So I've been off work since early March because of Corona Madness... I'm okay with this as I'm 1000% burnt out. It's kinda fun doing the full time dad thing (when my kid listens!), and I'm getting some stuff done on the house and in the garage during nap time and after bed.
So out of every possible car in the world, my very, very favorite is the '58-'64 Beetle (larger back window, still with the smaller side windows) and it's funny, I've even had a split window Bug, but not one of these. Anyway, I've been collecting some shit over the past 20 years or so, and finally had enough to build a car. Is it a particular year? Not really. The chassis is a '63 with an adjustable front beam and the trailing arms dropped one spline, the body is a '64, and it's going to look like a '60 when I'm done (earlier style taillights, earlier decklid, etc)
Engine is from a Formula 1200 car (Basically a tweaked formula vee), modified 1600 case with full flow oil system (external cooler and filter), case has been machined to fit Porsche 356 crank, but is still running 1200 cc cylinders. I'll see how this works, and I'll probably use this car for the shakedown of my race car engine, too.
Exterior is going to be stock-ish with the exception of slightly lower ride height, Porsche 356 steelies, and turn signals relocated from the top of the fenders into the headlight housing (there's a parking light bulb in there already, just going to repurpose it/install a relay to cancel the headlight on that side when the turn signal is on)
Unfortunately the previous owner had never worked on a car before, and just read a book about restoring one and cut out all of the rust, including the windshield frame. So far I've replaced that, the heater channels, floors, quarters, made a quick release rear valence (out of a stock one- it still looks original). For someone who's completely sick of working on cars, I'm really enjoying this.
Oh yeah, and it has a rollbar.
Anyway, here's Frank so far. Named this for two reasons, it's going to be a bit of a Frankenbug when it's done, and there's a local guy named Frank in the VW scene who's basically just spare parts. Total cost at this point is under $500, which is fun.
And I can't find a left front fender anywhere. This one has structural paint and tends to fold over on itself when not bolted to a car.