VW Convertible WIP

Finally lil adjustment levers were made from brass wire and drilled out styrene tube.

Making a place on the floor pan meant plugging the kit seat locators. I went with tube and rod to mimic the rubber caps that cover the seat bolt acess holes.

A quick mock up shows the mods are visble in place.

Going back to the rear,  the bumper was done the same as the front.

Now if you care to comment- there's fresh baked cookies on the table. But only if you care to comment.

Mummmm Goob , chomp chomp,..

...  AHHH  thanks; that hit the spot.

OH and the Seat work, is genius, adjustment levers!!!  as well as all the work is very cool

AND...

Thanks Duster- Glad you enjoyed the cookies, thanks for the kind words, and Happy 2013 too!

So guess what I've been up to?

It's just a start since the door jambs will be involved. I have started by making some door sill plates though. Again, please excuse the camera.

While adding hinges can be simple, that isn't the case when you have a bug hood. Due to the space and angles/curves it gets "fun" quickly.

But, while not a thing of beauty these do at least work.

Let 's see who's paying attention. Guess what this is/will be:

Excellent fabrication work!

Seat cushion springs?

 the hinges for the motor cover?

[ I hate pop quizs ]

Okay gents. Nice tries but no correct answer yet. "That" is this-

It mimics the car in that once up and resting you simply push against the center pivot and it will collapse and allow the hood to close but while extended it keeps it propped open.

Outstanding build so far

MrSquid2U

Okay gents. Nice tries but no correct answer yet. "That" is this-

It mimics the car in that once up and resting you simply push against the center pivot and it will collapse and allow the hood to close but while extended it keeps it propped open.

I knew that!   ....

...but --ah-ah- just didn't want to  appear too smart; or you'd all hate me

...........Ya thats it

Uh, yeah Duster- We knew that!

Now onto the next round of ,"Wutizzit?"

HINT: Contestants- what is remaining that needs hinges?

Answer:

The engine cover hinge mechanism! Built to mimic the car-

And with that we can close down the hinge factory for now!

Wow, Squid.  Your stuff always amazes me.

                          &

MrSquid2U

Squid, could you describe how you made these?

You're doing a fantastic job on the Bug!

Watchman,

Let's see if this explains it?

I start by soldering brass tube to brass strip. Usually after trimming to size/length, that's about it. On the engine cover hinges I still soldered brass tube atop longer strips. I then shaped some square brass stock for the basic 'form'. With enough contact surface for strentgh I did not solder the strap/tube combo to the square stock. I merely shaped it and affixed with CA. Look closely and it might be apparent.

Watchman, et al (how often do you get to say that!),

Thanks for following, questions, and kind words- I appreciate em!

It long bothered me that on a real Beetle there is a pinchrail that travels on the front quarter up along the door line line, inset slightly, and then becomes the front portion of the drip rail on the windshield post. It was missing from the model and try as I might I couldn't simply ignore that?

So, I added one. Simple plan that becomes a bit tedious to do.

The kit includes a hood handle, chromed. Unfortunately what would look like a real handle is hidden inside a squared off blob of plastic? Some careful whittling shaped that up and a hood release button was added.

The molded on hood chrome trim was removed and replaced as well.

While I first thought the kit's VW emblem was good I realized it was so shallow it would be very hard to trim in foil. So while the camera couldn't really capture my mediocre attempt at scratching an emblem- here it is.

Just stunning and I will use some of your tricks to rebuild my old revell/Mongram bug, thanks for posting your work.

MrSquid2U

 While I first thought the kit's VW emblem was good I realized it was so shallow it would be very hard to trim in foil. So while the camera couldn't really capture my mediocre attempt at scratching an emblem- here it is.

 

So why didn't' you just go down to your VW dealer and get a new one?.........OH,Wait!  You mean thats a real penny!??  Then never mind ....Just your usual skillful work in evidence

Duster,

Well I did just waddle myself down to the dealer and get another one!

R34,

Over the years I guess most  everything I learned came from others through magazines (FSM for sure) and then later forums too. It's all part of the sharing we all enjoy, so I'd be happy  if anything I've posted can be applied to your project next!

Thanks gents for the kind words.

 Fleshing out, building up the interior panels starts-

A door 'shell' was fashioned and then the kit interior door panel sized to fit.

You can all ways tell when genius is at work by the messy work space.

MrSquid2U

Let's see if this explains it?

I start by soldering brass tube to brass strip. Usually after trimming to size/length, that's about it. On the engine cover hinges I still soldered brass tube atop longer strips. I then shaped some square brass stock for the basic 'form'. With enough contact surface for strentgh I did not solder the strap/tube combo to the square stock. I merely shaped it and affixed with CA. Look closely and it might be apparent.

I think I got it, thanks Squid!

That VW embleum is just to much, I want one!!!

Thanks R34!

The More I stared at the molded door panel from the kit which I used as an insert, the more I thought something was missing?

DOH! A  DOOR HANDLE!

Okay- so I carved one up from brass squarestock.

And the neat thing about having already made door shells is you have room inside now for mechanisms- like a working latch. Move the door handle and latch the door locked now.

MrSquid2U

And the neat thing about having already made door shells is you have room inside now for mechanisms- like a working latch. Move the door handle and latch the door locked now.

Die, Squid, DIE!

^Thanks

New rear interior work.

beaut work on this bug. i've loved watching. I really must get one of those giant one cent pieces.

White_R34

You can all ways tell when genius is at work by the messy work space.

If that were true, i'd be a modelling GOD!

LOL @ Octane you may be and you just don't know it. An I love the doorhandels as well as your full interior work!

Thanks gents!

Been offline awhile but did a few lil things-

Showing the dashboard molded into the cowl along with the new front doorjambs.

Made a new column/mount along with modifying a donor tach with new bezel and such. Oh, and the turn signal-lever from whittled square stock. There's a whittled new shifter in there too.

I should have taken a picture of the kit steering wheel before I cleaned it up and made a new center cap. It was a mess!

Made an old style gas tank with integral filler atop which perches the original kit VW emblem. To emulate a stamped gas cap.

Then went back to the engine and rethought the kit pulleys which I'd already modifed. But, decided to totally replace them. Each pulley is aluminum and plastic. six or seven pieces each.

Hope you've all been well and making more progress than me!