1963 Ragtop Restoration

[67ctbug]

It has begun. Got the old bug on a dolly and started welding some repair panels in. Can't say that it is metal finished, but certainly very good and will be ready for filler after epoxy primer. Moving onto the shock tower area then the other side.

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'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[toxicavenger70]

I don't know that looks like some good finish work imo.

[67ctbug]

Thanks Avenger, 80 grit can hide some stuff LOL. I’ll tell you, it’s times better than my ‘67. I’ve been cracking on still. I’d like to get it primed before winter. I’ve got my passenger side bumper mount fit where I want and have started modifying the rear body mounts. I didn’t like how they didn’t match the originals at all so I’m trimming them to better mimic them. As usual, aftermarket parts are not the best. I’ve also cut and fit replacement firewall corners and have new engine bay shelf’s. My standards for this car are extremely high, nearing concours. I’m trying to do all of the things I wish I had done on my ‘67. I stripped and phosphoric acid'd the package tray. I have a few pinholes to fill and would like to remove the heat tubes before master series and then epoxy+ highbuild. Does anyone know how those are removed? I recently picked up a hood on Facebook Marketplace to help with the front end. Unfortunately it does have some rust and I won’t be using it, which is more sad when you realize it was a NOS hood that was left out. Still has the VW primer inside and a sticker halo. Anyhow, here are the pictures.

Trim lines showing how far off the new panel is.

The Passenger side trimmed showing the new more original shape.

_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[67ctbug]

Pushing forward, I’ve been busy doing work on other people’s cars. I finished welding the driver bumper bracket. Both rear body mounts are modified and ready to go. I’ve put two coats of master series on the package tray and am currently fitting a heater channel end cap. After that I’ll weld the engine bay all up and call the back half done.

_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[67ctbug]

Could use an assist. Can someone take the measurements outlined in these photos? The rear corners of the firewall to one of the fender bolts. I had scribed them before I cut them out, but then needed to go further and so the scribe lines disappeared. I usually take photos of measurements and stuff but can't find them.

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'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[far rider]

Hard to get those measurements if the apron is still on the car. Why not mount your fenders and line them up that way? I bought some longer 8x1.25 fender bolts, cut the head off and place them on the body. Makes putting the fenders on to line things up easier.
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67 zenith blue sunroof

Contentment; when what you have is what you want.

[67ctbug]

Oh no, it's not to line the fenders up, those are mint. It's for the rear firewall pieces. I'm replacing the ends and you can move them in and out and have them still line up with the seal channel so I want to make sure I weld them in the right spot.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[67ctbug]

Been cracking on still. I have measurements for the rear firewall pieces and can position those now. I just finished modifying the replacement sections of the quarter panel to match the OG. The new ones are sent flat and with extra material in some spots so I folded the lip and trimmed to match. Will be doing the other side next.

How they come

How they should be

I also made an order for Wolfsburg West floor pans and the other side heater channel I need from Klassic Fab.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[scrivyscriv]

You won't regret the WW floor pans! They set the bar high for aftermarket pans for sure.
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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[67ctbug]

Well cracking on. I ran into a problem where the quarters were not in the right spot... So I cut them off, made a jig from an un-hit car, repositioned, and rewelded them on. The drivers side was significantly different, the passenger only slightly. Now they both match and are where they need to be.

Now I can continue with the engine shelves and firewall. The passenger side of the firewall is done, the drivers is positioned. In order to get those in the right place, the apron needs to be in place. My aftermarket one was junk. It was an IGP one and for the level this car is going to be it wasn't acceptable. It's really correct for a 65-66 with the push button latch so that would need modification as well as it being generally rough around the edges. Higher quality ones are available but I was able to score a NOS VW piece!

Let me tell you, it doesn't get better than that. It fell right into place, only thing that fought was the aftermarket quarters, but a little massaging with the body hammer and it slid down and hit the old marks right on. Just look at that fit at the fenders.

So this week I hope to wrap up the engine bay and apron and move forward to the rear quarters. The passenger side is actually already trimmed ready to go. That's all for now!
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[67ctbug]

Almost a year... how time flies, and how little gets done.
This past summer I took on a restoration/refresh for a gentleman and didn't really get to work on this car at all.
You might've seen I purchased my bucket list bus so that was getting used and enjoyed in most of my free time, which there was very little of.
What did get done recently though, was the chassis. I installed all new floor pans, jack points, and outriggers. They were Wolfsburg West and I'm sad to say I am slightly unhappy with them. The fit was pretty poor off the rip and they required some front and back trimming, not outrageous, but for the reputation these floor have, unexpected. The outriggers were the worst part, they did not match the original and are a pain to install. We'll see how the body fits tomorrow. The biggest part of this job, is that I installed everything using a spot welder as factory. We have two GYS unit at work and it makes pans a breeze! No grinding and they look just like factory.

_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[67ctbug]

Link

_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[OldBeetles]

[WrennMetallWerks]

That pan woke was fantastic. So kool!!!
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⚒ Believe In The Power Of Positive Thinking ⚒

Purpose Over Pleasure 🕊

“Hard Werk ⚒ God First
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=_aoE5aYSutY&si=mkZKPxd_41QA1kfs
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=_NzUyyVexAE&feature=share
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=UI8yUrIWS7E&feature=share

[67ctbug]

Thanks guys! Love using the spot welder, it makes things a lot easier!
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016