Not mine - hope owner doesn't mind link to his build. Haven't seen owner post here. I've never see the fiberglass body off the steal frame.
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Im totaly less than thriled with the chassie, I hope mines not like that.
Too bad the shine up license plate light is upside down.
Just curious...what's wrong with the chassis ?
Its not as robust as the IM 230hp capable chassis recently depicted. But add the VW pan and center tunnel and its more than adequate. The IM uses a fiberglass pan so not much added support there - its all in their frame. Of course any weight added means you need more HP.
I'm impressed with work such as that - I know I could never put that thing together the way he has.
Thanks for the input guys. Love the site. I've updated the slideshow a bit. Got the door hinges laid out. Got the rear deck laid out yesterday. I'm waiting on some cap screws for the door hinges. Couldn't find the 3/8 screws in the kit. Local supplier only had them in bulk, but could order a dozen each, so I'm in limbo until next Wed or so.
Got the passenger door hung in record time today. (6 hrs) The driver's door should go a littl easier. Here's a more recent slide show. http://www.flickr.com/photos/r...57632548497538/show/
Driver's side done! Only took an hour or so. Practice makes perfect.
Door handles and strikes installed today.
Robert - Great build journal. Yours must be an early body as I can still clearly see the dimples and where to cut and drill. My late 1989 body didn't have any dimples or marks on it. I got the deluxe "pre-assembled" kit that had the doors already mounted to the hinges.
Thanks! Yes it is an early body. One door had dimples for the handle and one didn't. The door hinge installation went pretty well with the templates. It's been a great experience so far. I cheated on the seats. Took them to an upholstery shop. Didn't think I could do them. Hopefully gonna make it to paint by the middle of February.
here is my unsolicited advice:
don't rush the paint.
don't rush the paint.
do it LAST
and disassemble everything before you bring it to them
My thoughts exactly. Gonna get everything assembled, just to disassemble it for the paint booth. I hate to take the windshield off!!
Wiring is done!
Routed out the back deck lid yesterday. http://www.flickr.com/photos/r...et-72157632548497538
That's the first time I've seen a one-gauge dash in a 356 replica.
Your car looks good. 
Sweet!
Screaming for a set of 3 914 gauges! Big tach in center.
Full speed ahead!! Nice project! 
Thanks guys. I got the front and back bumper trimmed out today. Something else to remove for the paint booth. At least it will be easier to put on the second time. Yeah, the fellow I bought the kit from had a 914 donor. I may hit him up. The all inclusive Beetle gauge was easy for now. Hope to get the seats back from the upholsterer next week.
Looks good Robert; need to congratulate you on the work and on such a great taste in guitars; I've got a few myself, some of them the same models you have; a '50's ES-125 and a '68 SG Special (mine has the original short vibrola); no '52 Les Paul but a '50 ES-5 and a '38 ES-150 amongst others; fun stuff! I lived in Louisiana for 5 years; Happy Mardi Gras!
Thanks! I got a couple more pieces of trim on today. Had to order some H4 connectors. Supposed to be out for delivery today. Haven't made it yet. I guess I'll go play my guitar.
Oh, and the '52 Goldtop is not mine. A friend of mine bought it a couple years ago at the Arlington show.
It's awesome! I've witnessed how they've all gone up in price steadily over the past 20 odd years.
Got the rear deck lid latch installed today. H-4 plugs arrived and got headlights wired. Front hood latch is next. Got it marked, just need to rout out access to put nuts on.
Started on the top and toneau cover today. Can anyone give me some advice on these supports for the top? Do you have to bend them to get the angle on the brackets?
do you mean the bows?
if you have a bit of time (and can weld), here is an idea:
Dayam! Ya got some crank up windows to go with that???
Ok, got the bows mounted and working great. Just have the top draped on there to relax it a bit. Waiting for my snap tool to come in. (Wednesday). Hope we get a warm sunny day before I glue it up. This top and touneau cover have been folded up in original bags for 20 years. http://www.flickr.com/photos/r...hotostream/lightbox/
Man, that 20 yr old protective paper was tough to get off the windows. http://www.flickr.com/photos/r...es/o/in/photostream/
Yeah, my paper was on about 30 years. I know what you mean.
Yep, good ol' WD-40 and a heat gun got it off. Got the windshield wiper motor installed and wired today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/r...es/l/in/photostream/
Got the windshield wiper motor installed and wired yesterday. Shortened the stock wiper arms about 4 inches today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/r...es/l/in/photostream/
Im spoiled,I have the aluminum gun to do it with.Ive done way to many your way,but if you only have 1 car to do it's fine,but any more get a snap gun. I almost bought a bench mount model last week, probably should of.(fleemarket in alabama)
Yes, it was slow going. BTW, supposed to get seats back from the upholster tomorrow afternoon.
rstoll: So if I'm seeing what I think I am seeing, you installed your own snaps onto your roof?
Are you also fitting a tonneau, and have you put the male snaps in the center of the dashboard below the rear view mirror yet?
If I'd have had my head on straight I'd have reviewed the rest of the thread and the photo's I'd have seen that is exactly what you did.
My revised question, how much of a pain was it to install those male snaps on the dash?
I might just do this myself, as I have an unfitted, really good quality tonneau without snaps. My upholstery guy wants to have me take off the windshield before he will tackle it. I understand that chore isn't much fun when putting the windshield back on.
Thanks for any insight, and your car is looking great!!
Yep, windshield has to come off. Refer to windshield installation thread on this sight to avoid heartache.