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One of the most battered and torn 64 Beetles you could ever imagine.
It's difficult to imagine anyone choosing this hulk as a basis for anything but ditch-fill.
Dave decided that since most of the car would be hand-made...why start with something nice?
Pulling measurements from original Hebmuller plans and actual cars, the work began.
Dave pulled parts from all over the place to build this machine.
Whenever possible, an actual VW part was used to keep it all German steel
All work was to be done in metal...no fiberglass here...true craftsmanship at work.
Since the main body started as a sedan, the roof was cut away completely as well as the
rear window and cooling vent areas.
With a new quarter panel welded in place and the doors cut down, you can kinda see it coming together.
Here's where the real action started taking place with the grafting on of a Super Beetle front cowl section
at the top of the rear end.(made a little wider). The curve of the windshield area creates the curve for the back seat and the
area where the top of the hood will go now has the proper shape and weatherstripping holes.
Some careful fabricating and use of more hood channel parts complete the "jam" where the new decklid will rest.
Photo from the other side shows the basic shape.
Area above stock firewall will be filled in with another bit of steel creating a "box" type shape
and sealing off the interior from the engine bay.
A rear seat section from a Karmann Ghia will aslo be welded in to give the back a finished look.
Front clip now tacked on, windshield frame from a 60's convertible welded in place.
Dashboard now removed along with under dash area so the split window style dash can be fabricated.
The creation of the Hebmuller style decklid is the most important visual part of the project.
The upper portion of the Super Beetle hood (matching the cowl section) was widened and grafted to the lower portion of a 60s Beetle decklid to give the panel it's general shape.
Once the panel was created it was time for some good old fashioned panel beating using a specially made die to beat the ridges into the hood area.
The first time around the center ridge came out too wide and was later flattened out and re-hammered
into the thinner shape it is now in.
he general body shape now defined, the top frame is created by cutting down a 60's Beetle top frame and some very careful measuring and geometry.
Strips of tape were used to figure out just the proper rake and profile for the top.
From the side you can see the aggressive stance already.
Note the front top edge of the door here, where it was curved up to match the original Hebmuller design.
Another door and top frame shot.
Shortening the top frame and making it still function properly was a huge challenge.
The dashboard created another stiff challenge.
A good original split window dash was nowhere to be found, so one was created. The under dash area was shaped first with the wider dropped center to match the dual pod design.
From the rear you can see the finished shape of the decklid, the cut down "T" handle made to look like a pre 1950 handle) and the split window era taillights.
Here's the "Heb" much closer to completion...it's hard to imagine...
Visible is the split window style dashboard, early taillights, etc..
(note the BRM wheels..."the Ultimate Cal Looker")
Aluminum rings for the taillights were hand made to replicate the chrome versions seen on pre 1949 Beetles. Taillight lenses were cut down from trailer light lenses.
VW Classic 1998, the car made a showing in black primer with T bar bumpers and BRM wheels.
This is when we first saw the car and fell madly in love.
The cars builder had brought it out from Arizona just for the event.
Here is a photo of the car stripped down and ready for finish bodywork and paint.
We hitched it up behind our New Beetle to haul it around town...what a sight!
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