Well, I thought it was time that Doodle made the members rides section here. Nickname comes from the wife and her sisters, they had a doodle-bug as they called it way back when. A late model squareback.

So, mine inherited the nickname.

Yesterday I bought an expensive battery for her, started her up and she fired up no problem, very good for a car that has been standing for a fair while.

Today I have been working on the wheels, I tried my ideas in Type3selecta first, then went to work, 3 wheels done so far, i thought I would post the progress here. I have also scored some replacement panels and doors today, so this may be the last time she is seen in one colour, next time she will be looking more like a matt black beast, lol.

Anyway, here are todays progress shots. How she started out....

[Edited on 5/4/2005 by Gibbo]

[ Edited on 20-11-2005 by Gibbo ]

first wheel painted and on....

Another Wheel freshly painted... With crappy scrappy old hub cap..... beaten up.

How she ended up today...

I will try to get a better photo tomorrow, but I added a little touch of photoshop magic to see where she will be once I drop her a couple of splines all round....

Came pretty close to my T3D playing...

I didn't know you could put old style hubcaps on the 4 stud wheels - very cool

They dont fit exactly, I think I may have to pursuade them a little bit.

wheels are looking good
how did you not spray the tyres :duh

I love those early shape wagons, my Dad and uncle used to baja them. My uncles was an original panel van... bit of a waste, but he looked after it.

I spent some time masking off the tyres after I had used a drill attachment to strip back the old paint. In the grassy photo I have just removed the newspaper and masking tape.
Like the old saying goes, 'its all in the preparation'.

thanks :thumb as is my next step on my beetle

Some nice things arrived in the post today...

Hood scoops, to help stop the water getting into the cab and a nice radio face plate. Both bought from the states...

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Check out my website for a more detailed description of the on-going work.
http://gibbon.servebeer.com  - Click on Squareback on the lefthand menu.

Or Click on the picture below.

Woo-Hoo! Progress!

Doodle has gone off for some surgery....

Here is how she left on Sunday evening, dont stare too long, she is naked!!

I hope to get her back this weekend and start the after surgery clean up and painting.

[Edited on 5/4/2005 by Gibbo]

Ratt.... thats really clean , where are the spotties??????
Ad

Hmm, you havent seen it close up! lol.

Quite a few surface rust spots and very dull almost powdery matt paint,

Spotties are coming, had to get the welding done all around before I start putting her back together and adding the bling!

They are coming.....

Go for Broke mate!

At last some progress. After being distracted by work and a few other things I got back into the squareback this weekend.

New exhaust system went on. Who needs heaters anyway!




I also fitted the re-furbed Globe wheels, they have been waiting for this day for about 6 months! (Lazy Me)
As you can see, she just came off the jacks here so is a little high, but plenty of room for lowering!



But the best thing of all was putting fuel in the tank and firing her up!!
Its been a while so the old girl was running a bit rough. But when she goes for a service and rego soon all that will be cured!

ROAR!!

Gib

Got the old girl out in the sun for a while today....

W00t We are getting back on track, after 3 years of practically nothing going on, Ive started again.

Engine: Last weekend I stripped down the engine so that only the case, cylinders and heads were left (dizzy wi;; come out when I have my replacement., Im planning to clean her up, paint the tins and replace most of the bits that came off. Re-wire everything and re-pipe all the fuel lines.
So here was my starting point:


and after everything was removed:


I took apart the carbs tonight, looking to install the carb rebuild kit I have. But the carbs on closer inspection dont need the kit yet, they are pretty damn good. Well, we will see how they go once I fire here up again.

Its nice to be getting some progress made at last. Next its the wiring and painting!

I got back into it for a couple of hours today, made up all my new fuel hoses and also started looking at the front valance and the overkill welding that was done there.

Firstly, I ground down the overkill welding that was done on the drivers side A pillar. Looking much better now, during the week this will get a bit further touch up followed by a bit of bog and some primer.


Top of the door frame also looking much better, welds ground down and almost ready for paint.


Now, my next challenge. The front valence where the bonnet sits. Looks innocent enough, not the huge overkill welded plate on the top edge, grrr.


After hitting it with just about everything at my disposal.. it dont look so good, thick bog


Finally, bear metal... but a bit outta shape....


Need some advice on getting this back into a better shape for painting again. Cheers

did you end up sorting out the panel beating?