Oklahoma Vw Cruisers

I started on this 58 ragtop project about a month ago.... I bought it as a driver and had planned on doing nothing but just that, but I should of known better as I always say that... Dont have a garage, just a shed out back and a carport, so this will be fun. Heres some photos so far.. I should be completed by June... Stripping the car down to bare metal, fixing all rust issues properly, paint, new motor, interior, ragtop, chrome, gaskets, wiring... everything. Will be keeping stock suspension but might do disc brake conversion. Will stay Capri Blue like it orignally was.

Awesome! Hope it works out well!

I am not seeing any photos

Here how it sits now

Lots of tar board to tear out!!

OH BOY LOOK AT THAT BONDO... ITS EVERYWHERE!

Got that bondo off. really don't why they used so much.. Its not bad and as you see got some of the 50 layers of undercoating off the rear fender area with my cheapo harbor freight sand blaster... HOW HANDY!

Uh oh here we go....

Looks whats behind Door #1 Foam!!!

Got the patch panel welded in.. it fit nicely

wow, thats some rust in there for sure!

What i have accomplished the past 2 days ... Still gota do fender wells and hand sand the corners and crevices..

Go over it with a Scotch Brite pad and shoot it with clearcoat and I bet you can get people to believe it's a Deloren Edition Beetle! Now where did I put that Flux Capacitor!
Seriously -- looks like a lot of hard but worthwhile work!

where you gonna spray it at ? You could use my garage and air compressor if you clear sheet it off so nothing got on my sandrail !

I was just going to plastic off my carport and set up lights and fan.... Painted the nova last fall that way, turned out very impressive.... A shop would be nice though!

we just need to do it on a weekend cause you would be using the wifes spot, as the rail is non movable. If you need to use it its here if you need it. We would still use the plastic to keep the overspray off my stuff.

we just need to do it on a weekend cause you would be using the wifes spot, as the rail is non movable. If you need to use it its here if you need it. We would still use the plastic to keep the overspray off my stuff. I also know how to do bodywork as my dad has painted many show cars and i took auto body in vo tech.

And i am always off on weekends and have summer vacation June 1st to Mid August

bad ass!

Hey Everyone!

Its been awhile..... A project I planned on completing in 6 months took me nearly 2 yrs to make it semi-complete.
This is what has been done:
Paint stripped down to bare metal body work done and totally repainted to factory color per its birth certificate (glacier blue)
Mild 1776 w/ idf 40's
New Freeway Flyer Trans
Complete Powder Coated Tin Kit by (awesome powder coat) which includes hoover bit,venturi ring,thermostat flaps and all..
New Ragtop
New Headliner
New seat covers and foam
Restored Original Smoothie Wheels
White Wall Tires (coker)
Complete new wiring harness
All new rubber and some new glass
and I'm sure much much more..

What I have to finish:
I would like new bumpers from WW, but they are expensive! ( I have the old ones but they are chepos and are pitted some and dull. Would hate to put it on a fresh car)
Install Carpet - Dark Blue- ( I already have it)
Install Door Panels (I already have it)
and a few other details.

It has been one hell of a ride. Esp since EVERYTHING was done under my carport since I have no garage. It takes forever just to get tools out and get prepped.

My advice to someone wanting to do it....
Don't go this far unless you HAVE TO. If you want a restored car, buy one ready.. ITS CHEAPER TRUST ME! LOL LO!
But i have learned a lot and know every inch of a VW bug now! LOL

Will update any new progress on the car.

Cheers!,
Ryan-

Damn good job. I'm partial to the '58, my first bug was one, not a rag tho.

JP

Nice work. I'd call anybody a liar if they told me they did a resto as complete as yours in the original intended timeframe. I'm just picking up on a project that i haven't touched on 3 1/2 years.

looks nice. will this be the last time we see it?