My 1:1 '59 Beetle, New pics : BACK IN BLACK !!

<blockquote> <strong class="quote-title">greenbatteryfuzz wrote:</strong> <hr><p>thanks for the update, looks super nice. <br><br><br><br> ***edit---just wanted to make sure I didn't make some dumb joke that you could use a little "MO-HAIR"***edit <br><br><br></p></blockquote><br><br>Very funny, very funny. Hey, I'll be in West Lafayette this weekend too.<br><br>Steve

Here are the pics from today. I installed the front stabilizer bar and brackets, filled the tranny with lubricant, installed the headlight bulbs in thehousings, and installed the front hood handle. I also went through the cart I store all my new parts on. Time to get going on this baby again !!<br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04657.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04658.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04659.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04661.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04663.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br>Enjoy, Steve<br><br>Friday I get the body back in my possession. <img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/pimp.gif" alt="image">

Nice Steve,<br><br>Good to see some updates again!<br><br>Bob Jordan

I got my Bug back friday. I had to use an enclosed trailer to haul it back to the shop. (It rained ALLL frickin day) I was pretty busy though in the afternoonwith a re-assembly in the collision shop so all I got done was the delivery.<br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04664.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04665.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04667.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04668.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04669.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04670.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04671.jpg" alt="image"><p>Back glass in baby....<br></p><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04672.jpg" alt="image"><p>Enjoy, Steve<br></p>

There was a local VW restoration guy at the trim shop this week. He was there for 3 days in a row (he used to be Marcus's landlord) looking at my carREALLY good each time. On the third day Marcus (the trim shop owner) asked him what he was looking for ? He said he was trying to find flaws...... and hedidn't see any !! Marcus said he sounded kinda pissed....But then according to Marcus he made this staement "This guy really knows what he'sdoing". "I can't find anything wrong. " "Tell this guy I'm impressed !!" I know of this guy through the automotive networkonly. I've had to re-do some of his shop's collision work, but I have seen the restoration work he has done on VW's. I was impressed too. Marcusmade sure he told me this before I left his shop. He (Marcus) also had nothing but compliments for me.<br><br>Steve

Steve, nice to see more updates on the Beetle. It looks fantastic! Congrats on the compliments also...very well deserved, I must say! Keep 'em coming!!

I love this thread. Great work, Steve!

I re-painted the steering column, turn signal switch, rear seat brace, wire holder, and also the restored steering wheel I purchased from The Samba. It hadsome chips and scratches, but I got it cheap. If I were to have gotten my old wheel restored, it would have cost well over 400.00. I bought this one for 125.00shipped !!! Great deal. I originally painted these parts a darker beige, but it looked like crap once I installed them. They clashed with the headliner. Sohere you go :<br><br>This picture shows the old color compared to the freshly painted steering wheel:<br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04728.jpg" alt="image"><p><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04727.jpg" alt="image"></p><p><br></p>Here they are all together :<br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/DSC04725.jpg" alt="image"><p><br>The boss has been giving me a hard time about mating the chassis and body. I want to make sure I am done......I only want to install it one more final time.<br><br>Here is an example:<br><br>We installed the Corvette body on the chassis today. He was in such a hurry we scratched the hell out of a few of places. He had installed the generator and itgouged the heck out of the inner wheelhouse. The tailpipes were installed on the wrong sides and it wouldn't sit down propery in the rear. I had told himwe needed to remove the generator yesterday, but he said it wouldn't be an issue. I could go on... but you get the idea. We had eight guys lifting the bodyso that wasn't an issue. You just have to leave things off that can be installed later.<br><br>Steve</p>

WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Gettin' close! Thanks for the updates!<br><br>Greg

Steve-O,<br><br>Lookin Great... Your gonna have it done for some Winter SALT Driving:)) Oh My...

<blockquote> <strong class="quote-title">hwdan wrote:</strong> <hr> Steve-O, <br><br> Lookin Great... Your gonna have it done for some Winter SALT Driving:)) Oh My...</blockquote>No way will I ever drive it in SNOW !!!! Or rain, or wind (ok maybe if the wind was helping me from behind) or any kind of inclement weather. Iwill say this... I am counting down the days till the body meets the pan. It is getting very, very close. I had to make shims for some of the body mountsbecause the replacement parts weren't exactly the same. I've been looking forward to the day they get back together. I sure wish my Grandfather wasalive to see what I've done in his honor. He did see all the other cars I've done and was very proud of me. But it would be sweet to have him here inthe flesh. He was an inspriration to alot of people that knew him. More than he knew. He inspired me to be the best I can be in this profession I chose (orthat chose me).<br><br>Anyhoo.... Watch for the next few updates. You will be shocked.<br><br>Steve (Stevie to my Gramps)<br>Stephen Michael Cushing to my Mom !!!<br><br>

Hey Steve,<br><br>Any updates?<br><br>Bob Jordan

Hey Steve,<br><br>Any updates? we need more pictures , are you any closer to finishing , seems it was GO GO GO but now its more like slow slow slow<br><br><br>Thanks alan

I haven't seen Steve around much at all lately.... hope all's well... and yes, I'd love to see an update on the Bug too!

