70 Beetle Resto-Mod

[williamblanda]

This thread is awesome.

[Matts70]

Thanks Audrey!! It definetly makes things easier. Working inside is a little bit of a pain having to hurtle the braces to get in each time. There not going anywhere but I may have to move one to replace the quarter at the B pillar. There also nice and rusty because I never shot them with rattle can before they spent some time outside. Its ok, only braces.

Matt,Wasnt that 1/4 you were looking to replace a few months back? Any bites ?

Yes it was, I picked up one from a guy on TS, shipped it greyhound. A nice rust free section.



I'm jealous of the west coast!!

This thread is awesome.

Thanks Will!! I Appreciate the kind words!!

[Glenn A]

are you going to hang the quarter from the lower window and down.

[Matts70]

Yes, probably drill spot welds at the window weatherstrip seam, wrap into the rear wheel well past the fender nuts ( they need replacing also) and wrap around the B pillar. I'll have to mess with that before chopping heater channels and have to relocate my braces.
Nothings easy.

[Matts70]

Some more pics of the build....

Heres were the rear luggage section meets the top of the rear crossmember. PO stich welded it and covered with bondo. Crap!!



From underneath the replacment rear luggage section is stacked onto the old one



Made the initial cut to remove the bulk.





With that area removed it opens up another can of worms with metal under the rear window. Now I know why people say start a project with the best you can afford. Oh well, It is what it is and I'll get plenty of experience working on everything!



More f'in spot welds





Picked up some new metal

[Raj]

damn.....!

[Big_kid]

Makes me wonder,
Is it possible to build a beetle using nothing OG?

You've got your work cut out for you (no pun intended) but I'm sure you'll knock it out of the park. Your work has been nothing but flawless.

[Matts70]

damn.....!

Dam is right, the area under the rear window is shot!! I started rebuilding it but got a little pissed and had to take a break. Tried to get the whole section from the same guy as the quarter. Hasnt had any beetles come in to cut it yet. Looking back, my ride would probably be a good parts car , but I'm way too deep now so I'll continue.

You've got your work cut out for you (no pun intended) but I'm sure you'll knock it out of the park. Your work has been nothing but flawless.

Thanks charlie!! I will say, its compliments like yours that keep the drive going!! Thanks brother! I could use some help on these spot welds, you moving back to coram?

[Big_kid]

Not in THIS lifetime! I've shoveled snow 4 times in the last 26 years. 40 degrees is cold. Taxes alone up there would cover my entire mortgage down here. I never burned ½ tank of gas sitting still in traffic down here (Belt Pkwy, 1985). I'll stop here.

If I were up there I'd help you with them!

[Matts70]

I here ya! this place is one of a kind.

Started to work on removing rear crossmember. Heres a couple views of how its attatched. spot welds cleaned away















Looking inside the passenger side heater channel



More rot





Cut out the rotted areas under the rear window.





Had a so so donor piece that I'll weld in and cut off some of it off for new metal.



New piece bent to the proper angle and rough cut.

[Glenn A]

Not for nothin you haven't got real money in that body yet. Now would be a perfect time to find a less rusty car. But I understand how that goes. I have that piece you need. It is the top most of the package tray were it rolls over into the engine bay. It is the lower rear window and louvers section. you can have it if you want. I'll have my wife toss it out of the train at the Hillside facility, Is that cool?

Are we up to date on progress? Post the link to you thread on TS.

[Matts70]

I'll have my wife toss it out of the train at the Hillside facility, Is that cool?

Thats pretty funny!! That should go over well on the train!
I have had some thoughts on getting something different but the pan is all done and dont want a mismatched beetle. If I could of done it again I would of picked something up in CA. Like you said, I'll deal with it as is. I have all the metal I need to make the repairs so it will be just the tons of hours to install...
I actually started rebuilding that section so I may not need your section. If you have any pics to email either way that would be helpfull. I have a couple more pics and then its up to date (further than TS )

Had this piece bent, trimmed to fit and some holes for spot welds







I tacked the donor piece in till I get the welder over here.



Heres the other side. I coated all the back sides with copper weld through primer



Set in place





Tacked



Cut out some more rust on the other side, made a template and fitted it in









Opened up this area and this is were I walked away.





