Hot Rods 32 Roadster Body - a new approach. AKA Beetledeuce

Part 3, The Rear Quarters.

I can say now that this was the first part of the build that I experimented with, because I knew that it's a defining part of the car and needed to be right.
I'd been looking around for a compound curve that resembled the rear of the Model B Ford, then it struck me, the rear fender of the Beetle had just the curve I was looking for.

I took the fender, trimmed both ends, bolted it to a board for stability, then extended the shape at one end.

 

Next I bought one of these;
It's a steel mudguard that are sold for trailers which are common here in the UK. I know that trailer can have a different meaning in the States, but basically it's a simple frame with wheels, which can be towed behind a car to carry smallish items such as furniture etc..



Here's where I got it for less than $30.
http://www.banburytrailers.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=37_46

 

I trimmed off the rolled edge each side and tacked them to the Beetle fender.

 

I extended the leading edge downwards, then filled the gap with a triangular shaped piece of sheet steel.

 

The two pieces of sheet that I have added could have been a single piece, which would have meant one less seam to weld, but I was kinda making it up as I went along at this stage.

 

I then cut a piece to go in the wheel well (fender well?).

 

I realise that this design of rear quarter puts the wheel well higher in the panel than the original body, but I have seen many builders raise the wheel well in this way so that the wheel sits 'right' in the body when the car is channelled over the frame, and this is the look I wanted for the car.

Here is an example of what I mean.

 

Keep up the good work ..Love this thread your gonna have to share man hours and body cost lol..A man should be proud of what he can do with his his own two hands and a small budget

 

Go man, go!

 

Cost is pretty minimal but man hours are off the scale!

 

I'm in

 

love it! im in too.

 

That's awesome and goes right after my Heart

 

again, I am blown away at how the rear quarters came to be, you definitely have the vision and are on the path!

 

I can't wait to see the nose, (& I'm getting the sub-conscious urge to go cook some lead.)

 

Definately on my list of top 10 threads!
This build is way beyound the beyond.
Everyone that has ever tried to straighten
a fender or a door can learn something here.
Nothing but encouragement from me!

 

The 1/4 looks pretty good! but appears about 8" short are you going to add between door and wheel well?

 

where's the stupid subscribe button on the new format!

 

Top of the page on the right it's written "watch thread." Click on that. This thread absolutely ROCKS!

 

WOW, ........... a true, hardcore, HotRodder...... I tip my hat to you for your creativity.
And to think that years ago this was the norm rather than the exception.

Very well done, I'm in full support of your creative journey.
Glenn

 

You're right thirty two, the 1/4 panel will be about 8'' longer.

 

I did put some primer on at this point, but later took it off to keep the body in bare metal.

 

I worked on both sides at the same time, and kept checking to make sure they were as symmetrical as possible.

 

At this point I started laying out some of the various pieces that I had, this got me thinking ......

 

I separated the rear window surround from the roof then pie cut it, just to see what it would look like....

 

So I abandoned my plans for the Roadster, and started building a 5-window............

Only joking, but you can see the potential........?

 

Do it !!! Just go ahead and do it !

 

I gotta' finish the Roadster first !!!

 

bloody awesome....be the first to build a roadster with a five window hard top