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Das Auto Gasser build . Slant Six VW bug
Dolmetsch:
The more I work with 1/4 elips the more I like them. Today I installed the shocks. The shackle nut us machined to just fit inside the bottom shock ring. A longer nut from the spring industry is machined to fit inside from the outer end. As long as the thread protrude at least the distance as the diameter of the bolt (5/8 here) then the butted nut section will have no trouble. Especially since it is a shock and used only for dampening, not load carrying. Top end takes a 1/2 inch bolt which will travel through the shock , through the chassis tubing (supported by a steel sleeve, through the not yet there 1/2 inch heim joint and secured by a nut and safety washer. I also bought the other fender today and we found one a bit better then we had so got it as well. I will understand if someone thinks these fenders are real tuff. they are but as Mom said a bird in the hand beat two in the bush everytime. I will fix them if I have to but if better shows up that is a plus. I also bought a hood from a flat winshield bug but it doesnt fit right so I am still looking there although if I never found one this one can be made to work but I hope it doesnt come to that.
Don
Dolmetsch:
I finished up the shock mounts today and started on the rear fenders. This one was a crumpled mess. Flattened0n the whole front side and ripped and folded over at the rear. Looked like the car had been sidewiped. I wasnt going to show this but mrs D said I should after she saw the first one all back together and fixed. . Whenever I am working on something real bad I fix the MOST OBJECTIONAL part first. Then any reason not to fix it becomes non existant. So I unfolded the crumple at the biggest part. Tapped the pieces a bit with a hammer to get them so they would mate up and then clamped and tacked the big rip together. I then pounded the flattened side back out being careful not to stretch the metal. If this looks bad to you now you should have seen it two hours ago. (When my wife first suggested I should picture it first. ) Anyway I find this fun. It is also interesting. Yes I can buy new at $196 each. Aint gonna happen. I have the other one done as far a straighten and weld repair. It turned out pretty good. I show another pic when it is completley back together and straight. Then it is sand blast install loosely on the car and finish tapping here and there. After that give it the big slurp and carve it out.
Don
Dolmetsch:
What a difference a day makes.
Don
ricardo1967:
Really impressive Don!
Dolmetsch:
Thanks. It was an interesting challenge but I really enjoyed it. I dont think I have more then 3 1/2 hours in it so far. Big thing right now is to find a proper 73 to 79 Super Beetle hood in any usuable condition. Got to be a Beetle club around here somewhere. They must have some throw-aways in search of their concours restorations. Anyways while the fender is not yet perfect I am sure it is straighter then it was before its last repair. It had a lot of fill in it. I took out all the dents i could without causing undue stress in the metal.
Yesterday afternoon and old racing pal now residing in Australia showed up in my driveway. Back in the 70s we called him Hurricane David and he had that on the side of is Camaro race car as well. He has since become "Respsectable" but gave the car a good inspection and suggested it would be a fun race car. Twas a long tme ago but we spent the next few hours reminising on the good ol days. He had driven my Dart a bit for me as well but we went racing together(two trucks two trailers) many many times and now realize what a blast that was looking back. Lots of laughs anyway. Twas the best of times. Here he is expressing his idea it would be a fun car to drve. Way back behind that glint in his eye I see an "I wonder if I should build another car?"
Don
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