New project - 1954 VW Beetle Deluxe w/ VW Canada prodn plate

[kintail]

Picked up this this 1954 VW Beetle locally that has been with the same family for 33 years. Originally ultramaroon it was repainted in 1992, a Miami Vice era blue. This also included paint coverage under the front hood and engine compartment. On the plus side, it seems to have provided protection against the elements. All the body sheet metal is original to the car and very clean other than surface rust. OG semaphores still work but it is missing the heart taillights which apparently were stolen the day before the car was sold in 1991. The original upholstery material is worn and will need replacement. The floor pan is in very good condition with just a couple of small rust holes to be repaired. But being stored outside it developed a water leak into the rear parcel area on the drivers side which has left a rust hole requiring a little more work. Fortunately I had bought a '54 body shell that will assist this repair with a usable section of replacement sheet metal. The engine has been replaced with a running 40hp, so an extra screaming 4hp is welcome at this time. The front hood has not been cracked and the front hood hinge is rock solid..... The mileage on the car is 62281 appears to be original and the speedometer has not been replaced. Much fun ahead...

_________________
Scott

[VW_Jimbo]

Nice starting point! Do you have any pictures of the interior?

I had a buddy, right out of high school, who had a 64 Bug painted that intense blue, similar to your Bug color. We called it Bubble Gum Blue!

Looking forward to more updates!
_________________
Jimbo

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

[kintail]

Just starting the interior.... #806 or #908 on backseat bottom. The OG upholstery is there but needs replacement.

The heater channel and pan have a pre-cut kit of horsehair / tar as sound deadner rust inhibitor? Shiny black floor pan with a couple of minor pinholes. "Pock marking" of pan is actually the glue used to hold this stuff down.

_________________
Scott

[kintail]

More interior pics

_________________
Scott

[sunroof]

I know! Lets throw some money at it!

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1453062

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1895664

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2421147

Don
_________________
Better and better mistakes!

[kintail]

Looks like its going to happen!! Thanks for the diagnosis!!
_________________
Scott

[kintail]

Uncovering of a rust hole......

Leaky rear window rust hole in luggage area behind rear seat. Now uncovered after finding it on vehicle prior to purchase. Fortunately have a 1954 body shell to solve this issue.
_________________
Scott

[kintail]

Enjoyed black Friday sales with purchase of all the window rubbers. The OG window rubbers are gone and dead.

Talked with local upholstery expert and trying to source some original material to get started with front, back seat, and door panels. Hopefully this can come together quickly. Idea of old style plaid insert just because it might subtly turn it "outlaw".

Still tire searching to find something I like. And in the meantime almost finished tearing the interior out, saving what I can use.
_________________
Scott

[kintail]

VW Canada 40hp rebuilt/replacement for the 1954 Beetle. Ser# starting with X provides identification. Engine detailing on to do list. 1960s speed modification with 4 hp increase and "huge leap in torque" ;<)

_________________
Scott

[esde]

Thats a nice and complete car man!
One thing I se that scares me, related to the rust on the back parcel tray. Under the rear window there is a folded seam, where the inner window frame ends at the bottom and the parcel tray/ firewall folds up and over to meet it. The way the factory made hot, when the window leaks inside, it fills part of that seam with water and it rots out. There are some drain channels but they weren't adequate.. every time I see a car with a bad parcel tray it has also has issues at a this seam under the window.
What are your plans for paint? Stay in 1985 or back to a OG color?
_________________
modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that.

[kintail]

The seam under the window can be a problem but in this case there is surface rust and no perforation seen or felt. Thanks for drawing that to my attention. Got lucky!!

I will see if I can remove the paint to expose the ultra maroon first. Ideally I like the original paint. But will drive it for awhile. New upholstery and interior to go in and mechanicals to be fine tuned. But first new tires.

The car was totally complete and all original body panels. Speedometer original 8/54 which matches the August production date of the car.
I believe mileage shown is original.
_________________
Scott

[Dan22]

I am surprised that dual tip muffler works with the non-cut-out rear apron. Good thing the apron was not hacked to accommodate the muffler.

