More fresh metal going into the baja project today.
Repairs to the outer panel of the front bulkhead finished.
N/S end of the napoleons hat refreshed with a cut from a LHD repair panel.
Next up, new A pillar bottoms.
Tackling the double skinned front bulkhead on the baja next. The outer wasn’t too bad so i chopped out the inner to allow me to clean up the inside.
Inner chopped out.
Trail fit of the new inner. They’re an ok fit but nowhere near as good as the originals.
Glad I separated the inner and outer on the replacement panel as the inner was already going rusty! I’ll clean up and paint this.
Started repairing the outer, good to be getting some metal in.
I decided to sew the two fabrics I like the most to the leather. I think I’ve changed my mind now and will go with the second white and orange geometric pattern instead. Thoughts?
The baja project came with a new set of door card blanks that someone had started to upholster in this vile fabric.
As a nod to the origins of the Baja bug, and for some fun, I want to go with a bright Navajo style print with a tan leather.
Which, if any, do you like?
Final haul of bits from the seller we bought the baja off. 3 doors that are all pretty much scrap, but will be raided for the glass and fixings to go into the decent set I have.
Finished up the dolly for the shell today so I can manoeuvre it around the workshop. Mounted to the chassis mounting points on the shell. I can start getting some bits welded in now.
Well what a year it’s been!
Looking back to this time last year I was in a mad rush trying to get the van back on the road for the end of March ready for summer. We just about managed it and have had a great year building up the interior and just enjoying using the van again after a long absence, as both our main vehicle and for a few nights away.
My main aim with the whole VW thing has always been to not let lack of experience get in the way of me trying to do all the work myself. Time and plain stubbornness always makes up for any lack of skill in my book.So what does the next year hold for us? I’ll be aiming to get the rest of the van finished for spring so we can go on some longer trips away (road trip round Wales anyone?). The baja project has well and truly started and my goal is to try and get most of the welding done over the coming year. Thank you Max for putting up with my obsession.
Onwards! #vwt2 #iriscamper #myrtlethebajabug #vwlove #vwbug #vwbaja #vwbaywindow
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wDhyKp4Jj/?igshid=15z2eh3j8q09g
Saturday Baja progress.
Bolted the new rear cross members to the floor pan.
Drilled out the spot welds and removed the original rear cross members.
Removed a little more of the heater channels. lots of bodges over the years so best to take it all out and start again.
Drivers floor pan fettled to fit the chassis and alignment checked against heater channel. Pinned in place for now.
It’s already looking miles better with some fresh metal mocked up.
N/S floor pan fettled to fit the chassis, and heater channels bolted on to check alignment. Pinned in place for now until I can check the fit against the shell.
Made an alignment tool for the pedal strengthening plate to make sure its installed in the correct place when I fit it to the new floor pan, and chopped out the O/S floor pan.
