Restoring a 1965 VW Beetle

[msabbasi]

The "surprises" you refer to are going to be more of a certainty am afraid!
Yes, the car will b getting a full retrim. Final choice will depend on my friend, the owner. He's keen on an off-white one similar to the red one. Ideas for the exterior colour would be welcome What sort of deviation do you suggest?

Regarding exterior colours, this is what the factory put out back in 1965:

1965 Bug colors

If the earlier suggestion - post# 140 were too much, you will find the interior colours corresponding to the exteriors in the web site.

Also here is another site with more colours but no interior colour guide

VW Colors (Colours), Volkswagen Paint Chips, Color codes

And here is a site that lists modern paint finish numbers for easy cross referencing

1965 Color Codes - Volkswagen Paint Cross-Reference

There is also the two tone option to consider:

Of course as you said the owner will have the final say. Who knows? Maybe Honda Habereno Red is specified by him/her

Cheers

[VEEeight]

Regarding exterior colours, this is what the factory put out back in 1965:

1965 Bug colors

If the earlier suggestion - post# 140 were too much, you will find the interior colours corresponding to the exteriors in the web site.

Also here is another site with more colours but no interior colour guide

VW Colors (Colours), Volkswagen Paint Chips, Color codes

And here is a site that lists modern paint finish numbers for easy cross referencing

1965 Color Codes - Volkswagen Paint Cross-Reference

There is also the two tone option to consider:

Of course as you said the owner will have the final say. Who knows? Maybe Honda Habereno Red is specified by him/her

Cheers

Thankyou SO much for all this input. I have some info but this certainly added significantly to it!

As for the options you have sent, am afraid the first will certainly cause hyperventilation not to mention going cross eyed trying to focus on any one colour!!! The second, by comparison, was much more sedate. I guess how the interior is going to be depends very much on how the exterior will turn out. Not taking anything for granted going by the experience with the Fintail

thanks again and cheers !

[VEEeight]

At the contd risk of continuing boredom, this is all that has been done since the last post. Holidays, reduced daylight, other cars and a host of other reasons are why this is so. Am hoping for some "sudden synergy" during all this which will "suddenly" conclude this stage of the resto'.......but I know better

[VEEeight]

A glimpse of the horrors lurking underneath around the front suspension area. The second picture shows the split that made the car sway dangerously even when being towed!

HOW do people let this sort of deterioration take place......?!?!?!?

[msabbasi]

At the contd risk of continuing boredom, this is all that has been done since the last post. Holidays, reduced daylight, other cars and a host of other reasons are why this is so. Am hoping for some "sudden synergy" during all this which will "suddenly" conclude this stage of the resto'.......but I know better

Welcome back Sir.

The areas where the sheet metal has been worked upon are looking very, very good indeed.

[msabbasi]

A glimpse of the horrors lurking underneath around the front suspension area. The second picture shows the split that made the car sway dangerously even when being towed!

HOW do people let this sort of deterioration take place......?!?!?!?

That looks awful. Is that split a result of an accident? Can't imagine it happened as a result of old age.

[VEEeight]

Welcome back Sir.

The areas where the sheet metal has been worked upon are looking very, very good indeed.

Thankyou
i hope the ripples will be kept to a minimum as admittedly, these contours ARE difficult to get well.....properly "contoured"

[VEEeight]

That looks awful. Is that split a result of an accident? Can't imagine it happened as a result of old age.

yes, it's pretty chronic really, can't quite figure out how the split came about as there's no damage as such, nor excessive corrosion. Have discounted "sabatoge" also Shud know more when everything will come off. Right now it seems more a case of the body holding the floor pan together! Have to get this split sorted out before can even think of removing the body. Am pretty sure the car will have to be tilted, it's just that every time I mention this to the denter his eyes fill up and I have to look away

[msabbasi]

yes, it's pretty chronic really, can't quite figure out how the split came about as there's no damage as such, nor excessive corrosion. Have discounted "sabatoge" also Shud know more when everything will come off. Right now it seems more a case of the body holding the floor pan together! Have to get this split sorted out before can even think of removing the body. Am pretty sure the car will have to be tilted, it's just that every time I mention this to the denter his eyes fill up and I have to look away

Perhaps the car was driven at high speed over a very, very deep pot hole or over a huge rock.

Rather than tilting, can you get to the rip if the car was put on a service pit? Then perhaps weld a temporary bandage on the rip to hold the pan in shape allowing the body to come off. Then get back to the rip and do a formal repair.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[capsat]

restoration is a painfully slow process I have gone through one of 1976 Corolla, took over an year with body & paint shop guys, This class of workers are always a PIA

[VEEeight]

Perhaps the car was driven at high speed over a very, very deep pot hole or over a huge rock.

Rather than tilting, can you get to the rip if the car was put on a service pit? Then perhaps weld a temporary bandage on the rip to hold the pan in shape allowing the body to come off. Then get back to the rip and do a formal repair.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Am pretty sure you are not in direct contact with the denter!!! This is exactly what he is planning to do , especially the temporary bandage bit! It's going to be a bit of a long haul on this but can't be helped. Last thing I want is a mis-alignment at any stage.

[VEEeight]

restoration is a painfully slow process I have gone through one of 1976 Corolla, took over an year with body & paint shop guys, This class of workers are always a PIA

aaahhh! A fellow sufferer!

[reezvaan]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[VEEeight]

Wow! That literally is an inside tip and I can't wait to impress the denter with "my" in depth knowledge on solving this . I imagine this also means a "slight" re-negotiation on the denting cost.
Many thanks

[msabbasi]

@reezvaan certainly knows his stuff. That is what comes from hands on experience.

[VEEeight]

Oh I fully endorse that!

[bravo122]

Wow! That literally is an inside tip and I can't wait to impress the denter with "my" in depth knowledge on solving this . I imagine this also means a "slight" re-negotiation on the denting cost.
Many thanks

buy a new bulk head thats the best option.since it supports all the weight from the front
i can get you one if u need.(i think i have a spare in my stash)

[VEEeight]

Bravo 122:

Thankyou for the offer and I may well have to take you up on that. For my info and for budgetary considerations, perhaps you could "pm" the price and the condition of this bulkhead to me.

Thankyou

[bravo122]

Bravo 122:

Thankyou for the offer and I may well have to take you up on that. For my info and for budgetary considerations, perhaps you could "pm" the price and the condition of this bulkhead to me.

Thankyou

sent u a pm

[VEEeight]

Thsnkyou ! Have seen it and replied.