Whitebrow's 65 Bug Full Restoration

Heres my 1965 1600 TP Bug which I bought on 2nd Nov 2013 from Rugby and drove it home 2.5 hours in an epic storm.

I know you might think im mad for taking on such a gorgeous Bug got a full resto, but I wanted a good honest (solid) bug and have been watching it for about a year. I got the bug for 4K



I've alway wanted a Sea Blue early 60's Bug with a modern take on the Cal look. Heres a pic of a Bug with the look im aiming for.  



Anyways lets get on a take this beauty apart.

I decided to take it to the benders   at The Old Dubs shop so they could cast their professional eye over it. Thanks Guys.

Overall it was a very solid Bug. Although this is now my Bug and I wanted it looking shiny and new all over!









They told me that both heater channels and floor pans needed replacing due to a bodge welding job.... oh yeah and body was welded to the chassis on the drivers side! Bollocks!  

So I decided to take it back home and start taking it apart to prepare for it to be cut off the chassis.

I decided to take out the interior carefully just incase I wanted to use it for a while or even keep it for good as it ws in verry good condition.









This horse hair was really wet and stank of ass so it all had to go. Run horsey run!



The back section was really moist and revealed some rust patches as well as some bodge welding.

Put it all back before you break it...

I wasnt pleased at all with the mess of the rear section.

Wurz wrote:

Put it all back before you break it...

Dont worry, its all safe and covered in the garage. The rear needs alot for before that interior goes back in.

Anyway I kept on going and realised as I wanted to restore the chassis also I needed to remove the tar sound proofing.

After I removed most of the tar with a scraper I relised I needed to remove both the seats before they got damamged or covered in bits of tar.

The passenger side came out ok after giving it alittle kick at the base from behind.

I then moved onto the drivers side to find that the runner was almost coming off the floor pan nearest the door.



After finally giving the seat a tug I got it off the rail, to find this.



After a little yank on the side that was rusted, it came off in my hand.  

This shocked me and made me realise I really needed to get this Bug back to basic to make sure everything else is safe and not going to cause me any issues in the near future.

My next job was to remove the front wings.

Although I found that alot the bolt holes had been damaged. Does anyone know if these can be sorted and made to look like the original ones like on the left??????

Today it was sunny and dry so I got loads done.  

I've removed all the doors, wings, lights, bonnet, deckid, windows and the wiring loom. Feel shattered.

whitebrow83 wrote:

I wasnt pleased at all with the mess of the rear section.

nice seatbelt mounts

got some work here to be done eh !

take lots of pictures as you dismantle the car and keep track of where bolts go, this will make re assemble easier,

I think the boot floor is ok, dont you think?

Its just the arches and the sections by the heater sections.

WizBizMartin wrote:

take lots of pictures as you dismantle the car and keep track of where bolts go, this will make re assemble easier,

I've got shed loads of photos, bagged and labelled everything buddy.

Heres some more photos from todays dismantaling.

















The rubber seals on both the front and back window were cracked so I wasnt shocked to find alittle surface rust.

Although the front one revealed some holes on the drivers side in the corners.

Oh yeah and while I was working on the car, a German family walked past and shouted "Das ist gut, ya!" lol  

Worst bits of rust and welding I found today are around both the heater channels, door pillars, foot well on drivers side, front apron and where the master cyclinder and washer bottle sit.      

Nice one buddy! Looks like your having fun.

What's the plan and the budget/time scale that you have in mind?

Get your money out you are going to need it

Get the best repair panels you can, if you need them go for heavy duty floor pans. I would also recommend Hookys Panels for the Door Posts, Rear Bumper Hangers, Hi-Pacs, etc.

http://www.hookyspanelshop.com/

I've also found Steve to be helpful if you need a special panel.

Get all the crud off and then see how bad it really is to determine how sore your wallet will be.


The only captive panel nuts I've ever seen and bought are this type:
http://www.coolairvw.co.uk/Item/Shop_by_Vehicle~Beetle_Products~Beetle_Body_Products~Repair_Panels~Additional_Panels/N0114071/M8_Captive_Panel_Nut.html
You could ask Steve if he has ever found anything more factory.
steve@hookyspanelshop.com
Tel (Day): 07967 235571
Tel (Eve): 01282 613046


Where abouts are you based?

joker 67 wrote:

Get your money out you are going to need it

 

best advice ever. double what you think it will cost... then add some more again.

sound proofing tar stuff: freeze it with C02 canister or dry ice... then 'tap it' with a hammer to break it up and then it will lift off in sections..

"CO2 or Dry Ice"

That's a good tip, not heard that one before.

Heating it makes a massive mess, still works but is harder to clean up. Get a part used co2 fire extinguisher. Sorted. Or I guess some of the industrial freeze spray for removing chewing gum from carpets or for chemically freezing metal bolts etc