The Restoration Progress Week 11, 12 and 13

10/11/97 Saturday

Stopped by the Paint and Body Shop today to check on their progress. Al (The paint guy) was cleaning my wheels to get them ready for painting. He is going to paint them glossy black on the hubs and pearl white on the rims.  Also I purchased a new antennae, windshield wiper arms and blades, drivers side mirror (round) and VW Hood Emblem. The aforementioned parts were not in perfect shape but not bad shape so I decided to replace them with new parts. It is a shame, because most of the parts I am replacing are in almost new shape but not quiet good enough for me to put back on my beetle after doing a complete paint and body make over. I'm sure the parts I replace will sell well when I go to a Air-cooled swap meet.

The Gas Tank has been repainted and the floor pans are going to be repaired and marine (fiber glass) coated next week.

10/18/97 Saturday

The floor pans have not been coated yet. Looks like it is going to happen this week. Also, I am going to have the body shop check out the suspension, the front end looks a little out of alignment and I think the rear torsion is set to tight making the beetle sit real high and the tires to be bowed in to much. If they quote me a decent price I may have them go ahead and fix this. Also the ordered carpet for the interior and trunk came in along with the seat upholstery.  The Paint and Body Shop thinks they can get me the Beetle back by Friday. I will start on the interior then.

Another Great pic of the Beetle as of week 12. Wow!, A Beetle with a flawless Body, New Paint and Rubber is a Beautiful Site!

10/20/97 Monday

I reupholstered the rear bench seat back today. Actually, it was not that difficult! Just a little patience and it came out looking like a professional job. I used a small common screw driver, needle nose pliers and hammer to do this.

10/23/97 Thursday

I purchased new tires this past Tuesday.  I decided to go with 165 X R15 US Royal Radial Tires. Original 1966 Beetles came with 5.60 X 15 tires usually 4 ply poly tubeless. They are thinner and do not handle as well as the newer 165 X 15 radials.  I found it really hard to tell the difference between the two types.  My decision to go with the latter was based on reliability, safety and performance.

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