Preserve that original apron! It looks good from the top side.
_________________
1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074

[kintail]

The muffler works because the rear apron was rolled back and crushed. First time I had seen this mod before!! Will definitely try and save it with some metal work.
_________________
Scott

[kintail]

Went outside the city to check on my 1954 VW Beetle body and found it as I had left it. Has the necessary section for the rear parcel shelf repair. And I had not noticed till now the original colour was ultra maroon. They must have sold a ton of ultra maroon up here.

Started piecing together a set of heart taillights as the originals had been stolen years ago. Replaced by the later 56-60 style,

_________________
Scott

[kintail]

Victory laps!!!!

When they stole the heart taillights thy left the bulb/housing brackets behind!!!
_________________
Scott

[kintail]

The last few weeks have been a real eye opener for this older VW collector.

Back last century, ‘70s/’80s/’90s, I remember the buying and selling of parts occurring via club newsletters and, money orders driving (although slowly) the hobby forward. Not to mention the large swap meets in various areas of North America and Europe. My ‘80s pilgrimage was to Seattle every year I could for the big meet and to drop by Wolfsberg West to visit Biil Dierickx and Robert Wharton. Both Bill and Robert were traveling the globe buying out old VW dealers and other treasure found along the way. Always came home with rare VW accessories and NOS VW parts.

This month I have been sourcing parts for the build as opportunity arose. But never did I think that I would be ordering parts in reasonable CDN funds, with no customs duty, free rapid shipping, and black Friday pricing. Using a variety of payment options and one vendor accepting returns (with conditions) it is beyond amazing what technology has done!

So, what do I have in inventory so far? First, (thanks to Don) the sheet metal artistry from Mika at http://www.restorationpanels.com/ to correct the lower hinge bolt freezing and subsequent damage to the body over time. The lower door right/left hinge mechanism is coming from Neil in Michigan. Also picked up a front hood Wolfsberg crest, 4-tab VW emblem, gas reserve filter/lever, replacing some assorted VW tools I either sold off or gave away. Reading a discussion on ultra maroon being “out there” and possible alternatives.
Tore out the entire interior of the 1954; although original it was beyond saving. The engine was confirmed as a VW Canada 40 hp rebuild sold thru the dealer network.

Local upholstery option did not work out, now digging the artistry of West Coast Classic Interiors of Oregon. At moment, I have asked for a quote; order to follow?

Four new wide whitewall radials are now waiting to be installed after being a long time die-hard black wall tire guy. And since the 1954 had a radio, took a Frankfurt SW/MW/LW from inventory to see if I can get it working. More on heart taillight strategy next time…

Seattle Swap Meet 1983, Spot the Sperrwolf ignition/gear lock!
_________________
Scott

[esde]

Nice pic of the swap meet, that's like 3-4k on the blanket with todays pricing..
what tires are those and where did you source them? I ask as I am currently looking at options for my 55.
Is the radio you are looking to use correct for that year? Or just what you own that is close enough?
And then, were the snowflake lights screwed to the heart light brackets? I see they were down in the heart location, right behind the over rider bar. Will you also go back to the blade bumper so the heart lights are unobstructed?
_________________
modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that.

[kintail]

NanKang 165/80 15 from cip1.ca out of Surrey BC; Frankfurt ATR U1446525 63/64,,, just what I have. Snowflake lights screwed into the brackets. I had to carefully re-thread the brackets as the snowflake lights were screwed in rather aggressively. One bracket needs repairs and the other needs two screws to loosen up with penetrating oil I hope.
_________________
Scott

[kintail]

Forgot one ...... The rear fenders have no support bracket holes while the front apron does..... I suspect the front holes were added. So the thought is going back to European blade and small bumper guards. There i.s some evidence for European blades with VW Canada Beetles in 1954. For example my old 1953 VW Beetle Standard.

_________________
Scott

[kintail]

C&C heart tail lights reproduction arrived.

_________________
Scott