The Ressurection Begins

[Oldbugman]

Well after owning a 1956 Oval for close to 17 yrs now. ( Man time flies). The ressurection will soon begin. I bought this car back in 93 from a kid who had no idea what he was driving for 1500 bucks, brought it home and took it apart and started going through it. lowered the front end, refurbished the transaxle, cleaned repainted and undercoated the "Original" floorpan, and then started the bodywork on it. And then life got in the way so it went on the back burner. This is a solid car no rust bucket, for anyone familiar with these old type ones you will know what I'm talking about. I will post pictures in a few days.

So I have finally gotten the time and resources to rebuild it. I have but a few minor items to purchase for the exterior then it's going to the bodyshop. I could do the body work and such myself but find I don't have the time to do so, so I will end up paying someone else to do it. Sometimes it's easier to stroke a check than it is to save a little money, besides the place I'm taking it says their work is guaranteed for as long as I own the vehicle. This car will be buried with me It's goin to cost me more than I hoped to spend on the paint and bodywork but it will be worth it.

So hopefully, I'll have it out of the garage and to the bodyshop by the end of the month.Stay tuned...........

[dnyed]

Wonderful news! I think I speak for most, if not all, of us, when I say, Please keep us posted with progress pictures.

[scarabY2k]

That's friggin awesome man! If you need a couple of extra hands on a Saturday, let me know. Maybe you can put it in the VW's On The Beach show in April.

[Oldbugman]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

That's friggin awesome man! If you need a couple of extra hands on a Saturday, let me know. Maybe you can put it in the VW's On The Beach show in April.

Will let you know, April may be pushing it, but then again maybe not. Think I'm going to redo frontend, I believe I've lowered it too much but I'll be able to tell once it's back together. Need to contact Chico Racing to build me an engine for it, so no telling what that's gonna cost. Other than that the only thing left is the interior which should be a walk in the park. It's gona be awesome......... I've waited too long for this.

[scarabY2k]

I hear ya on the lowering part. You know how the roads here in Jacksonville are

I have no doubt it will be worth the wait.

[Oldbugman]

IMO one of the rarer items on my 56. I've seen them say made in Germany but never seen one like this. Makes you realize what was going on in Germany during the times this car was built

[Oldbugman]

Well, today was the day. After 17 years(amazing how long it's been) I actually loaded up the old 56 Oval and hauled it out to the bodyshop. I've been waiting for this too long. I am so excited to know I will someday soon drive an old bug once again. Pictures to follow.......

[SixChuter]

Congratulations on making the move. We will be looking forward to the pictures.

[warren]

can't wait 'til it's done to see the pics. and the big grin of the owner standing next to the oval.

[Oldbugman]

loaded up, off to the Bodyshop.







More to follow, I will be stopping in the bodyshop daily to take pics. It's on the way home. does'nt look like much now but this car is solid, almost not rust issues, very minor body work issues, does'nt appear to have been wrecked just needs a lot of massaging to smooth out 54 years of road life.

Stay tuned........

[MiG]

Looking good.
Can't wait to see more!

[dnyed]

Is your across the street neighbor a New Beetle owner too???

[Oldbugman]

Actually thats my NB in the driveway of my moms house,

[Oldbugman]

Well looks like they are going to start working on the 56 next week, photos to follow. BS conviently located on way home so should be able to stop in and take daily progress pictures.

[Fowvay]

In for pics!

[Oldbugman]

Taken 3/18 took them almost a week to get the Oval in the building from where it had been sitting took a few b4 pics.All the bodywork in the first pictures is where I started many moons ago.

Before taking it in I replaced all the hinge pins, there is no play in the hinges now reamed out and replaced with oversize pins. If anyone is into old bugs and has ever tried this then they will appreciate the effort it takes. I found a tool for removing pins, works great worth every dime I spent. If anyone interested I can direct you as to where to get one.














Stopped in today 3/23, roof completely stripped of paint and all old "bondo" around where sunroof was welded in, cowl stripped of paint, they are going to sandblast window openings and rain gutters to remove paint that can't be gotten with sander. They have Pass. door realigned into opening (had a gap issue it had more of a gap at rear than at front and you could see where the door was actually rubbing the rain gutter in the front upper area of door),fairly good progress as far as I'm concerned. Not in a rush looks like they are doing the job right. Which is all I am after.

Pics Below.

[Oldbugman]

3/26 More progress pics, most of body been stripped of paint, exhaust cutouts filled. And for you purist's no I am not restoring this as original gonna be a restro custom.No way I could restore it original with roof cutout of it. Moving along quite nicely IMO. I'm in no rush......

[scarabY2k]

very nice progress! Can't wait to see the big reveal!

[Oldbugman]

3/28 sandblasting, how they will ever get all the sand out is beyond me.

[Oldbugman]

4/1 the beginning of bodywork, moving along,saw a few things I will need to question, but overall looking pretty good. At this point.