Re: Typ34 resto questions

[Steven Ayres <comwest@well.com>]

PhilipS=> Both cars that I'm looking at have substantial rust on the 
=> rockers and wheel wells.  Would it be worthwhile trying to have a 
=> body shop fix it (I don't have a clue about welding, although I 
=> suppose I could learn), or should I just keep looking for a car 
=> without the rust?  

Welcome to Typ34 land! From the perspective of a year and a half 
restoring one of these, I'd say keep looking *if* you don't mind going 
national. There are a lot of good cars available for not much money. The 
Registry ads are your best source. I wish I'd been a member before I 
bought my car.

=> Does anyone know if replacement sheet metal is available?

I bought a set of rocker repair panels and had them shipped from England 
for more than they cost, but over the years the metal had relaxed and it 
was not an easy fit. I still have the complete left one if you're 
interested, but if the outer skin is that bad the structure is probably 
threatened and you'll need more serious metal work. Most of the sheet 
metal we see for sale is cut from donor cars.

=> does it share (parts) with other Type IIIs (or any other VW)? 

Larry got it right. The funny thing is you have to stay alert -- you 
never know when you'll run across a crossover part. Like the window 
scrapers you can adapt from those for Bug convertibles.

=> Is there a workshop manual for the Type 34?

Yup. Join the Registry and help us get the repro manual going again.

=> I've never done anything like a body-off resto before, so any 
=> pointers would be appreciated.

My best pointer is that if the car really needs it, find a better car and 
save yourself a *lot* of hassle and expense. Also if the car's ever been 
hit, you may never get the body to fit the pan again. Bugs are a lot 
different and a lot easier, for many reasons.

If you're determined, spouse, space, time and money are all big 
considerations. Have you got a two-place garage you can spread parts out 
in undisturbed for a couple of years? Are you prepared to spend twice 
what you can hope to sell it for? 34s are great cars, no question, but 
you have to be nuts to restore one. Like me.

GusG=> what are the years of the Type 34 Ghia?? 

It was the top of the VW line from '62 to '69.

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
'66 KGhia 1600 (rolling soon, I swear!)