'73 super

[grandrapidsfatchic]

So I am finally getting started on fixing up my 73 it needed the pans and heater channels replaced and some body work. We managed to separate the body from the pan on our first day working on it and got a chance to see the full extent of the damage to the body. It is not pretty there is rust issues in three of the four inner fender areas the front and rear firewalls need to be replaced and the drivers side door post is rusted out. On a more cheerful note I am attempting to score a 74 super with a pretty solid body and if I can pull that off then I can make a little halfass Baja out of the 73. I will keep posting our progress and try to get some pics posted soon. Fitz

[ghiastein]

Yes keep us posted I love reading everyones adventures with their Volkswagens. This way I don't feel alone when something breaks or does not go together correctly. Post pictures soon.

[bren]

Definately keep us posted. It is fun to see what others are up to. Pictures are great too.

[jmallen05]

Well I was lucky enough to give Eric a hand with his car. Pulling the body was a bit of a pain, but it went better than we had thought. I talked to him today and he ended up getting the other car (a beige 74') he was going after, so now we just need to pick it up. The other car is going speed up his project quite a bit and save him a bunch of money, since he already paid for the beige car about twelve years ago, but I'll let him tell that story. Only problem is, is that its buried behind an 8 foot snow bank, but we have shovels and strong backs. I think we are going to get it on thursday and then strip his old pan, and get it ready for steven. We forgot the camera but we won't forget it next time. It was pretty cool seeing his car hang from the rafters of the barn.


jerry

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

I'm ready ;D

[jmallen05]

We went back out and worked on the car again today. Here are a few pics from today and after the first day.
the car and pan:


some inner fender damage, you can see the heater channel hanging from the car in the first pic:


A few random shots:


the pan being cut in half so steven can have the rear torsion area for his buggy:


this is for steven:
Thats about it for today. We have about 8 hours worth of work into it so far, but tearing it apart is the easy part. Tomorrow morning we are going to pick up the other car and pull that one off the pan. More pics tomorrow. By the way the big goon with the carharts is Eric (grandrapidsfatchick), its his car.


jerry

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

Looks good just what I need. Don't forget to keep the id tag for his car. ;D

[jmallen05]

We made it back up to work on the car again yesterday. First we pulled the beige car out of the snow bank, loaded it up and hauled back to Erics dads place.




Once we unloaded, we tore it down and pulled the body.

[jmallen05]

After the body was pulled we started assessing the damage. It looks like this car has similar rust issues, just not as bad.
Both rear quarters need work:


This is the rear corner of the car, both corners are bad and need work:


Next step is to get down to paw paw and pick up the new pan from Steven. Progress will start slowing down now, because we need to come up with a welder and order some replacement panels.

jerry

[jmallen05]

The car isn't as bad as the pics look, but there is defenitly a lot of work ahead, especially for two guys that have never done anything like this. On the inside of the car both heater channels are in good shape, but the lip the pan bolts to is pretty rusty. Is there a way to patch or replace just the under side of the heater channel without replacing or removing the top side, or outer part, of the heater channel?

jerry

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

The beige car looks relatively good. I believe Mid America sells that part for just the under side of the heater channel. When ever you guys are ready for the pan come and get it.

[jmallen05]

It'll be soon, I'll let you know as soon as we can. Are we holding you up?



jerry

[dansam]

You guys are hardcore!! Much respect... Good luck on the frankenfatchick

Dan

[Dustin]

Great work guys, Whats your plans for the Blue body?

[grandrapidsfatchic]

I am hoping to make another car out of it possibly go fenderless and put those big tires I have on