My 1967 1500cc VW Beetle - Restoration done

[PAVAN KADAM]

This is how my VW looked the day i brought it, after it was lying at a workshop for 15 yrs rusting slowly.

This is a September 1967 VW Beetle
Engine: 1500 cc
Power: 58 BHP
Type: Right Hand Drive
Engine: Air/Oil cooled-Flat 4


I never had any floor in the car, With only 1 rim

Engine seperate and idle for 15 yrs, Body paint bits inside but nothing on the outside.

A broken bonnet. no bumpers no lights and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

This was loaded onto a tempo till the workshop.




My restoration started and took 18 months, initial plan was 12 months right on schedule for my wifes birthday.




My only aim was to restore the whole car inside out.

To take it to its original glory.

My process started with sourcing spares from our good old gujri.

But later got so fed up with them, i got my spares from US and few from Germany.

To my luck i had a great mech and a great painter who did their best to get my baby to shape.

Finally this is how the Bug turned out.


Back

This is how the car came out after labourious 18 months schedule.

My daily trips to the workshop for a minimum of 5 hrs(2 hrs in morning 4 hrs in Evening) used to irritate my parents and my wife.

But once they got to know what's going on they were thrilled.

Literally they did not know a thing that this beauty was being done up by me.

Finally my dream car was ready to go on roads.

Its been 4 yrs since i've been using it.

This is the only car that brings miles of smiles on anybodys face(Young or Old)

Its done 3 trips to Tumkur and totally clocked 13 k on the odo.

The max speed i've touched is 130 kmph.

The other amazing thing about this car is you reach home safely with whatever trouble your car is going through.

It never breaks down abruptly(Only if you have been taking care of it Properly)

Just because of this car all we BUG enthusiast in bangalore formed a club named BANGALORE BEETLE CLUB.




We've been a part of many events.

Hats of the Ferdinand Porcshe and Hitler for giving us this car.

By all means this is PEOPLES CAR.

[praJEEP]

A great restoration job pawan, 18 months my god this shows the love and passion towards your car, hats off to you pawan..

What was the total cost which you have spent for restoration pawan ?

[o.D]

Thats really amazing. This shows your patience and knowledge. Truly awesome restoration job their Pawan.

[Ricky_63]

WOW !!! Now that is one awesome job you did with the Beetle !!! Hats off to you on accomplishing it - enjoy the car !!

Cheers

[PAVAN KADAM]

I brought this bug for around 45 k
Workshop bill was around 85 k
My spares costed me 1.85 lacs

Overall around 3 - 3.2 lacs.

Thats a small price you have to pay to persue your dream you've been chasing for years.

The Bug has been bugging me since i was 13 yrs of age.

I could only accomplish it after 12 yrs

[phamilyman]

Awesome is not even the word.

PS: Which job allows you to spend 6 hours on car daily, work 8 hours, still stay married and afford the restoration? Can I send you my CV?

[S@~+#0$#]

Very nice restoration effort and outcome. She looks really elegant

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

This is the only car that brings miles of smiles on anybodys face(Young or Old)

. I caught myself smiling seeing your restored Beetle and then I read this line and thought how true this was.

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Hats of the Ferdinand Porcshe and Hitler for giving us this car.

Yes. Nice vision and execution. Don't want to start a controversy here nor take away anything from these two great personalities, but did you know this about the design of the Original Beetle?

[tidzter]

Absolutely Fantastic.... gotta give it to you bro....the car FABULOUS!!

does it retain the original colour or is it a new shade?? asin was it yellow when you had it long time ago??

what i have to compliment is the amount of detailing on the car....too good....

cheers

[PAVAN KADAM]

Ha ha, Thanks.

See this was something of my daily schedule for 18 months

Leave home at 8:00 am- reach workshop at 8:15 am stay till 10:00

Reach office at 10:30. Find your 1 hr lunch break to go to shivajinagar. Finish my office work by 5:30 pm- reach Workshop at 6:15 pm - stay with the people till 10: in the night.

Then go home at 10:30.

This schedule was alternatively maintained.

Somehow i got away doing all this thing

[(IVI)]

hey raghavendra..even having known u for so long didnt get me to commend you on your effort.
Dear friend i am so glad to know you and your perserverence is highly commendable. Its such an impressive turn out..very good for you buddy!!

[star_is_here]

Splendid job Pavan!!
Which paint did you use?
The make and the shade, if you can let us know?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Chakram,

Long time buddy you are on this forum, Looks like you and Naren have taken a long break, Even he's not on the forum since long time.

[(IVI)]

we're also doing some restorartion..of the 2 legged kind. im not sure if its gonna take 18 months though!!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Excellent work.

Why the attraction for bug started at the age of 13? Any specific reason/ inspiration?

[rjstyles69]

Congratulations mate and a splendid job done with the restoration. The choice of color for the car makes it look even better.

So whenz the stretch buggy coming online on tbhp ?