The latest "stray" my father adopted...

[carpoor]

A few weeks ago my dad calls me all excited about his recent purchase... a 66' Volkswagen bug. :eek:

You bought what?! I was pretty heated until I saw it...

A good friend of his is an excellent metal worker and started this project, only to abandon it recently. I will let the pictures speak for themselves... I refer to it as the volksrod.

[flash]

I like it .

[shadowgray396]

Looks like a fun build.

[FlintTony]

Looks interesting. Give us some details on the sheet metal.

[carpoor]

The doors and rockers are what's leftover from the bug. Cowl is handformed sheet metal. The grille shell is reproduction 32' Ford. The hood is an original 32' Ford piece. Dash is 1940 Ford. The rear quarters are made mainly from 28' Chevy front fenders. The deck lid and rear roll pan are handformed sheet metal as well. Frame is box tubing, dropped super Bell axle up front.

It's a real mutt of sorts. Power will be from a 302 Ford, early 90s roller engine with AFR 165s, customer cam, etc. Should be easily 400 HP and the car weighs next to nothing. It should be exciting when going for a "spin."

[FlintTony]

The guy that did the metal work is pretty talented. Has a good imagination too.

[carpoor]

He's 72 years old and only has one eye. Damn shame he didn't mentor someone younger years ago. What he does is a dying art. My father says that this guy builds guitars from scratch too.

[carpoor]

It's back...

Long story short, my father's friend wanted it back. Unfortunately, he passed away recently. So, it's "home" with my father again. I patched a spot on the body this morning. I'm not the world's greatest, but I am learning by doing.

[FlintTony]

Man, you sure have your hands full with all you have going on! Good luck on this project.

[carpoor]

I picked up an "aluminum lung" for it tonight... pretty sure Tony will approve.

[FlintTony]

Yep, I like that. Any new pictures of the project? Did you make it up to Georgia?

[carpoor]

Didn't end up going. Haven't touched the car, weather has been against me. Also busy with other, not as interesting projects.

[carpoor]

Did a little mock up this morning. Looking pretty good for a free engine.

[carpoor]

Been dabbling on it here and there...

Set the height for engine and transmission. Built mounts, and mounted the steering box.

http://i.imgur.com/GmnzRTr.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wjG9P3O.jpg

Today, started fitting the hood. Top is an original 32' ford piece. The sides are aftermarket for a 30' chevy. This thing is a mutt from the word go.

http://i.imgur.com/e8utrki.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wPNbXMr.jpg

[chevymaher]

Looking good. That is gonna be a quick ride.

[FlintTony]

Lots of work there, especially when you are doing it by yourself. What are the weld passes on the front frame horns from?

[carpoor]

Lots of work there, especially when you are doing it by yourself. What are the weld passes on the front frame horns from?

My father wanted the frame to curve like a factory frame. So... sliced, pulled it down, welded, repeated. Until he liked how it looks.

I help him a lot with it, but he still puts in a few hours here and there when he feels up to it.

[FlintTony]

I thought that you were doing the car by yourself. It's great that he can come out and give you a hand. I'm bettin that makes him feel pretty good to be out there with you. Very nice.

[flash]

That is just a cool looking project . Im trying to adopt another one if the old farmer will ever turn it loose .

[shadowgray396]

That's going to be a fun ride.

[carpoor]

I thought that you were doing the car by yourself. It's great that he can come out and give you a hand. I'm bettin that makes him feel pretty good to be out there with you. Very nice.

Some days, it's all me. Next Tuesday he'll be at the doctor's, so I'll be solo. I feel bad that I don't have more free time to work on everything. Seriously trying to find a job that is four 10s, to give me 3 days vs. 2

[kevinw]

how will a VW bug handle 400 HP with a 302 engine? all that will do is pop wheelies and then when the front comes down and its at 80 mph, will probably float off the ground. sounds dangerous, but could be fun. LOL

[carpoor]

It's on a box tube chassis, will be front heavy if anything.

[kevinw]

oh ok sounds good