The Ragtop Express

The VW Beetle. Everything about bugs!
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TPB_Karl
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 1:59 am

Re: The Ragtop Express

Post by TPB_Karl »

Piledriver wrote: Mon Nov 25, 2024 7:33 am You do nice work!

I guess those inner fenders are "trim to fit"....
Thank you! :D

Yeah.. I'll try to shape them into a decent fit, and match them to be as symmetrical as possible.
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TPB_Karl
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Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 1:59 am

Re: The Ragtop Express

Post by TPB_Karl »

A couple of short visits to the garage this weekend. Had a big convex area by the horn grill on the driver's side front fender that I couldn't get rid of. Luckily I had backup fender and i don't understand why I didn't take this one from the start... This one fit perfectly and i just had to move the turn signal hole.
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Then I started on the rear fenders. On the left, the gravel guard was still there, so after removing it, the to-do list grew once again..
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I considered cutting out the whole piece that was rusty and making another attempt on the English wheel. But as I've said before, these are only supposed to get the car passed an inspection, so I've started patching up instead..
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The fender is not finished. Work continues next weekend.
Ciao!
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TPB_Karl
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Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 1:59 am

Re: The Ragtop Express

Post by TPB_Karl »

Back on it!
The white rear fender had a fairly long dent that got straightened out. I also welded and drilled new holes for my taillights.
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Then it was time for the last fender. It was bent and had split apart at the hole for the bumper mount. But otherwise quite solid!
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It found its way home eventually.
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With the fenders ready, it's time to adress the rust on the body.
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TPB_Karl
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Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 1:59 am

Re: The Ragtop Express

Post by TPB_Karl »

Horn mount and not a hole in sight (Or so I thought)
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Tax receipt and first owner's name and residence. Gunvor in Lidköping
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The spare wheel well is pretty rotted out and the same can be said about the little aluminium badge..
I tried blasting it off but it was a little far to gone. Are these available as newly manufactured?
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On closer inspection at the horn, I discovered that the side was very thin... So i had to make a small repair.
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The problem I had with the replacement panel from IGP was the hole where you take out the shift rod. On the original, the edges were folded in and on this one there was just a hole cut out. After some measuring, CADing and 3D printing, I had a giant dimple die. The 3D print did not survive.. But I got to the hole looking decent!
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After some sanding and welding primer, the front was ready to receive the new wheel well. Grinding and paint..... Tt looks quite decent though. It's not 100% finished as i'm out of sanding belts and Roloc discs for my air tools..
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And as a nice addition to the shelf, The same local club member that gave me the green fender has made a another donation. This time chrome T-bars. They should add at least a couple of hp.
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V8Nate
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Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:34 pm

Re: The Ragtop Express

Post by V8Nate »

Nice work it's coming along!

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

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Piledriver
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Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2002 12:01 am

Re: The Ragtop Express

Post by Piledriver »

Tbars are worth at least 5mph on the top end ;->

The... distressed... look of the original aluminum tag was hard earned, I would personally retain it as a badge of honor.
Addendum to Newtons first law:
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
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