Practically Classics Forum

Hi,
I have a 1968 beetle which I had the intention of doing it up for my daughter expecting little work....

You know what comes next...

Needless to say its worse than I had expected. The panels where the bumpers hang on are questionable (=knackered), and so should be replaced and there are various other (small) welding repairs needed here and there. However, what concerns me the most are the heater channels. The outer "sill" on one said is holed. The other side is holed inside near the A-post. The general condition is poor but they could be "patched". I have a couple of heater channels so I could weld them in. However, I am totally a novel welder and am concerned I would be biting more off than I could chew. The chassis has several decades of repairs on it; but I do have a fully repaired chassis that I picked up and so could swap all the mechanics over - but need to check all the measurements and datum points to ensure that its been repaired correctly.

I would appreciate advice please. Not so much about what I need to do; but whether I should even take this one on...
Cheers,

A

Go on, you know it makes sense!

Heater channels are quite a large job and usually involve replacing the lower 1/4 of the door post as well.
There are some really good videos on youtube and some excellent online how to's of the job, but if you're not a confident welder it may be best to buy the repair sections.
The other issue as usual is the terrible fit of pattern parts, you can still buy genuine German parts but they cost a fair bit more.
The other danger with heater channels and poor floor pan repair is that some fool may of welded the floor to the body in the past and that causes big headaches.
As far as cans of worms go the beetle is a big one and all too often leads directly to the scrap man.

I read somewhere that new / professionally reconditioned floor pans are available because cars like the GP beach buggy utilise the dub floor. Might be an expensive albeit easier option but then I suppose you are losing originality too

Deep breath and make a start, its only your time after all and will all be worth it when you have a lovely classic beetle to tootle round in.
I used to have a 1972 beetle which I loved and used it as my daily, the only reason It had to go was that my wife refused to drive it, she couldnt get on with the way the pedals worked!! women huh!

Kev

kevin wrote:she couldnt get on with the way the pedals worked!!

When you restored it did you put the peddles back in a different order?