Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Rear corners to side door jam support above rear 1/4 windows measured up at 2 1/4in where rag section drops down.
1 attachment · Log in to view
1963 ragtop beetle project - gone to a new home
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
rag section back in place with nikko marks for reference points later on - also scribe inside edge of ragtop opening onto roof.
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Next mark a line 1/4in outside the scribed line right around (I know - should be using metric measurements....couldn't be bothered converting for this exercise).
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Say goodbye hardtop...
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Cut along nikko line (being conservative of course) - first cut - measured about a thousand times first though. This was the point there is no turning back.
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Dang - a lot less roof than before. This is just rough cut at the moment. Used an air powered hacksaw but as the roof became looser it jams a lot - had to move to a nibbler - just left a fair bit of material inside of line so I can clean it up later.
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Hello sunshine (eventually) - this is as far as I got today - was too late to make any more noise! Next weekend will see the cut cleaned up and rag section welded in (stay tuned).
[Edited on 6-6-2004 by Dasdubber]
[Edited on 6-6-2004 by Dasdubber]
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Rear guard looks shabby in this photo but its coming along quite well - a little more massaging and it will be about right.
1 attachment · Log in to view
BenettonVW Administrator AVD Forum Founder
3,125 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Doing well Alan, very nice.
THE LOWEST WITH THE MOSTEST BLING BLING WINS!!
Mr Bubble Head Insano Dub Head
829 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
alan
looking good
a very tidy job, keep up the posts on the rag top instal
nIck
I take it the rear top support made it in one piece to you.
looking good
a very tidy job, keep up the posts on the rag top instal
nIck
I take it the rear top support made it in one piece to you.
recycle, restore, enjoy
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Thanks Jim...and thanks Nick...yep the ragtop bit made it to me okay - cheers for that!
Alan
Alan
nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk
2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·
I bet you were shxting yourself when you made the first cut-looks good though.I will have to go through those feelings when I have to open mine up.The steel sliders are only welded around the opening-everything behind that is only glued to the original roof-will be a work of art to complete.
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Yep you're right nbturbo - was well and truly soiling my pants on that first cut - no turning back then!
Things have progressed...first up had to make holes every two inches around the sides and back for spot welds (a pneumatic punch/flange tool saves lots and lots of time and hassle if you have to drill these out!). Cleaned up surrounding areas in readiness for welding.
Things have progressed...first up had to make holes every two inches around the sides and back for spot welds (a pneumatic punch/flange tool saves lots and lots of time and hassle if you have to drill these out!). Cleaned up surrounding areas in readiness for welding.
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Next, jacked up the ragtop section with the use of the bottle jack again - those nikko marks on the inside really helped to line things up without the necessity for much measuring.
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
All spot welded up using a mig. Obviously alternate front and back side to side to minimise warping.
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Welds ground back - 4in grinder to knock the tops off then a 90degree die grinder with course sanding disc to smooth things out.
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Front view shows the lip and the front edge that was seam welded - have to take this very slowly to avoid the wobbles. If there was one thing I'd do differently I'd leave a bigger lip on the front edge of ragtop section, then cut the front edge of the hole slightly bigger so you don't have to weld right up against the raised lip.
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
I am going for the clean front guard look so the indicator holes had to be patched up using a section of the old roof (had a similar contour!).
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Welding done....
[Edited on 13-6-2004 by Dasdubber]
[Edited on 13-6-2004 by Dasdubber]
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Welds ground back - shouldn't need much filler thankfully.
[Edited on 13-6-2004 by Dasdubber]
[Edited on 13-6-2004 by Dasdubber]
1 attachment · Log in to view
Brad Wolfsburg Elder
3,764 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
looking very cool..... so u gunna make it to Valla this year :>
Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser
2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
beautiful job Das. Thanks for the sunroof install pics. There excellent
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Brad - I so wish it would be there but unfortunately too much work still to come! It was a hard decision but decided its already taken a year, whats another few months. Probably debut at bugs by the pub show! Won't be silly enough to bet another carton this time!:P
Dak-A-Tak Volksie Pete
1,381 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·
Hi! Allan,looks good! I`ve got rods 53 sitting in my shed,getting in the way of my race car body work (don`t tell him I said that). He`s looking to do the same thing.(sun roof) Rod and I where talking to night about getting our own bris cruize spot happening ( monthly),what do you think! We are racing Rods car at the Nostalgia Drags on sun 18 july.willowbank.COME ALONE VW FRIENDS.
VWFOOL King for a day, Fool for a lifetime.
3,436 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·
i love the rims! LOVE the seats! ur resto is awesome, great job. love the twists on the early bugs. good luck with it and ill be keen to see future pics...
sam
sam
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
One man's junk...
One man's junk...
Che Castro ankle straps
1,945 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
wow. that is amazing 😀
Great work!
Great work!
Jon
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Thanks again all - lots of work but will be worthwhile in the end...I've always wanted to do a full resto top to bottom myself (minus a few things best left to the professionals!)
Pete, for sure would be keen to organise monthly brisbane cruize - sounds like a top idea. Also Rod/you can have the timber t-piece I used to hold ragtop in place (not that its that hard to make - might save a bit of time though). If you need a hand/advice on what not to do give me a yell.
Filler work over this last couple of days see things slowly smoothing out - shoulders are dead from sanding all day - lots more to come still though!
Pete, for sure would be keen to organise monthly brisbane cruize - sounds like a top idea. Also Rod/you can have the timber t-piece I used to hold ragtop in place (not that its that hard to make - might save a bit of time though). If you need a hand/advice on what not to do give me a yell.
Filler work over this last couple of days see things slowly smoothing out - shoulders are dead from sanding all day - lots more to come still though!
1 attachment · Log in to view
Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus
5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
More work required on the front lip to make it look respectable...although I am a little picky. Whacked on some etch primer to stop the rust until next weekend when block sanding, filling, guide coating, high build priming and more sanding etc will resume! Ahh body work is fun (sorta - just wish it was quicker!).
1 attachment · Log in to view
nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk
2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·
I can remember when you bet the Carton-I thought this bloke must be Superman if he's going to pull that off.I reckon you have done a bloody good job anyway with what you have achieved since the bet.Looks like you have mastered the Mig.Keep it up.
Brad Wolfsburg Elder
3,764 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
man u sure you don't want to bet again ?
😎
😎