73 Super Suicidal Turbo Choptop

[rochester73super]

I copied 1st. post from Intro page. I'll update further progress with my build here. Thanks for looking and for any advice, comment, etc..


My name is Erik and I live in Rochester, Michigan. I've recently pulled my 73 Super Beetle out of it's 17 year slumber for a full custom rebuild. I bought the car in Florida when I was 14, moved to Michigan and customized car in 1990/91 (was all stock and beige, now the red and what not you see now) and drove it for a while, then it just kinda became problematic and my dad said he was tired of hearing about it and dealing with it, game me a few grand, and the car was parked at the family cottage in the garage ever since.

Growing up in Florida and reading Hot VW & VW Trends, I've always wanted a killer custom VW, and now I will

Here's a few pics to kinda show the before, in progress, current, and concept of my project. For those of you have seen my pics and heard my intro elsewhere, bear with us all.
















My plan, other than the obvious in the concept above is -

4" chop top
Suicide Doors w/ shaved handles
Shaved hood handle & chrome
Side body chrome to remain
Rag top from '59
Oval window and dash graft from a '55
1/2 rear roll cage
full air ride suspension
turbo powerplant
4 wheel discs w/ slotted rotors

Hope to have the car completed by this summer and maybe see some of you all around!!

I did the complete teardown, had body, chassis, and 1955 donor roof media blasted, and delivered to body guy. The body mods and turbo engine / trans are being performed by some great local talent. I will be completing engine / trans install, complete new brake system w/ 4 wheel slotted disc brakes, full air ride suspension, complete re-wire, and all interior work.

Thanks for looking!!

[rochester73super]

Here's a handful more pics of good 'ol progress.



I DID NOT CUT THIS ROOF OFF !! so don't hang me.



Fiberglass windshield mold to facilitate choptop



Media blasted shell. Very little rust repair. Florida car





Repairing area from previous owner damage discovered after media blast.



Dash mock up from 1955





Suicide door mods. TONS OF WORK. B pillar interior has to be "widened" to enclose suicide hinges. Interior panel will have to be customized.



Roll cage test fit. Will also have to be "chopped"



And this is where we're at. Roof chop fab this week and my OG 1959 ragtop clip is waiting for me to p/u @ UPS...


More to come.....

[Dustin]

I love this project, I can't wait to see it done.

[drwingtipshoes]

Simply gorgeous, Erik. Of course you realize, that those of us without your skills, tools, money and garage space all hate you - but you've GOT to bring this beauty to a group GTG when you get it done. FANTASTIC CONCEPT!!! What's with the semaphores and oval window in the roof clip at the top of the last group of photos??? Will they eventually be incorporated??

Art

[rochester73super]

Jan 25, 2010 11:20:22 GMT -5 @drwingtipshoes said:

Simply gorgeous, Erik. Of course you realize, that those of us without your skills, tools, money and garage space all hate you - but you've GOT to bring this beauty to a group GTG when you get it done. FANTASTIC CONCEPT!!! What's with the semaphores and oval window in the roof clip at the top of the last group of photos??? Will they eventually be incorporated??

Art

Thanks. Oval window & dash to be incorporated. Semaphores sold. I thought about 'em but "columns" are wider than on 73 and too much trouble. Enough going on already !!

[rochester73super]

hey, look what I found on my porch today ;D



and a sneekpeak of oval roof graft

[MadMike]

Awesome Bug,You know Autorama needs a cpl.more Vw's give Dan Fenton a little competiton ;D ;D ;D

[rochester73super]

More chop pics. Inner rear louvers painted prior to roof welding. A lot easier getting at least a good 1st. coat inside there while all apart eh ?









Some Topline suspensoins parts came today. Still need 4 wheel disc w/ slotted rotors to arrive

[rochester73super]

Jan 28, 2010 9:51:23 GMT -5 MadMike said:

Awesome Bug,You know Autorama needs a cpl.more Vw's give Dan Fenton a little competiton ;D ;D ;D

I'll be checking out the competition ninja style this year

[rochester73super]

Ok, with a better view of the arse w/ the late decklid on (it's a 73 Super after all eh?) I'm likin it. No decklid standoffs. OR, remove the oval vents, but that'd be a shame eh ??





Look at the size of the windshield area w/ chop compared to stock windshield mold





The windshield A pillars will be cut where they adjoin the roof to conform with lower section (Rick, you're a master) and works well within the parameters of the windshield fiberglass mold.









and the 55 dash graft (what's left of it)



and a paint sample

[Dustin]

Looks amazing so far!

[bren]

I agree, amazing.
I like the Oval vents left on. Rear deck would look better to me if the deck vents were the same width as the Oval window vents.
Are you leaving the vents behind the side windows? I hated those on my '73. Huge rust spot waiting to happen.

[rochester73super]

Thanks Guys. Decklid is still my delemna (hence my research & post @ 12:39 am) I'll keep y'all posted.

And moon vents are definitely going away

[bren]

Can you make a 'W' decklid fit? I know where you can find a real one. I think it is for sale. Or, there is someone making a new one.

[rochester73super]

Jan 30, 2010 11:09:06 GMT -5 bren said:

Can you make a 'W' decklid fit? I know where you can find a real one. I think it is for sale. Or, there is someone making a new one.

I'd much rather not. Do not want to catch any slack about "trying to replicate an old car" and to keep as many characteristics of my 73 as possible (not to many left eh ) I'm gonna have to run the late model 4 vents for my motor to breathe. Once it's all painted, it will look fine.