So,..

We picked up our '62 bug a few weeks ago from Matt.

So,.. we dragged our other bug out of storage and swapped them over.

It's a '68, apparently a fully imported one.
EDIT - It is actually a Aussie CKD

Our hope is to have this as our daily.

First step was to let Matt have a poke about it and see if it was worth saving.

Things to do.

1 - Sort Body.
2 - Engine? - hmmm,..
3 - Gearbox? - There's one in it, don't know condition.
3 - Wheels? - Probably stock black and whites.
4 - Interior? - Stock
5 - Wish list - A/C - perhaps/ maybe/ one day.

Cool, got a name for it yet?

Not yet,.. That's Emily's job.

Yes, she's a German built 1968 model. Being out in the weather for many years, the elements took thier toll. Essentially a very sound beetle, the rust is isolated and repairable, a few dents to knock out, and a front ender to pull out, but.....a very clean original bug...sweet.

Repairs started today.....a few pics

She is lovely, and has that old bug smell. Very tidy interior, and those doors close so nice.

She is going to be a ripper! The Valiant radio although not model correct looks really bloody cool in the dash!

A bit of history in the search.

Whilst on holiday in Canberra we went to look at another 1500 bug, but it turned out to be more than we wanted to spend and in very rough shape body wise. So on a whim we visited Nicks farm.
It was a sad place.
100's of vw's there.
Overwhelming infact.
Our car was away from the other bugs and was hiding amongst a bunch of Kombi's up on top of the hill.

It must have been there for along time judging by the amount of forest growing on it.

At first we walked away, but I went back at a later date to get it because there is something about it that we liked.

It has that old original car feel and is complete except for the engine lid, left front guard and 3 of it's original wheels, which is a great shame.

Despite this we thought it had many other redeeming features, and perhaps he deserved to have another chance of life.

We think once complete it will be just what we like.

It was nice to hear that Matt didn't think it was a total basket case when he saw it.

We hope that you will all enjoy following the progress of giving new life to this forgotten bug.

Where is this place you got the bug? It looks quite original
Are there many other good bugs there, are they for sale?

Quote:

Originally posted by MISS VDUB She is lovely, and has that old bug smell. Very tidy interior, and those doors close so nice. She is going to be a ripper! The Valiant radio although not model correct looks really bloody cool in the dash!

Some more progress today, heater channel closed up and inner guard partially repaired.

Your 1500 looks in good nick and the interior seems well preserved and complete, hope it goes well !

Thanks for posting the pictures of progress Matt.

Looking great.

good stuff n it will get there

A bit more progress today, Lh inner front guard completed, and a little more investigation









Rust in the spare tyre well

Hmm,.. Rust,.. I hate that stuff!

and for anyone else following this.

I think the rust in the pan is from sitting,.. as the rest of the pans appear solid.
The angle of it's resting place was such that any water that got inside would have collected there in the left front corner. When I found it the door had been left open, and probably had been that way for a long time as it was very stiff to close.
Why do people do that.

The front spare wheel well is from a bad repair after a front ender sometime in it's life.
Where the front apron attaches to the body was not sealed so water could enter into the well.

Correction see below,.. the front apron was not attached to the rest of car, so the water could get in.

Oh well,.. never fear Mr Berry is on the case.

Oh,.. and,.. I found the remains of the last rego sticker.
Last rego expired in 1997 in Victoria.
So it probably sat there until Oct 2010 when I grabbed it.
Lucky car!
Sometimes I really do question my sanity.

You mean here Carl. Bad repairs....unfortunately the norm for Aussie panel repair shops

Here's the ill fitting front apron/inner guard an inch or so short !!!! Gotta love 'she'll be right mate'




We've found that during the past panel work, some of the panels were fitted and then the paint put on, so some areas where the guards bolt on and the paint had been removed for prepping the repair were guite rusty!! Bare sheet metal doesn't age that well. Luckily Carl and Emily rescued it in time.

Oh dear,.. ^^^^that really looks ____!

Hard not to have that 'sinking feeling'.

Oh well, once started must see it to the end.

Found some photo's of my old bug to help keep the faith,.. and remind myself that I've been here before.

Workshop look familiar Matt?

We will not be selling this one ever.

Ahh yes mate, the old Volksrestore panel shop, my guess circa 1996/7. Just spoke to Simon last night and we reminised(sp) about your old bug (he's loaned me a portapower for the front of your new bug ). She came up very nicely as we do know.

EDIT: Just noticed the Calender on the wall. Can you lift the date???. It's funny, I still have a current Wurth calender in the panel section.

Look forward to seeing your progress just took my 69 for an early morning drive and meet up with some other AVD, great experience

Quote:

Originally posted by matberry Ahh yes mate, the old Volksrestore panel shop, my guess circa 1996/7. Just spoke to Simon last night and we reminised(sp) about your old bug (he's loaned me a portapower for the front of your new bug ). She came up very nicely as we do know. EDIT: Just noticed the Calender on the wall. Can you lift the date???. It's funny, I still have a current Wurth calender in the panel section.

Yep if only we new what we no now! Wouldn't i've sold my first kombi . Oh well least were having another go and making up for those past mistakes

As Tarin has said....we're all guilty

Started the rust repairs required at the LH rear 1/4 panel and rear of heater channel.

Cutting out the offending area's looked like this.



Inside the sill was very good except for this last8" or so, with most of the original primer still in good condition.



There was some rust on the top of the heater channel, so that will need patching prior to repairing the 1/4 panel, so the lower 1/4 was fully removed for this repair, fortunately as there was definately rust lurking, even where the outer panel looked good.




New repair patch fabbed




Midway through closing up the sill...metal treatment underway




This is the repair panel fabricated for the lower sill rear patch. The shape was formed by making a wooden former and working the panel

Looking good. (The repair, not the amount of rust.)

Thanks for the pics, love your work.

Looking great Matt.

It's always a bigger job than it looks eh!

Nice safety boots!!! (In the first pic above^^^^)

Don't hurt yourself on our bucket of bolts please.

Hot spark down the shoe, ouch!!!

Saftey boots are the panel beaters....

Left hand rear 1/4 weldng nearly finished