VanDub

[Mark1]

Hi all, i have recently acquired a couple of vw kits for a build idea ive had for a while and that is to make something like this.first thing i had to do is cut the beetle in half as the back wont be needed. Then starting with one side of the van panel i have first cut to the required length then the next issuse is the raised swage line along the middle had to be done away with and made to look more like the beetle swage line so i cut along the bottom of the line and done a fair bit of sanding and glued the panels back together leaving something morelike i was after i have cut some evergreen sheet and shaped it to create the door shut/b post. Ive removed the louvers from the lower part of the panel ,sanded the join and then applied some filler which has been sanded still needs some more work but have given it a coat of primer just to see how its looking so far the other side will require a bit more work as the panel section is shorter and i have had to cut and glue the side loading door in to make the extra length this will then be trimmed down to size, louvres and petrol flap will be removed ,the beetle has the petrol flap just above the front wing.

 

[Code no 10]

Very nice "Pimp my VW", Mark.

 

[Mini Me]

Outstanding bit of "Bashery" there Mark. It is helpful that you have a pic. to work from for the basic concept, the rest is pure creative Genius!

 

[adt70hk]

Now that's different!!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Nice job. Primer is showing the cut and shut going well.

 

[Jim R]

Something different. Looks as if you're well on the way. Neat looking cut and shut work.

 

[PaulTRose]

im liking where this is going

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Yep,
Very interesting, and "different"
Coming along great too Mark, excellent stuff!
Andy

 

[PaulinKendal]

This is great, Mark - I love this sort of thing: takes some nerve to be so bold! Great job so far!

 

[Ian M]

Nice bit of chop and section work that.
How is the roof line up?

 

[tigersteve]

Nice work so far - as the 'Beetle' was my first car (many decades ago) I shall be watching with interest ! Have fun !!

 

[Mark1]

Cheers guys thanks for looking in.

Nice bit of chop and section work that.
How is the roof line up?

At the moment its like a size six foot in size twelve boot lol, i think thats gonna be the trickiest part,lots of chopping about will be needed.

 

[Mark1]

So ive made a bit more progress today,the other side panel will need a bit more filler but is coming along ok.as im using a fair bit of filler im using this stuff.until i have the body joined up with the front half via the sill panels and roof ive add some braces inside so i can handle it as one section,this will make things easier as far as making a roof which is gonna take some doing and also i have to rework the tailgate swage so same as the sides and then rework the whole back end so i can get a tailgate fitted,the braces will then be removed from inside,l will be chopping a lump off the lower rear corners as they are far to low, the rear wings have been removed from the beetle and i have made start on reshaping them to fit

 

[Mark1]

Have made a start on the roof,plenty of cutting,i will be using two sections of the van roof,cut to length and narrowed considerably the curvature is a very good match for the beetle roof and the gutterline is virtually spot on although it will need sanding back as its well oversize,this is all just a rough dry fit at the moment.

 

[Mini Me]

That is some marvelous "Plastic" Surgery you are doing Mark. I'd say the patients chances of pulling through are better than excellent!!

 

[Mark1]

That is some marvelous "Plastic" Surgery you are doing Mark. I'd say the patients chances of pulling through are better than excellent!!

Thanks Rick its getting there.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Mark
Much chopping and fitting going on. It certainly looks as if you're getting there.

 

[Ian M]

This it some nice customisation this.
Have you considered dropping the roof while you're at it..? Lol.

I have had a long time urge to drop a samba bus onto a landy chassis

 

[Mark1]

This it some nice customisation this.
Have you considered dropping the roof while you're at it..? Lol.

I have had a long time urge to drop a samba bus onto a landy chassis

I hadnt actually thought of that but i think im going for the 'it could have come from the factory look'maybe ill drop the suspension a bit.
I have a hilift toyota hilux in the stash and the remains of the bus! you may have given me an idea lol.

 

[Mark1]

Ok so the bit i was most not looking forward to is done ,ive now got a complete roof. The lump of plastic in the back is just to keep the back edge straight until the glues dry,next up is to join the body via the sills to make it more rigid as nothing can be stuck to the floorpan yet as theres gonna be a whole heap of interior to sort out and im still debating if i can makes some suitable hinges so ive got opening front doors,plus all the extra interior work this will create.and also ive made a start with the engine,