66 Project - decision point

[BuginU2]

Hey All - sounds like the drive-in night was fun and I'm bummed that I missed it.  This post will probably explain the major reason why I didn't make it anyway.....

Once upon a time I had a pretty nice 68 VW that I used to take to shows and drag race in California.  This was a LONG time ago (for me).... I enjoyed this car incredibly and when I joined the Navy and found myself in Florida for a year or so of training.  Now my '68 was resting comfortably in the car port of an old lady that lived in a senior citizens only mobile home park.  It was probably the safest place it could be.  After about 8 months in Florida without my VW, I asked a good friend to drive it out (from California) to me.... first big mistake.  Well, he made it across the country during the middle of summer.  The car took a beating, but was in pretty good shape considering the drive.  After nearly 18 months of training I was facing a trip to Idaho for another 6 months of training (ask me later was my job was).  Faced with another cross-country drive and an Idaho winter, I made the decision to sell the VW (second big mistake).  This was 1993.

http://photos.thestofans.com/v/VW/oldvw/


Fast forward to 2006.....

Many of you heard about the 68 I picked up last year, which I sold.  I now have the 66 Bug which I have driven to a club meeting or two.  The problem with this car has always been that I rushed into getting it on the road and never really took the time to do it "right".

So the other day, after missing the body shop day, I found myself with some paint stripper in a bucket and went to work.  I've always felt it was important to know the extent of the prior body work and fix repairs that were not done right.  

Today I rolled the car into the backyard minus three fenders and almost completely stripped to bare metal.  The fenders are in pretty good condition.  I think they were recently replaced.  The previous owner used caulking instead of fender beading!  The front apron is a mess and I have a replacement for it.  The rear apron is about 50% filler, I have some ideas for how to fix this.  The passenger side A-piller??? near the lower door hinge is rusted.  The pan has extensive areas of fiberglass repair.

http://photos.thestofans.com/v/VW/66VW/Aug2007/

As for the decision point.... despite my old 68 looking pretty good, it had it's issues as well.  I've never taken the body off the pan to fix things the right way, but I think this is what needs to be done this time.  I could proabably get the body ready in time for the paint day, but the pan would still be an issue.  I'd hate to do the paint early and then have to fix the pan.  On the other hand, I have some body work left that I probably shouldn't rush.  My main priority should probably be to get the body primed.  

Oh yeah... the wife is gonna pop (in October) with our second lil one.  I'd better figure this one out soon.  Sorry, this post is rambling and a bit long.

[CatBox]

you so need to drive it to the meeting on tuesday.  that looks awsome!

plus that way you can bounce idears off of us in person.   maybe we could do you a special day of sanding and such to see how bad it really is.

[newbie2vw]

Starting to look good Duane, I mean that in the sense of progress lol.
What type of stripper did you use? I have used alot of Aircraft Stripper in the past and it works real well. If you're wanting to try it on those patches you can find it at Sherwinn Williams, and once in a blue moon at Lowe's.

I will be in town this week, and if you want some help give me a holler, I like to do body work on the Bug.

Thanks, larry

[BuginU2]

Duane, don't apologize for rambling bro'!  I ramble all the time, that is how we learn about each others lives and interest.  Anyhow, I am impressed with you stripping the paint and finding what is underneath and what not.  My take is, and always will be, try to do things right, without shortcuts if possible.  That, in my opinion, is what makes a ride stand out.  Your `68 was a beautiful car, and I really enjoyed looking at the pictures.  I would separate the body from the pan and do a kick a** job and have something you can be proud of as long as you own the vehicle.  

Anyway, thats my $.02.    :D


~ Raleigh ~

I'm leaning toward removing the body from pan and doing it right.  I'm somewhat space constrained at my house, so I need to come up with a creative way of storing the pan under the body without it actually being attached.  Probably need to build a frame to hold the body or something.

[BuginU2]

you so need to drive it to the meeting on tuesday.  that looks awsome!

plus that way you can bounce idears off of us in person.   maybe we could do you a special day of sanding and such to see how bad it really is.

I see what I can do about getting it there.  The recent rain is killing me... I can almost see the rust forming!

[BuginU2]

Starting to look good Duane, I mean that in the sense of progress lol.
What type of stripper did you use? I have used alot of Aircraft Stripper in the past and it works real well. If you're wanting to try it on those patches you can find it at Sherwinn Williams, and once in a blue moon at Lowe's.

I will be in town this week, and if you want some help give me a holler, I like to do body work on the Bug.

Thanks, larry

I am quite familiar with Aircraft Stripper... used it extensively on my 68 before it went to paint.  It does work well!  I used the strongest stuff I could find at Home Depot.  I don't recall the brand.  Most of the patches are gone now.  I'm using a wire wheel attachment on my angle grinder to get the rest off.

Thanks for the offer Larry.... I'll try to bring it to the meeting Tuesday night.... get some feedback from the group.

[BuginU2]

As for my vision......

I've always liked the "cal-look"... but not in the strictly traditional sense.

I don't like chrome body moldings... they have to go.  

I'm indifferent about the front turn signals... I might keep them there.

The pea-shooter holes serve no purpose to me... they have to go.

I do like the vintage two-tone paint scheme.... I'm thinking white and some other color (my wife likes aqua)... but since there won't be any chrome on the sides I'd like to pin stripe down the side where the chrome would have been.

One-piece windows are going in, but I have pop-outs in the back.

My wife wants me to put a ragtop in.... yikes!

[TotallyVW]

You have done quite a bit of work there sir. That is a huge undertaking.  More than I would take on (I'll tell you about my '64 later). But you have some experience with that kinda stuff it would seem.

Did I ever tell you about my neighbor with the Double Cab? He allocated a summer of body and paint and interior and other resto stuff. That was in 1999. He plans to have it back on the road next summer  :o ....

[Kev]

Hey, you are an insiration!  I plan on stripping the '68 down either this winter or the next, and I will sure need some help with it!

[BuginU2]

I bolted the fenders back on this evening and will drive the beast to the meeting tomorrow night.  By demand of the neighor, I put the straight pipe back on... yipppee!

This meeting may be the last I drive it this year.  Once the garage sale is done this weekend I "should" have room to put it in the garage.

[CatBox]

By demand of the neighor, I put the straight pipe back on... yipppe!

OHhhh you and your straight pipe. :?

[BuginU2]

Yes... but the neighbors demand it... they don't like the sound of silence!

[BuginU2]

Yes... but the neighbors demand it... they don't like the sound of silence!

My son (whom will be tagging along tonight) also likes it loud!

[TotallyVW]

Yes... but the neighbors demand it... they don't like the sound of silence!

I like your hood.

[CatBox]

loud pipes save lives.

i got all of the pipes for my exhaust at http://summitracing.com

they are a great mail order speed shop.  the pipe bends are wonderful and the muffler selection is excellent.