A Schwimmwagen named "ilsa"

[Malokin Martin]

This is actually great

[52 split]

looks good Mike. hey instead of taken the ferry over to the mainland it would be quiet the story if you paddled on over.

[54bugn]

Hey guys thanks for the nice comments. I got back home earlier this week and started back at the assembly of this swimmer. I temporarily fit the canvas roof on the frame so that I could adjust all the mechanisms and position of the windshield so that everything fits. I then welded the notched adjusters to the windshield frames (it now adjusts using the notches) and welded my cross bar that runs behind the front seats. Plus I have fitted the main steel square tubes that run down each side below the upper rails and permanently attached the cross tube through them. It’s pretty solid now. I didn’t get pictures of that install yet, as I still have to weld them in, but I did take pics of the roof temporarily fitted. And yes it wasn’t pretty getting in with the roof on. But think it looks pretty cool. Lots more to do but making more progress.

Stay tuned for more updates next week. Getting it ready to take to the Great Canadian VW show in Tsawassen, on August 18.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[cyberdyne systems 101]

The roof looks great Mike, really starting to look complete.
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When I think of something to say - I'll be the first to know

56' Oval
71' Westy

[finster]

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[54bugn]

Hey guys thanks again for the comments.

Back at it this last two weeks, you will see a big change by the end of this post.
After removing the roof frame and cross bar, I bent and installed the two side steel square tubes which run front to back under the ledge on either side. They are a structural strengthening as well as attachment point for the cross bar and other items. I welded them in place at the front and rebolted the cross bar to both sides, very solid now. The rear end of these tubes will weld to a cross over frame to be installed later.

Next up, the roof frame was contacting the sides of the fiberglass body when folded down so I cut out slots at the rear and fibreglassed over them smoothed and painted the two. Remember the roof frame is an original reproduction, and the fiberglass body is an approximation so making them fit together had to have a couple of modifications.

The biggest job this time home was a 3 1/2 day marathon of painting to the cars final color “Dunkelgelb” or Dark yellow. This was the color all German vehicles were painted from mid 1943 onward. They would then have been camouflaged accordingly depending on which front they were on. They pictures may not accurately reflect the color due to lighting camera etc but you get the drift.

I am very pleased how it turned out. Still have a lot of work to do on this car, but I am trying to get it ready for its display at the Great Canadian in Vancouver on August 18th. When I get back home before the show I will be adding more details, until then enjoy the pictures.

Thanks, Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[scarabee]

Looking great in dunkelgelb. Camouflaging would spoil it for me.

[54bugn]

Hello Scarabee, I agree with you, I will be keeping it this color only, for sometime. I am considering having an airbrush friend make it look a little more beat up and used a bit though. Currently it’s too “out of the factory”.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[finster]

here's some inspiration for you - 44 schwimmer in the wheatcroft collection

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[54bugn]

Hello finster, yes I have all the photos of this unrestored beauty and it has been some of my inspiration with the build. I am not sure I will take it this far, but gives some good ideas.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[54bugn]

Finster if you want to see my real inspiration the following picture is my real inspiration. It is a wartime photo taken in July 1944 of three Canadians of the South Saskatchewan Regiment 2nd Canadian Division riding in a recently obtained Schwimmwagen formerly of the 2nd Panzer Division.

This is what I am building to resemble.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[finster]

Schön!

_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[54bugn]

Hello all, sorry for the period of time since the last update, but I have been busy getting the car ready for the Great Canadian VW show in Tsawassen BC Canada (near Vancouver) which happened this past weekend. It was a great show, and the car was well received with lots of questions. Everyone is looking forward to see it closer to completion and to that end I will show you where I have advanced to.

Like I said above I am basing the vehicle on the WW2 photo I attached above with the markings of the 2nd panzer division and the 2nd Canadian division showing how it was after its capture and reuse. First was all the tire pressure markings above the wheels:

The weight marking for transport by train:

My wife is quite the artist so I asked her to hand paint ilsa on the right side, all credit goes to her for the great job, thanks honey:

The unit markings and the invasion stars were last. The markings were all clear coated after:

I also completed the forward roof install as well as added two of the rear outside attach points for the canvas roof, have to attach the inner ones later I will get a better shot of these later. I also refinished the paddle and added the mirrors for the full effect. This is what it looked like after and during the show:

And finally this is my method of transport, bought ilsa her own transport and storage unit. My ramp and winch system work great:

Thanks for everyone who is watching and commenting and for those I met at the show this weekend it was a great time, and I am very happy how well the car was received. Back to work for two weeks will update after I start work on it again when back home.

Cheers, Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[obieoberstar]

Excellent work Mike. It is really looking proper.

[54bugn]

Thanks obieoberstar, appreciate the comment.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[54bugn]

Hello folks, a small update tonight, lots of life and work getting in the way of my build but will keep moving forward.

After having the roof on and operating at the show it pointed out a wear location on both sides of the body I wasn’t happy with so I made a couple of steel wear plates that I shaped and bonded to the body to accept the wear instead of scraping my paint job up.

I also had a neighbour (also into Vdubs) help me lift my 1500 engine onto my stand so I can get it cleaned up, painted and working right before the install.

My friend also came through on my plates I needed for the engine oil change access, and he will bring them up Wednesday.

Stay tuned for that install.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[VW_Jimbo]

Mike! You have been really busy! The wagen is looking stellar! So cool!

Very nice workmanship!
_________________
Jimbo

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

[54bugn]

VW_Jimbo thanks for the comments it is a labour of love.

Cheers,
Mike
_________________
OFACK Founding member

"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

[cyberdyne systems 101]

Just caught up with this, it's turned out really well, good job. Looking forward to more updates..
_________________
When I think of something to say - I'll be the first to know

56' Oval
71' Westy

[panel]

I knew I should have gone to the GCVW show but the weather was iffy !
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My '65-Subaru EJ20 Turbo conversion