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‘73 Super Beetle Convertible

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by Buildflycrash, Apr 18, 2022.

  1. Apr 18, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Jun 5, 2007
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    3,559
    I bought this project VW a couple years ago. Cynthia had a couple VW busses 10 years ago and now she wants a Yellow Bug. Did some work on the chassis but didn’t have room for both the jeep and the VW body and chassis in my garage. I have boxes and boxes of parts that I have no clue about (about how I started with my Jeep). The engine is in a couple different boxes as well. The block looks good (IDK) but the 4 heads I have are all cracked. So I’ll be looking for a running engine. First goal is to get the body on the chassis. Need to get the mating surface on the body cleaned and painted then it’s going together.

    [​IMG]

    Chassis is under that pile of stuff on the right.


    [​IMG]
     
  2. Apr 18, 2022
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
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    1,054
    Very cool, I’ll be watching this build. I’m honestly not a big super Beatle guy but with the current price of small bumper bugs they’re growing on me.

    Here’s an option for the motor :twist:
    My buggy has their 2110 with 44idf’s. Ten years ago though that package was closer to $5k though.
     
  3. Apr 18, 2022
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
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    Jun 15, 2003
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    2,132
    I have always liked bugs.. I have a couple when I was young, I'd love to build another.. I'll be watching..
     
  4. Apr 18, 2022
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    Jan 8, 2012
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    This looks fun. Are you going to make it a stock rebuild or spice it up a bit?
     
  5. Apr 18, 2022
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    Jun 21, 2005
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    1,998
    I love super beetles, I'm totally jealous! I'll be following along for sure.
     
  6. Apr 18, 2022
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
    Messages:
    847
    Sold the 70 Beetle I grew up learning how to drive on.
    It came from the coast and the rust was terminal.
    Rebuilt it several times through high school and college.
    Loved driving it and working on it. Couldn't stop the coastal rust though. Sold it for scrap to a VW restorer friend for parts.
    Would love to get another for my wife, but the Jeeps are keeping me more than busy. The 64 CJ5 is next on the list.
    Then the 80 Toyota 4X4 pickup. After those, I might do a Bug again, but I have more projects than I can finish for a while.

    I will be watching the progress also.

    Cool project.


    Dave
     
  7. Apr 18, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    I had a tarp over the bug for the first year then nothing for the second year. A bit of leaves got into the door centers and the rear window pockets. A Wet and decayed mess. This was sure to be the first thing to rust out. Shop vac and wire brush and it’s mostly clean and dry. Needs to be rust treated and painted next.

    [​IMG]

    Next on to some dents in the forward and rear panels. I made some progress but I just don’t know much about body work. Bang bang bang. One challenge is bug did have an accident on the right front. The right corner is about 1.25” back from the left. No amount of banging is going to fix this. The PO straightened out a bunch but wrinkled medal in the trunk and inner fender well are holding the corner back. I may need to make some cuts- pull the grill (?) out and weld some filler in.

    And speaking of welding- the PO replaced some body and interior panels but welded with a soldering gun I think. It’s bad. I’ll need to reweld some of that. And no seam sealer.

    Driver door gap is kind of big. I think I’ll wait to get the body on frame to try to adjust the hinges.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Apr 18, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I hear Subaru engine swaps are easy...:whistle:
     
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  9. Apr 23, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    The rear apron was installed poorly. These parts should overlap but the gap is bad.

    [​IMG]


    So I cut off the bugger welds.

    [​IMG]

    Straight out the apron a bit.

    [​IMG]

    Welding it all back together now.
     
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  10. Apr 23, 2022
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    Jun 24, 2004
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    1,132
    Kids got into baja's back in the day. At one time we had 5 part out hulks littering the yard (not counting the 65 and 73 that were running). Down to two with a lowered bug project and a couple of Manx style buggies. I have two out in the yard just waiting for me to find the time to finish them.
    Works well for buses, Kombi's, Westies, off road buggies and the like. not really needed for the smaller bug style cars, especially one that is going to be pretty much stock. A 1600 dual port with some larger pistons/jugs, exhaust, and an upgraded intake/carb combo will push a Vee Wee really well.
     
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  11. Apr 23, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Wish you were closer. I need a VW expert to keep me going in the right direction.
     
  12. Apr 23, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    The rear apron is on and looking lots better.

    [​IMG]

    I was worried that the debris in the rear window pockets would rust out something and they already had. Both sides had small holes. I used a step bit to enlarge the hole and got one filled in before I broke for the day.

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
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  13. Apr 24, 2022
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    Jun 24, 2004
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    Advice is free and I'm full of it......
    Not as familiar with the super bug's. My knowledge would start from behind the front suspension and go rearwards.
    If you have a question, I'm happy to blow off the cobwebs and offer an answer.
     
  14. Apr 24, 2022
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    brother is a vw nut . one of his road tests
    8-06-06 (9) - Copy.JPG
     
  15. Apr 24, 2022
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    and that pan went to this
    he calls it frankenbug . its got parts from several years
    whole front was redone to get rid of McPherson struts
    boneman frankenbug.jpg
     
  16. Apr 24, 2022
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    they are an incredible piece of engineering. Simple, tough, lightweight, and economical.
    You can virtually disassemble one with a crescent wrench and a screwdriver.
    Designed in the 30's, morphed into the Kubelwagon during WWII, and went on to be the highest production car in history.
    Dammit, now I'm starting look at the 57 Manx out there and starting to roll the "gotta do's" to the bottom of the list in anticipation of going to work on it.
     
  17. Apr 24, 2022
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Man - brings back memories. We somehow got a clapped out Karman Ghia when I was about 10. Did exactly that with it and rode it on the trails near our house.
     
  18. Apr 24, 2022
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Love the overspray Red on the Tires...... Perfect, Man.
     
  19. Apr 26, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Some work on the Bug tonight. One of the door hinge bolts was stripped and not coming out.

    [​IMG]

    I opened up the back side and Cynthia turned the screw while I pushed on the back side of the screw.

    [​IMG]


    Apparently there’s a way to reach this area by removing a vent hose in the trunk. It’s very tight and you can’t see anything. PO obviously tried but didn’t quite ever remove the door. Good news is I’m ahead one 9/16 wrench!!

    Welded back together. Not my greatest work but some body filler and you’ll never know.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Apr 28, 2022
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
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    Dec 20, 2007
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    844
    Just to go along with the Subi engine conversion here's a video for ya

     
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