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My New Project 65 Beetle - Heres a couple of progress pics **Getting scary
Grey 57 - April 28th, 2004 at 09:41 PM

Well its begun. The stripping and discovery phase. Bit more work involved than I thought, but away we go any way.
Next step is cutting away all the smashed inner panels and weld on new ones. Hellbus expect a lot of U2U questions from me on this bit.

[Edited on 1-5-2004 by Grey 57]

Grey 57 - April 28th, 2004 at 09:43 PM

bad side

Grey 57 - April 28th, 2004 at 09:47 PM

buckled tank support and left front quarter

jenz58 - April 28th, 2004 at 09:47 PM

Cool Dean!!!

This project should keep you off the streets for a while......;)

Have fun restoring!!:)

Grey 57 - April 28th, 2004 at 10:07 PM

The reason why I am even contemplating re-building this 65.
Golde Steel sun roof.

speedster356 - April 28th, 2004 at 10:11 PM

Hmmm, Nambucca? :thumb
I've been wondering why there are so many beers in the fridge, you haven't been up for a while have you?

Grey 57 - April 28th, 2004 at 10:15 PM

Be up in Syney in a couple of weeks Pete. So get Dave B to stock up. Will have a shopping list for Boris too.

volks67 - April 29th, 2004 at 07:58 AM

Yes, it looks like the spot weld drill bit, and air saw and mig will be working overtime. Best of luck mate, I am in the middle of doing the same.

VWCOOL - April 29th, 2004 at 08:53 AM

EEEk! That looks terrible! Yes, the tools will be getting a good workout! Can you still buy 'cut n shut' front sections new? I recall seeing them years ago... front panel, complete spare wheel well, beam support section and front edge of fuel tank aperture - all ready to mig on...?

Grey 57 - May 1st, 2004 at 07:50 PM

Its getting scary now. Just cut away buckled panels on the driveres side and see areas that have not seen the light of day since the factory. Too late to turn back now.

Grey 57 - May 1st, 2004 at 07:50 PM

Quarter panel gone and a huge hole in the foot well

Grey 57 - May 1st, 2004 at 07:51 PM

One more. Start on passenger side tomorrow

BenettonVW - May 2nd, 2004 at 11:27 AM

Nice one mate, but... WHY? I thought the crash was on the left? Rust?

SPRINTSTAR - May 2nd, 2004 at 12:54 PM

Keep going Dean, you should have seen what I had to begin with in the wagon...but then again I might just find your dream Type3 ghia...
a

Grey 57 - May 2nd, 2004 at 04:55 PM

Heres the left side all chopped off. Will need a new heater channel half here too. Rust and a major kink has made sure of that.

Jim the whole front was pushed over to the left and there was rust in the bottom of the right hand side quarter panel. So it had to come off too.
All good fun!!!

Fun part starts now searching for a suitable 65 donor car to give up its panels.

oval TOFU - May 17th, 2004 at 11:02 AM

Holy cow..........

have fun Dean! I'll bet it's going to shmick!

VWFREAK - May 17th, 2004 at 03:03 PM

Sweet, it's great to see someone who cares about detailed restorations.

splittychick - May 17th, 2004 at 08:55 PM

Wow Dean,great to see you getting stuck into it.If you're going to the meeting tomorrow night,be sure to bring your photos along.

kustomkool - May 17th, 2004 at 09:05 PM

nice work keep it up.

Grey 57 - May 17th, 2004 at 09:27 PM

Heres a pic of the new (old) front I picked up from Desert Bugs clearance on the weekend. If you happened to be on city link late saturday arvo you might have seen it on the back of a really sweet trailer. Thanks Bug Boy.

After talking with a good panelbeater mate and some others I decided against a welding new panels on the front as the bulk head and dash have some nasty kinks tthat would be hard to get out.
So the plan is to do a cut and shut with a nice straight front of another Beetle of the same year.
This one looks terrible, but its straight and never been hit. Just looks crap.

[Edited on 18-5-2004 by Grey 57]

Grey 57 - May 17th, 2004 at 09:29 PM

This time

WTF no pics attaching??

[Edited on 17-5-2004 by Grey 57]

[Edited on 17-5-2004 by Grey 57]

[Edited on 18-5-2004 by Grey 57]

[Edited on 20-5-2004 by Grey 57]

Grey 57 - May 20th, 2004 at 10:15 PM

Couldnt resist seeing what it will look like fixed so I taped a few panels on and took a pic to keep me motivated.

Craig Torrens - May 20th, 2004 at 10:22 PM

what about cutting the roof out and putting it into a straight shell ???

Grey 57 - May 20th, 2004 at 10:24 PM

Craig this is rust free and the most complete beetle I have seen. Worth saving I reckon.

Craig Torrens - May 21st, 2004 at 10:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Grey 57
Craig this is rust free and the most complete beetle I have seen. Worth saving I reckon.



I guess I'm just about to replace the complete drivers side of a 1500 for the same reason !!

Job well done, another beetle saved ;)

ratty 63 - May 21st, 2004 at 11:23 AM

...this all looks familiar - mines not as seriously damaged though.

Well done - it will all look and feel a whole lot better once the new front is on - light at the end of the tunnel stuff....

R

Grey 57 - May 28th, 2004 at 08:35 PM

I have been thinking a rattie Matt Black paint job with pinstripe flames?? Heaps of chrome accessories, pop outs, chrome 356 wheels with 3 point spinners and no hub caps What do you think.?????

Doug Sweetman - May 29th, 2004 at 09:23 AM

I think I would very much like that !

VWFOOL - May 30th, 2004 at 09:22 AM

nice work dean, plans sound awesome

Grey 57 - June 13th, 2004 at 08:59 PM

Been giving the grinder and welder a work out today. But after lots of digging and grinding and a bit of patching decided that the Beetle front we picke up just wasnt going to cut it. Bugger.
Amazing how well a Beetle hides it rusty bits.