Assembly required - '63 Vert Bug - Buildup.

[cjargo]

This is my first restoring a "Vert Bug" build for me, and I'm looking for your experience and advice on the steps to build it back up. At this point the body and the pan are seperated.

This is what's done so far:
Powder coated pan & frame, rebuilt suspension, rebuilt brake system, rebuilt '68 trans, built new engine, all new pan rubber (grommets & misc), restored steering column, restored gas tank, zinc plated original nuts - bolts - washers, rechromed 90% of the original parts, body and paint finished, and powder coated conv. top assembly.

Most everything else has purchased and basically the buildup is the only thing left to do. So what next?

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'63 Vert. Bug - '58 Bug Ragtop RHD - '63 Vert. Bug -
'78 911 SC Targa - '69 911 E - '57 Vert. Porsche - '84 GTI - '69 Bus - '57 Bug - '68 Bug / Sunroof -
'65 Bug - '63 Bug - '74 Bus - '72 Karmann Ghia
'67 Bus / Sundial - '59 Karmann Ghia

[grandpa pete]

now the blue piece gets glued/bolted to the black piece.

I've read several threads where they put the wiring harness in before bolting the pan on .
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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

[lovethatconvertible]

[/quote]

That Color is Awesome, paint job looks like whoever did it, knew what they were doing. Keep the pic's and progress coming.
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1960 Convertible

[pwomble]

Very nice!

[cjargo]

Thanks for the kind words, and I'll post as it progresses.

The painter is Jay Ramos and if you would like his info, just shoot me a email. I'm super picky and he exceeded my hopes.

Electrical: I'll start there with the new wiring harness. How does the old one come out? Do I tie a rope to the old one, pull the old harness while feeding the rope through, then attach the rope to the new harness and pull it back the other way?
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'63 Vert. Bug - '58 Bug Ragtop RHD - '63 Vert. Bug -
'78 911 SC Targa - '69 911 E - '57 Vert. Porsche - '84 GTI - '69 Bus - '57 Bug - '68 Bug / Sunroof -
'65 Bug - '63 Bug - '74 Bus - '72 Karmann Ghia
'67 Bus / Sundial - '59 Karmann Ghia

[lovethatconvertible]

Yes, Either tie the New loom to the old one as you pull it out, or tie a rope onto the end of the old one, as you pull it, leaving the rope in. hopefully your old loom is not stiff as a board, if it is, I would either straighten the other end as best you can, while pulling, or cut it where it starts going thru the wire tube so you don't trash the tube. I pulled mine out from the front with the new one taped to the old one. loop your ends from old to new so it doesn't pull apart when your yanking on it. One thing you might consider is pulling some extra wire's with the new loom for future item's you might want to add on later.
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1960 Convertible

[cjargo]

Wire Harness.
Thanks! Also great pointer on pulling x-tra wires through. Brilliant!

Paint process.
The color is a contemperary version of "Strato Silver". The painter spent three days to “Colour sand & Buff” the diamond hard clear coat. Seven coats of "House Of Kolor / Show clear" was used. He started with 600 grit sand paper, then 800, then 1000, then 1200, then 1500, and 2000. Then buff stage 1 compound with wool pad, then stage 2 foam pad, then stage 3 foam pad, then stage 4 foam pad, and finally glaze foam pad for that Pebble Beach quality finish. His blocking is equally labor intensive.

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'63 Vert. Bug - '58 Bug Ragtop RHD - '63 Vert. Bug -
'78 911 SC Targa - '69 911 E - '57 Vert. Porsche - '84 GTI - '69 Bus - '57 Bug - '68 Bug / Sunroof -
'65 Bug - '63 Bug - '74 Bus - '72 Karmann Ghia
'67 Bus / Sundial - '59 Karmann Ghia

[vwnut1]

Super sweet paint job, show quality for sure. I would be wrapping all of my hand tools in bubble wrap during reassembly to avoid scratching that gorgeous show quality paint job:)

I did a lot of research on new wiring harnesses and ended up purchasing one from WW. Excellent quality and it came with great directions.
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1957 VW Oval Resto Mod

[cjargo]

[grandpa pete]

[cjargo]

[cjargo]

[vwnut1]

The only part of the WW harness that I did not like were the 3-prong headlight terminals. I ended up using the OG ones that were still in great shape. Also, drop your original fuse box in some white vinegar overnight after cleaning off the dirt. It will come out nice and shiny!
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1957 VW Oval Resto Mod

[ConcreteAce]

In my opinion pulling the harness on a vert is a PITA. It only takes 1 person to pull a sedan harness, I would recommend you get a couple of your buddies to help on the vert. One feeding it down the tube on the passenger side under the hood where it makes the turn down the pillar, another helping it make the 90 degree turn into the heater channel (there should be a little cut out there that you can just get two fingers in) and the last person pulling the rope/string from the back.
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Ethan Dunlap
Spring, Texas

'51 Deluxe
'61 Build
'68 Turbo Diesel Baja
'64 Ghia Vert
'61 Baja Build

[grandpa pete]

[Joseph DR]

Super clean chassis and beautiful paint job!

Also, thanks for the fuse box in vinegar trick. Ima go do that.
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1964 Beetle

[cjargo]

Tomorrow the vert arrives from the body shop so in the mean time I decided to clean up part of the hood catch. Thought: Should it be left cleaned up as is, or paint it in a metal color, or zinc plate it.

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'63 Vert. Bug - '58 Bug Ragtop RHD - '63 Vert. Bug -
'78 911 SC Targa - '69 911 E - '57 Vert. Porsche - '84 GTI - '69 Bus - '57 Bug - '68 Bug / Sunroof -
'65 Bug - '63 Bug - '74 Bus - '72 Karmann Ghia
'67 Bus / Sundial - '59 Karmann Ghia

[hitest]

I know that latch will clean nicely, and will seldom be seen if left unrestored. The tough part of whatever you decide? You will know...

(Looking at the car- I predict a new plating job)

Your car is truly beautiful.
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[vwnut1]

I concur. With this high level of restoration every nut and bolt must be addressed. Your budget won't like it, but it will be show quality in the end.

I hope your goal is to enjoy the car when finished. If you plan on flipping it you will most likely be "upside down" in the car. As I learned many years ago, it's almost always cheaper to purchase a restored car than to do it yourself. Paint, body work, wheels, interior, etc. adds up quick.
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1957 VW Oval Resto Mod

[cjargo]