ideas for a '61 beetle

Howdy,

I've been a member on here for a year or 2, but have been a tad shy regarding posting.

Here's the deal. I have a 1961 vw beetle. I bought it from the original owner in 1989. In between now & then; it has been a daily, stored in San Diego, back to being a daily while I was at TAMU. On

12/31/07 the motor blew. I knew it was coming. The car was originally red, is still red in the interior, but is wearing a battered white paint.

I am looking for ideas regarding what/how to restore/redo her! Can anyone recommend a program where I can design the car add paint, components and get a 3D image to review? Or some good books to flip thru , or has a large collection of old hot vws/vw trends they'd not mind loaning out to a girl? I am competent in GIS so can possibly figure out some type of CAD but don't know if there is something specific that has pre-builts for autos... Part of me wants to put the car back to original (but enjoying the car as a daily driver is more important then having every bolt under the car colour matched). The other part of me really likes the Cal-look, with a tad of 60's muscle car pro-street thrown in... Unless some one tips off Chip Fooses Overhaulin team.... I need to formulate my ideas before starting cost estimates.

Thanks in advance for all the help! Dawn

Reply to
envirogisgirl
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There are any number of slick full color books showing vintage beetles. Local bookstore, library, Amazon, VW swap meets.

Speedy Jim

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Reply to
Speedy Jim

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Its not 3D but it will give you ideas

Mario Vintage Werks resto

Reply to
Kafertoys

That's the one I was looking for.

Reply to
Speedy Jim

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for ghia's
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forbuses

Mario Vintage Werks

Reply to
Kafertoys

Too good...

Reply to
Speedy Jim

You being in Southern California you have access to probably some of the best VW restoration experts there are. The guy who runs this website

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is a reputable VW restoration guy (not much of a web designer though). I have not had restoration work done by him, but I did buy a car brokered and appraised by him and I got exactly what he said I was getting. Look at the cars for sale on his website. You didn't say how much you were willing to spend, I imagine he doesn't come cheap, but I think you can be sure he isn't a hack. I bet he could make your '61 look like new.

Reply to
Rev Turd Fredericks

Reply to
John

I am actually located in College Station, Texas now. The CA & I are originally from SoCal. So access to shows, shops & afficinados is slim over here!

Reply to
envirogisgirl

Mmm, I gave away several kg's of Vw magasines just some months ago. Going back all the way to 1981.. Probably would have been cost prohibitive to ship though..

Books are not hard to find, E-bay, Amazon, you get the idea.. Play.com might not have V.w. books, but anything else at very reasonable prices, world wide "free" shipping to. Dead reliable also.

J.

Reply to
P.J.Berg

website

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a reputable VW restoration guy (not>> much of a web designer though). I have not had restoration work done by>> him, but I did buy a car brokered and appraised by him and I got exactly>> what he said I was getting. Look at the cars for sale on his website.>>

Oh, I thought you said it was in San Diego.

Reply to
Rev Turd Fredericks

I thought there was some fairly famous VW restoration dude in west, central TX years ago. He had been featured on "4 Country Reporter" on DFW's channel

4 (OK, this was probably early '1990s).... and that guy in southern OK who used to do lots of body-off restorations. Hmmm I will check with our NTx guys for recommended restoration ships. However if it is stored in San Diego, then getting it done in CA before transporting it may be the smartest thing.

KWW

I am actually located in College Station, Texas now. The CA & I are originally from SoCal. So access to shows, shops & afficinados is slim over here!

Reply to
Kirk

Thanks so much for all the tips! I areally appreciate the assistance. I wasnt very clear in my typing . Both tthe car and I are currently located in College Station TX. I am not sure what a good restoration budget might be.(??) I was considering 7-9 thousand dollars. What have you guys spent on cars? The car is in fair to porr condition., needing new rear floorboards, new king-pins, new bumpers, yets has no major body rust. I have the car, but no other parts. I would enjoy being involved in the process at a hands on level( as I mantained my motor/oil), howeevr I am aware that I have no tools, garage or knowledge. Thanks again!

Reply to
envirogisgirl

You might consider having the car shipped to Kafertoys over in NC. He'll really do a job on you. Uh, I mean FOR you. HO HO HO! I crack me up. :-)

Reply to
Shag

And, in case Dawn has not been an avid student of Ramva ramblings lately= , =

the latter(above) was/is a joke. 8=3D3

J.

Reply to
P.J.Berg

Then I am afaraid I am of no help :-( I bought my bug (71 super) in excellent condition and don't plan to do any work on it other than routine maintenance. Maybe someone in Orange County CA can recommend a good bug mechanic for me. I have asked around and been told that such and such a shop *rarely* rips you off. I want one that will never rip me off :-)

Reply to
Rev Turd Fredericks

Reply to
Kirk

Avoid kafertoys at all costs, if you do not want to get ripped off. Search Mario Gavazzi on Google, and you'll find some interesting reading.

Reply to
dueprocess.scotty

What did this one win?:

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Reply to
Scott H

trends I wonder who has the pictures.

again you avoid talking about your restoration hacks...you try to dodge, but the pictures say all that needs to be said...PERIOD.....

i didn't take the picture, if I had seen you there, i would have given you the opportunity to talk the trash you spewed on this board and in IM's face to face... You would have avoided that as much as you avoid talking about those hacks you call restorations.... the ghia has not won a single show... winning last place in a class isn't a win, dipshit...and the pictures of the ghia were taken at the end of last year's show season, hardly an "old" picture, and those pics were taken after you bragged on the restoration of the ghia... face it, amatuer, it is a shitty job..... Joan's car seems to be the norm, too bad for you folks are seeing your fine restorations....

Reply to
Joey Tribiani

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