SOLD

Sorry to say but this project is now no longer..... :(
Due to the other Tbucket project and everything else going on this project was never going to be completed. So it was sold to a VW family who was going to put all the parts to good use. a sad day indeed.

The domain name VWRatrod.com is now up for sale, go to www.sedo.com if you are interested and do a search on vwratrod.com

But the other project is making progress please feel free to visit its build blog.

http://www.possum.geek.nz

Project on Hold, I have a new one !!!

Ok this project has now officially been placed on hold. Why ? Well its nearly been a year since I have made any updates, There is still a heap to do, I don't have a garage to do it in or the time. Oh and I now have a new project, a T-bucket. So until I get some more time, larger garage I will be working on the T-Bucket project. So head over to http://www.possum.geek.nz to follow this project.

Moving House

I am currently moving the VW Rat build from a server stored in my wardrobe to the blogger. Its going to a while before I get all the posts across as the software i use there is no way to export/import into Blogger so its a copy and paste job so it will take a while.

Hopefully after xmas there will be some updates.

Stencil logo for project

UPDATE : Full logo now in Blog header




Well after many hour of deep thought I have decided on the paint job for the VWrat (its current name) project. I currently like the idea of stencil graffiti. I like the look and I think it will suit the look and overall effect I would like to aim for. I mean this car is not going to be a show car, its going to be a daily driver and I want to get it on the road as fast as I can. So with the urban / industrial theme I think stencil graffiti would fit in well.

My old VW (Monty) which will be used for the VWrat will need quite a lot of body work, so Im thinking of using pot-rivets and plates, or welding plates to patch the body work up. The rust will be removed and a plate pot-riveted behind the hole. With even pot-rivet spacing to give it the industrial look. This will be done on cosmetic body areas. All rust that is removed in structural areas will be properly plated and welded. What do you guys think ?? comments please...

As for the colour Im thinging of a flat light grey, which will give a good base for the stencil art work / logos and such that I would like to cover the car in.

Showday Weekend - bracing and start of the roof chop

Well it’s been a couple of busy days in the garage. Firstly Christchurch had Friday off, Showday. So I got a couple of hours in the garage. I focused on sorting the rear cross member that I was putting in, firstly for strength and also a frame to hang the rear tray from.

So started that Thursday night, Got it all cut out. Saturday afternoon I had a chance to do a bit more and started fitting the brace and tack welding it in place. Once tacked I did some full welds. I was pretty happy with the results, considering that this is my first attempt and anything like this. It ended up all square and even. Lots of measuring. and more measuring was required, but finally got there.

The first beam / brace getting fitted to the bottom floor pan











Sunday a got another couple of hours in the garage. So decided to just jump in and start cutting the back section off, Since I had the bracing cross member in I figured it would be strong enough to not miss the rear end, So out with the saw-all, and the purchase of the much-needed cutting blades away I went. It was more tricky than expected, but I did finally manage to cut it free. After the cuts were done it was a simple matter of lifting the rear end off. I had to cut the wire loom again, I just know it going to be a bugger re-wiring this beast but I had to do it.

Left hand side A pillar repairs

Well I got another 3 hours in the garage today so started on the left-hand side A pillar. It turned out to be worse than the right hand side. So I cut out the offending rust and started patching.

Started the right hand-sideA pillar repair.

Well, I finally started work on repairing the A-pillars. After the sale of the 65, I could afford to get the CO2 gas and other bits and pieces to start welding with gas.

Welder all hooked up ready to go

The 65 finds a new home

Well I have sold the 65, yes its off to a new home. But to a good home, Tony the new owner has good plans for it. So with the money from the sale I can now get the front beam with adjusters. Then I can set the front ride height, and work out where to chop the front. It also means that I can now go get a bottle of CO2 and mig wire, so I can do some welding practice, then get stuck into the A-frame repairs.

No more rear fenders

Well, I got some time in the garage today, only a couple of hours, but still better than none. The first task was to remove the rear fenders. Both of which had panel damage. So I decided instead of mucking about trying to get in under the guards to remove the bolts. I used the cutting blade in the grinder and cut the damaged fenders off. then it was and easy tasks to clean up the bolts and remove the remainder of the fender. I will keep the fenders so I can use them as a sheet metal source.

So once I had some fun doing that it was on to some more serious stuff.
Trying to figure out how to repair the big hole I cut out of the right hand side A pillar.

As there is a number of things that occur in that area. So I sat down and started to make up some cardboard templates of what I will be needing to cut from sheet metal.

Once again I under estimated what is involved and the time its going to take me to fix it. And since I have only a rough idea of what I’m doing… everything takes twice as long.

So I have also decided to add an hours clock to the site where I will track the total time I have spent on the project. I’m sure it will be come a very scary number.


The following shots show the final result of me cutting out the rust and previous repairs to the A pillers.

New metal bandsaw

Ok. No actual progress on the car itself, but I have managed to purchase of Trademe a second hand metal bandsaw. This was thanks to my mum who gave me some money for my workshop when she was down to visit the new arrival Molly. We are slowly adjusting to having a little person to look after and very little time to do much else at the moment. But always thinking about the project and the next steps.

Which are to get the welding sorted and do a heap of practice, Then start the rust repairs. This weeked will be bit of a write off as I have to pick up the bandsaw and then on Sunday theres New Zealand Drag racing on. So if I can get out to that I will.