After looking at a few different New Beetles buying this donor car yesterday. Other than some dings it runs and rives great , no check engine lights . The dash is big enough to set pizza on :~) It's going to sit until I physically have the "Smyth Performance" truck kit here sometime mid July. I'll repaint it in the matching " Resale Red"
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Really cool! So the Truck Division of Merklin Motors is about to start on it's first model.
I'll have to view the build video but are new rear fenders included? They look more sweeping that original new bugs ones. What is rear window out of? Looking forward to the build chronical.
Fenders do sweep back, many choices for taillights too. Rear glass that comes with the kit is 65 Chevy pick up rear window. The rear cab panel is not cut and the glass choices are endless. You tube has a number of videos for disassembly , body cuts and assembly.
Sure looks nice in that metallic grey.
Sounds like a fun project Alan, looking forward to the learning curve updates.
Dude, at the risk of biting Stan's shtick, YOU are The MAN.
Beetle Pick Up....Minor progress, picked up some misc. supplies today that I will need in the build so there went that $100 bill. The hood has two light 4" impressions at the top near the wiper arms, looks like some one slammed their palms against it and another 1" ding front bottom. I called around for an aftermarket hood and they all go for about $200 IMHO is way cheap. Decided to try my skills at fixing it, gently worked out the dents by applying light pressure and gentle taps to the underside of the hood working the dents from the outer area to center. I was able to get most of it out so I'll skim coat the hood and saving $200. Need to figure a easy way to drop the rear about 1 1/4" ….Stay tuned~
How about staggered tire size - use wider but lower profile in rear? They seem to use 16" and 17" rims which could be alternative too.
The rear gap at the top of the wheel well is what I need to address.. I need to see if it's possible to just cut some of the coil spring. Tires are good and the stock aluminums wheels may work or preferred aftermarket wheels but will have to wait to see where I am on the budget
It would look really cool to chop the top 3" . It would put your unique touch on the build.
When I see the chop set ups I always wonder if a tallman can sit in there and adjust the seat with a bit of backwards rake in it. When you have a back seat you can encroach on it by leaning the seat back can you cut the car beyond the usual cut area to give the front seat more room ? Just saying.
I did two old school VW chop tops , the seat needs to be lowered.
What this country needs is a good small PU that handles decently and gets good gas mileage. Can't believe the small pickups have disappeared and only now is Ford bringing the Ranger back - to find they sell as fast as they can make them! Even the Tacoma is too big. With waning sales of the new beetle (and its demise), VW will regret they didn't think of the PU!
That Smyth Golf ute: tasty.
WOLFGANG posted:What this country needs is a good small PU that handles decently and gets good gas mileage. Can't believe the small pickups have disappeared and only now is Ford bringing the Ranger back - to find they sell as fast as they can make them! Even the Tacoma is too big. With waning sales of the new beetle (and its demise), VW will regret they didn't think of the PU!
That iBuzz is looking attractive to me.
Best truck I
WOLFGANG posted:What this country needs is a good small PU that handles decently and gets good gas mileage. Can't believe the small pickups have disappeared and only now is Ford bringing the Ranger back - to find they sell as fast as they can make them! Even the Tacoma is too big. With waning sales of the new beetle (and its demise), VW will regret they didn't think of the PU!
Agreed! Back around 2002, I needed a truck that could:
1) tow a decent payload
2) fit in my garage
3) seat 5 if needed, 4 comfortably.
At the time, only the Dakota fir the bill. It was a true mid-size truck with a V8 powerful enough to tow, had a crew cab, and would fit in my garage.
Alan, might this potentially be a keeper? I think you said something to that effect earlier, but I'm just curious.
Fantastic and unusual project for you to tackle. 
I am sorta excited about doing this, the build videos go into minute details a good thing. The plan is to built this Beetle truck complete it early September and sell it, Smyth was saying they constantly get calls looking for a completed one...( I have a total all in budget of $8500) After I sell that I'll probably buy a TDI Jetta / Golf diesel and do that conversion over the Winter then sell my trusty F150
WOLFGANG posted:What this country needs is a good small PU that handles decently and gets good gas mileage. Can't believe the small pickups have disappeared and only now is Ford bringing the Ranger back - to find they sell as fast as they can make them! Even the Tacoma is too big. With waning sales of the new beetle (and its demise), VW will regret they didn't think of the PU!
TDI diesel there are tons of them out there.
Today I repaired the three dents on the hood and one on the passenger door, it took about 3.5 hours to do and it reminded me how much I dislike sanding body filler. Bought a custom mix rattle can of VW red from NAPA for only $15 and it matched perfectly but the VW will get a repaint when completed.
I know what you mean Alan.
I rented a motorhome once and I ripped the bottom anchor on the roll out shade. I had to order the leg, drill it properly but first rebuilt the bottom area which was aluminum siding with a whole bunch of ridges. Ran to the local Canadian tire bought a bunch or paint cans close and managed to find the matching paint then, a bit of bondo, sanding, more coats sanding etc etc.
Finally, the owner when I retained the unit could not see any repair so I was happy but it was a pain to spend time fixing it instead of holidaying. I did a lot of body work when young but now it takes so much time and the new products are another education so I have stirred away for it .
Back in the day I did extensive body work on Beetles sometimes making two into one roadworthy car. Would do all the body prep for a fast turnaround and on the way to work I would drag it with a tow bar to MAACO in the early AM drop it off and pick it up 10 house later .
These days, I get all of the body filler that I can stand. I can't wait until I'm painting and guide coat doesn't count.
mppickett posted:These days, I get all of the body filler that I can stand. I can't wait until I'm painting and guide coat doesn't count.
A good quality mask ( not those white " A" cup things) is a plus ~
Ooo.....A Sars, special
Alan Merklin posted:mppickett posted:These days, I get all of the body filler that I can stand. I can't wait until I'm painting and guide coat doesn't count.
A good quality mask ( not those white " A" cup things) is a plus ~
Roger that!
No No NO! That's. . . .
...
Oh FINE. Load it up!
Now that engine is surely going to overheat! For same $8500+ the Smythe way is far better.
I 'm wondering instead of the extruded aluminum bed that is in the kit how the old school wood planked bed with the stainless divider strips would look ~
Would you keep the aluminum under as a sealing surface?
IaM-Ray posted:Would you keep the aluminum under as a sealing surface?
I'm not sure but I assume the extruded aluminum is necessary. help . I haven't seen the kit components close up
I think once you see it you may not do it unless the budget allows 
A removable pallet wood trunk mat would be cool!
I guess that or a box guard
Yesterday poking around on eBay I came across a '67 Beetle chassis w/ new power coated pans, new adjustable beam, brakes, reman swing axle transmission , clutch set and a fresh balanced 1835 engine w/ title. New 5 bolt chrome Fuchs and new Continental tires. I bought it for 1/4 it's value ! Now to get it transported from Illinois to West Virginia . Depending on what's out there, it will become a new build " show" dune buggy or Speedster Project 49.
You're going to need a bigger garage! A '67 was a 1 year only bug - you'd think the chassis would be worth big $$$ to a VW bug guy wanting to keep a '67 - 67?
WOLFGANG posted:You're going to need a bigger garage! A '67 was a 1 year only bug - you'd think the chassis would be worth big $$$ to a VW bug guy wanting to keep a '67 - 67?
I just checked the photo of the title to confirm ! I'll have a place for this along side of the garage , if I remove the downspout I have 1" " to roll it by
Nice buy Alan!
