Exposed

Woke up this morning and thought what a nice day to cut the rust out and expose the insides of the heater channels etc.

This is the passenger side rear area that has obviously held some water in the past. I hope this looks a lot better after chemical dipping and rust inhibitor which is to occur shortly.

This is one of the areas on the passengers side heater channel that had a small amount of rust about to pop out.

Yet another slightly rusted area that needed to be exposed on the passengers side.

An overall photo of the passenger side rust situation. Not too bad considering some of the cars I have seen restored of late.

Another photo of the passenger side rear. Note also the factory caulking compound held water and rusted the metal. I may end up lead wiping this once it's rust neutralised.

Bloody holes from mud flaps which were fitted during the 1970's by the owner. While they were genuine mud flaps and looked good (and I have some NOS ones put away), I don't think I will be installing another set to the car this time around.

This hole was for a baby seat mounting point under the rear seat. That will disappear soon.

I was an idiot and installed a parcel shelf many years ago. The 2 x holes drilled into the bulkhead panel will be welded up. No parcel shelf for this car now.

Parcel shelf hole.

This is the only real damage to the body shell. It appears that the previous owner had a minor bingle that damaged the lower edge of the fender and smacked the body slightly here. I will get this pulled out and welded then lead wiped to rectify it. Nothing major.

There was minor pitting to the metal here on the drivers side so I exposed it. I would rather leave this area open for now so when the shell is chemically dipped, all the chemicals get into the cavities and drain out. An easy repair.

More mud flap holes. Wont take long to rectify these.

Bodywork at last

 

 

Forgive me for not updating for some time now. My work has been manic to say the least and my home PC is a piece of junk! Anyway, I will be posting some images shortly of the rolling floorpan - yes - it is now rolling and almost complete. I have to finish the engine tinware and manifolding for the original carburettors (to adapt them to the Okrasa Heads) and then the engine will be 100% complete with almost all other items completed and sitting on the shelf.

 

The body has been purposely left until now. I have had the doors, the rear fenders (NOS) and the front and rear lids chemically dipped, de-rusted and etch primed (doors already shown earlier in this blog). I am still chasing a pair of NOS front fenders to suit this car however if nothing turns up in Australia I will just bite the bullet and import a pair from Europe. I wont rework junk panels just to satisfy a deadline or budget (I have neither a deadline or a budget for the car but you get the idea).

 

First step was to make up a solid base onto which to sit the car while the works are underway. Thanks to Paul with the MIG, it's all done and dusted and the shell is sitting at a decent working height for 90% of the repairs to be undertaken. Once these repairs are complete I will likely get the frame rolling and use that transport the shell for it's various trips from the body shop and home etc. That's the theory anyway.



Here you can see the shell with the replacement section I will slicing metal from to fix the rust under the back window. Enjoy the images. More to follow soon once I get a new PC!

 

 

 

Light Motors LTD, Adelaide

 

As some of you may know, my 1500 'S' was delivered to and sold by Light Motors LTD which was the main Adelaide VW dealer during the 1960's.

 

I am looking to have this foil sticker reproduced soon and I know a few other people may be interested in it for their projects. If this is the case, give me a call or email me. I am also looking at having the rear window decal remade as well (applied from the inside - I believe it was a water slide decal).