Project Log: Massive Complete 1971 Beetle Re-Restoration

Oppressa · 2012-06-05T01:06:55+00:00

Didn't notice a project forum so posting here. Feel free to move, mods. Model: 1971 Volkswagen Beetle Brief History: 1999 - Purchased 3rd hand Nov 2001 to February 2002 - Stripped to bare metal and sprayed in Honda Super Sonic Blue Pearl February 2002 - Wheels and tyres replaced April 2002 - Not-at-fault accident. Front and rear damage, engine damaged beyond repair June 2002 - Everything resprayed except for the doors. New 1835cc engine with Weber carb (later replaced with dual Kadron carburettors) Since that time, the interior has been reupholstered and the stereo has been through many iterations. Time and the elements have since taken their toll on the paint and so the time has come. I have been deciding for a few years what to do - new car vs another restoration. I want to keep the bug so a full restore it is! After months of searching for panel beaters and getting quotes, I have finally chosen X Customs to do the restore. They are the same workshop that restored the volks.com.au Beetle: From Saturday 9 June 2012 they are going to: strip the car remove the body from the floor plan body will be bead-blasted, all rust removed replace floor plan, all rust removed remove rain gutters - have only seen this done on very few cars before in the States and even fewer in Aus. Should clean the lines up and look superb a few body minor adjustments - remove spray nozel on bonnet (never used in the 13 years I have owned the car) and not hooked up anyway, remove and seal up all air vents on the dash (the ventilation system was removed in 2002 anyway), seal other random dashboard holes, seal all screw holes not used for rear license plate respray (paint will NOT be revealed to anyone until it is sprayed) replace all glass except for windscreen replace all door, window and between-panel rubbers replace other various parts with new rebuild Estimated practical time is 3 1/2 months. At the same time as the restoration, I will be ordering from Scat VW a turn-key 0 Mile 1915 engine with twin 35mm Solex carburettors, C35 Scat cam and Scat 200mm clutch. I will be ordering the engine ASAP and have shipped by sea hopefully arriving around the restoration completion. I will install it as well as some blank brake discs and rear drums for new wheels & tyres. Much more to come.

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 7 Sep 2013, 6:11 pm

#969063

Tyres look great to me. Just the right amount of width to give some rim protection.

Are you painting inside the bonnet area?
The black looks good.

Futue te ipsum!!!

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 7 Sep 2013, 6:36 pm

#969068

Bizarre wrote:Are you painting inside the bonnet area?
The black looks good.

No. Getting expensive enough and yeah the black looks good (and will probably be carpeted anyway

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

benny_acko Officially Full-On Dubber

253 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 9 Sep 2013, 12:50 pm

#969319

I also had my Beetle dropped off there on Friday afternoon to have some rust attended to. On Saturday I swung past and spent almost an hour having a look and a chat.

I saw your late model and a 60s model there. O&S' work is impeccable - the amount of pride and attention to detail they put into their work is amazing!

Im looking forward to seeing this one finished...

1967 VW Beetle Deluxe

hrastovica Officially Full-On Dubber

361 posts · joined Apr 2009 · 24 Sep 2013, 7:39 pm

#970867

That is gonna look just HOT. Love the colour.

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 26 Sep 2013, 7:57 am

#971007

Thanks! I've had a picture in my mind for so many years!

No update again this week. It's going into the paint booth today for masking and prep but I'll be away Fri and Sat so I'll update early/mid next week.

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 2 Oct 2013, 6:36 pm

#971550

Update 45

You know it's an important update when I post in the middle of the week 🙂

Paint commenced on Monday. The interior and all 'edges' have been completed. Tomorrow is masking then painting the outside. Expected to complete on Friday!!!

Pictures speak one thousand words so...

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 2 Oct 2013, 7:40 pm

#971563

the car is looking so impressive cant wait to see it finished

/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

XXX-1.8T Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,113 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 3 Oct 2013, 11:45 am

#971623

Car is looking great.

The only downside are the wheels chrome blingy wheels are so 1997 🙁

A nice set of 70's BBS would make it look much better or check this out for some inspiration:

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=german+look+vw+beetle&rlz=1C1CHMO_enAU525AU525&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=LMxMUq-ZB820iQe3iYDADg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=967&dpr=1

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 9 Oct 2013, 8:05 pm

#972259

Update 46

Pants = creamed
Words fail me so... pics. I'm ecstatic right now 😀

Freshly dripping clear coat!

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

vduboy Insano Dub Head

702 posts · joined Oct 2012 · 9 Oct 2013, 9:08 pm

#972272

Wow! You are certainly not going to lose it in the car park! awesome stuff mate. I'd let someone else fit the windows though.. I'd be a nervous wreck trying to put it back together without scratching it... big milestone to see some colour on it.

