1965 Volkswagen Type-1 (Beetle) D.I.Y. Project (o\_!_/o)

[reezvaan]

Project Particulars:

Project Subject: "Matching Numbers: Volkswagen Type-1 (Beetle)"
Project Object: Preserving the Subject "As is"
Project Type: D.I.Y. (Owner's Own Hands Type)


Subject Particulars:

Make Month/Year: September 1964
Model Year:1965
Registration Year: 1965
Engine Capacity: 1200cc
Engine Make Month/Year: September 1964
Stock Color: Pearl White (L87)
Previous Owners: Two
Mileage when Acquired: (1)19,222 miles
Current Mileage: (1)19,679 miles
Nickname: PATINA
Owned since: March 06, 2011

Subject Image Profile - When Acquired:



Subject Image Profile - As on January 09, 2012:





As on February 19, 2012 / 7th TDCP 4x4 Cholistan Desert Rally:

Conquerer of the Cholistan Desert - Travel Log from Page 105 onwards


As on April 29, 2012:




July 21, 2012:

Patina's First International Media Appearance in Brazilian Auto Website Article covering "World Wide VW Beetle Day 2012" Activities from All Around the Globe.

Read Online Article by Brazilian Author 'Alexander Gromow' by Clicking below Link:

World Day of the Volkswagen Beetle 2012 - In Brazil, A Landmark of Change?

Link to Original Portuguese Article: Maxicar.com.br - O seu portal de veiculos antigos


September 23, 2012:
Final Color Choice: L87, Pearl White in Matt Finish



November 06, 2012:
3rd VCCCP Cross Country Rally Journey



February 2-6, 2013: Trip to Bhurban

[reezvaan]

First of all I would like to thank @nmshaikh for inspiring me to start the D.I.Y. in order to preserve this exceptionally genuine car which retains most of the factory fitted items as it is and who advised me to share it in form of a thread with a wider readership for the benefit of a wider audience.

Subject car was acquired by me very recently from Islamabad and was brought back to my base station i.e. Multan, only after changing the engine oil.

As those of you who have been into Volkswagen Type-1s and know this rare breed inside out, could see that the car was found in very original but neglected state. After acquiring the car I decided to keep it "as is" with few steps to treat it from further depreciation/rusting and preserving its exceptional originality for furture glory.

( Further details on the originality can be read at: Volkswagen Beetle 1965 of reezvaan )

I will now come back to how it all started.

Since it can be seen that there was lot of surface rust (but surprisingly panels have their strength more than one could have guessed; I know it since I have worked on the panels with my own hands) so the first challenge that I had to face in preserving the car "as is" was stoping and eliminating any possibility of further rusting.

The scenario was discussed discreetly with now re-organized VWCOP Chair person @nmshaikh who was kind enough to guide/advise me in a very detailed manner on what to do about it which I would shortly be sharing with you and I am sure most of you would be surprised to see how simple and easy it really is. I personally couldn't believe it was this simple. But that is that, trust me.

While I head ahead with the D.I.Y. please be open and leave whatever comments and suggestions that you might have and wanted to share, as your suggestions would be considered seriously and would be very valuable and would be the torch to show me my way through the project.

[reezvaan]

Since the car was parked and neglected for number of years (receiving not even a cleaning cloth for all this time) and it literally stank when I first stepped on its pretty firm floor panels after acquiring it, the obvious first step to start the D.I.Y. was cleaning/servicing the car Inside out.

Here is a pictorial round up of cleaning:

[reezvaan]

Pictorial round up continued:

[AsadIshaque]

Its great to see details on this 65, its beautiful, MashAllah!

Congratulations on acquiring this gem. A second congratulations for blazing the trail for setting a new trend locally, unheard of before but abroad being the familiar "rat look"

My daily driver 68 also 'sports' the 'faded to hell and back' look and many people, mostly old timers, love that car as is, though is nowhere near to genuine paint. Patina, ratina, however you may put it. Ugly is beautiful.

Please copy paste the text Nasir Bhai sent on the Google Groups containing detailed suggestions on how to preserve the original finish.

Do my eyes deceive me or do I see the original tar boards on the floor pans???

[AsadIshaque]

Waiting for more 'in the shower' pics

[Storm]

original and still on the road,.... a true german gem!

i think a good cleanup & greasing is all she needs to last another generation.

[reezvaan]

Its great to see details on this 65, its beautiful, MashAllah!

