Restoration of a split window VW Beetle

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beetle

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hsumbal1 (hsumbal1) 2011-02-15 15:37:41 +0500 #321

Wonderful project sir.

You are in restoring classics.
Sir please do yourself a favor, get a rotisorry.

tayyabbaig (tayyabbaig) 2011-02-15 15:43:23 +0500 #322

Though this is my first reply here, but I'm a regular reader of this thread. Marvellous effort by u Mohsin bhai.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-15 15:45:37 +0500 #323

one can always paint the car - but cleaning the shell like this would be very difficult

reezvaan (reezvaan) 2011-02-15 15:49:38 +0500 #324

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Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2011-02-15 17:19:28 +0500 #325

just a lacquer would be mimiking the delorean route which would not be all "that" for this vintage beetle - The best would be surely to restore it completely to the last brass made in western germany plaque in the boot and a finish/trim fulfilling the birth certificate wolfsburg gave it.

coolj (coolj) 2011-02-15 19:04:56 +0500 #326

Beetle Steering Wheel Restoration Click below

Beetle Steering Wheel Restoration

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-15 22:51:22 +0500 #327

I thought of making one ... downloaded pics of a few simple designs but then the shop where the beetle is being dented is not wide enough or long enough to fit that....however, I agree with you, it would have made mine and denter's life much easier. We do plan to make one though soon for future projects.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-15 23:05:01 +0500 #328

I agree with you Xulfiqar, thats what I plan to do eventually....But!!!

If I could have my way without the guilt of what I am doing and what people would say, I would not paint it, will lower the car a bit, put a decent size VW engine, perhaps a 1600 cc if not 2200, FUCHS wheels with negative camber...rest of the car absolutely stock.

But since this is the only known split window in Pakistan and an original example at that, I must respect the car, its followers and restore it to as close to how you have described it.

Personally I like a 'well used' rough look on my cars...dont mind a scratch here and there. In pursuit of perfection, I am afraid I may start losing interest...so I may keep the car unpainted but restored and on road for a while till the time i have all the original bits to complete it the way you have mentioned, I will have it painted in Pastel Green L 11 and light brown cloth upholstery as per the description and codes in the birth certificate. Parts are phenominally expansive and my business went through a major turbulance recently.....I am at it and not worrying over what route to take....right now focussed on teh body work. Have told the denter that I am not painting the car which has put more pressure on him to finish the body better.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions....they mean a lot and dont go without a serious thought.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-15 23:08:30 +0500 #329

Oh thank you so much for this very useful information....

MSKhan18 (MSKhan18) 2011-02-16 00:50:54 +0500 #330

Mohsin ......... beware of Asad ........ his knowledge is legendary but his restoration skills are not. I've spent way too many nights awake in frustration about his restoration project.

ASAD please have some mercy and finish your thread ........ I mean finish restoring your car!!!

on another note .... do you or Asad know about anyone shipping cars to USA? I want to bring mine here and would like to have some "tasalee baksh" shipping company do it. Abbottabad to Houston TX. Any info at all?

nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-02-16 01:15:33 +0500 #331

@Mohsin.."your beetle is nice but you should get a bigger window grafted in the back.:S It would be so difficult to see while driving thru these small windows."

I'm sure you would not like to see messages like this.

nmshaikh (nmshaikh) 2011-02-16 01:28:49 +0500 #332

I have seen cars done up in clear coat instead of paint and also cars which have been sanded to bare metal and then flame stickers applied. Once the metal rusts to a nice shade the stickers are removed and a clear coat applied to prevent further rusting and preserve the 'rust'. I took pictures of a car at a show done up like this and will share as soon as i can find it.

You could also paint the interior the original colour and go for the clear coat option on the outside for a period of time. However since it is the lone survivor of its type in Pakistan I'd vote in favour of a complete paint job the moment it leaves the body shop.

..just my two cents worth...

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-16 04:43:43 +0500 #333

oof! what a horrible thought. People have actually done that....at this point in time I love this car more than any other car I have....and I have some pretty serious machines.

not a screw from another car will go on this Beetle. We spent 15-20 days restoring the tunnel only when ppl from VWCOP told me to replace it with a modern Beetle chassis...I said never. The original shall be restored and kept for all times to come. It is preserved for another 30 - 40 years inshallah.

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-16 04:47:58 +0500 #334

aliusman2 (aliusman2) 2011-02-16 07:33:15 +0500 #335

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-16 17:03:07 +0500 #336

@Aliusman
thanks but no thanks.....no modifications on my car

aliusman2 (aliusman2) 2011-02-16 17:24:08 +0500 #337

@mohsinikram
sir that means you are completely restoring it in its original shape...well thats good too..!!!
i gave just my two cents

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2011-02-16 20:02:23 +0500 #338

A freind borrowed mine which was made of borrowed (read nicked) wood. I have to trace it down as Im pretty sure he must have damaged it by now

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-16 22:24:12 +0500 #339

thanks...suggestions are welcome always

mohsinikram (mohsinikram) 2011-02-16 22:25:19 +0500 #340

made of wood? how would it bear the weight of the car?