Heh. It is time...

[NightScreams]

So, here is my '68.




Here's the tools of the day.



and



Mwahahahahahaha..


I CAN'T FUCKING WAIT!


I'm off to the driveway to piss off the purists. Wish me luck!!

[NightScreams]

So the fenders are off. Uggg, 40 years of dirt in my eyes.



Looks like the front wasn't the only thing that got hit. I guess hacking this thing up isn't such a bad idea after all.



I'm getting sick of finding these little bastards!



FIRST CUT!! No turning back now!!



Hmmm, where did this come from?



And it is DONE. Ok, not DONE, but on the way. Need to clean up the cut, clean up A LOT of shit.



This is going to need some cosmetic help. Definitely.



Ummmm. Yeah. Nice.



So now I need to really start thinking about options. I have to fab something for bobbed rear fenders. I have some extra fronts I might try to reverse and cut down, being wider than the rears to start. I'm not sure if I'm going to cut down the rear deck lid or just leave it off. I have to figure out lights in the rear, how about Dr Pepper cans modified as taillights? Dunno, it is a thought. Ok, back outside and to work.

[NightScreams]

Ok, last update for the day, time to pick up and get ready for chow.

Here it is after scraping 40 year old undercoating off the fenderwells and mocking up the rear (front??) fenders. I think I'm gonna like this. Nice and wide and a better shape than the stock rears.



Am I coming or going????? Hahaha. Hmmm. New Beetle taillights in those headlight buckets?


NAHHHHHHH.



I think this is where I'll cut 'em. Maybe.



I also welded up the monza exhaust. Not my first choice, will have to see what I can horse trade for my left over parts over on Samba.

[crazyman_stanley]

where you goin with this? Baja?

[NightScreams]

To be honest, I really don't know yet.

If it is baja-esque, it will be in the weeds and not off road. My state requires fenders for all vehicles after '49, which pisses me the fuck off, cuz I really REALLY want to go fenderless. But since I can't, I'm going to make the best of it. I was originally thinking about something like Gary Emory's original baja but for the street, but I've already changed my thinking on that and want to leave the front more Beetle-looking. But different. Will have to see what happens when I get near the front with tools

I'm still planning on trimming the rear fenders with a rather high cut at the back. I went with reversed fronts to have some clearance and a fatter look...on a budget...since I already had them. I'm planning on retaining part of the rear decklid with some creative cutting. Of course, this might change. Dunno. I'm being rather fluid on the whole thing and just seeing where things lead.

I've got my adjusters and will hopefully tackle the beam in the next few weeks, looking for about a 3-4" drop. I've already dropped the rear 2 clicks. I guess it will be a mutant of some sort. Screw it, it was a rush today just hacking away at it with the sawzall and cutoff wheels

Now I just need to get better at my welding so eventually I can chop the top...ohyehbaby.

[carcentric]

If you want to keep the front fenders on the rear, they make 7" diameter red lights for the rear of school buses . . . .

[Flea]

hah yeah get those 7" lights and put some HID bulbs in it .. that otta let those guys in the big trucks know when you plan on stopping ...

i am still up in the air about having fenders or not on mine ... it is possible to get one tagged here without fenders .. but i am not sure yet how to go about doing it ...

[Unkl Ian]

Temporary fenders are one option.
Install for inspection,then remove.

I'm digging the fenders,maybe try and use
the shape of the bottom corner after it's trimmed,
to give a more finished edge.

[NightScreams]

Originally Posted by carcentric

If you want to keep the front fenders on the rear, they make 7" diameter red lights for the rear of school buses . . . .

Hmmm. Interesting thought. Would be really cool on say a Vandetta kit, do the whole shortbus thing.
Heh. That might have to be a future project!

I'm digging the fenders,maybe try and use
the shape of the bottom corner after it's trimmed,
to give a more finished edge.

That is an option I hadn't thought of. I like it and it would give it that fat look still too.
Hmmm.
This is what I love about this place, the open sharing of ideas and creativity.

...now only if there was free beer....

[Unkl Ian]

There is,you just have to find it.

[NightScreams]

....I'll just follow Hal?

