| Patina or Restore |
| Patina and drive it |
|
61% |
[ 13 ] |
| Restore it |
|
38% |
[ 8 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 21 |
|
| Author |
Message |
gzaharatos67
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2018
Posts: 98
Location: CO
|
 Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 9:42 pm Post subject: GZs 55 Project |
 |
|
Came across a new project.
Only months after finishing a three year restoration on a 56 ragtop, here's my new 55 ragtop.
I'm still thinking about what my plan is going to be. I'm easily a year of work ahead of where the 56 was metal work wise... So there's that. Or perhaps I just get it road worthy and drive it as is ... I'll sleep on it.
The last four photos are of the 56 I just finished restoring.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
kintail
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 749
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 4:49 am Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
Depends on your assessment of how much rust has affected the structural integrity of the floorpan/heater channel IMO. Looks like a lot with the sunroof gone. Great find!!
And excellent work on the '56!!
_________________
Scott
August 1954 Beetle Canadian Deluxe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gzaharatos67
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2018
Posts: 98
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 5:19 am Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
| kintail wrote: |
Depends on your assessment of how much rust has affected the structural integrity of the floorpan/heater channel IMO. Looks like a lot with the sunroof gone. Great find!!
And excellent work on the '56!! |
Thank you!
Heater channels don't need to be replaced. Floors should be replaced but I think I can get away with just a patch on the right rear side.
I'll jack up the body slightly to clean up, replace the seal and get some por15 in there. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
finster
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012
Posts: 9886
Location: not far from the madding crowd
|
| Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 8:30 am Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
get it on the road and enjoy the option of what to drive - shiny or patina 
_________________
"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
type4split
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2007
Posts: 725
Location: Hamilton, Indiana
|
| Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 11:22 am Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
Roll it. Looks awesome as is. Won’t need to worry about door dings or scratches.
_________________
'67 deluxe bus w/the little windows
'52 beetle
'55 convertible
'50-something convertible (*need ribbed 'vert quarter panel )
'63 "milo" beetle
Part, parts and more parts |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gzaharatos67
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2018
Posts: 98
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 1:06 pm Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
| type4split wrote: |
| Roll it. Looks awesome as is. Won’t need to worry about door dings or scratches. |
This is a very convincing argument... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Blue Baron
VW Aficionado
Joined: June 16, 2006
Posts: 27924
Location: Free State of Florida
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
You already know exactly what's required to restore one, so it comes down to what you want to do. A strato silver '55 sunroof would be mighty pretty restored!
_________________
We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.
Heinz Nordhoff |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pondoras box
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004
Posts: 1539
Location: Eerie PA
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2025 5:26 am Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
It’s a beautiful car that deserves to be restored. You obviously know what you’re doing. You have one to drive already so you won’t be stressed out about that. Plus you get best of both worlds, you get to drive a beautifully restored car while still having one in the garage to spin wrenches on.
_________________
Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion
Plus a lot of other rusty junk |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gzaharatos67
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2018
Posts: 98
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2025 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
Body is off the pan. Today I took the front axle and transmission out and scrubbed the pan w degreaser. If it ever stops raining here I'll apply phosphoric acid and then por15 the whole thing ... After I replace the rear pan halves and weld up a few small holes on the driver's front. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71439
Location: Phoenix 602
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2025 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
First, I'm enjoying this thread so thanks for doing it.
Second, this is a cool photo:
I see it's behind your fence but I still imagine driving by and seeing that in someone's side yard and being "Holy shit, an Oval!"
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Last edited by EverettB on Sat Jun 07, 2025 2:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kintail
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 749
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 2:36 am Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
Just to clarify I voted patina........but the other half of me says '55 sunroofs are pretty rare and restoration is the way to go! Rust never sleeps......
_________________
Scott
August 1954 Beetle Canadian Deluxe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gzaharatos67
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2018
Posts: 98
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
Thanks Everett ... That means a lot coming from you.
Will keep plugging along and add photos whenever I make some sort of significant progress.
This week I'll be replacing the rear pan quarters on both sides, then hitting the frame and floors with Eastwood encapsulator. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gzaharatos67
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2018
Posts: 98
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2025 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
One thing I've learned from this hobby over the last 25 years is that sometimes you just need to see a small victory... In this case it meant painting the shifter and base L75 beige after some rust treatment. Although I think the base gets painted black ...
I also split the case on the 36hp to see what was inside ...
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gzaharatos67
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2018
Posts: 98
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 5:34 pm Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
Finished up work on the floors today. Pretty happy with how they came out.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
obus
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001
Posts: 11581
Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gzaharatos67
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2018
Posts: 98
Location: CO
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 7:21 am Post subject: Re: GZs 55 Project |
|
|
I removed the apron, measured up and cut out the right rear quarter. I'm pretty happy with how curving the bottom lip on it came out. I made it match the factory curves, being tighter in the rear and a wider gap as it goes forward.
I also painted two wheels ....sometimes you just gotta see color, hah!
Strato silver and pearl white (which I hope is the correct inner color ... It's certainly different from silver white).
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
