Betty the Oval - Donovan D - ex-MINCE

[retrovan]

See you came right with the step strips.

What I did was to bend the rubber over the edge of the step ends and then bolt it in.

Now you have a seamless edge that will not pull away from heat.

Herman

[Eugene]

Looking very nice there young man

[Donovan D]

Sorted out the missing weather strip rubber channels around the bonnet and decklid.
This is something that I didnt think about during the metal work.

Luckily the rubber hides the screws.

[Eugene]

Can't wait to see this car at George

[V6 Capri]

This is a very good looking beetle. Liking the black color.

[Donovan D]

Ok so after a lot of thought I did it.



Sensitive people look away now.




I made a hole in the roof to fit a ragtop.
Yes yes let met have it, wrecking an original....
If this car was 100% original I would not do something like this. But seeing that the floor pans have been replaced, front and rear valance and pillars along with all the aftermarket parts l decided to do it.







Color




The canvas top being test fitted and tensioned.


Hardware


I spent about half a day just measuring.


Then the cut was made.


Started fitting the trim







Still need to tighten it all down but so far so good.

[Blitzkrieg]

Looks good with that colour ragtop!

[Eugene]

I am speechless....not something that happens very often...but I like it!

[retrovan]

Verrrry ... Very nice , well done sir.

That looks excellent.

Herman

[Tony Z]

lovely, looks amazing

Measure twice, cut once, no turning back!

[freddiebooysen]

Looking good




Freddie Booysen

[Haans]

I notice the love for angle grinders are a spreading !!

This top will make this car pop !,....like it a lot,......I might take off a 1/2 a point from the "origanality" !!
Keeping that in mind and if my calculus is correct ,....you still get 13and a half !!! Out of ten

Haans

[Donovan D]

Thanks all

After removing the ragtop, measuring(again), filing holes, using the flap disc and taking some more metal off the body of the beetle I started fitting it all again. Its a much better fit now. Managed to get two lekker scratches on the roof on both sides. Luckily the car still needs to go back for touch ups and polishing.
Im hoping that a canvas sealer/protector will add that bit of darker color to the rag, just to make the color pop out a bit. If anyone knows of a good product, please let me know.

The color of the rag is different than on the photos, just cant get a good pic where the color is the same.

Some pics of the rag in fully closed postion, nice and tight











Interior pic:
The roof lining folds over the trim on the inside and is then glued to the trim. There is also a rubber u-channel that finishes it off right around.

[Eugene]

Donovan, that looks stunning bud!!
The canvas should be watertight as is but I don't think a little Scotchguard would do any harm and might just add a darker shade to the top

[John Alves]

I see you fitted a steering damper, very good idea, my 58 Ghia wobbles all over the place when I hit a bump