1966 VW body off restoration

[honda250xtitan]

The bug is done.

Pan to my house. It was in storage for 15 or so years. New brake lines. I did new steering, brakes, bearings, etc wayyyy back in the day and then they just sat so theyre “new” too

Sound deadener as well. Lowered it with the adjusters and the rear torsion arms.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Mas with help from mi esposa lol. 1600cc dual port 12 volt motor

Some of those pics were me trying to clearance the flywheel as the 12volt ones are a touch bigger. No big deal, magnesium bell housing is super soft.

 

[honda250xtitan]

More stuff. I was missing axle boots hence the leak. The boys love this thing of course. I got the body set on and it’s looking slick af

 

[honda250xtitan]

Paint correction, fender beading and fenders. Did a round of classic cut, classic polish, daddy-o silica sealer, and classic wax all from shine supply. IYKYK

 

[honda250xtitan]

Started electrical, also paint matched some stuff and blacked out interior chrome pieces. I realized later I had the fuse box backwards.

I took the deck lid in to a paint shop and we mixed paint till we found the right color. It’s a touch darker then the original lotus white VW offered from the factory. About 16 years ago we had it re painted, it was red originally.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Rebuilt the vent windows. Installed new window cranks, put in pop outs and the rear glass in. Had a windshield company come pop a new windshield in. It took him 30 seconds. Took me an hour for the rear glass. Same process. Lololol. All the glass besides the windshield is original vw glass. Apparently that matters.

Got the headliner in. Man what a pain, my first time and it’s obvious

 

[honda250xtitan]

Electrical figured out. It went fast when I flipped the fuse box around lmao

I ran circles around the brakes for a week. Finally got them working properly.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Interior going downnnnnnn. Tan vinyl. Seats will be tan basket weave.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Temporary high back seats. They’ll get cut down and re covered. I did the bench seat today. Went fine, it ain’t perfect

Also Baja designs because you can’t take the Overlander out of the potato. I refuse to drill an original 66 dash. So switch is in the coin holder.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Obligatory “someone puts up with my bullshit” proof of wife picture. Took it to get ice cream. I flooded it (the bug) and took forever to get started after. Also I missed 2nd and went to 4th on the last turn home so it died there. It won’t idle with the headlights on. They’re pulling too much power. I’m hoping it’s just a carb issue and not an alternator problem. Vw shop will take a look this week. The carb leaks after shut off so it could have a vacuum leak while it’s running.

Anyways. This thing is fun.

 

[4runner DOA]

That's awesome. I have a buddy who's dad did bug rebuilds. Probably 20 years ago, his would lift the front end in 2nd gear. His brother wrapped one around a light pole at 90 racing up the street and barely walked away.

 

[honda250xtitan]

That's awesome. I have a buddy who's dad did bug rebuilds. Probably 20 years ago, his would lift the front end in 2nd gear. His brother wrapped one around a light pole at 90 racing up the street and barely walked away.

There ain’t much to them. Slow and low is good in these death traps.

 

[Dan H]

I had a 69' that the front end broke, threw me in a ditch and rolled twice. Probably for the better. I already had a Porsche engine and Buss trans lined up to go in it. That car was about to get expensive.

That was about 25 years ago.

 

[Dukestaco]

Man I thoroughly enjoyed the pics of the build. I helped a neighbor rebuild his and drop a 19_ _ cc engine in it can’t remember the last two numbers. I don’t remember the carbs he had on it either but man that Bug screamed down the road. Good times. Well the ones I can remember. Nice build man. The boys will love that bug when Theo get to drive it.

 

[Airdog]

Great build. So weird that this popped up this week. Ive actually spent the week looking for one to buy. Though I have some high requirements for what I want. Basically I want a completely done 80's style cal bug with at least a 2 litre plus engine running weber 48 IDA's. At current prices it looks like i'm gonna be spending somewhere between 18-25k. I'm in no rush so i'll wait until the perfect one pops up. Beginning of summer is a bad time though considering most cars like I want are good weather cars.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Thanks guys. I actually wrapped up the front seats today. Disassembled the high backs, cut the head rest off, new foam and new vinyl. Interior looks sweet.

@Airdog vw prices are silly right now. A bigger motor and dual carbs would be fantastic, these things can be sneaky quick. I’ll prolly throw a turbo on this thing if I get the itch tho. A new turnkey 1900-2100 is like 8k. I always forget the last 2 numbers too lol. Vwtrader on IG posts bugs regularly. According to those prices mine could go for 20k. It’s stupid.

 

[Airdog]

Thanks guys. I actually wrapped up the front seats today. Disassembled the high backs, cut the head rest off, new foam and new vinyl. Interior looks sweet.

@Airdog vw prices are silly right now. A bigger motor and dual carbs would be fantastic, these things can be sneaky quick. I’ll prolly throw a turbo on this thing if I get the itch tho. A new turnkey 1900-2100 is like 8k. I always forget the last 2 numbers too lol. Vwtrader on IG posts bugs regularly. According to those prices mine could go for 20k. It’s stupid.

I had a 63 that did 12second 1/4 miles back in the 80's. 1904cc (90.5x74) 48 IDA's close ratio gears and a 5:13 ring and pinion. Built it all myself. Dont want to do it again so i'll just buy one. Just ran into one that may fit all im looking for in Salinas CA. Just dropped it on the wife....she said i'm stupid....so that a yes in my book. "Only" 11k
https://www.facebook.com/groups/617736385057746/user/6709320 hopefully the link works

 

[honda250xtitan]

Finally got time to re tap the body and get the running boards on. Also added door sill plates. Looking freshh

 

[Dukestaco]

Finally got time to re tap the body and get the running boards on. Also added door sill plates. Looking freshh

That’s one tight looking bug.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Fuscaaaaaaa