Braveheart

[Bushpig]

I have had this pending project a while now and posting it for the first time so bear with me. In short I discovered this 57 Beetle abandoned where it had been standing fo the last 20 odd years (or so I am told). It was left without windows and stripped. It had the floor pan which looked like Swiss Cheese, front end and gearbox. Oh yes and plenty of rust. I can't bear to scrap it, but hope to put it back on he road eventually. The project will be a long one but I will try and keep everyone posted as I go along. The plan is to collect the missing bits over time and as finances allow. I also have another 56 oval which I will also post. It is not as bad but since each project will take an age I will do bits on both as I go along. Here are some photos to cry over (if I get this right).








I have removed the body from the chassis and will post some photos.
I would love comments and advice as and when. I had beetles when I was at Varcity a long time back and my passion has never died and want to get back in the drivers seat again.
Bushpig

[retrovan]

I thought I was brave.......

Take the yellow one.... take the yellow one.....



No this is brave, and I wish you all the best.

[Bushpig]

Thanks Retrovan,
Already got a yellow one, and had to take the runt of the litter or is that the rust of the litter.

[retrovan]

Are you going to fix the Pan or replace it, the rest looks "fixable"
Be good if you can cut out the rust and keep the Vin # on the pan, this is what is going to make this car.
If you need spare RUST I have approx. 12Kg that I got out of my Fasty (free)

Keep us posted.

[Bushpig]

I will keep the pan and photo's will follow. I have received both pan halves from Wolksberg West I ordered but may need someone to fix it here in Cape Town. I may try it but need some practice before I stuff it up.
Thanks for the offer on the rust but I am breeding my own.

[jolas]

Good luck with the project, hope you save the car - are those pics of the Beetle in Stanford ? I'm sure I've been next to this car before - quite a few years ago ?

[retrovan]

Hi Brave,
Hows it going, Hope you not returned to the TV.
Need some pic.s, Love to see this till its runnig form...... .

[Nick Bekker]

I sure hope you can put that baby back on the road...

Gonne be a LOT of work, but I'm sure it'll be well worth it in the end.

[jvt172]

Do a "ratrod" oval i dare you!!!!!!!!

[Bushpig]

Hi There Buggers,
Thanks for the feed back. Answering from the last:-
Jolas - Yes it is the one at Stanford - How come you didn't pick it up. The guy who owned it was a little difficult and it took a hell of a lot of back and forth. I see you are based in Klapmuts. I have my warehouse next to the Berg River Resort where all the bugs are so come over for a cup of coffee just phone me 083-265-2616 (Bruce) to confirm I am in. It would be great to meet.

Retrovan, - Its going slowly need to sort out chaos at work and then I will start. I have taken the body off the pan and will post pics soon. In rthe meanwhile I am trying to collect parts for anything Chassis related. The 3 spring backing plates are needed for front and back, as well as front brake cylinders. I will get the chassis rolling and then move to the body.

Nick - thanks for the encouragement, it is a hell of a lot of work but I think with the help and support of the forum we will get there. The Baby will eventually get back on the road they are too few and far between.

I also have another oval which I will do at the same time since it is in better nic (no pun intended) than Braveheart so will collect parts for both but each has its draw backs. I will post this one on the forum soon with pic's. It is confusing seeing some of the differences between the two chassis and I will post some questions to "test the team" on the forum as I go along in the hopes we all learn something.

Catch you later

[Bushpig]

jvt172 - There is no way in hell I will chop-up her up it is against my religion. If you know of others chopping up an oval I shure need body pannels etc etc...

[jvt172]

I didn't say anything about a chop.
like this???

[Bushpig]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I already have the rusted look just missing all the bits like trim, windows etc. and also need a change but thanks for the photo, you never know my spraying skills could result in the same look..

[jvt172]

Great

[jolas]

Hi Bruce, cool, I'm just around the corner from your warehouse, will give you a call for sure. The owner of "that place" at the time was indeed not interested at selling any of the VWs there. I stopped there a few times ................... (as did many others )
Fig's persistence paid off in the end when managed to purchase his '57 bus from inside the warehouse - and he was also responsible for saving the rest of the wrecks (kombis) outside in the yard. There is a thread on that story. Did you ever see all the split busses there at the time ?
Cheers
Paul