Bug to Butterfly

[Skip]

Nicely done.

 

[I-R-POPS]

Looking great to me.
What's the plan for the rear of the body?

 

[sc5080]

Looking great to me.
What's the plan for the rear of the body?

Thanks Pops. I'm planning a short (~32") pickup box and some widened trailer fenders. The box will hold the gas tank, battery, spare tire and jack. Just trying to get clear in my head how I'm going to do it.

 

[sc5080]

Some more progress on the bug.

I got the frame for the box done and have decided to mount the front of it directly to the body and have a couple of mounts similar to the body mounts at the rear. This way I don't have to worry about trying to make an even gap between the body and the box as there will be none.

Widening the fenders turned out to be the exercise in patience that welding sheet metal can be. As usual, in the end bondo will be my friend.

I'm still deciding on what I want to do with the bead roller on all the box panels but thought I'd share a couple pictures of the progress and mock up as it now stands. I think my idea for the flare at the top of the box will look good - a little different from a length of tubing.

 

[Burgerman]

Fine work SC. Nice progress. [cl [P

 

[DozerII]

Great progress, I know how much of a challenge widening those fenders can be.

 

[BillM]

Nice job on the fender SC, and I like the flare at the top of the box side. It's a lot more "production" looking than a piece of tube! The whole car is coming together nicely.

 

[Torchie]

As others have said it look great.
I like the idea of the box being attached to the body.
Torchie

 

[sc5080]

The box is bolted in place and the rear mounts fabbed and welded in. The fenders are bolted to the frame. Next week will see all the panels bead rolled and welded onto the frame. I did a little mockup to see how everything will fit into the box when I do the inside of it. Box will easily hold the fuel tank, battery, spare tire, jack and tools.

 

[DozerII]

Cool [P[P[P

 

[Torchie]

[P [P [P [P [P [P
Torchie

 

[I-R-POPS]

SWEET! I like the top rail. I may have to steal that idea.

 

[sc5080]

I got the outer panels cut out for the box and ran them through the bead roller. Got them tacked into place but then I ran out of gas for the welder so the box will have to wait a few more days before it gets finished. Anyway, here are a few pics to show what I'm trying to do.

 

[DozerII]

That's looking excellent, I like it a lot.

 

[MercuryMac]

You've set the standard for a volksrod, SC.
Keep up the good work. I like your sense of proportion.

 

[Torchie]

[cl
[P [P [P
Torchie

 

[kenny c]

Wow! Nice work. You're building a heck of a rod.

 

[bob w]

I thought you were a drag racer. What's with all this outstanding fabrication?[cl

 

[sc5080]

I thought you were a drag racer. What's with all this outstanding fabrication?[cl

Just trying to follow your example Bob. Just wish I could get things done as quickly as you do.

 

[BillM]

I like the way you followed the fender shape with the bead on the side panel, that looks "factory"!