Cutting a beetle chassis

There will be several replies to this later in the day. I've never done it myself.

The guy with the most experience on this will be Alan Merklin. Heed his advice.

Alan Merlin is the guy to speak with. There are also build instructions available on this site for members I believe that cover the shortening of the Beetle chassis. One such build manual on this site is the one for the Fiberfab Speedster. I believe there is a similar one for the CMC Speedster as well. If you can't access it I have a Fiberfab Speedster build manual and can scan and send you the pages covering the shortening of the chassis. Just let me know.

The correct ( and best ) method of shortening chassis is shown in the CMC Speedster build manual. It's available here in Resources for supporting members. The most important part of the procedure is to have the chassis absolutely straight on a level plain before you begin the welding, even a couple degrees off of horizontal will cause engine to deck lid clearance issues and more. If you have questions as you go along PM me glad to be of help.

Is your '74 chassis a super beetle with front McPherson struts?  That will have to be changed to a standard beetle H beam.  That is more difficult that shortening the chassis. There used to be a conversion kit but not many were sold and few are out there.  OEM replacement parts are available but alignment is critical.  The Coolrydes Mendeola conversion would be best bet.

Thanks for the info everyone! By the way my chassis is a 72 or 73 with no McPherson front end. I just need to cut and weld it correctly. I have a 1600 dual port and a 383 transaxel from an old Ghia.

@Jimmy V. posted:

Alan Merlin is the guy to speak with. There are also build instructions available on this site for members I believe that cover the shortening of the Beetle chassis. One such build manual on this site is the one for the Fiberfab Speedster. I believe there is a similar one for the CMC Speedster as well. If you can't access it I have a Fiberfab Speedster build manual and can scan and send you the pages covering the shortening of the chassis. Just let me know.

Hello!

I was told mine is a CMC Speedster. It has Classis Speedster on the hood badge and it has 6 gauges in the dash! does that mean any thing to you!?

Yup -VINTAGE  gauges andSPEEDSTER hood badge = CMC.

Are those any good? or... are they all pretty much the same to work with?

A CMC is as good as whoever builds it.  I consider mine to be good.  I consider those owned by some others to be good.

I too suggest you become a supporting member and download the CMC build manual.

Majority were sold as DIY kits - so finished product is a result of skill of builder and additional $ invested.  Kit (no chassis/engine/wheels) was $9k in 1989 plus costly shipping from Miami FL.

Ok! Thank you! As long as I can get the proper info. I am confident it will be built right. I know how to do just about anything as long as I have the correct procedure. I wont have to spend too much on labor for I'll do it myself! I have come across so many people that want me and my crew to fix up their classics and dump so much money into them and they dont know a socket from a screwdriver!! If I get this chassis cut right the rest will be OK! Thank you!

Hurricane Speedster!

Sounds like you are on your way.

And I don't know if anybody else said it: "Welcome to the Madness!"

@Steven Montz posted:

Ok! Thank you! As long as I can get the proper info. I am confident it will be built right. I know how to do just about anything as long as I have the correct procedure. I wont have to spend too much on labor for I'll do it myself! I have come across so many people that want me and my crew to fix up their classics and dump so much money into them and they dont know a socket from a screwdriver!! If I get this chassis cut right the rest will be OK! Thank you!

Hurricane Speedster!

So... are you an enthusiast building a car for yourself or are you setting up to finish cars for other people?

Oh no! This is going to be my baby! I always wanted a speedster but it was kind of out of my reach and budget! I found this thing near the end of the Mississippi River in Port Sulpher LA. while doing hurricane recovery after Ida and this Baptist preacher who had it sitting in the grass in his yard gave it to me with hope that it could be resurrected. It’s been there since it got flooded in Katrina 2005, hence my name for it The Hurricane Speedster! I’m going to build this thing for ME!!!! Come he’ll or high water! No pun intended!!!😂 GOD I HOPE THAT DOSENT HAPPEN! But it’s not looking good!😳😂

sincerely!

Steven!☮️