Looks like he cut out the wrinkles in the right front too. Good deal. He seems to be moving right along with the patches as well. Is he going to paint it ?
hkgmillette said
Mar 4, 2021
Yes. This is the same person that did my Chevelle. Right now the color will be Subaru Dark Gray Metallic
Bruce – Per plan. As you are aware of, as you get into doing a project, you find unexpected things that need to be corrected. So the plan can quickly get changed. I like the job he does, because he approaches the job that it is his name on it. He generally has a couple of projects going at the same time. One will be in the final stage, on in the middle and one just starting. The Beetle currently is a filler project. I am not expecting the beetle back until fall. FYI – He had the Chevelle for 5 months.
Bob - The engine is from EMPI. It has a number of improvements over the stock engine, including Hi – Perf quality rods, ARP Bolts and bronze bushings. The rods were balanced within 2 grams of one another (330, 330, 331, 332), ring gap was already set and the pistons come in the cylinders. It is basically a long block where I re-use the exhaust manifold, intake (if I had a dual port intake) and the air cooling shields. When I started to price out the replacement parts and the machining of the block, the cost difference made it a no brainner for me on which direction to go.
BLyke said
Mar 6, 2021
Thanks for the update on the plan, its good you have a understanding with the painter and know what to expect.
hkgmillette said
Mar 6, 2021
Rims and engine tin are back from powder coating. Going to be ordering tires next week.
From the early '60s to 1970 my dad was the Sales Manager for a big Chicago area V-dub dealership. He related a story one time that your last post shot to the forefront of memory.
There was a short period of time that VW had a problem with the wheels coming loose, and potentially falling off the cars! It was eventually traced back to the wheels themselves. During production, there what was deemed to be an excessive amount of paint applied to the steel wheels. The workers would mount the wheel/tire assembly, torque to proper spec, and send the car down the line. It'd get loaded and shipped to the US, out to the dealer, sold to Mr/Mrs John Q. Public, and after 100 or so miles the wheels were loose!
The paint would eventually fracture/crumble under load & stress, effectively de-torquing the wheel bolts!
The fix was a tech bulletin to the dealers to sand down the tapered area of the wheel bolt holes to the primer and retorque.
Bought a seat of VW high back buckets a couple weeks ago. Just want to get some better protection in case of a rear collision. Got the new tires and mounted on the rims (love the white walls). Just waiting for the VW baby moon hub caps and slowly assembling the motor.
Karen is ging to be sooooo happy with that. She might even let you drive it.
BLyke said
Apr 10, 2021
Nice work. Remembering the old heater channels and winter in a VW, mostly pumping exhaust in to the cabin and doing little to clear the windshield.
hkgmillette said
Dec 11, 2021
Working is happening on the Beetle. The guy working on it was hospitalized with COVID, so that stall the work for a bit. He is hoping to have it painted shortly after the first of the year
The labels "Das Glimmerblinken" and "Der Drizzleflippen" are hilarious.
hkgmillette said
Oct 2, 2022
Put the body back on the chassis. Thanks to Chris P for the help and suggestions. Had to do some minor modifications, but not too bad considering how many parts were replaced.
Started assembling the motor
Don't look like VW parts
1600cc?
Sounds like a nice color, how is your guy on getting things done per plan?
Yeah, what are you thinking ? 4 bolt main block, 10.5/1 compression, rectangle port heads and a 390 Holley...
Grenades on the track...
Bob - The engine is from EMPI. It has a number of improvements over the stock engine, including Hi – Perf quality rods, ARP Bolts and bronze bushings. The rods were balanced within 2 grams of one another (330, 330, 331, 332), ring gap was already set and the pistons come in the cylinders. It is basically a long block where I re-use the exhaust manifold, intake (if I had a dual port intake) and the air cooling shields. When I started to price out the replacement parts and the machining of the block, the cost difference made it a no brainner for me on which direction to go.
Thanks for the update on the plan, its good you have a understanding with the painter and know what to expect.
Rims and engine tin are back from powder coating. Going to be ordering tires next week.
Indulge me in a story here...
From the early '60s to 1970 my dad was the Sales Manager for a big Chicago area V-dub dealership. He related a story one time that your last post shot to the forefront of memory.
There was a short period of time that VW had a problem with the wheels coming loose, and potentially falling off the cars! It was eventually traced back to the wheels themselves. During production, there what was deemed to be an excessive amount of paint applied to the steel wheels. The workers would mount the wheel/tire assembly, torque to proper spec, and send the car down the line. It'd get loaded and shipped to the US, out to the dealer, sold to Mr/Mrs John Q. Public, and after 100 or so miles the wheels were loose!
The paint would eventually fracture/crumble under load & stress, effectively de-torquing the wheel bolts!
The fix was a tech bulletin to the dealers to sand down the tapered area of the wheel bolt holes to the primer and retorque.
(something to keep in mind...)
This car will be Special.
Enjoy all updates and comments.
Thanks,
Karl
Some updated pics of the front/rear of the Bug. Plus they installed the heater channels
-- Edited by hkgmillette on Wednesday 17th of March 2021 06:12:44 PM
Bought a seat of VW high back buckets a couple weeks ago. Just want to get some better protection in case of a rear collision. Got the new tires and mounted on the rims (love the white walls). Just waiting for the VW baby moon hub caps and slowly assembling the motor.
Nice work.
Remembering the old heater channels and winter in a VW, mostly pumping exhaust in to the cabin and doing little to clear the windshield.
Working is happening on the Beetle. The guy working on it was hospitalized with COVID, so that stall the work for a bit. He is hoping to have it painted shortly after the first of the year
Though I have not posted recently, there has been work on the Bug. The majority of the body is in a primer/guide coat.
Here is some recent pics of the motor
Purty!!
We have another automotive Artist among us!
Karl
Thanks to Bill L. and Chris S. for helping with the engine. Chris and I broke it in today
Latest pics of the body. They are planning on it going to paint next week
A lot of hours invested getting it to this point.
An awful lot of style lines.
No small thing.
Glad to see things are progressing.
Karl
Just received these pics. It will be wet sanded tomorrow.
Will be picking it up next Saturday. Woohoo!
It has been a bit since I posted an update last.
The body came home from the body shop the end of April, beginning of May. We had many things planned the summer, so the body has just sat.
Last weekend I:
This weekend:
I am down to a couple of items and then the body can be put back on the chassis. Hopefully will be doing that in September.
Looking good!
Here's a link to a 1959 CA Bug that Karen can use as a guide for more upgrades on hers...
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=172762
The labels "Das Glimmerblinken" and "Der Drizzleflippen" are hilarious.
Put the body back on the chassis. Thanks to Chris P for the help and suggestions. Had to do some minor modifications, but not too bad considering how many parts were replaced.
Looks great !
Sound deadening and Dakota Dash installed
Very fancy instrument panel...