[Rusty-bug-man]

You got it John, one bolt of many. The right bonnet hinge connected up to the bolt welded in, The nut screwed on with tight bond.

the jagged hole welded up on the left front arch, the next one down is my next target

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

underneath the forward luggage bay compartment today, treating some surface rust that I've missed.

once the krust had dried and turned the surface rust black, I worked in some chassis black by brush.

little patches still showing corrosion.

I'm satisfied with it under there. Looking nice and solid.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

Then it was time to jack it up onto the trolley frame I improved recently with a new fourth swivel coaster wheel. Now I can move the body about again.

 

[JohnNewb]

Looks like you will be ready for paint soon.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

It's got a way to go yet John, but I'm looking forward to that day.

My local VW Heritage centre are getting 12cc front bonnets in soon, so they'll call me when they're in and I'll click and collect and go and pick them up in my Morris truck.

the original repaired deck lid trial fit, when it all fits I'll strip it down again for painting.

the wing nut threads are full of guck, so I cut a slot in a 13mm bolt and screwed it in to remove the muck in the threads slot.

brushed it out with an old toothbrush and it wound in smooth as silk.

the only surviving wing, it's fit is going to fight me, but I'll win, I wasn't expecting it to go on easily.

 

[JohnNewb]

ingenious thread cleaner. I run a tap through mine to clean out threads. Just curious. Will you paint it with "wings" off or on? I'm leaning toward doing mine with fenders off to avoid paint on the rubber seals (if I ever get to mine).
.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

oh yes John, not only the wings off, but deck lid, doors and bonnet.

 

[JohnNewb]

Makes sense to me.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

Collected a new Bonnet and rear offside wing for my project today, perfect run over to the Heritage Parts Centre on such a lovely cool, sunny day.

Perfect fit, or it will be after I remove the protective block of polystyrene under the nose.

the new wing, I need to find that a home out of the way while I fix the wing nuts in the arch.

 

[JohnNewb]

Is it still "off side" with driver on that side? It is amazing you only need to replace one. If not rusted out they are usually dented up.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

Only the rear Nearside (left side) wing survived from the original recovered Beetle John, I need to buy two new front wings too. But I'm only buying them when I'm ready for them. Got to do a lot of work on both rear wing attachments first.

here's the new wing trial fitted, It matches up far better than I was expecting.

once the captive nuts are replaced I will fettle the wing bolt holes to allow some minor adjustment.

the bolt holes are all round, they will need elongating to reach the nuts.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

The new bonnet bolted to the hinges, checking for fit.

there's no rubber seal fitted to the bonnet edge yet, I'll fit one after paint spraying the shell.

there is a gap on this side, the hinges do allow for some adjustment, not sure if it will close that though. More adjustment to come of course.

looking at the trailing edge, there's more gap one side than the other. that can be fixed by hinge adjustment.

 

[JohnNewb]

You have inspired me to get back to mine. I cleaned my garage yesterday and found I did have a workbench after all. Hadn't seen the whole top of it in years. Now to strip the body.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

Now to strip the body.

I hope you're going to treat us on here by starting your own thread on it and share the images of your project John.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

when I lowered the bonnet lid it jammed shut as the edge of the catch housing is empty and the lip caught on the edge, so I padded the new skirt panel with newspaper and crow barred the bonnet back up off the jam. then placed the polystyrene packaging back on to prevent it happening again, till I get to work freeing up and fitting the old bonnet catch.

the hinge allows for some degree of lateral adjustment.

just enough to even it up.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

the rear wing fit was predictably hard work, with so much surgery, I was expecting it to be honest. The wing flange needed marking and drilling to co inside with the bolt holes.

Ok the flange to body fit may look a little off, under there in the wheel arch, but the main point is to get the curve to match the body line, Nice, happy with that.

 

[JohnNewb]

I hope you're going to treat us on here by starting your own thread on it and share the images of your project John.

Just need to resserect my old post, if I can find it.

 

[JohnNewb]

the rear wing fit was predictably hard work, with so much surgery, I was expecting it to be honest. The wing flange needed marking and drilling to co inside with the bolt holes.
View attachment 46738

View attachment 46739

Ok the flange to body fit may look a little off, under there in the wheel arch, but the main point is to get the curve to match the body line, Nice, happy with that.
View attachment 46740

the rear wing fit was predictably hard work, with so much surgery, I was expecting it to be honest. The wing flange needed marking and drilling to co inside with the bolt holes.
View attachment 46738

View attachment 46739

Ok the flange to body fit may look a little off, under there in the wheel arch, but the main point is to get the curve to match the body line, Nice, happy with that.
View attachment 46740

Wow they were way off. Good thing it isn’t some place that will show.

 

[JohnNewb]

Mine look the same. Can't tell if original.

 

[Rusty-bug-man]

They look nice and solid John, don't matter if they are originals or not, so long as you can tweek them to fit.

I'm going to paint the curve of fixed nuts above the left rear arch in Chassis black to keep the oxygen out and corrosion at bay. Black where it won't show. Then clean them all out with the cut bolt.

the wing painted on it's inside surface with chassis black, hopefully this will help extend it's life.