The wayward bug returns home

[englishman11]

I would actually love to build air cooled v-dubs if I had a shop, all the tools, and the time. If that happens bugger, I'll build your '70 for ya !

I also want to share a bit of really lucky news. I have a friend that does extensive turbo builds on cars, and he's not only going to help me build one on my '68, but he's GIVING me the turbo and components. That means my engine will be a beast. Gonna have to re-think and blueprint now. I can't wait till my beetle feasts on his first corvette!

[englishman11]

Alas, the work kinda halted on my project late last year. But all hope is not lost... it is time to go at it again. Much has been happening for me lately, most of it being the fact that work has consumed most of my time so far this year.. who knew that water slides would still sell so well? Now that the work will slow down to a mere 45 hours a week I'll once more have time for the sweet '68. On top of the work load, of course there's the snow. It's May and it still won't stop. Hate that stuff, I really do.

Anyhoo, last time I was working on it, I happened to order the WRONG floor pans. Luckily I had a friend who is in the midst of re-doing his girlfriend's '74 and the pans were right for his car. So now I need to re-order the floor pans to get back on track. This week the plan is to get everything back in order (once again in the back yard) and hopefully start on "real" work after memorial day.

This time around, the parts will be the correct ones.

[max-five]

You need to cut out that front apron and replce it. See the bad wrinkle on the driver side? It was front ended at one time. It isn't a hard replacement, just takes a little welding and some patience. If you don't do it, you will never get fenders and hood to fit right. You can get new metal or buy a clip from a scrap car. Check thesamba.com and look for what you need.

[englishman11]

Already have the front clip covered . I'm actually working on the body and floor pan at the same time right now because I want to get the bulk of the welding done at once since I have to bring it down to my work. It'll be about a month before I can get anything down there because of the work load. I'm not cutting any corners on this.

btw, my camera is no longer working, so no pictures for a little while people.

[englishman11]

The floor pan is... DONE! It took 10 hours of labor to get the welding, prep and paint done, but now it's powder coated and looks great. For now, it's sitting at my work cooling off and will be back at my house this afternoon sometime.

I gotta say, it's nice to find people to help out with this stuff too. Two guys at work offered their help on my project. Doug is a seasoned welder and is married to a lady who used to restore air-cooled vws. He's obviously helping me with the welding. Scott is a car guy with over 20 years of build experience under his belt. I've seen his work and it's really good. He's going to help me with the paint and body work.

Oh, and I'll get some newer pics up here soon.

[Bella Sera]

You are living my little dream. I need some recent pics. I'd love to see what you are doing. Someday I'd love to redo a '71 (the year I was born) and have that and my NB together. I am thinking that the '71 needs to be a vert since it will not be a daily driver but a weekend car.

[Fowvay]

A bit of inspiration from one fat chick lover to another.

[Bella Sera]