Restoration of a split window VW Beetle

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mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-24 15:53:33 +0500 #221

some more.....

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-24 16:04:17 +0500 #222

I am so disappointed....why didnt you come in. I was not busy today at all. Was just chatting to one of the workers. You must come again and feel free to barge in even if I am busy....

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-01-24 16:05:42 +0500 #223

These are Split bus wheels and not beetle items.

Please note what the embossed numbers say. VW wheels were dated, year and month, interesting isn't it??

I am on the lookout for beetle wheels for your bug. The 62 bug murdered at the local scrapyard very recently yielded wrong 66-67 vintage wheels and those too would be incorrect for your car.

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-01-24 16:08:25 +0500 #224

Thats exactly what I told Murtaza a short while ago. I think he was bit apprehensive to approach you. I hope he finds out sooner than later how friendly, down to earth and easy to talk to you are.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-24 16:08:43 +0500 #225

@Asadishaque
these wheels were dated ( 2/58 ). How do you like the shining body

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-01-24 16:11:44 +0500 #226

The pre67 VW is one of the good sites. Am familiar but somehow had not visited for a long time. Yes, Mohsin bhai as you said the color chips are organized in an interesting way.

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-01-24 16:13:20 +0500 #227

o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

Aha!!! Nice, ultra nice!!!

So this is why you called me today. Sorry was tied up so could'nt make it. Loss is mine, I see.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-24 16:19:18 +0500 #228

no loss - u can come tomorrow and feel the silky smooth splitty.

We are removing all the rust from the body - will primer it and denter will start funishing piece by piece. Interior will also be cleaned and derusted like the outer body and primer will be applied.

what do you think.

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-01-24 16:27:35 +0500 #229

nmshaikh;2608332:

I knew about the restoration of this split thru Facebook but was not aware of this thread. The link was forwarded by a Canadian friend this morning. This car must have done something good in its early life that she was spotted by Mohsin. It now stands the best chance of rising like a Phoenix from the ashes (or should I say a garbage heap!)

Now there can be several ways of improving the looks of the steering wheel but the best way would be to get a restored steering from Koch steering wheels. They restore wheels and have already restored wheels to buy off the shelf. the price tag is on the higher side at US$550 but they are an authority on steering wheel restoration.

For most other parts you can check Home | Kaefer-Nostalgie

This is where you'll find almost everything for the split. I checked the prices and I found them quite reasonable for most items. Complete seals for the front glass, side windows and a pair for the rear split glass are US$75. Lemme know if you want me to send you a set.

1952-1955 VW Batwing Steering Wheel - Steering Wheels - Koch's

meanwhile I'll look for something that is in better shape than the orignal and could be put together with less effort. If it were just the cracks we could clean those up fill those with epoxy resin, let dry, sand, prime and paint but this one appears to have material actually flaking off.

 The Kaefer nostalgia website is something new for me. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Yes, this Split bug is a specialist VW and restoring it is expensive like hell if you want to do it right.

 Mohsin bhai, browsing thru this website you can see that the split has unique transmission mounts, so my guess stands correct (ref the discussion we had on the googlegroups mail)

 There is a second hand batwing steering wheel for sale there too. Still expensive but you may consider it sometime. The one on the car is unfortunately in very bad shape now. Repairing this one with improvised local techniques may very well make you end up with something like recast wheels. I dont think its possible to preserve the patina on this one anymore since quite a bit of material has fallen off now. 

 I think we must keep our eyes peeled on Ebay and thesamba classifieds for something reasonable to pop up. And Nasir bhai can look for stuff at the swap meets he goes to. I think that is your best chance to get a few bits at reasonable prices. Mind you, that would mean collecting stuff in bits n pieces, for example buy some parts of the tail lights in one go and then hope to get other bits later. Takes patience but gets you there eventually. Am doing the same myself trying to piece together a decent pair of 1956-61 tail lights.

 How did you manage to pull the steering off the car??? This has to be interesting if you separated it from the column rod.

 $75 for all the glass rubbers is not bad at all. What do you say?? Only alternative now is to make fit the local universal rubber seal somehow.

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-01-24 16:32:30 +0500 #230

So the denter ustaad won He had his way after all.

I think you were right in suggesting the approach to first do the metalwork on the floorpan, send that off for mechanical rebuild and paint and meanwhile get the body sanded and finished. That would have more sense. 

Anyway, no worries. Either this or that way, the idea is to get the job done.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-24 16:43:21 +0500 #231

hehe! no its not that - we were discussing yesterday on how to display this car at the show and we decided to leave the body shining. Zahoor and a painter were working on my Khyber the whole day, in the evening he got them and another painter to help him remove rust from the body....now having done that to a great extent today, he plans to continue for a day or two so that primer may be applied to prevent re rusting. Then he will start on the chassis.

