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After a few tries and what seemed like endless grinding and cutting, I got it nice and straight and welded back together. I also did some stitch welding between the spot welds for a little more strength.
I’m thinking of welding some bosses on the outer ends of the tubes so I can bolt in some stiffening struts from the forward body mounts to the beam…maybe. Also, I’m considering welding some tabs on the lower tube to accept a tow bar which can be attached easily. I don’t think my standard, Beetle tow bar will fit this beam.
I got all the welding done and the parts painted. I welded these 1/4″ tabs to the lower tube so that I can fit frame struts to the pan in order to stiffen things up a bit.
I also added these lower receivers for a tow bar setup.
I went to install the new ball joints but I was having a difficult time with my makeshift tools in the press. I ended up taking them to Sportcar Service where Randy has the proper tools for the job. I narrowed the torsion stacks and re-drilled for the grub screws. If all goes well it should be in the car by this afternoon. I’m hoping the narrowed tie rods and sway bar fit since I went another 1″ on the beam than I originally intended.
I got the beam wrapped up, painted and installed. I had to massage the area around the shock tower ever so slightly, but that may be because this thing looks like it was crashed at some point.
After I carefully marked and drilled the grub screw locations on the torsion bars, I realized that I should have marked and drilled once the trailing arms were in place. Fortunately it worked out perfectly and the arms mated up very nicely to the bushings.
I need to work out what wheel studs I’m going to use, then get this thing back on the ground.
I got the front end back on the ground. Still need to put in the steering box, tie rods, etc…
Here’s something mildly interesting to any Porsche fans. I have a customer with Speedster #40, built in 54. One of the garnish rails which trim the tops of the doors was in poor condition and he wanted me to repair it. It was just too far gone so I pulled a pattern from the opposite side rail which was in reasonable condition and made another for the opposite side.
Comparing the two parts when I was done something looked a little off:
Hard to believe, but one rail is almost 3/4″ shorter than the other, That means one door is 3/4″ shorter than the other.
I saw Speedster 18 once it was restored and one door hinge was nearly and inch lower on one side than the other. Interesting things you find with hand built cars…
After selling the Deluxe, one of my goals is to put up a new building. I traded the hammers for shovels over the last couple of weeks and thanks to some good friends, have all the prep done to pour a foundation. My Buddy Chris from Phantom Concrete is doing the pour with his crew soon. I’m stoked to say that all the folks involved have ties to the skate/BMX scene in SOCO.
Chris in his backyard pool:
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