37 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Check out Speedway Motors for some vintage look headlights and taillights.
There used to be a pic of an amazing Tee roadster on their site that had an awesome looking headlight set. Can't find it.
Here is one idea. Way better suited to your car than dune buggy headlights. There are also some 9" headlight assys that would be cool. $$$ of course.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-7-Inch-Tri...57158.html |
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1501 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 7:40 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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I would also try to disguise the shock towers. Integrate this idea with a headlight mount crossbar. |
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ObliviousJeff Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2022 Posts: 11 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 8:42 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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This is what I was looking at for headlights. I thought they'd look pretty good with the whole black/silver look. |
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ObliviousJeff Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2022 Posts: 11 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 9:10 am Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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I am on the fence about the taillights though. I'm waiting a little to see how the back end comes together before making my decision there. |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4390 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1501 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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ObliviousJeff wrote: |
I am on the fence about the taillights though. I'm waiting a little to see how the back end comes together before making my decision there. |
59 Cadillac |
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ObliviousJeff Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2022 Posts: 11 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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It's funny you bring up the 59 caddy. My wife loves the look of the bullet shaped tails, I just want to get everything on the back side before I make a decision. Does anyone have experience with making it DOT ready? I imagine most of the car will pass because it's just mechanically a Beetle, but I was wondering about the rules on headlight height, and turn signal size. Anyone have any idea what's required or how picky they are? |
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Iowa Mark Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2004 Posts: 1071
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Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 2:48 pm Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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I've loved the look of these from 'speedway'. I made my own mount so you can hang them anywhere. The LED lights are nice and bright too.
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rayjay Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008 Posts: 1501 Location: Buford GA
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Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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ObliviousJeff wrote: |
It's funny you bring up the 59 caddy. My wife loves the look of the bullet shaped tails, I just want to get everything on the back side before I make a decision. Does anyone have experience with making it DOT ready? I imagine most of the car will pass because it's just mechanically a Beetle, but I was wondering about the rules on headlight height, and turn signal size. Anyone have any idea what's required or how picky they are? |
Georgia's info is online. The headaches of registering and insuring a kit car or tube frame dune buggy is why I have never messed with one. In GA it makes it easier, I have heard , if you call it a custom built antique car like say, a Mercedes in your case. |
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Iowa Mark Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2004 Posts: 1071
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Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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What is it titled as right now? It has a beetle chassis, so register as a VW. Insurance might be interesting because they will see it as a VW and might bauk at a value if you want more than the VW it is based on. Down here in Iowa the law sees so many street rods and other custom creations, most only worry if things are over-the-top crazy. Take a look around the "Back to the Fifties" show up there in Minneapolis and build accordingly. |
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finefettle Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2006 Posts: 699 Location: Shelburne,Vermont
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Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2022 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: My 71 volksrod/kit car build |
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Nice job taking that car to a new level. Sweet. _________________ 1979 Bug project |
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