Big Orange Bug

[lil'_big_truck]

So at the end of today, I finished up gutting the interior and pulled the engine. Unfortunately when disconnecting the fuel line, it ruptured and leaked the entire gas tank so now the garage smells wonderful. anyway, here are the pics:

the motor was surprisingly light. It only took two people to pick it up and move it.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

hey all,

I've been tearing into the engine today and got it apart without a hitch. the only bad thing is that one of the heads is cracked So it looks like more money will be dumped into the engine.

I'll be getting parts for it next week

 

[lil'_big_truck]

I finally got the fenders off. some of the bolts were just spinning in rust so I had to cut / pull them out.


I kinda like it without fenders.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

well, The beetle was dropped off today to have the body & frame repaired and repainted. It'll be a few months before It comes back to me. We I got it to the shop, we discovered that one of the heater rails (essentially a frame rail) was so far gone that the door was supporting the body. good thing its all getting repaired. After I get my paycheck next week, I'll start on the motor.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

bodywork is making some headway :

 

[lil'_big_truck]

Just an update. Body work is probably 70-80% done and everything including paint should be done in a month. I can't wait to get it back and start building the engine

 

[lil'_big_truck]

rusted out floor:

 

[getrdone52]

Wow nice work. That thing will last forever once you finish it up! Subscribing

 

[lil'_big_truck]

the fiberglass work is started:

The floor tacked in:

Hopefully the body will be done by early November. Then the engine work begins!

 

[railman]

nice progress

can't wait for the next update....

l8r, John

 

[lil'_big_truck]

Undercoating started:

And the fuel tank repainted. It looks like new

The paint prep work is happening this week and then the paint will come next week

 

[lil'_big_truck]

the final sanding before paint:

Hopefully the paint will be done in a few weeks.

 

[getrdone52]

Looks good! Is this gunna be your daily driver? And what color is it gunna be?

 

[Twister]

Very nice! There is a guy by me that has 5 of this bugs, all are in amazing shape and he drives a different one everyday.

How much is the body work going to cost you?

 

[lil'_big_truck]

yeah, its gonna be my warm weather daily. Its gonna be almost the same orange with stripes on the side and a racing number. I already had the stripes made, I just have to put them on after paint. Overall, cost isn't bad. To replace 3/4 of the floor, both heater channels, the corners, rear, various other spots, and the paint will be $3000. The guy has had it for around 2 1/2 months now and will have had it for 3 by the time its done. I just spoke with him today and the paint should be done around thanksgiving time.


ignition coil cover I just made: