75 Bug Project

[Jay-B]

So I got myself a Super Beetle and its my first project. The day after I got it I began the process of taking it apart. Ripped out the headliner and took out all the insulation. There were only about 4 peices of carpet left in it so it looked quite simple untill I got to the tar paper. I spent the next day chipping at it slowly taking it all out. The next day I cleaned it up a bit with a rotary sander and chipped off what was left of old sticky glue and some crappy bondo that was covering up a few rust holes in the rear. I then spent the next day taking out all the glass and popping off the fenders and everything else that looked like it could come off. As of today I woke up bright and early to start grinding away at the rust and cleaning up the inside pretty well. I spent my last hour of sunlight sanding one of the front fenders. I imagine the bug eventually looking like the image below. So I will keep everyone up to date with how its going and what everything is looking like. I figure its a fun topic since basically I have no knowledge of a Bug other than how everything works and have only repaired wiring and brakes on my other bug. Of course I may need tips along the way but so far I've been using superbeetles.com and some other misc pages.

 

Heres my photos of the bug so far, I'll get some more in tomorrow morning of the fender and what the interior looks like so far.

http://justinbell.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album05

[Kev]

Looks like you are off to a good start!

[newbie2vw]

Cool, I'll bring my 75 super over and we can work side by side lol

[topher]

Nice super. Its nice to see people who like the Super Beetles.. :D

[Jay-B]

Personally the fact that its a volks and its a beetle really just brings the charm. but really im considering changing to some older style tail lights or something new perhaps. The dash is really annoying to get off... Is there a way of changing it to an older style dash? Or making it look nicer? I already scrapped off the fake wood decor.

Funds are short, so in a few weeks I will be starting back up on it again.

[Nacho]

I did the same thing you did with the floor board. I had one small hole that kept growing when my brother was welding. He came up with the idea of fiberglassing the remaining holes. You picked a good time to do the work. I did it last summer on that 105 degree day. Not only did I fiberglass, I also put down some "Pur-15." I wanted to make sure everything baked. It came out real good.

Good luck on your project, if you need help let me know. I'll be at the next meeting.

[Jay-B]

Does anyone know if the dash can be modified on the 75' bug to be custom or to put another year bug dash on there instead?

[topher]

If its a rounded windsheild you will be limited to what you can do. With out major reworking. It can be done I replaced one with a 1967 dash. You just get a flat dash on top like a new car. I will see If i can dig up a photo of it. 8)

[Kev]

Yes, it is a major job, but anything is possible given enough drive...

[Jay-B]

I have reasearched making fiberglass mouldings and I think im going to go with that. Im going to make it somewhat custom, I've been brainstorming the project and thinking of things I want to take off and things I want to modify on it. The dash is one and the other is changing the tail lights on it, I found these really awesome ones ( http://www.sabersport.com/ebay_gallery/LT-CPT01B-KS.jpg ) as well as turn signals ( http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/23000143/Images/1/LTS005-Clear.jpg  )

I am also going to shave the door handles and add a door popping kit along with suicide doors. If anyonw thinks of anything else cool let me know!

[Jay-B]

New pictures of the progress added, I'll have the new floor pans on soon and work on rebuilding and cleaning everything next. Getting exited!  

[CatBox]

i have some slightly used poly urethane bushings for cheap if you want them.  i tore the front of mine apart when we lowered it and it had them already, but i still put in my new ones.

as for the dash you can do anything you want to it.  i have the dash pods from a 59-60 impala that i'll eventually get around to putting in it.

i am also in agreement about the tail lights as i also have some late sixtys fenders to put on to it, someday...............

[Jay-B]

Getting closer to getting this thing done, got the engine rebuilt, looks nice!
Front suspension is all cleaned up. cleaned up the tranny. blasted everything but the body so far. 2k$ worth of parts sitting in the garage waiting to be put on. 4 polk audio speakers also ready to be put in  :D . Got some metallic black paint ready for the body.

[TotallyVW]

Sounds great.  Looking forward to seeing it.  Nice work Jay-B.

[CatBox]

i was wondering where you have been?

looks good.