Ricks Beetle

As purchased, the bug had all the usual problems such as dodgy wiring, ropey interior, and some small rust blisters coming!

By september 2003 the bodywork was getting rough, and the drivers door was popping open everytime the car was jacked up! This was when i decided to restore the bodywork.

After stripping the car down much more work was found, and in the end the framehead, bulkhead, both heater channels, both door posts, all four lower quarter panels, both rear bumper hangers and the back valance were replaced. The previously smoothed out dash was returned to standard, and the holes re-drilled for the side trims. The car was then converted to have a 1967 only engine lid, removable rear valance and earlier rear lights. All of the bolt on panels such as the doors and wings were reused. After all this the body and chassis was seamwelded seperately before being reunited.

The prep work could then begin on the body shell. As the car had previously been bare metal stripped and well painted, i decided it would be pointless to strip it all again. The car was flatted to sound primer and the long process of prep undertaken. This stage took nearly 3 months of spare time. The roof alone more than 2 weeks.

The bare metal received 2 litres of etch primer, followed by 7 litres of black primer. The car was then flatted back and the internals of the boot, engine bay and car sprayed finally.