project ugly betty

[gt37jim]

hi guys, thanks for the comments. i'm you are finding ideas you can use. how about starting online builds too? i think lots of people want to see what others are doing. i know i do. lots of pictures

i didn't have much time for bug, spent it trying to even edges of fiberglass bumper. also primed 1 fender. i decided paint wasn't in this years budget. you don't need paint to drive it. later, jim

[harryset]

I just posted a few pictures from the mid stages of my 72 project on the type 1 threads. I am operating at a level well below you and Lew, so maybe I fit into where most of the hobbyists are. The level of work you guys are doing is fabulous. I am getting lots of ideas on some other things that I need to do, especially inside that pit where the MC and steering components are. I will be digging into that as soon as I get her back from the paint shop and start on the disc brake conversion.

Keep on posting.

[gt37jim]

well its been a couple of weeks since i updated. i had to get the yards under control, but i haven't ignored the bug. the last set of photos showed the front bumper install,but i wasn't happy with the look. this is what i was working on. now it has an aggresive look!




i decided to fit a splitter like i've seen on racing 911's and on nascar sprint cup cars. no body makes these for a bug so i had to design my own. i started with a splitter for a mini cooper, but it was just a flat plate.



i made two angles that will mount to the lower bolt of the inner sway bar mounts. then i made a plate that goes between angles and splitter. it has a bend at back to prevent center from sagging, and slotted attach holes so splitter can adjust forward with bumper mounts.



here its mounted. splitter attaches to bottom of airdam with sealant and screws.



view underneath, should stop airfrom filling front of wheelwells, and in front of beam and creating drag.



i still need to fab fairings to deflect air around front tires. these are first test pieces. i also need them to tie sides of splitter up. front of lip is held up with adjustable spoiler supports from longacre racing



see ya, jim

[gt37jim]

I got to work on toy sunday, after the 500. i got 1 of the wheel fairings almost done and the opposite is close too. here'a pics of inside and out side. i used a harbor freight slip roller to curve sheet metal, and their metal shrinker to curve bottom angles.




then slotted upper cuved edge to joggle it behind fender. got basic idea from mr slugs build, of course his work looked alot more professional. but im happy with it.



i still want to flange curve at back edge. hf sells a beadroller cheap, ithink that would do it, and i could use it on interior panels. gotta cash in my change jar.



have a good memorial day, time to BBQ. jim

[gt37jim]

well i got to finish both the aluminum fairings for the air dam. i ended up rolling the flange on sides with a simple block of wood. i cut a slot in a 1" wide block of hardwood that was 1/4" deep. i slipped it over edge and worked it along length of curve and slowly brought it over. painted black and added nut plates. i'll install when paint dries.


my dad has decided he's done in the garage, and shipped me his arc welder. i guess now i have to learn to weld and install my floor pan patches myself!


can anyone recommend a book on arc welding? i've got "performance welding" but it doesnt cover arc just mig/tig. i assume this machine will do it? thin sheet metal? dad's still looking for manual for this machine.

[gt37jim]

hi guys. update, i have been working on betty.

i misplaced my camera a couple of weeks ago, and until i saw the dog trot through the living room with it in her mouth, i was baffled what i had done with it.

here is the last picture of front end assembled. i still need to do the fuel system, hook up relocated battery, and figure out how to get air from apron vents to dash.


i spun car around in garage to start working on back half of car. here is how she looks today.



i started by installing fiberglass engine lid. i made it a lift off by mounting pins to brackets that mount at stock hinge locations.


i also ran liscense plate light wiring through alum tube up to top so it doesn't fall into pullys. will put quick connect at end.


next wing went on. i have been working on this for awhile. i didnt want to run big drag racing style spoiler or the rectangular formula one style with end plates. one day i spotted this wing on ebay , and after eyeballing it for a week i bid and won it,(only person to bid),i think it follows curve pretty well, and is in spirit of round bugs.


i made the brackets to clamp on vent slots, like old herrod helper. i may make some thing stronger



i am going to make rear apron removable, and add vents to match front apron. it should help remove heat around header.


rear fenders are from creative car craft 3 in wider. i wanted larger taillight because i dont think stock lights are easy to see. these were clear smoked , and i sprayed 4 coats of transparent red inside. 15 x 7 centerlines, 225 50r15 tires. there is a 4 inch gap between top of tire and fender. i plan to lower back by 2 to 3 inches and fix drivers side sag.

all this covering the stock engine. thats got to go

thats all for now bye jim

[Mykul]

This build is EPIC!

[harryset]

This build is EPIC!

X2

[gt37jim]

worked on rear apron sunday. i was originally going to make the rear apron completely removable, but after researching other installs, almost all leave out rear sealing tin. on a race only bug this might not matter, but on a street car i really want to keep the heat out of engine compartment. after looking how its attached i decided to cheat. heres some pics of how it ended up.


i left a 1 inch flange to mount new apron, and removed seal retainer because of older style lid.



fitted new panel, then made cutouts




i want to install with dzus fasteners. hopefully this will dump heat from header when i get it on.
now it matches front apron, and eliminates peashooter cut outs. i plan to use a hide away muffler under car.


yes i know 2 rivets are missing, i didnt count correct, not enuf fingers jim

[harryset]

Totally awesome.

[gt37jim]

harryset, i check your build up every couple of days and thats what i say about yours. i get envious when i see how much progress you make,and how fast its going. jim

[harryset]

ROFLMAO!

I'm lucky if I get one minor thing done a day, or two. I spend a lot of time wondering where to go next. Right now, I've got to redo the rear wheel wells, underside of fenders and replace the shocks. Side-glance at the wiring mess in the engine bay at the same time.

[harryset]

I'm going to ask you and Lew the same question: What are your plans for painting, or coating the gas tank? I've got mine cleaned up and primered. Trying to decide now whether to simply repaint it gloss black, or use the rattle-can bed liner. (that stuff really looks good and is durable as hell.)

[gt37jim]

harryset , i was thinking of using the bedliner on the bottom, and painting the top the same dark blue i plan to paint the body. it will contrast with trunk black, but not be to outrageous. i like everything to look modified

[harryset]

i like everything to look modified

Really?!

Yeah, I've already decided on bedliner for the underside. Still undecided about the top. Probably gloss black, It'll be covered with carpeting anyway. However, I'm stocking up on cans of bedliner to work over that front end, like you have done.