'64 vert bug in progress

robbied31 · Post by **robbied31** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:26 pm

I am a year and a half into this project. About 6 months on the pan and more than that on the body work/paint. Just painted it in the past few weeks. First thing I have ever painted. It is so nice to bolt things on for the last time.

Before......

During....

Today......

I hope to be driving in the next couple months......

Rob

quickkafer · Post by **quickkafer** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:35 pm

Nice Work!

How was your convertible support rails? I've got a 64 too, and I had to take the body off of the pan to replace the support rails.

You can see pics of it here: (Click on the pic for more pics)

Scott Faivre

robbied31 · Post by **robbied31** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:01 am

Hi,
Thanks for the kind words. My support rails weren't shot, but not good enough to leave alone. I fabbed my own support rails. I made each one out of 2 pieces of angle iron, cut and shaped exactly as the existing ones and welded to body. I have pics of that process somewhere, but I haven't stumbled upon those lately.
I love your bug dude!!!! It sits perfectly!!!!! I can't wait to drive this thing!!!

How come you can never see "Wilson's" face? Did he work on "Home Improvement"? hehehe

It looks like your vert was in much better shape than mine was and you still did a buttload of work to it, huh? My whole pan is brand new [except tunnel of course]. I even had to replace the frame head as it was bent pretty good! I can only hope mine looks as good as yours when done. How much time did you put into the restoration?

Rob

quickkafer · Post by **quickkafer** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:57 pm

Yeah, "Wilson" likes his anonymity (sp?). So I dubbed him "Wilson" and I've only taken shots like that. It's a lot of fun.

As for How Much time is in my Restoration?... I'll have to let you know when I'm done!

I've had it off of the road for 3 years now. My 66 was bought to drive as a beater until the Kabrio was done, but the wife fell in love with it and I had another full blown restoration on my hands! I've got a couple more side jobs to do, and then I'll be getting back to the vert. This is how she sits today:

I'm really dying to get back on this car. I want this car to be the one that shows everyone what I can do with my fledgling autobody skills. This car is going to be black cherry with a tan top and a tan leather interior.

Scott Faivre

robbied31 · Post by **robbied31** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:26 am

When were the pics of the vert taken in front of the park? I take it that was before you tore into it?

Side jobs? In the trades, perhaps? Old carpenter converted to a superintendent here.

I like your air hose reel on the ceiling, where it is needed I have one on the wall, not in a great place. It looks as if we have the same compressor too. Is that a husky over there against the wall?

Damn woman. My wife could have cared less over the past year and a half about my vert, but ever since I painted it and started bolting it together for the final time, she can't keep her nose out of it.

Now she shows it off to all of her friends and her sisters. I am starting to get the feeling that I may have to ask if I can drive it when it is done.

Get back on that man!!!

By the way, the '66 looks good too! I like the wide 5 fuchs style wheels. American Eagles, right?

Rob

quickkafer · Post by **quickkafer** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:01 pm

You are correct on all accounts! That pic of my 64 was snapped before I pulled it apart. I put that reel on the ceiling for access to both sides of the garage and it reaches the driveway as well. But it will only reach the 2 tires closest to the garage. So I put another drop between the 2 doors so that I can have another line to reach the street if need be. I've also got addition drops to my 2 work benches and to my other side of the garage. And "Yes" my big Husky 220V compressor powers the system.

As for side jobs, I'm a teacher by day and a "jack of a lot of trades" by night. I've been a busy bee!

The 66 was my "warm up" paint job. I'm going to shoot for magazine quality mirror finsh for my 64. I'm not sure how it will come out, but I figure if I set the bar high, even if I don't reach it, it will still look better than a lot of other cars out there.

As for the American Eagle wide 5 Fuchs... I HAD TO HAVE THEM! I thought they were one of the coolest wheels since I got into VW's back in 88. Only problem was that up until 5 years ago, all I owned was a 4 lug 74 Super! When I bought my vert, it had the rare Porsche fuchs (4.5's and 6's) and I wasn't going to change them! So when I bought the 66 at auction it had a new set of tires on cast finish EMPI 5 spokes. Sold them and got the Wide 5's!

Scott Faivre

robbied31 · Post by **robbied31** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:56 pm

Hello,
Interior is done. Stereo done. Engine in and running properly [finally]. Just need to get it registered and the top done!

Has anyone here redone a convertible themselves before? All I have is the frame, I have to buy everything else. I am hoping someone can supply a list of Everything needed to complete a vert top.

Thanks

Rob

quickkafer · Post by **quickkafer** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:19 pm

I redid my own top, but all I needed was the exterior skin. Everything else was already there and done. It is not an easy job, but if you take your time, you can achieve great results. You'll need at least one other person to assist you.

Try chucks convertible parts in order to locate all that you need.
http://www.chucksconvertibleparts.com/

Sorry for the short response, I'm late for dinner!

Scott Faivre