Betty the Oval - Donovan D - ex-MINCE

[Donovan D]

So seeing that the average price for a basically complete oval in pieces with a disc brake kit and porsche fuch replica's is R10 000 - R15 000 this one aint going anywhere.

I have to re-sand the oval as I never got to getting it in primer in time . Been messing around with body and pan and cleaning a lot of bits and getting it in paint.
At the moment everything on the pan is getting some hammerite treatment. Have to say I really like this stuff it goes on quite thick.
Also decided not to go the 6V way on the oval.

Got a complete brake kit from FFR, front discs and rear drums with 5x130pcd as well as an adjustable beam.







Also cleaned up the pedal assembly. Still need to spot weld the '59 donor pans to the main chassis section. Made sure that the pan, pedals and the pedal bracket underneath the pan lines up.



Also cleaned up the rear plate as it was a bit messy and full of welds and torn.
Does anyone have a picture of what the area where the two pipes come out of the tunnel should look like ?

[retrovan]

Think you have taken the right direction, Do it up, the way you want to use it, enjoy it, and then it will have value when you sell it as a complete car.

Good to see the progress.

keep it up

Herman

[Donovan D]

Beetle went to the sandblasters today as the surface rust covered the whole body again. Amazing how quick that happens. Lets hope there is something left when I go and collect it.

Looks like the body work can only be done sometime next year, so until then I can keep on collecting bits.





Still busy on the pan and cleaning parts.
Rear brakes done.


Really excited about the gearbox and engine that might go into this beetle.
Big thanks to Tony for all the info and advice!!!!

[retrovan]

If you have sent the body to sandblast again, but will only do the painting next year, spray the body with filler primer, and a thin coat clear, you will be flatting and priming again, so the clear will not do any damage, but will stop the surface rust from starting up again,

Herman

[Donovan D]

If you have sent the body to sandblast again, but will only do the painting next year, spray the body with filler primer, and a thin coat clear, you will be flatting and priming again, so the clear will not do any damage, but will stop the surface rust from starting up again,

Herman

Its the first time its at the sandblaster. I got rid of all the putty and paint the first time but never got round to getting primer on it. The sandblast place is going to spray etch primer on everything after blasting. Then it will probably just be stored in the garage. I will continue with the pan.

Also need to get rear handbrake cables made up, the ones with the grease nipples. Anybody here know where I can get this done ?

[Donovan D]

Update:

Got the beetle back from the blasters after two days. Sprayed in etch primer
Really happy with the job done. Also got main chassis section blasted and pan halves.
Bolted the pan to the body to ensure everything lined up and tacked it in place.
The current heater channels on the oval are really rotten and will need to come off.




On the trailer and back back home




This is what the old pan halves looked like, sheet metal welded in and over and under everything.


Donor pans, battery tray was also just a piece of metal welded in



After it was tacked in place.

[Tony Z]

this is going to be one stunning beetle when its finished. Keep up the good work D

[Donovan D]

this is going to be one stunning beetle when its finished. Keep up the good work D

Tony I really hope so with all the effort gone into this so far.

So the pan is done. Not too happy how it came out. I painted on a couple of layers and it was really nice and smooth.
Yesterday I decided to give it one last coat just to ensure its covered good and solid. For some reason it did not come out smooth like before. Visible in the pics at the rear end of the pan halves.
The paint did not level evenly and the brush marks are still visible. Not sure if it was perhaps the heat yesterday and the paint dried or got tacky too quick.

Considering trying another layer but then again its getting covered in carpet.

The brake pedal support plate was welded back on as well as the ovals jack points.

[acpaterson]

Donovan,
you're being too hard on yourself.. That looks AWESOME..
(And what was that you said to me at Bug Jam! Something about you NOT being very technical.. I don't think so buddy...

Beetle's gonna look awesome man..

[Nixon75]

Good job there donovan. Where did you get it sandblasted?

[vw59beetle]

Looks good Donovan. Keep it up.

[Bugger]

That Buggerd Long ratio transmission will slide in that Beautiful floor pan just like a tih=ght fitting glove

[retrovan]

well done D, its really moving along nicely now.

Maybe George this year ??

Herman

[Mars67]

Looking good there!!!

[Donovan D]

Getting the tyres for the beetle tomorrow and then making space so I can assemble the pan and get this project going again.

Im looking for a 4 tab bonnet, rear fenders and complete wiper assembly for the beetle if anyone can help please give a shout.