Aircooled VW South Africa

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

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

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



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

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

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.

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.

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 ?

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

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.

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

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

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...

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

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..

Great

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