A VW 39 heading for restoration after a museum fire

[IMPI]

There is a porsche speedster here in south africa that also suffered from burning completely. The owner had it stripped down placed in a huge oven and heat treated the whole body to regain tensile strength. Where there is a will there is a way
Armand

[Martin Southwell]

I was beginning to think that nobody had even considered the issue of metal degradation due to fire damage with this vehicle and so i'm pleased to see the above posting highlighting the issue.

As is well documented, in house, and similar fires, particularly with accelerants (eg Petrol in fuel tanks) involved, temperatures typically reach around 1,000C http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101116122857.htm and as steel melts at around 1370C http://education.jlab.org/qa/meltingpoint_01.html the body on this car has not been far off melting point!

The steel will have been annealed (softened) by the heat, and reheating in itself will not necessarily restore former strength. Have a look at this: http://www.wikihow.com/Harden-Steel This information refers to 'fresh' steel, and not aged, age hardened steel bodywork, subjected to intense temperatures.

If such information is made available (which I doubt) it will be interesting to see what metal treatment(s), if any, this car undergoes in due course.

[splitjunkie]

Yes, but if this were any run of the mill split it would have already been scrapped. This car is too significant to scrap. This will be a museum car so probably won't see much if any time on the road.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[cory464]

given the past history with the restoration teams this car will get the best restoration possible. I hope they are as generous with the details as they were with #6. I also anticipate that this car will be back on the road when done.

[My57Oval]

After the folks finish with that prototype Beetle, there are plenty more that need repairs too!

Actually, these cars, like most modern cars, are made out of tin foil compared to old 003 38. That's why there is nothing left to rebuild with these cars. Of course the heat must have been intense at this fire.

Rob

[fifty8]

[campingbox]

[ash-jk]

I've been reading about this with great interest and after spending two evenings reading the 38/06 thread from beginning to end (yes it took that long!), I was wondering if there were any updates on this restoration?

[beetlekey]

[Kjell Roar]

[tisius]

No one yet

I see the lowering job has already been done, nice, that saves them some time .
Things can only get better from here!
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drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much!

[Undis]

Let the game begin!!!!!
Work is about to start on the resto of the ex Raffay, now Prototyp Museum car.

[fossil]

In the exhibition of the PROTOTYP museum there is a chassis labelled "VW 39". I wonder whether this chassis in the future will be part of a complete car. And I would love to learn something about the history of this chassis.

And on a post standing right adjacent to the wonderful VW 60 K 10 is a VW 38 - engine. On my last visit (last week) I noticed that parts were missing from that engine (cylinders, pistons, ...). Seems the work is really in progress.

I love that museum!

[doublecabmel]

I don't know which would be worst, rust or fire? Either way, This sure is an amazing story

[schwim]

I'm as giddy as I was at the start of VW38!
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Zippy the Wonderbug's achingly slow meandering toward roadworthiness

[Rich's 50]

Looking forward to it

[sgmalt46]

[vwhelmot]

I see there has been progress on FB

[Undis]

This just in.
The car will need lots of love and I'm sure it will get it!

[D-train]

Another tough job been saved, keep the pics comin Undis!
generally speaking, not specifically, have they noticed much difference between the 39 and 38?
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shiny paint doesnt make it worth any more