Offer I can't refuse?

[ed]

Speaking of punting ... I have a '71 Super that's been just sitting in the garage. It's in reasonably decent shape, but it has that funky fake vinyl roof stuff on it...so maybe it would make a decent roadster project, if you might be interested in making an offer. Here's the Member Projects thread on it:

thegoodvolks.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=projects&action=display&thread=3098

I've taken it apart, but it still rolls, so it can be trailered. I could include as many parts as you want, including the stuff to convert it from autostick to manual...sort of bug ala-carte. :-) PM or reply if you're interested.
-Ed-

[airehead]

Ed.. I may be interested in that. But need to figure out what I am going to do with this Karmann. The issue I have is space, so this would have to go away, or at least taken apart. Email me, I am interested in what ya would need to have for your project. rahuguley<at>comcast<dot>net

T

[Dustin]

Any pics of the rust causing your part out thoughts?

[airehead]

Yeah, I am going to compile those on photobucket to provide a link.. Stay tuned.

[airehead]

Here is a link to rust pictures.
s1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff490/Tudorp/1971%20VW/
Oddly enough, the rockers/heat channels/convertible structure is pretty solid. But the package area & rear section needs alot of put back together. I Was hoping I would just lift it off the chassis, replace the pans, and the package shelf and set her back down, but I think there is going to need some fabrication in that rear section to be done right, and I just dont have the space to do that fabrication.

[Dustin]

That looks a lot worse than it really is. Repair panels are available for the rusted areas. The luggage compartment panel id pricey but can be obtained from thesamba.com classifieds or a member here. The inner rear quarters/rear body mounts as well as the rear cross members can be had for about $50-$80 a side. If the car has good channels/support rails then your ahead if the game around here. One bad thing about Supers though is the frame head. How's that look?

[airehead]

Yeah, I know stuff like this generally looks worse than it is. Most people can't get past the rusted, tattered mess, it's the ones that look beyond that like ourselves that can see the diamond in the rock. The reason I am considering moving it on for a more solid project is two fold. To do this right I need to completely explode the car, and spread it out and repair the body, chassis and all as complete separate units, and I just don't have the garage/shop space to do the project justice. The other reason is because I plan a Roadster VolksRod, and I am not so sure I want to do that to a Karmann. If I can get the metal parts I need without having to get a whole other metal doner car (no place to put another one) I might decide to tackle it if I don't find someone with the space by Spring. If it's not gone before I wrap it up for winter, odds are I will go ahead and do it myself.

The rockers/heat channels/supports are actually in great shape. The head, seems ok so far, but will know more about that as I tear into that more. Yes, it is a super. I think all the Karmanns were as I am told.

[Dustin]

The Karmann badges aren't anything of significance. All Beetle convertible bodies were built by Karmann. Being a superbeetle has nothing to do with it. It is still a lot of work to fix but not nearly as much as doing channels. Especially vert channels. I'd hate to see it cut up for parts. Although for a roadster project a car that was not originally a vert would probably make a better starting point. It allows you to give the car the perfect lines vs. Having the humps where the top snaps down.

[Ruffuss]

MY 2 pennies, "Do it your way" a rod/rodster/roadster/ rat rod, what ever it's yours, after all. Build it as "YOU" see fit. So it's a Super, change it! Use an early Ford straight axle/aluminuim frt beam/ connected to a tube frame/ sub frame, extend it, drop it, raise it? Your choice. Make the 69', the perfect (to you) ride. Do the Rod how ever makes you happy, to heck with everyone else. It's "Yours" Just do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Again my 2 pennies, take it for what it's worth. Better Built then Scrapped(IMHO).

[airehead]

I hear ya completely, and is also typically my advice. The issue is, I am on the fence is all on this one. As a retired "rod" builder, and being a car guy before I could even walk, love ALL of them. I love the classics, stockers, restomods, barn find, patina, rat rods, kits, ALL of them, lol.. I have built most of them over the decades and generally do it my way. I have made purists proud, and I have also made purists cry to over the years, lol.. I just keep tossing ideas for this car back and forth, and haven't carved anything in stone yet. Want to make my mind up for sure before the sawzall comes out.. Know what I mean vern?


I've actually over the past day decided to offer this one up for the right deal. if I can't make the deal I want, I'll keep it, and Volksrod it. To be honest, I would LIKE to trade it for a solid project squareback or even a Thing.. This one is going to be something, either by me, or someone else. The important thing is I rescued this one from the crusher, and that is what counts IMHO.

[Dustin]

Well said. Glad the car has been saved and not chopped up. One car saved is one more for future generations to enjoy. I hate when people say "it just makes yours worth more" that's not why I'm in the hobby.

[airehead]

Sept 18, 2012 10:35:06 GMT -5 Dustin said:

One car saved is one more for future generations to enjoy.

Yep, that's what I love. I just try to do my part where I can. If you have read in my introduction a couple weeks ago, I have jumped back in the game with my 15 year old daughter who is a true VDubber, and has been from toddler on. She is the next generation that loves these old classics. She has really enjoyed and so proud of Scarab (her 69 Beetle). With the movies like need for speed and those types of cars, took so much interests away from these and other true classic cars, and I hate that. My daughter is only one of a very rare handful in her high school that are true gear heads. When I was a teen in the 70's us gear heads were a pretty large part of the school populous. Seems not to be that way anymore.

[airehead]

The wife and I talked long and hard over this bug project. We decided to offer it up to trade for a lighter project to cut up. But, are going to also move forward in this if we don't find the right trade for it. We are in the process now of stripping it down further, and if we end up keeping it, going to sell off the glass and door parts, and make this one into a Roadster VolkRod. I am going to keep the top frame, and cut it down, streamline it and build it into either a folding top that tucks away cleaner than the original tops do. Skin it, but no headliner or padding. Just a light weight, stripped down top. Or, just make it a solid light weight fabric covered lift off top. No side curtains, or side glass. The doors stripped down to simple true roadster doors. No windows, no trim or wing vents, just a simple roadster door. Lower it, cal style it, no bumpers or trim. Smoothed up and cool and roadstery seasonal beautiful summer day fun cruiser. That is what we are going to do with this, if we don't get it traded off by winter weather creeps in on us. The plans are carved in stone, and the wife is getting kinda excited to go Full out, "true" roadster style. I like the idea myself..