|
|
Post by packrat on Dec 21, 2009 18:04:20 GMT -5
Okay, This project has been hanging around for a while (like years) So far there is only 3 hours invested in it. The body is unbolted fron the pan andd sitting on top of a shortened mid 80's malibu chassis, cut out everywhere needed to get it to set low. Bad choice of chassis, maybe but it was free. So, its time to start over. I am thinking of cutting the roof off, keeping the windshield section,vertically cutting it behind the doors, and adding a curved piece around the back, (to look like a T-Bucket), extend the cowl about 12" for legroom, add a firewall, a BBC,on 2X3 frame chassis, Mustang front suspension, 9"Ford rear.
Input anyone????????
|
|
|
|
Post by packrat on Dec 21, 2009 18:56:46 GMT -5
As soon as I found this forum, I joined up. It only been about an hour or so and 3 folks have already read my post! I am impressed with the quality of the craftsmanship displayed in these cars. I am a dragracer, not a chassis builder, but I am surely getting inspired checking out these rides! My dragster may well be faster, but it can't be street driven!! Check it out at Southern Slingshots.com (look for Pack Rat)
|
|
|
|
Post by V8 Super Beetle on Dec 22, 2009 10:06:19 GMT -5
|
|
paulj
Full Member
Posts: 143
|
Post by paulj on Dec 22, 2009 11:14:12 GMT -5
Sounds like you have a clean sheet of paper! I like the T bucket style idea. There are several roadster pickups that have been built from bugs that sound like your idea but with a pickup bed. I think it would look wild with the body moved back and the front axle hung way out front. Nice Digger! 74.52.154.242/~etracing/ssgteams8.htmlI did some digging around and found a picture for Roadster Cliff's project. It might be some inspiration. Just move the drive train up front.  |
|
|
|
Post by 454bug on Dec 22, 2009 13:29:30 GMT -5
Sounds like you have a clean sheet of paper! I like the T bucket style idea. There are several roadster pickups that have been built from bugs that sound like your idea but with a pickup bed. I think it would look wild with the body moved back and the front axle hung way out front. Nice Digger! 74.52.154.242/~etracing/ssgteams8.htmlI did some digging around and found a picture for Roadster Cliff's project. It might be some inspiration. Just move the drive train up front. Now THAT would be a COOL ride! Welcome aboard and hopefully you can get some inspiration from some of the projects here!! Good LUCK!!! |
|
|
|
Post by 70fastback on Dec 22, 2009 15:12:11 GMT -5
Welcome to the site!
|
|
|
|
Post by packrat on Dec 22, 2009 18:22:29 GMT -5
Love it!! You guys are great!! Roadster Cliff's car gives me an idea. Anyone know exactly what he used across the back of the body (cab)?? Its hard to tell from these views, but it appears to fit real well! Are any other views of this car available?? My engine choice is subject to chenge, as I have collected a bunch of different choices, Being real, real, streetable is more important to me than the visual impact of a blower. After Christmas the sawzall gets plugged in and the torches get fired up! Sorry, but I have no reverence for preserving anything that makes it look too much like a VW!! ( Maybe a Fiat Toppolino altered clone??)
Please keep throwing some ideas at me!!
|
|
|
|
Post by murphytj on Dec 22, 2009 18:28:25 GMT -5
Okay, This project has been hanging around for a while (like years) So far there is only 3 hours invested in it. The body is unbolted fron the pan andd sitting on top of a shortened mid 80's malibu chassis, cut out everywhere needed to get it to set low. Bad choice of chassis, maybe but it was free. So, its time to start over. I am thinking of cutting the roof off, keeping the windshield section,vertically cutting it behind the doors, and adding a curved piece around the back, (to look like a T-Bucket), extend the cowl about 12" for legroom, add a firewall, a BBC,on 2X3 frame chassis, Mustang front suspension, 9"Ford rear.I AM DOING A '69 SQUAREBACK WITH A 2" X 3" TUBE CHASSIS,MUSTANG II FRONT SUSPENSION,9" FORD REAR Input anyone???????? |
|
paulj
Full Member
Posts: 143
|
Post by paulj on Dec 23, 2009 9:00:05 GMT -5
Cliff hand formed the sheet metal that wraps the back of the cab. Some people use two door skins and then form corners to make the back part. I searched www.volksrods.com for Cliff's build thread but could not find it. I did find one more picture of it that shows the rear.  |
|
|
|
Post by V8 Super Beetle on Dec 23, 2009 14:07:35 GMT -5
You could possibly use the rear sheet from a vw bus? Here's how this guy did his, although it's not a roadster.   |
|
|
|
Post by packrat on Dec 23, 2009 14:46:48 GMT -5
Holy cow!!! Thats a lot of work.... but it sure looks good!!! Neary factory made !!! Awesome!! MurphyTJ : what engine goes in the 69 Squareback??? Up front, right??
|
|
|
|
Post by murphytj on Dec 23, 2009 18:30:44 GMT -5
Holy cow!!! Thats a lot of work.... but it sure looks good!!! Neary factory made !!! Awesome!! MurphyTJ : what engine goes in the 69 Squareback??? Up front, right?? I am running a new 350/330hp crate motor with a 700R4 transmission and narrowed 9"Ford, triangulated 4-bar with 4:11 gears.Yes, engine is in front. |
|
|
|
Post by murphytj on Dec 26, 2009 12:10:39 GMT -5
Okay, This project has been hanging around for a while (like years) So far there is only 3 hours invested in it. The body is unbolted fron the pan andd sitting on top of a shortened mid 80's malibu chassis, cut out everywhere needed to get it to set low. Bad choice of chassis, maybe but it was free. So, its time to start over. I am thinking of cutting the roof off, keeping the windshield section,vertically cutting it behind the doors, and adding a curved piece around the back, (to look like a T-Bucket), extend the cowl about 12" for legroom, add a firewall, a BBC,on 2X3 frame chassis, Mustang front suspension, 9"Ford rear. Input anyone???????? Here is my 2"x3" tube chassis with Mustang II front suspension and 9"Ford triangulated 4-bar rear end.  |
|
|
|
Post by packrat on Dec 28, 2009 19:12:33 GMT -5
TJ, Your chassis looks great from that photo! I wonder if the bug chassis would be the same as the Squareback you're building?? I kinda doubt it, but if they were, maybe you could share some dimensions, plans, etc. I have a Mustang II set up and a 9" rear as well to use.
But........
Saturday I set up my Beetle body(with no floor pan) on some level I-beams in the basement and proceeded to cut it apart. I cut the back off, then sawed off the rain gutters, then across the front 3 inches behind the windshield and then stood back to have a look. Hmmmm.......
It seems that the door posts (front, hinge side) are about rusted away from the floor.d**n!
What now?? The windshield/cowl section needs some serious bracing. I am thinking about just using the outer skin of the body and forget about saving the floor sections on each side that the floorpan would bolt to. I hope that makes sense. Or, the smart thing might be to dump the whole project and dig up a different winter project. Hmmm...
|
|
|
|
Post by murphytj on Dec 28, 2009 22:45:21 GMT -5
packrat: Why don't you send me a personal email at murphy_tom@sbcglobal.net and I can go over all kinds of things with you on the chassis. I don't want to bore a lot of folks on this site that have already seen a lot of my progress. -- Tom  |
|
