The car itself, before work began.
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Rear end repairs
Voila, one new rear end
If in doubt cut it out!
Thats better.
New heater channel
Heater channel gone.
Up up and away, 2 tressels is all you need
New panels in place Chop chop chop
My 1300a beetle resto
My 1300a Beetle Resto Project
This blog is all about the restoration of my 1972 1300a beetle. I also have another site (http://1300avwbeetles.blogspot.com/) which is all you ever wanted to know and were too afraid to ask about 1300a beetles.
Blog Archive
Who the hell are you?
- Keekster
- I guess I'm a complete beetle obsessed fanatic. I currently own 3 beetles, and have restored 4 beetles to date and haveworked on numerous friends cars. when it comes to rust my moto is "if in doubt cut it out". This is probably why it takes me so long to finish them! Why beetles? I've no idea, I just luv em.
The grand plan
I'm intended to add pictures of the car as it progresses from wreck to brand new condition, and along the way intend to try and restrain myself from modifying the car. Going on my past history this is likely to prove difficult!
Rear end repairs
Back end repairs
There was a fair amount of rust at the back. I had to replace the rear bumper mounts, the back valance, and the engine side trays. With the except of the side trays, which were excellent (Hooky's panel shop) the fit is not great. Note the rear valance cut outs have been extended upwards. However, I trial fitted the back wings and bumper to ensure they fitted well, before final welding. Nothing worse than the bumper not being level!
Voila, one new rear end
If in doubt cut it out!
The front end
There was a fair amount of rust and accident damage at the front. Best approach, cut it all out! I have also replaced the rear spare wheel well, which was getting a bit thin. I kept the old bumper mount though, and made sure the bumper lined up before welding them in. The eagle eyed will notice that the bumper mounts fitted are the later europa type. This was deliberate, because they have the right pressing for late 1200/1300a beetle shells. I will keep the mounts for fitting the horn, could fit dual horns as well!
Thats better.
New heater channel
The Heater Channels
Typical of most beetles the heater channels were rotten. It was the reason the car had been taken off the road. I decided to fit real VW heater channels this time, and it was well worth the extra money. They fit better and are made of thicker metal. Its a big job but it makes all the difference. The old ones had been done before which meant plenty of cutting back. I had to fit new door posts as well; Hooky panels again, top class!
Heater channel gone.
Body Off Time
In my experience the only to fix a beetle properly is to take the bodyshell off the chassis. Its the only way to repair the bulk head and rear sill ends properly. It took 4 of us to lift it and pull the chassis out but it was worth it.
Up up and away, 2 tressels is all you need
New panels in place Chop chop chop