Retrovans MeFusco Beetle Truck Project

[retrovan]

As the second side is much a repeat of the 1st one, it went a bit faster.

Managed to get the 1st coat of resin on to it and now waiting for it to cure for a day or so.

Here are a few photo's....






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Herman

[retrovan]

Project not dead, but doing a lot of boring fiberglass work to get the fender "plugs" right

Ones nice and painted, and smooth, I need to make the moulds

Even more boring work, then the casting of the fenders can only start.....

So let me get back to work ...............

Herman

[retrovan]

Still busy filling, filling, sanding, painting, filling, filling, sanding, painting, ...........

You get the picture, on my fender plugs.

This has to be done to 100% smooth or the mould will work like

Lots of expensive work to get only 2 fenders out of a perfect mould, but, thats how it must be.

Will be hart breaking to destroy these moulds once done making the MeFusco fenders.

So what else has this old Toppy been up to I hear you ask, well I did some back tracking again...

Removed the temporary McPherson tower tops and replaced them with the Heavy Duty ones as we now know that the truck can be made, and WILL get done and on the road.

All this had to be done so I can measure the lengths of the side shafts,

Yes these have to be made to fit, as the inside has GOLF 2 CV joints and the outside has OPEL Monza CV joints.

Set the camber at the same time, did a few small modifications to the floating gear lever tunnel.

Also did the clutch cable reversal bracket, as the clutch is now ahead of the peddles.

Have made it so I can use 2 (two) Bowden Tubes to do the 180 Deg. turn and bring the cable nicely into the tunnel.

Then I fitted the accelerator cable tube on the side of the tunnel and entered into the engine compartment.

This has been set on the peddle side but will have to be cut and bent once the twin 34 ICT webers are installed.

So now I will carry on with the fender plugs, and when happy, will post some photo's before making the moulds.

Till then

Herman

[retrovan]

So I said I will show you what the MeFusco Fender Plugs look like before I start making the moulds from them.

Well here they are all nice and shiny, ready for me to start.







Herman

[Haans]

Well well!,....not too shabby at all!!!

Good job!

Haans

[retrovan]

Well well!,....not too shabby at all!!!

Good job!

Haans

Thanks Haans

Slow but we are making some progress with work getting in the way.....

Herman

[retrovan]

So just to show we are not couch surfing, here are some slow progress photo's.

Lots of work as so many joints have to be build in to allow for striping.

Herman

[Terry Phillips]

Moving along there old man.

[retrovan]

Thanks Terry, hit a bit of a slippery spot today

As I normally use the STD PVC release agent which is a bit of a bugger to apply flat, I saw on You Tube somebody using Vaseline.

That looks great, so I also did it, used a heat gun to smooth it out and applied my gel coat.

What a disaster.

The gel coat kept sliding down, what ever I did could not keep it on the surface,

Could not take it off, could not smooth it out..... there I was waiting for it to set, and spread it around this slippery surface....

Would work a treat on a flat horizontal surface, but a slope... no ways..

So now Back to my old release agent.

Better the devil you know .. as they say...

Till next time.

Herman

[Terry Phillips]

Now now Herman you know what Vasaline is used for its not for cars.
Good luck hope you get back on track soon.

[Haans]

Hmmmm,....at least it is movinf forward !!M

Thanks for sharing "mishaps as well,.....now we also know!

Thanks. Haans

[retrovan]

Sorry for delay in this thread, but have had life get in the way, as well as the family insisting on eating and buying things, so had to go out and do some work.....

Yes shame on them for sending the "Old Toppie" out to work, when the project in the workshop stands.

Oh Well....

I would like you to meet my new little friend ........



Have introduced him to the other two front runners in the family, you could say they are opposite twins.....





As can bee seen, I have had their eye implanted, so now they have the bowl for the light fitted.

Yes it is the original bowls from the steel fenders they have been surgically removed and secured into the new front fenders.

Would be a happy day when the last fender gets here, then the family will be together.......

Now you can see why I think it important to get the FAT tail lights to balance the fat front fenders. ...

Well that was my thinking anyway.....

Thanks to JEFF and Thomas for their kind donations, that will live on in this here MeFusco.

Both excellent guys Thank you again.

Herman

[Haans]

Hmmm,..........buying's not over yet !! ....so you'l have to "work" some more !
Nothing will move before after nwe year !!

Hope to see you in George,...if everything holds!!!!

Haans

[retrovan]

Think you right Haans,

will be going to Oudshoorn car show Tomorrow, (14/12/2019) may be you want to take Haans for a spin.........

Herman

[Haans]

Working on 356 replica with boytjie !.....no money for spinning anywhere so close to christmas
Fitting door latches and striker plates,...lots of cutting and fitting plates and fibre work !
I'll try and get him to get progress on forum

Haans