67 Beetle Resto - 2009 Trophy Winner!!

StenGuns · 2007-08-07T08:54:22+00:00

Well nearly 11 months ago, I started a 67 restoration which at the time, I optimistically thought would take three months.. Finally I'm about to start the re-build phase.. Rather than add to the old thread, I thought I'd start a fresh one.. Here is the old thread.. http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=56492 The floor pan... has been ready for months.. (the delay has been in the body restoration).. The pan has been blasted and powder coated in black.. Looks great.. Cost $1200 The body.... The more you chop into a 40 year old car, the more you find needs doing.. I have not cut any corners and the body will be substantially better than factory condition.. Chris, (the fabricator) is an absolute genius.. He has smoothed seams, replaced sections, fitted and re-fitted countless times the doors and other parts to get all the gaps correct.. Chris has spent 100's of hours on the body.. He wants to show the car when its finished.. I have to believe him as I've seen some of the hotrod work he does and there are not enough superlatives for his metal creativity.. I have a dvd video of the work.. I can't work out how to post the stills but I'll find a way later on..Anycase enough of the body.. Cost to date $8,000.. The front K&L beam is being fitted with wide 5 disc's by Boris at VVD.. All new or refurbished bits on the beam.. Cost $2200 The rear is a created around a re-built gearbox using a 3.88 Ring and Pinion and a .82 4th drive gear.. The gear box will be married to Type 1 axle shafts and type 3 brakes.. I finished stripping these parts today and they are off for media blasting and powder coating.. The gearbox builder is reknown on this forum.. Cost $2,000 I'm hoping for 17" ESCRA's for wheels. If that doesn't happen, 15" Raders.. Cost (with tyres) $1900 The engine is a 1916 re-built about 18 months ago by another reknown AVD guru.. Built around a sweet counterweighted crank with an engle110 cam.. It will run either EFI or twin carbs.. Not sure yet.. Finished with a ceramic coated semi merged extractor and exhaust.. Should be good for 80 - 90 hp which is plenty.. I'm curious to dyno it when ready.. Total setup $6,500 The body will be set off with a blue that I've been told will be like "looking at the blue sky but just blue-er and a bit metallic.. Cost $2,000 The interior will be all new with leather connolly hide in light tan.. Say $5,000 Total Cost Say $30,000 once all the bits are on the car.. About 16 months should do it.. Not for the faint hearted but you get back a car that is rebuilt and re-fitted, down to the smallest nut and bolt.. Better then when it came off the factory floor Anycase.. For the moment.. Here are the axle shafts and brakes ready to go to the coater.. I'll post the assembly here as we get into it [ Edited on 10-9-07 by StenGuns ]

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 24 Feb 2009, 12:23 pm

#697100

Here is a the back seat in position.. Some minor trim adjustment but the look is correct..
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Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 24 Feb 2009, 12:32 pm

#697101

Beaaauuutttiiifffuulll - (dont know how you are meant to exaggerate a word, but I hope you say it how its meant to sound)

beetleboyjeff wrote:You will probably end up like me. My kids always complained about the back seat too. When they left home, I fanally found that I could afford to get it all re-done - now the grand kids like it.

I dont know if any kids will be allowed in the back of this car, or even the front for that matter. I'm already worried about my 5 year old daughter not looking after my car and its still bare metal 🤪

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 10 Mar 2009, 8:01 pm

#699875

StenGuns wrote:The interior will be all new with leather connolly hide in light tan.. Say $5,000

Total Cost Say $30,000 once all the bits are on the car..
[ Edited on 10-9-07 by StenGuns ]

Gee Rob, how things change. Do you remember quoting these figures back in August 2007 and I bet you wish you were even close to this mark. Any updated photos for all us drooling over your ride.

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 13 Mar 2009, 12:02 pm

#700532

Door Trim
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trickysimon 100km/h is only 9 seconds away

1,473 posts · joined Dec 2007 · 13 Mar 2009, 5:30 pm

#700617

👍

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 17 Mar 2009, 11:34 am

#701293

Here is a shot of the re-covered ProCar seats we are using..
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Mick058 Custom Title Time!

1,580 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 17 Mar 2009, 11:55 am

#701297

looking good mate, its coming together - Can't beat the feel and smell of leather - except the price tag!

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=67295 (myride)

Romans 10:9

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 17 Mar 2009, 5:15 pm

#701336

Mick058 wrote:looking good mate, its coming together - Can't beat the feel and smell of leather - except the price tag!

I agree, looking great. But I have to ask sorry, whats that on the door trim under the window winder (excuse this old bugger).

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Craig S Wolfsburg Wizard

635 posts · joined May 2008 · 17 Mar 2009, 7:17 pm

#701371

That thing under the window winder had me guessing too. I was thinking it was a door puller so when you're sitting in the seat you don't pull on the window winder or door handle.
Either way it all looks great. Well done

Craig

1969 Beetle - June
1974 L Bug - Gwendolyn
2002 Bora V6 4Motion - Anita

JEN056 Commited Dubber

51 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 18 Mar 2009, 1:40 am

#701454

Nice. This is a very neat resto. Bet you can't wait to cruise around in it.

Moving is a Bitch😂

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 18 Mar 2009, 12:22 pm

#701527

Correct.. It is a recessed Grab Handle.. Always used to piss me off having to swing on the door or window handle.. Tendency to break off after time.. So I went with a tuck away handle.. I have mounted a normal (passenger side) arm rest/ handle on the drivers side before but they are seriously in the way and in the wrong position.. So this seemed a good result.. I may re-design or paint it when I finally get to see it,,

Gwendolyns Master wrote:That thing under the window winder had me guessing too. I was thinking it was a door puller so when you're sitting in the seat you don't pull on the window winder or door handle.
Either way it all looks great. Well done

Craig

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 19 Mar 2009, 12:07 pm

#701770

Rob - did you say what the slots in the rear seats were for??
Wouldnt be seat belts as they are near your knees??