Hey everyone.... With the economy the way it is.... I had to put the Bug on the backburner for now. And the $$ I need to spend to finish it is being saved fornecessary expenditures. I don't want to just let it sit, but I have to. It is a luxury... no matter how much I try to convince my wife otherwise. (Ican't blame her though, I've just decided that it has to be this way) I've also pretty much stopped buying reds too for now. Thanks for noticingI've been missing. That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.<br><br>I have to say this too, our shop has been busy since the first ice storm we had just before Christmas. For those here that work on straight commission like Ido know that you have to make hay while the sun is shining. And right now I'm turning over 80 hrs a week. That is good news for the Bug project $$$ wise.I've also been doing some side jobs for some extra cash.<br><br>Steve

Wow, Steve, 80+ hours a week plus side jobs? I just have no interest in *anything* where I could put those hours in without getting burned out pretty quickly!Anyway, thanks for the update. It's not the "bug fix" I was hoping for, but very understandable!<br><br>Jeff

<blockquote> <strong class="quote-title"><strong class="quote-title">ndakotan</strong> wrote:</strong> <hr> Wow, Steve, 80+ hours a week plus side jobs? I just have no interest in *anything* where I could put those hours in without getting burned out pretty quickly! Anyway, thanks for the update. It's not the "bug fix" I was hoping for, but very understandable! <br><br> Jeff</blockquote><br>That's commission hours. Actual hours are about 45-50. The winter months also mean family time. High School basketball games, volleyball, Purdue footballand basketball games, family get togethers, dates with the wife and time spent with my extended family. And favors to other people in general to build upfavors back to me (aka government jobs).<br><br>As far as "burn out", that just doesn't happen with me. Especially when cars are involved. I really truly love what I do for a living, and itdoesn't end when I clock out. Right now I have a nephew and niece playing High School basketball so that takes up time in the evenings about 4-5 days aweek. It is worth it though to spend the time on them.<br><br>Steve<br>

It's good to be busy with work these days...

<blockquote> <strong class="quote-title">hotbirdsplanes wrote:</strong> <hr> It's good to be busy with work these days...</blockquote><br>AMEN..... I am very grateful I have a job. The fact that I love it doesn't hurt any. I had plenty of jobs early in my career I hated. In fact this economicsituation is very similar to the late 70's when I was trying to land my first job.... noone was hiring then either. It suck's for Jon (my youngestson).<br><br>Steve<br>

<font face="Verdana" color="#CC0000">My brother works in a body shop and he just loves ice storms. He was actually laid off for 7 days in November.Once thesnow and ice started, he's been very busy. Might as well take advantage of this opportunity.<br><br><br>Maribell</font>

<blockquote> <strong class="quote-title">MINGOTOY wrote:</strong> <hr><font face="Verdana" color="#CC0000">My brother works in a body shop and he just loves ice storms. He was actually laid off for 7 days in November.Once the snow and ice started, he's been very busy. Might as well take advantage of this opportunity. <br><br><br> Maribell</font></blockquote>I'm very lucky there too. I've never been laid off from OD'z. Been real slow at times, but never laid off. And yes, That ice stormbefore Christmas was great for business, and all the rest of the snow and slickness we've gotten since then.<br><br><br>Steve<br><br>

Well, after a couple months of sitting. Here is the latest update. As you might remember when the 1/4 glass was installed the left 1/4 panel was scratched. Wetried to repair it without re-painting, but success was not in the cards. So we wheeled the Bug body back to the body shop. And you know I took pictures. Hereit is sitting in front of our brand new Paint booth furnace (with a $60,000.00 price tag ) Furnace is visible in the rt of this pic:<br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0237.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br>Interior, in case you forgot what it looked like:<br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0238.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0239.jpg" alt="image"><br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0240.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br>Dash:<br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0241.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br>Here is the spot. Looks like photo phlash:<br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0242.jpg" alt="image"><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0242.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br>800 on a DA :<br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0243.jpg" alt="image"><br><br>Scuff, blow off sanding dust and degrease:<br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0244.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br>Overmask:<br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0245.jpg" alt="image"><br><br>spot prime:<br><br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0246.jpg" alt="image"><br><br>pre basecoat :<br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0246.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br>Basecoat:<br><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0250.jpg" alt="image"><br><br><br>Clearcoat:<br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0251.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br>OOOOOHHHHH YEAAHH !!!!<br><br><img height="600" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/CUSHE63/59%20Beetle%204/IMG_0252.jpg" width="800" alt="image"><br><br>I will sand with 1500 on a DA and buff and then polish. Then back to the Hotrod shop to install the body on the chassis..<br><br>Enjoy, Steve<br><br><br>

<strong>Yay! It's back!</strong>

Great update. Keep it coming!

