Project Myrtle: Jim’s Baja Bug Build

Discussion in 'Restorations' started by JamesLey, Sep 8, 2019.

  1. i prefer the stripes to the geometric pattern.

    stripes make things go faster remember.. just saying ;)
     
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  2. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    I'm still undecided tbh. Flitting between the two.
     
    rob.e likes this.
  3. It was about 90% solid but he couldn't sell it up here in Cumbria so chopped it up. Mine was maybe 20% solid but i was already a few years into the bodyshell welding or i'd have just used his complete shell.
    I got the rear ends of the gutter off it too as they were 100% solid.
     
    JamesLey likes this.
  4. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Baja bug O/S A pillar in need of some attention! Looking very crusty once I peeled the surrounding metalwork away.

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    Bottom 10cm chopped out and a quality autocraft repair panel tacked into place for now.

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    Door fitment and gaps checked to make sure A pillar repair is in the right place. Looking good.

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  5. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    The O/S A pillar bottom wasn’t in a good state either so needed chopping out.
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    And another autocraft A pillar repair tacked into place for now.
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  6. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Barnaby the spanner dog stripping a bug door in the garden for me while we're in lockdown. 2 more to go.

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    F_Pantos likes this.
  7. Ahh the ole rare as hens teeth 3 door beetle:D
    From the look on Barnaby's face he thinks you're doing something wrong.
     
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  8. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Project came with more doors than I need, and I then bought another off Davidoft!
    Genuine NOS door for the passenger side and then the nice driver's door from Davidoft will be going on the bug. The rest are toast really. I now have 4 knackered doors sitting in the garage.

    The dog looks forever annoyed with me.
     
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  9. I think he's sucking air in through his teeth and thinking "I wouldn't do it like that mate.......squirrel"
     
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  10. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    The fabrics for Myrtle arrived this week! Excited to get the upholstery started while I’m still confined to the house.
    It’ll be a fair while until the baja is ready to fit these but it’ll be another item checked off the list.

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Back on the bug!

    I decided to separate the closing panels from the heater channels to get some paint in there. It’s a bit more work but worth doing I think. The joins already had some rust starting to creep in:
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    Bare metalled and epoxied the lot:
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    And the front bulkhead while I had the paint gear out:
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    And all welded back up:
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  12. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Both heater channels cut out, these were completely rotten through:
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    Heater channels, front bulkhead and rear cross members all bolted to the chassis ready for me to lower the shell back down and align it all before welding it in:
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  13. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    One for @F_Pantos (or anyone else with thoughts on interiors). Undecided as to whether I leave the fabric plain or if I go for a "fat biscuit style" diagonal top stitch over the pattern?
    Think I'm going towards leaving it plain.
     
  14. That material is pretty rad! Personally, I would use it with fat biscuits as either the center section, or two wide mid strips separated by a cream or your solid colour on the seat sides and center. Or, the the same coloured sides, no biscuit over stitching. Here's a cool red themed interior for inspiration; a picture paints a thousand words.

     
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  15. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    Yeah for the front seats it’ll be all vinyl apart from the centre in fabric. And for the rear all vinyl with two mid fabric sections separated by vinyl. Door cards will be fabric centre and vinyl top and bottom.

    Think the print doesn’t need a top stitch as it’s quite a big print so may look odd.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  16. I think you're right, over stitches would be too much with such a bold print.
     
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  17. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    I watched a jay leno the other day with a really early ‘50s survivor bug. A really nice car


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
  18. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    A little preview of the door cards for the baja. Absolutely love how this looks! Went for a bold white top stitch to compliment the colours of the fabric.
    [​IMG]
     
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  19. Lazy Andy

    Lazy Andy Supporter

    Looks great!
     
    JamesLey likes this.
  20. Skyelectrix

    Skyelectrix Supporter

    Great work James, first time I’ve looked at your build and I’m very impressed! It’s amazing how much work is needed once you start picking them apart.
     
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