Probably after christmas I'll have some more motivation to work on it again. Officially up to date... Thanks for looking!!

[volksbugusa]

Matt

looking at your pictures reminds of a 1974 beetle that I restored. It took me 3 years to complete the restoration. You are doing a super job!!! Take your time welding on all the outside finished seams.
You will need skim coat everything with body filler (use only gold) less pin holes..Matt

[Glenn A]

I don't have a pic of that piece. It's hanging up on the back of my shed. It looks like you pretty much have it all squared away now anyway. That area is a tough place to work. Some wizard cut a hole to adjust the clutch in my 64. I patched it with OG metal but just but welded it to avoid getting into that area. Same thing with my 68.
Here is some inspiration. Get back out there and get to work. Looks great so far. Nice work on fitting those patches.

[Matts70]

Thanks Matt and Glenn for the encouragement!! I hope to get my buddy over soon to finish tig welding whatever I have set for him. Matt I dont know if i have the patience to do any body work ( filler, sanding etc. ) The plan was to ship it to the body shop to have it taken care of, with a watchful eye on it also. I'm ways away from that stage, just have to get past the rear rust and then it should be pretty straight forward.

Here is some inspiration. Get back out there and get to work. Looks great so far.

I know it! Thanks for the inspiration! Your repair to the clutch adjustment nut trap door looks good!! Some day I'll be installing sound deadening..........

[Raj]

Matt,
You have been quite. Any update on the bug? This build is an inspiration and I need some!

[Matts70]

Hey whats up Raj,
Yeah I have been, just recently got back on to check out some threads. Had a decent size electrical job that i was on for about a month and still awaiting finish wiring. Between that, the RR and watching the baby whenever I can, doesnt give me much time to work on the bug besides move the cardboard boxes away from it!! Seemed to have plenty of them lately. Its perfect weather to be out there!! I still have to hang my VW signs from xmas!!! Way behind!! Thanks for reach out though!! You pushed me a step closer to getting in there!!
Matt

[Matts70]

So I opened my garage door the other day and had to stop and scratch my head......

I've hit an all time low!!!...........

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I also realized I have to resize all my pics to upload to this forum. Am I missing something? Had them all on imageshack and they don't show up when the "message board forum" sizing option is used.

[Raj]

MATT!
First pic is 3 cases of water and no beer?
no fear buddy..... Just exchange all the bottle of water in for beer asap and we will never speak of this again. lol
seriously.... life happens dude. You'll get back in there so

[brucerodz]

Just went thu this thread.Awsome work Matt. Continue working on it as you can, you got too much work invested to stop. Keep the updates coming as you are able to continue.

[Matts70]

Thanks Dave!!
Definetly have alot of time into her ( working on it and looking at it!) My current body was almost replaced by another 70 body ( the guy that was passing through and looking to sell his 70 but things didnt line up and he had to do what was best for his situation). I'm attatched to this project so I'll keep at it and ignore all the comments from friends and co-workers ( you have no time!, your married now, you have a baby now). Its nice to hear the feedback and gives me a little push to get out there!!! Things also havent felt right with the passing hurricane and fuel bull! Not to mention work, side work, house work and life!!!!! but I like working out in the garage in this weather over the heat anyway!!!
Thanks bud and look foward to seeing more of your project!!! Good luck!!

[rob711]

Wow! I was just wasting time and came across this thread! Matt u do some freaking awesome work!! Life gets in the way of our toys! Was cruising with my 1 and 3 year old 2 day thinking this is sweet. Then it died on 25a....the 30 yr old wire came off coil...phew! Hope ur still at it.
Rob
Ps. My wife wants a 3rd, I'm replacing windows in the house, making new bedrooms upstairs in our cape and she want the basement finished! So I hear ya when u get side tracked.

[Matts70]

Hey Rob, thank you brother! I appreciate it! I need to resurrect this thread from the dead!! This is perfect weather to be out cruising and I hope to be at that point by the time my daughter is 16! (She's 2 now) LOL! Glad ur problem was just a wire! And sounds like your gonna be a busy guy!! Plan is to be back in my garage this fall/winter. But we know how that goes.