Steve, I have so much admiration for you - talk about someone who really, REALLY sweats the details and will NOT settle for second best! Mad kudos to you, notonly for the work on the car, but for the trouble you've gone to with this thread and sharing your work with us.<br><br>Greg

<font style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);" size="4">Steve I left you a comment on your other site through your link in facebook. She's coming along wonderfully!<img src="http://redlinesonlinemessageboard.yuku.com/domain/bypass/images/thumbsup.gif" alt="image"><br><br><br>~Karen</font><br>

<blockquote> <strong class="quote-title">groggerbug wrote:</strong> <hr> Steve, I have so much admiration for you - talk about someone who really, REALLY sweats the details and will NOT settle for second best! Mad kudos to you, not only for the work on the car, but for the trouble you've gone to with this thread and sharing your work with us. <br><br> Greg</blockquote>At this point it is a labor of love. I bought this car to help with the grief of losing my Grandfather back in Dec 2005. He was so proud of myaccomplishments from where I was at 16 yrs old. I have to re-paint the inside of the driver's door too. I had a small run and I got carried away withsanding and rubbing it smooth, I burnt through the clear. Oh well thats the price you pay for perfection. Thanks for all the support in this thread to all myfellow RLOL'ers.<br><br>Steve<br><br>

Great to see progress again Steve, even if it's only getting back to where it <em>had</em> been...!<br><br>Jeff

Ok Steve,<br><br>Time for an update! We can;t let another thread win out over this one!<br><br>Bob Jordan

wow, I feel like I just watched an episode of unsolved mysteries...

Awesome thread. I spent the whole last hour reading through all and looking at pics. I really respect you and your project. You are a talented guy and have ahigh attention to detail! Thanks for sharing your labor of love with us all, Brian

Well, it looks like I've been outdone by Poetry after all. But I do have a pretty good view count over at The Samba. Over 103,000 views and counting..<br><br>Steve

Except for one vital stat, Steve - your thread has been running since '06! We'll see if the Poetry thread is still being resurrected in 2012...<br><br>Greg

Noooooo; I will not accept defeat! I will start clicking and clicking on this thread to build up the view count! <img src="http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/roll.gif" alt="image"><br><br>Bob Jordan

Ain't no competition anyhow... the very nature of the Poetry thread means it's gonna get clicked on A LOT!<br><br>Besides, we're over there making up inane rhymes using silly wordplay, innuendo and potty humor, but Steve's work is for the ages. No comparison in mymind!

Thanks for the perspective and truth Greg! <br><br>I'll continue to appreciate Steve's thread for the true art that it represents.<br><br>Bob Jordan

Ok guys and Girls. The body is on the chassis as of 5:30 pm 6-16-09. Pics are loading as I write this...I also have some other news that I will post uptomorrow. It's good, just not completed business yet. Bug pics coming soon !!<br><br>Steve

Body went on the Chassis without a hitch. Perfect fit. I had to fabricate spacers at the rear where I installed the aftermarket cross members. There was adifference in height and fit. My calculations were right on. Of course you all know I prefit everything back while I was installing the parts back in 2006.Here are the pics :<br><br>Here we are. Jon, Mike's best friend Landon (he's like a son to me), Me (still in uniform) and Mike in the orange shirt.<br><br><img height="768" src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0950.jpg" width="1024" alt="image"><br><p><br>It only took 4 of us to lift the body. The boss's daughter took the pics for me.. She thought it was weird to just snap action shots...She does all theinternet sales pics for O'Daniel, her Dad's car dealership.<br><br><img height="768" src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0951.jpg" width="1024" alt="image"><br><br><img height="768" src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0952.jpg" width="1024" alt="image"><br><br><img height="768" src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0953.jpg" width="1024" alt="image"><br><br>It's funny that it sits so much more level with all that new metal in place. This is the first time the body has been on the chassis since back in 2007.<br><br><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0955.jpg" alt="image"><br><br><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0954.jpg" alt="image"><br><br>Enjoy, Steve<br><br><br></p>

<p>WHOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!<br><br><img height="35" src="http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/images/smilies/banana.gif" width="33" alt="image"><img height="28" src="http://mmb.maverick.to/images/smilies/party5.gif" width="26" alt="image"><img height="54" src="http://mmb.maverick.to/images/smilies/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif" width="76" alt="image"></p>

This ought to boost the views !!!!! Here are some more pics:<br><br><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0962.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0963.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0961.jpg" alt="image"><p><br></p><br><br><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0964.jpg" alt="image"><br><p>One last pic for now.. More to come in the next few weeks..<br><br><img src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee267/MI65IMPALA/59%20Beetle%20pics/IMG_0958.jpg" alt="image"><br></p>Mike (my oldest son at 23) Me (45 and kinda bald) and Jon (16 3/4 and still growing at 6'4" !!!) He passed me up this year. This is thepicture I wanted to get most of all. The guys are the reason I do what I do.. My daughter and wife also. But they really share in the passion that I have forcars. I like them all... Only certain ones qualify to be in my stable. Enjoy the pics so far and thanks for tuning in to Steve's VW Television !!<br><br>Enjoy, Steve<br><br><br>