Greg's '63 Ragtop project

Oh, we're just getting started.

So here's the right rear bumper bracket all back together. This is all OG metal from the donor car.





As a refresher, here's what this area used to look like:

The heater channels are in pretty good shape on the car. The only problem was when the body bolts that run down the sides of the car were removed, almost all of the cap nuts spun on the inside and the bolts had to be cut.

You can the damage left behind here:


So the plan is to drill out all of the spot welds that hold on the lower bottom part of the heater channels and replace them with the sections from the donor car.

Time to brace the body

Looking good! I like watching your progress!

Those body braces look awfully a lot like the door bars on a cage. Maybe you should have one welded in while it is all apart.

I am just sayin'

euphgirl wrote:

Looking good! I like watching your progress!

Thanks Lita!

Mateo wrote:

Those body braces look awfully a lot like the door bars on a cage. Maybe you should have one welded in while it is all apart.

I am just sayin'

You're a sick and twisted individual!

Ok, check this out! This is insane!

Sooo, now that the passenger side rear bumper bracket is all done it's time to move to the driver's side. My original one was no better on the driver's side than it was on the passenger's side. It had to be replaced also. Now while the one on the donor car was solid with no rust-thru, it was ripped almost completely in half and beat pretty bad. We got together and discussed our plan of attack on Saturday. The dilemna was should we buy an aftermarket one from Wolfsburg West or.........repair the old one? Jason said he could do it but that the choice was mine. Hey, if he says he can do it, let's let him. I really preferred the idea of keeping all OG metal on the car anyway so I gave him the green light. See for yourself.

This is the bracket looking from the inside. You normally wouldn't get this view due to it being spot-welded to the car. You can see the tear in it.


This is after bead blasting and finishing it off by cutting it the rest of the way in half


I'll let the rest of the pictures speak for themselves

Wow

Ta-Daaaaaa....

And for your viewing pleasure, the rear apron is back on.

Nice...

Nice to see your arse is back together!

Very nice!!! Coming together fast too!!

Looks great

Hey Greg I stopped by your work today. You were busy. I came by to ask if this bug is at your house? And who is doing the welding?

Call me at 916.716.9408 or stop by the shop again

Ok I will try and stop by tomorrow

Thank you everyone for following along!!

Jason's now moved onto the lower side of the heater channels.

And here's a shot of the underside of the rear rear apron area.

You are in way too deep!!! This car will have to be handed to the kids and stay in the family for ever!!

That's the plan.

hurry up already the 18th WILL soon be here

You can't rush perfection, it takes as long as it takes...

Jason and I talked about the car possibly making an appearance at the show for TRP's booth. We'll see though.