Heater Channel Replacement

So interesting update. On a convertible the only thing that holds it together and keeps it from folding like a taco are the heater channels and reinforcement rails. As you can see in this picture, once the bug was welded into place new channels are replaced with the old ones. Notice how the interior sheet metal of the bug was raised and the new channels will be welded into their new spot. The metal is drilled and screwed in to hold it in place but will all be replaced with new welds for a seemless finish.

Pan is painted!

Ok so I have been busy but here is an update. I took the pan over to Dave at German Motors to have the pan peeled down. It was then reblasted at Dino's so the whole thing is rust free including the new pans from Wolfsburg West. We then seam sealed the bottom of the pan so no water will ever penetrate going forward!! Dave has compeltely taken the transmission with a fresh new overhall. All the trailing arms etc. have been POR 15 coated and are awaiting the arrival of you guessed it, a new 4" narrowed KCW beam! I am debating on weather or not to do disc brakes or drums on this! Lots to consider but here are some pics....

Today the body came off the pan! Next I am going to remove the transmission and have the remainder of the body blasted! Take a look at the pan head. It is crazy to think that the german's used screws to hold down the gasket.

VW Restoration

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2010

VW Restoration
Here is my first attempt at restoring a Volkswagen! As a kid, I grew up working on them. I guess you could say my dad got me excited as a kid in VW's. I remember the first one I got was china red and I had worked all summer for my parents on various projects. I used to help my mother at the fair washing dishes and helping to sell kitchen products. As I recall, we had just finished the fair for the year and I was sitting in the front room of our house. My dad pulled up in front of the house driving my new whip. The beetle was a post 67 and I really enjoyed the simplicity of the car. As a young kid in high school the car was a blast to drive! As I started making friends in the vw community I started to realize that my passion was for the older style pre-66 to be exact. I drove a 66 through high school and truely enjoyed it. I spent weekends working on it. Eventually my brother and I worked on them together and could pull a motor out in less than 10 minutes. After I went away to college my dad and brother continued to work on and expand our bug collection. As I recall, my brother had everything from splits with semaphores to buses. I had purchased a 53 oval that sat in the backyard when I left for college. As you know when your gone things/hobbies change and sadly when I returned from school our bug collection was gone. I can't blame anyone though, I wouldn't want my backyard to look like a vw graveyard either. I had a lot of great memories back in the day which is why I am starting this new blog to document the recent addition of a 64 convertible to the family.

Here's the story;
Andrea, mentioned after my accident that I should get a new project to work on. She knows that I am very impatient and little projects are almost therapeutic in a way for me. We actually found this vert in Kamas, Utah. The bug's owner was a cool old guy who was the second owner of the vehicle. He and his son restored old cars and let me tell you if I ever have a shop like his, I probably won't leave the house. I bought the car for Andrea as an anniversay gift. She is so excited to help me with it and has actually drawn up a restoration plan for us. I will start posting pictures from here on out...