It will all be OK in the end, if it's not OK it's not the end!

Birdman Wolfsburg Wizard

428 posts · joined May 2010 · 9 Oct 2013, 9:34 pm

#972277

You may want to check that items, such as yor brake lines, are actually LEGAL in Australia!!!

Oh and NICE paint drips ???

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 12 Oct 2013, 12:15 pm

#972488

Birdman wrote:Oh and NICE paint drips ???

LOL, it's clear coat, as per my post. All fixed now.

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 12 Oct 2013, 12:24 pm

#972490

Update 47

No real changes but it's out of the paint booth. Paint looks even better if that's possible! One wheel fitted (without centre cap) which gives a good indication of a final look 😀
Progress will slow slightly for the next few weeks but electrical is next. Expect an update Sat 26th Oct.

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 12 Oct 2013, 12:58 pm

#972493

You've got to be happy with that. It looks soooo good - reminds me of a Christmas beetle. :-)

From your ole' mate Jeff

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 12 Oct 2013, 12:59 pm

#972494

Haha yeah I'm sure it's no surprise that a lot of people are referring to it as that!

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Oct 2013, 1:22 pm

#972496

You can see the silver / gold transition now

They have done a great job.

You reckon you will be cruising before Christmas??

Futue te ipsum!!!

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 12 Oct 2013, 1:43 pm

#972497

Cant wait to see it in the flesh......and in the sun 😵

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 12 Oct 2013, 1:45 pm

#972498

Bizarre wrote:You can see the silver / gold transition now

They have done a great job.

You reckon you will be cruising before Christmas??

Nope, I'm thinking February...

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 27 Oct 2013, 7:55 am

#973754

Update 48

Not a huge amount to report. Paint is complete including some extra parts, bonnet fitted with new chrome mounts. Engine is unpacked and steering box has been rebuilt.

New chrome hinges reflect the paint brilliantly

Tail lights, license plate cover and glovebox door have all been painted.

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

Sick68VW Officially Full-On Dubber

303 posts · joined Mar 2003 · 28 Oct 2013, 8:19 pm

#973883

Mate you reallly need to get rid of those wheels!! and put some black turbo twists would look 10 times better

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 28 Oct 2013, 8:25 pm

#973885

Man, that's been done. I don't want anything that has been done before 😉

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

baghall Ben Hal Outlaw Bushranger

1,021 posts · joined Jan 2010 · 28 Oct 2013, 8:31 pm

#973887

Love the colour on this, looks like a great paint job. Well done!👍👍👍

68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car

Sick68VW Officially Full-On Dubber

303 posts · joined Mar 2003 · 29 Oct 2013, 9:29 pm

#973985

I understand mate but that has been done back in the 90's to almost every jap car i saw and also you have to remember its a vw not a jap spec car each to the own..

1958kafer Officially Full-On Dubber

229 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 29 Oct 2013, 11:46 pm

#973993

How much does a paint job like this cost?????

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 24 Nov 2013, 9:06 am

#976012

1958kafer wrote:How much does a paint job like this cost?????

I am pretty sure that if you have to ask, you can't afford it!
😂

Super1302 Officially Full-On Dubber

361 posts · joined Jul 2008 · 25 Nov 2013, 8:01 pm

#976168

Great Colour and great work. yeah, need to change the wheels, they do not do the car any Justice at all, the chrome does not suit. maybe paint. maybe.

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 26 Nov 2013, 8:50 am

#976210

I have had so little time lately so this is a tiny update, just 2 bad quality pics. Some body rubbers on and door handles fitted. There'll be more in about a fortnight.

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

XXX-1.8T Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,113 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 2 Dec 2013, 10:08 am

#976737

Sick68VW wrote:Mate you reallly need to get rid of those wheels!! and put some black turbo twists would look 10 times better

I agree Steve twists, BBS, Borbets, any wheel from Germany would look awesome on this to make it look like the ultimate German Looker.

But the owner has his heart set on these wheels🙅

Each to their own👍

Oppressa Officially Full-On Dubber

367 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 2 Dec 2013, 10:41 am

#976739

They're just wheels so easy to change at a later date. I'm not going for a German look though, I want it to have a custom/modded look. Once it's on the road I'll make a decision and change to something else. At least it's now a popular stud pattern

1971 VW Beetle
Currently being restored - click here

vduboy Insano Dub Head

702 posts · joined Oct 2012 · 2 Dec 2013, 10:50 am

#976740

Hi mate, are there seals on the inside of the door handles? what is stopping water filling up the doors? Looking great by the way! 👍

It will all be OK in the end, if it's not OK it's not the end!