65 bug, project make a buck.

[bjeles]

So I picked up a 65 bug to do a quick project with.

Here is what it looked like when i brought it home.





Here is what it looks like now after power washing and then hand washing the car, looks nice.






And here is Johns 66 I am using for parts to put this one together, the owner dismantled and painted then threw away all the parts for the car so it was just a shell really.



My plans are pretty simple assemble as a 65 should be, 6V 1200 motor and keep my expense as low as possbile so I can sell it quick before winter.

If anybody knows somebody looking have them get ahold of me I could assemble it to their preference instead of mine.

[Ruffuss]

Ben, Want to sell it as is? How much? Shoot me a PM. Thanks Kenn

[bjeles]

Installed the rear window and both quarter windows yesterday.

I also sand blasted all the missing metal pieces that I now obtained and took them to my painter to have them match painted. It was missing tail light housings, glovebox door dash grill inserts and liscence plate light.

I'm up in the UP for the week but should be installing the interior when I get back, its tan.

[Dustin]

Wow now that's a clean project Ben, I would love a mid 60's black Beetle but don't have the scratch. Good luck with the project and sale.

[bjeles]

Thanks Dustin,

Yeah its real clean, but it has had a ton of work done to it. It was taken off the frame painted inside and out then re-bolted down.

I just ordered 400$ worth of rubber / seals etc to put it together, as we all know its not cheap to put together one of these cars anymore. I've already spent a few thousand collecting most of what I need. My main goal is to not get upside down on this as you know I already have a 65 and don't need two!

[Dustin]

Yep prices sure have gone up in the past few years but VW's are still much cheaper than any other car to restore. It does make me sad to see the 66 getting used for parts though as that's a good car as well.

[bjeles]

Dont worry Dustin and John for that matter, just steeling parts off the 66. I am not going to cut that car up, it might just end up beeing my next project after this one.

I'm thinking a ratty OG paint driver. Almost all the rust repair will be hidden by the fenders , just have to keep my eyes open for some rear fenders that match the paint. I can throw some thing spindles and arms on it and make it a lifted bug!

[bjeles]

Back in town again.

Here are the parts back from the paintermy flash made them look bad they look amazing in person and perfect paint match.



Installed a 7 piece carpit kit today in black. Here is the back section and rear pannels installed.


Then I installed the rear seat this afternoon.



Then I put in the fronts too. Car is shaping up niecely.

[Southpaw]

And this is stuff you had laying around ? Nice

[bjeles]

Here is a quick plug, seats were professionally done by Don's down off Telegraph they look realy good! Door pannels and seat coverings including mohair etc are all new.

[bjeles]

I installed the front windshield, headliner dash pieces and goofed around and figured out a good way to update the steering column.

I installed a 1973 steering shaft with colapsable bottom portion, kept the main tube and with a few quick mods was able to install it and the wheel. The column was out of a thing it has the same spline as the 65 wheel which worked out well. John H has been talking about doing that for years to have a safe driver car if you get in an accident the steering wheel will stay put and not hit you in the face now.

Here is the dash sorry still using my old camera.

[bren]

Ben:
I like the steering column trick. I thought of doing that with my blue car. How hard is it to find a column and make the change?
-Bren