Build project Beetle pick up conversion

Nice work, Alan, but I would have expected nothing less.  I saw an ad the other day for a Smythe kit for a Dodge Charger.

I decided to keep it the factory red because the jambs are where the fiberglass fender tabs are Panel Bonded  to.   Smyth Performance makes these kits for Beetle, Audi, Charger & Jetta. The beetle requires a lot of cutting compared to the other cars, when I got to the rear fender area it was like carving turkey layer after layer referring to the video instructions and asking myself..." Is this right " ?  I will wait to go get it in PA for a few days in a row that we haven't had snow so that the roads will be clear of sand, salt and cinders.

Stan wrote : As a business model for guys like you-- I suspect there's more money in these trucks than in Speedsters.  ….  No one knows for sure what the value is on a completed Beetle truck conversion. One was sold to a the Florida builder seller's friend so that really isn't accurate market indicator.  I'm sorta the first in the market when I list it in two weeks.  

I guess that makes you a “Market Leader”!

Sneak peek at a couple of Beetle truck photos, the red is a bit washed out because of the super bright garage LEDS. It will be done on Sunday,  better photos then

Looking good, Alan! 

Yeah, looking sharp, Alan! And I agree with Stan, it has the right curves for a '40 Ford hood. I don't know what you'd do about the headlights, though...

What's the ask, Al?

I think $14.5  …..

make a nice grocery getter,,a  bit feminine for me,not that its bad but ive never seen a male driving a VW(newer)maybe Vinnie in the SLO show years ago, it was pink I believe..

barncobob posted:

make a nice grocery getter,,a  bit feminine for me,not that its bad but ive never seen a male driving a VW(newer)maybe Vinnie in the SLO show years ago, it was pink I believe..

Not for me either, there has been a lot of attention after paint on it.  When Smyth Performance, the kit Mfg had a spot on a NE Fox 5 TV station, Smyth's phone rang for days with ppl wanting to know where to buy one that was done so there is hope ~)

Dude that looks amazing. Great job, once again.

edsnova posted:

Dude that looks amazing. Great job, once again.

X2. Well done, Al.

I still say there's an untapped market for this.

Al:

Is there a functional tailgate? Looks like the bed is one piece, no drop tailgate.

Looks great, Alan. Yes, the tailgate drops, Bob. Zoom in to the photo above and see the cut lines.

There is a guy in Florida that has built one Jetta based truck and two Beetles come to find out they sold quickly and he just bought another three more beetle kits.  I'm in Florida Friday for couple of weeks or R & R we are going to look him up and share beers and talk Beetle builds. 

With nly odds and ends tocomplete, I ran into the passenger side seat belt locking up ( not reusable) so I or'd a used one off eBay. That &%#! one too was locked up too and won't extend. Frustrating as I couldn't put any of the interior panels back in place yesterday. So when in doubt go to You Tube found a Dude's that was somewhat out there. The belt roller is sealed unit there is a non accessible hidden steel ball that once it moves into a detent from lateral force, it stays there.  He shows how to levitate the round steel ball with a magnet to get it to unravel so last night at 11:30 I get inspired .....Ta Da it works! Thanks to the You Tube Space Cadet that showed me how to do it. 

X3 Alan

I've used Youtube over the years MANY MANY times to figure stuff out. You sometimes have to wade through some BS videos but eventually you will find someone out there has figured it out and then made a video.....

DannyP posted:

Looks great, Alan. Yes, the tailgate drops, Bob. Zoom in to the photo above and see the cut lines.

Yes, the tailgate  folds down and is secured in place with two Ford Ranger cables, the cup style hinges are from Chevy so  the gate is removable too.  When I finish it in the next day or so I'll post detailed photos.

The one thing that needs attention in the future is that the spare tire remains in the original position in a OEM recessed floor tub ( for weight) which is now under the removable extruded aluminum floor boards. It would take a few minutes to remove the screws to access it. If I do another one I'll cut out the tub and turn it over and weld it back in with a pick up truck spare tire winch in place to get to the tire from under the chassis

.

New Beetle Pick Up Truck Photos. It's done and I like the way it turned out for a first time build. I have about 90 hours into it.