OMG! I just bought myself a project car. Despite already having a bug which could do with some TLC, I just couldn't bring myself to getting started on it... so, what better than buying one that's kinda been started on and i have no choice but to get started

A back seat full of parts... How do these things actually go back together ??

My nephews love it already

So... the plan is to pull most parts off, tidy them up (get my brothers mate onto rust repairs), paint it (which my brother will do) and put it back together again. Doesn't seem and wouldn't be much for even most amateur car guys, but I'm a 33 year old virgin car guy, with not much of a clue about anything automotive but I love the beetle and I wanna learn more. All aspiring and seasoned mentors welcomed!!

I'd be more worried about the grief from the other half than the work ahead of me if I was you!!! If that is your wife/girlfriend in the background of one of the photos then she appears to be adopting the hands on hips, "look what the stupid bastard has done now" pose; I am very familiar with this. Which in response the guy she's talking talk is in the arms crossed defensive "it's not that bad, but better him than me" pose. On the other hand the kids love it so should just about balance out on entertainment value.

Where abouts are you? I bought my first Beetle, well second but last one was was 20+ years ago, late last year. Knew little about cars but am rapidly progressing; necessity is a hell of a teacher. My wife even joins in on celebrating the little successes; installed new brake cylinders and car still stops=crack the champagne.

Congratulations looks like a lot of fun.

Better clean out the infestation of rug rats before you start. HA

Haha, too funny! I hadn't noticed that. You got it spot on. That is the wife talkin to my brother, probably coping some blame for helping me pick it up

I'm in Towradgi (Wollongong), NSW. Fingers are crossed for similar small successes. Thanks for the comment and all the best with your build!

Cheers, Lance.

Now let her know that you have the full support of the 'vw brotherhood' (non gender specific and with respect to all the ladies that already know a hell of a lot more than I ever will!!!) and that her possible opposition has been duly noted

Hope it all goes well. I encourage you to make full use of the forum. The assistance available on here has saved me much frustration and let me retain some/minimal hair. Nobody has accused me of asking a stupid question yet, although I'm pretty sure I have!!!

Just like a big jigsaw. Just download a photo of what you want your bug to look like and hang it up in shed to inspire and focus you on the job ahead. Just remember the car restorers golden rule " if you have money you will not have time, and if you have time you will not have the money" good luck

Successful day pullin the bug apart :-) slow and steady tryin to take it all in so i remember how to put it all back together. Very pleased with how the body is lookin, but I'm a little disappointed with the guards/fenders I snapped one bolt, had to cut another and I broke one of the nobs off the chrome trim on the glove box lid Need some help/info on how to take out the head light and wiper blade switches from the dash, the best way to unscrew the glove box lid - they are so tight and the head of the screw is getting damaged and lastly, whats the trick to taking off the doors??

Spent Good Friday paint stripping the shell. Quite pleased with the result. Solid

Paint striped the guards yesterday and the doors, deck lid and bonnet today...

Next... sand and rub back, wax and grease remover, etch primer and take out the engine then it'll be off to the panel beater for repairs. Gotta luv being on school holidays to get stuff started

While I get that stuff done I need some help with the next step...paint. My initial plan was matte grey with gloss purple below the body trim and purple and white rims:

Now I'm not sure whether to go matte or gloss grey, purple or grey below the trim and all purple or purple and white rims... Any thoughts / suggestions??

Well, this is interesting. I've been seeing all the posts about 'What year is this?' so I checked the chassis number - 3 642 750 and according to both The Samba and Club Veedub Sydney I've got a '61. [six of one or half a dozen of the other - its pre 67!]

Hey lance looking good keep it up

Cheers Morgan.

Its been a while, but things are still progressing ... I've had to sand everything two or three times before finally getting it etch primed. Finished that on Thursday and took it to the panel repairer on Saturday

Now, with it out of the way my focus will be getting the rims sand blasted, figuring out what to do with the motors and organising the shopping list for the nationals