Congratulations on acquiring this gem. A second congratulations for blazing the trail for setting a new trend locally, unheard of before but abroad being the familiar "rat look"

My daily driver 68 also 'sports' the 'faded to hell and back' look and many people, mostly old timers, love that car as is, though is nowhere near to genuine paint. Patina, ratina, however you may put it. Ugly is beautiful.

Please copy paste the text Nasir Bhai sent on the Google Groups containing detailed suggestions on how to preserve the original finish.

Do my eyes deceive me or do I see the original tar boards on the floor pans???

Thanks @AsadIshaque.

These are original tar boards on the floor boards and trust me this is not all. I believe you missed the original Battery clip in one of the pictures above. Did you? How come?

[reezvaan]

original and still on the road,.... a true german gem!

i think a good cleanup & greasing is all she needs to last another generation.

Thanks @Storm

True, Cleaning and Greasing and PRESERVING is exactly what this beauty requires.

I have never seen a car in such originality before in my 10yrs. Wait till you see the further details.

[reezvaan]

More pictorial round up from showers and cleaning:

[reezvaan]

And some pictorial evidence of "survived originality":

[reezvaan]

Its great to see details on this 65, its beautiful, MashAllah!

Please copy paste the text Nasir Bhai sent on the Google Groups containing detailed suggestions on how to preserve the original finish.

@AsadIshaque

Let "those gem of words" wait until you actually see the DIY details that I have undertaken last night and then today as well.

Its then when I quote his "golden words" for all eyes and all enthusiasts for future utilization and benefit.

[reezvaan]

Ok back to "Cleaning": Some more pictures to round up cleaning;

[mohsinikram]

such a well preserved car considering its close to 50 years old.

[reezvaan]

such a well preserved car considering its close to 50 years old.

That is exactly why I wanted to preserve it for another few more decades.

Remember I told you that this car was worth saving no matter the papers were not in order? Its the same car and now I believe you would agree to the fact that I did the right thing by acquiring it nonetheless.

[reezvaan]

I can see traces of filler on most of the panels which means the car is touched up here and there. Let me know if I have got it wrong as thats what it shows in pics.

Except for the right front fender, roof and maybe the doors, the rest of the car needs a paint job....and since you cant have 2-3 panels with ratrod look and the rest in new paint, I suggest go for a complete resto to preserve the car as the rust has penetrated the metal itself, i.e. its not superficial rust. Let's talk about this on your thread and lets see what others have to say.

You are 100% right about the Right Front Fender/Roof and Doors & Sills. Include the quarter window panels in this list as well as the rear deck lid.

I have discussed this with @nmshaikh and the treatment that he has suggested me would enable me in the end to preserve the car in more or less in its original color finish.

I am not sure if the complete resto is the final verdict here. I want to go with @nmshaikh's pretty practical suggestion of matching the panels with the ones which retain the original color and finish.

[nmshaikh]

Good luck with the operation cleanup. I had sent a box of Nitrile gloves (I believe 100 in the box) for anyone who fancies tinkering with their VW's and does not fancy removing the black grease from under the nails after the experience. The gloves are free for anyone who wants and can be picked up by co-ordinating with Umar Aziz in Islamabad. Please take whatever number you need (within reason). I am also sending some safety glasses if you work with grinding and buffing machines. These are to borrow and return after you are done. Remember, Safety First!

[reezvaan]

Good luck with the operation cleanup. I had sent a box of Nitrile gloves (I believe 100 in the box) for anyone who fancies tinkering with their VW's and does not fancy removing the black grease from under the nails after the experience. The gloves are free for anyone who wants and can be picked up by co-ordinating with Umar Aziz in Islamabad. Please take whatever number you need (within reason). I am also sending some safety glasses if you work with grinding and buffing machines. These are to borrow and return after you are done. Remember, Safety First!

I have the safety glasses on me already. But nitrile gloves are a good idea after today's inside out cleaning of the car and having grease still stuck up under my nails as have been working mostly myself inside the car and at torsion bars cleaning.

Will surely pick up a dozen on my visit to Umar to collect parts in the third week of the month.

What do you say about @mohsinikram's suggestion above about going for a complete paint job?

[reezvaan]

Thought I should share at least one pictorial elaboration of what "magic" has been imparted by @nmshaikh to me in shape of words of wisdom which cuts through the surface rust like anything;

Here have a look; Before & After: (Its a practical DIY)

[mohsinikram]

What do you say about @mohsinikram's suggestion above about going for a complete paint job?[/QUOTE]

No, dont do that, my second suggestion would have been what you just mentioned, touch up the heavily rusted areas and then go with whatever treatment nmsheikh has suggested.