Got me intrigued?? 😵‍💫

Futue te ipsum!!!

Mick058 Custom Title Time!

1,580 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 19 Mar 2009, 12:44 pm

#701780

i assumed they were seat belt slots for the front seats - that they would feed through.

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=67295 (myride)

Romans 10:9

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 19 Mar 2009, 1:04 pm

#701781

Ahhh...........hidden reels under the seats 😍

Very nice touch

Well..............thats if that is what it is 😉

Futue te ipsum!!!

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 19 Mar 2009, 4:29 pm

#701825

The inertia reels are actually recessed into the base of the B pillars.. There is a shot earlier in the thread..

Rob

Bizarre wrote:Ahhh...........hidden reels under the seats 😍

Very nice touch

Well..............thats if that is what it is 😉

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 19 Mar 2009, 4:31 pm

#701827

Sorry.. So Yes, that is what the slots are for.. They are on the seat bolsters which is a seperate section to the seat cushion.. Meaning limited compression of the bolster and therefore the belt will continue to move freely

StenGuns wrote:The inertia reels are actually recessed into the base of the B pillars.. There is a shot earlier in the thread..

Rob

Bizarre wrote:Ahhh...........hidden reels under the seats 😍

Very nice touch

Well..............thats if that is what it is 😉

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 3 Apr 2009, 11:30 am

#704798

Just the front seats to go now.. This resto has nearly wiped me out (emotionally).. I am so over the whole deal.. Funny how you feel that way when you have rounded the final corner and the finish line is in site.. Totally lost interest
Here's a few shots for the faithful..
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StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 3 Apr 2009, 11:32 am

#704799

The PROCAR seat brackets which come with the seats were not used in the end.. They raise the seats far too high and the driver stance is all wrong.. So Mark from Blackneedle made up some new brackets... They look like my own attempt from 3 years ago!! (Faark.. three years.. has it really been that long?)

Mick058 Custom Title Time!

1,580 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 3 Apr 2009, 11:46 am

#704800

MATE, KEEP STRONG!!

Its a good resto - you'll get over it only for a little while, then remember why you did it - don't do anything silly while in the 'low' stage.

Looking the goods - bring it to NATS, show it off - then leave it for a bit!!! Then you'll love it all over again.

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=67295 (myride)

Romans 10:9

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 3 Apr 2009, 1:16 pm

#704818

Looking great now Rob.
I cant wait to see the whole car,
as I am betting everyone else is too.

Being able to drive it will be your reward for all those hours.

I miss not having a beetle I can drive on the road.
Volksies are pretty cool, especially one like yours that has a lot of TLC.

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

Flintstones Custom Title Time!

1,077 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Apr 2009, 7:52 pm

#704894

I feel your pain.
3 years is that all...you don't want to know how long I've been working on my oval then.

You've built a truely nice machine that you should be proud of and I'm sure others will agree.
It doesn't look like you've got that much left now, hang in there!!!

Cheers
Dino

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 5 Apr 2009, 1:48 pm

#705202

Thank you for the motivation..

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 8 Apr 2009, 12:12 pm

#705904

Car leaves Blackneedle next week and its off to Boris to fit the glass, window scrapers and a few other bits and bobs.. Then its down to Westi for a special fitting.. Then its down to Helensburgh for the Blades to be fitted.. The its off for tuning and rego.. FAAAARRRRKKKKK!!!
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Mick058 Custom Title Time!

1,580 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 8 Apr 2009, 12:24 pm

#705907

very nice mate - blades fitted??

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=67295 (myride)

Romans 10:9

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 8 Apr 2009, 12:43 pm

#705908

Not yet.. I had a set with towel rails.. The front straightened ok but the rear was out of shape, so I got an imported rear and had both sent to All Metal Bumpers for shaping and re-chroming.. The finish is superb.. Even had the braket holes filled and a step bracket made at the back so the finish is super smooth.. Just don't know where to fit the rego plate now..

Mick058 wrote:very nice mate - blades fitted??

Mick058 Custom Title Time!

1,580 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 8 Apr 2009, 12:58 pm

#705910

yeh, i didn't want to pull holes in either - im not one for adding holes or chopping out metal work 😂😂

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=67295 (myride)

Romans 10:9

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 8 Apr 2009, 1:42 pm

#705915

yeh right!!

Mick058 wrote:yeh, i didn't want to pull holes in either - im not one for adding holes or chopping out metal work 😂😂

colonel mustard Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,829 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 8 Apr 2009, 6:35 pm

#705957

Looks amazing.....!!

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 10 Apr 2009, 8:37 am

#706197

Hi Rob,

You must be very happy with the result. The seating resembles a Ferrari interior to me, just my thoughts. Look forward to seeing the car in person. Would still like to have a look at the fuel line routing one day.

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 2 May 2009, 8:20 am

#710181

The beetle was delivered back to VW Village yesterday for final tuning, registration and fitting of wheels..
Here are some shots as it comes off the carrier.. It's looking exceptional..

Changed my mind about wheel selection.. I think the Escras are too "in your face" and the car would suit a moore "old school competition look.. maybe mangels (if I could find suitable hubcaps) or Fuch's.. 6.5" on the back and 5.5" on the front.. Any ideas or pictures of suitable wheels would be welcome..

here's some pix..
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