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-01-24 16:45:57 +0500 #232

nmshaikh;2609084:

The correct wheels for this car should be 16 inch but even if you are lucky in finding the correct rims getting the size 16 tires in Pakistan would be a challenge. The closest you can get are the smoothies from a later model. I have an oval parked in storage and will be happy to let you have the wheels off it. i have bought a set here in Canada but it might be a while before they get there. The hub caps for this would be the ones with big logo dome shaped or half moon as some would call them. (but Big logo is the key ) I have just one and am looking for more. It would be intresting to see if it can be replicated in pakistan. Maybe in Gujranwala where they make SS cooking utensils. Asad this may be the next challenge for you. if you can get a decent mould made we can sell these to the rest of the world.

 We were having some confusion over the exact year and month of manufacture of this particular car. I think we need to recheck. I had earlier also deducted that this should have the 16 inchers much to the disappointment of Mohsin bhai. Later, Mohsin bhai said this was one of the first bugs to get the 15 inch wheels. I think we need to think again.....

 Nasir bhais offer is very very generous but I would suggest that the oval keeps its wheels considering the fact they are probably the originals for that car and dated. Hopefully we would find a set of smoothies for Mohsin bhai.

 Replicating the big logo domed hubcaps is a challenge indeed. It may be a worthwhile option if one can guarantee a market for them since anyone who would fabricate would ask for a minimum order of several dozen at least. 

The 1968 wheel caps are being fabricated somewhere locally as mentioned in my parts list and is a very good effort. These are in a type of stainless steel whose shine is not as bright as chrome but the great thing is these are much more durable than the Brazilian ones and quite maintenance free. A set has lasted very well on Danyal's 74 daily driver bug and do note he lives pretty close to the sea.

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2011-01-24 16:50:46 +0500 #233

Marcus,

A very warm welcome to Pakwheels :)

Please leave your valuable comments which would guide us immensely. Also ask fellow enthusiasts to visit these pages for input.

You may use the search option on this website to look for other VW related threads. Im sure you'd be pleasantly surprised to see the VW spirit in this part of the world.

Best wishes and regards

nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-01-24 17:43:09 +0500 #234

AsadIshaque;2609484:

We were having some confusion over the exact year and month of manufacture of this particular car. I think we need to recheck. I had earlier also deducted that this should have the 16 inchers much to the disappointment of Mohsin bhai. Later, Mohsin bhai said this was one of the first bugs to get the 15 inch wheels. I think we need to think again.....

Nasir bhais offer is very very generous but I would suggest that the oval keeps its wheels considering the fact they are probably the originals for that car and dated. Hopefully we would find a set of smoothies for Mohsin bhai.

Replicating the big logo domed hubcaps is a challenge indeed. It may be a worthwhile option if one can guarantee a market for them since anyone who would fabricate would ask for a minimum order of several dozen at least.

The 1968 wheel caps are being fabricated somewhere locally as mentioned in my parts list and is a very good effort. These are in a type of stainless steel whose shine is not as bright as chrome but the great thing is these are much more durable than the Brazilian ones and quite maintenance free. A set has lasted very well on Danyal's 74 daily driver bug and do note he lives pretty close to the sea.

Confirming the details should not be too difficult. There are several websites that would provide that info based on the chassis number (or VIN as it may be called there) The best and worth its while effort is to get the bugs birth certificate from germany. It would mention all details including the colour it left the factory in and the colour and material of its upholstery.

I f you wish to use the non standard wheels then I'd say use a set of chrome beauty rings to conceal the area visible between the hub cap and the rim edge.

In my humble opinion please do whatever you need to do to get the car roadworthy as long as the options are reversible. Takes a long time to complete the restoration.

Nasir.

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2011-01-24 22:25:31 +0500 #235

Oh, I thought you were busy. Oh well, I might come to Mudasir's workshop tomorrow, it's the one opposite where your Split is being restored at. Will definetly meet you if your their.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-24 22:39:01 +0500 #236

Yes, birth certificate is important and I 'll getting one soon. Color on my car was Pastel Green L 11 and I 'll be doing the same. Upholstery was in cloth brownish grey...

Thanks for offering your 'Oval' wheels...I agree with Asad that they should remain on your car....I am looking for smoothies as you call them and shall replace as and when I find them, till then these will do....chrome ring is a good idea.

The car will not have any alterations though I may have to make do with non original parts which are replaceable as and when I find original parts, such as rear light lens, pope nose lens, sun visor and its rods, rear view mirror bracket with rod attachement, interior dome light at the back, etc.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-24 22:40:23 +0500 #237

@murtaza_murti
look forward to see u

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-24 22:41:52 +0500 #238

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-01-25 04:09:26 +0500 #239

today morning pic

nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-01-25 14:55:28 +0500 #240

@Mohsin. You are welcome to grab the back view mirror off my Oval. It does not have a visor but I have bought one here with a visor so I can use it when needed.

This is the one I have bought here.