Gonna restore a 63

After 15 years, I now own a bug again! My very first car was a 63 that I got for $350 just out of high school. I ended up rolling that one four times into a ditch. Then I got a 61 and sold it when I went to live over seas. Hadn't sat in a bug since 1996. Now I just found a 63 just like my first one - all original and complete but it may need a little work. I see that it needs floor pans and I bet I'll find some rust parties hidden in the lower parts.

Nice to have a reason to be part of a VDUB forum - and here in Georgia!

Jason

Welcome to the forum! Glad you found us!

Welcome to the forums!! Post up some pics of your 63 when you can.

Glad to have you here on the forum, welcome and enjoy. Hope to meet you soon and post some pictures of the project.

welcome to the site hope to see you on the road some were

Welcome to the site, let's see some pics of the '63

Thanks for the warm welcome!
I'll post pics on Saturday. The Spouse will not let me touch it until then. It's totally distracting me from work and other things. I'm way too excited and anxious to start working on it. I've been craving for a vintage beetle for 15 years.

Welcome to the site!

jmbeaver wrote:Thanks for the warm welcome!
I'll post pics on Saturday. The Spouse will not let me touch it until then. It's totally distracting me from work and other things. I'm way too excited and anxious to start working on it. I've been craving for a vintage beetle for 15 years.

haha, I know how that is... Mid-life crisis rocks!

The Spouse was gone so I snapped a few pics:

Looks like a good solid starting point.

Looks almost done to me.....a few things here and there along with a buffer and some wax. Nice car!

Yeah, just a little touch up ...
Anyone know what that stuff is that I've seen on TV that patches up small cuts in vinyl upholstery?

I'm excited to start working on it. But it needs complete new pans and I'm not sure yet what condition the heater channels are in.
The engine cranks but it lacks power - but you can look at that carb and know it needs a little work.

My pic didn't get it but there's some metal missing at the bottom right where the door meets the heater channel. But I've seen some pics of other bugs that seem to have a strip of metal screwed in to hold down the carpet? That strip of raised metal is what's gone in spots. All else seems to be surface rust but nothing serious.

So, this will be a complete tear down and rebuild. I think I will keep the original motor. I don't have the money for an upgrade.

I would just do the pans, new brake system, freshen up the 40, put a new interior in it, lower it a little, patch any rust holes, blend the paint and buff it out and call it done.....but that is me

What color is it? Looks like java green.....

What Gary said, looks real solid!

Very nice. There are several of us DUB nuts here in Gwinnett so if you ever need help, just give us a yell.

Man that looks like a sweet one to start with. You might want to look at what the replacement covers for the seats are goin for. They are really not to bad to install, just take your time.

I've also posted this on TheSamba but it will be nice to keep this local forum updated too.
Here are some pics of the tear down:



















I may try to do some welding myself but those spots at the door columns look complex. Anyone know a good place to get metal work done?

.

Billie at Stockornaut can take care of that. Just take a look at the thread on the 58 fenderless euro, your car is rust-free compared to it..............

Did you get the doors off?

Nice, Cumming is not far at all.
You know, I sent off an email to a restoration shop in Gainesville - allaroundrestos.com. Never got a reply. I wonder if they are friendly.

Anyway, no I didn't get the doors off. I'll try again on Saturday.

jmbeaver wrote:Nice, Cumming is not far at all.
You know, I sent off an email to a restoration shop in Gainesville - allaroundrestos.com. Never got a reply. I wonder if they are friendly.

They are a good shop also....Never dealt with them but I have seen their work

Billie at Stockornaut knows his welding thats for sure!

Oooh, yeah, that's pretty ugly. Can't wait to see how he fixes it. Probably from a donor or a metal piece that you can buy. Mine is not that far gone but I wonder how it will be done.

$60 fix
Gonna need one of these.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111809021BX


And one of these.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111805352E


And on of these.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111801171C

Cool thanks.

Side member plate? What's that?

$60 doesn't sound too bad but how much would a person charge to weld it? I guess I could try it myself but ... never welded before.

That's a great help you pointing this out to me - thanks again