[rodderdan]

Nice job reversing the fenders.If you want to extend the beam you might get away with cycle fenders on the front.

[V8Transporter]

Ooh, those are really killer back up lights. 'Youcould use `39 Ford tail lights, or something, centered in the middle of the buckets, with clear leds around them. The shot of the bug from the back looks really slick.

[NightScreams]

The more I look at it (like every frigging time I pull in the driveway it stares back at me), the more I'm kinda getting used to the look with full fenders. Though since I already hacked out the apron (and I don't want to put it back), I'm gonna have to think of something to tie them and the whole back end together but is not solid, dunno, like wrought-iron-railing-type something, scrolly but not gay. Gonna have to think on this some more. And bumpers.

I wonder if I can score a pair of these cheaply?

[Flea]

hmmm in storage in arkansas i have a set of 63 fairlane tail lights .. uncracked lens's ... and good aluminum ... still have the wiring and buckets and all attached to them ... IIRC they are right at about 7"



the red car in pic ... thats the style tail lights ... except the ones i have arnt the sport coupe version ... difference is the normal version is full red .. sport coupe version has a clear center for a backup light.

[NightScreams]

Hmmm. Something you might be willing to part with?

[Flea]

i am sure i could part with them ... will have to dig them up next time i am up in arkansas and measure to make sure they are 7" .. but i beleive they are... the bucket assy for them (the housing) is close to 3.5" thick

[NightScreams]

Cooool. I'm interested. No rush cuz I have TONS of other stuff to do (obviously) but like the idea.

[Flea]

ok, i will prob be going up there again in 2 or 3 weeks .. i think i know about where they are (moved all my car stuff from my shop up there to a storage house my parents have next to theirs) ... so will go through some things to locate them ... when i do will bring em back to LA with me and measure and photograph em for ya

[NightScreams]

Shwwweeet. Thanks!

[NightScreams]

It's been a while, been working on other stuff like painting the Mustang and getting the Eagle on the road. Today, I finally had a chance to get back to it. Pretty mundane but necessary work, I cleaned up the rust inside, cut out the bad spots on the pan and welded in new metal. Feels good to get some progress done finally. No pictures cuz they would be boring anyway.

Thoughts moving forward: seat covers and door panels made from old metal band tshirts or more basic seat covers and door panels made from old license plates. Not sure which yet.

Still a pile to do inside, tomorrow night will probably clean up the inside of the roof and dash area and get ready to fill some holes in the dash.

[robbie harder]

flea was right, the fairlane tail lights look good. i have some in the garage and just happen to have some front fenders that i cut up to widen my others so i put them in the buckets to give you a look.
fairlane;Attachment 10300Attachment 10301

1963 falcon;Attachment 10302Attachment 10303

the falcon housing is slightly smaller in diameter and probably only half as deep as the fairlane. either way, you can cut the back out of the headlight (taillight) buckets to make them fit.

hope this helps, i may try to do something along these lines on my project. i was wanting to widen some stock vw rear fenders for the bed. and as luck would have it, i have a falcon in the driveway to be fixed (cut up ) and another one piled full of parts. Attachment 10304good luck with your build...

[BiggJ22]

Yeah that would look pretty cool and haven't seen it done before.

[rodderdan]

Originally Posted by robbie harder

flea was right, the fairlane tail lights look good. i have some in the garage and just happen to have some front fenders that i cut up to widen my others so i put them in the buckets to give you a look.
fairlane;Attachment 10300Attachment 10301

1963 falcon;Attachment 10302Attachment 10303

the falcon housing is slightly smaller in diameter and probably only half as deep as the fairlane. either way, you can cut the back out of the headlight (taillight) buckets to make them fit.

hope this helps, i may try to do something along these lines on my project. i was wanting to widen some stock vw rear fenders for the bed. and as luck would have it, i have a falcon in the driveway to be fixed (cut up ) and another one piled full of parts. Attachment 10304good luck with your build...

That's fuckin unbelieveable!I have these 60 Dodge tail lights in my 61 Falcon.

[BiggJ22]

I'm diggin those lights rodderdan. Those set up right would looks tits.