Gretchen

[Eric Hahl]

Hi all, just thought I would introduce Gretchen. She was born in 85 and grew up in Florida. She spent most of her life there until making her way to the Seattle area where I found her about 5 years ago.



I purchased this car with the intent on someday doing a resto-mod. I needed a project and some garage therapy. I drove her for a couple of years while fixing this and that until one day when I was "in there" and just couldn't stop.







So I started tearing her down to see what needed fixing, refurbishing and replaced. At this point I still didn't know exactly what I was going to do as far as just a restore, backdate or...?

I looked at all the great cars on this site and finally decided on a RS style backdate and started looking for parts. I was reading a local shopper type newspaper one day during my lunch break and came across an ad stating VW parts and some Porsche parts. I called the guy right then to see what he had. Turns out he was building a race car out of a 73 and had a bunch of original panels for sale. Hood, fenders, tail, front signal housings, horn grills, etc. The hood and tail where in great shape, just needed a little attention but the doglegs on the fenders were gone. I asked what he wanted for all of it and couldn't believe my ears. I bought everything on the spot!

I figured I could use the hood, cut the front turn signal extensions off and use them on my 85 fenders. At this point I figured I better learn how to weld so I purchased a small Mig (Miller 135) off of craigslist. What a great little machine.






The drivers side extension had a pretty signification rust bubble on it that need cut out so I cut it out, fabbed up a piece I cut from the old fender and welded it in.



To be continued...

[Eric Hahl]

I got the fender extensions all welded on, filled it and looking decent. Started fitting new signals and the RS front bumper I purschased used from this great site.



I also found a set of chrome ring H4's here to complete the look.



I really digging the way this is starting to look! I purchased the rear RS bumper from Renspeed and started work on that.



I also found a ducktail from a local buddy (Thanks Jim!) and started fitting that as well.



Welded up the old holes from the rocker panels to smooth out the side panels.



Sorry, just had to upload the "Jack Olsen" style portrait. Those of you who have been around here a while know all about these!

[einsteiger]

Subscribed.

[HelmetHead]

Exciting build! Thanks for sharing!

[Eric Hahl]

Started work on the wheels. Wanted to get rid of the gold paint and polish them up.









Whew, that was a lot of work and I only have one done so far!

Started to strip the old film tint off the windows with a garment steamer. The stuff just peels right off this way.



I didn't know it but my car came with factoy tinted glass! I love the green tint!

[Eric Hahl]

Decided that if I'm doing the complete backdate I better make the brightwork bright again so I stripped the window frames and windshield/ rear window seals of the black paint and started polishing them up as well.





Got to get rid of the flag mirrors so had to weld up the doors for the older style mirror.





Cut off another piece from the old fender to match the curve on the door and started welding.


One down, one to go.


Can't build an RS style hot rod without getting rid of some weight. Yeah, Its just a little but it looks cool!

[HelmetHead]

Could you elaborate on what you used to polish the window frames...I have this on my "to-do" list for our SC/RS build.

[myamoto1]

Lookin' good Eric! Let's get 'er up on the rotisserie and fix that suspension pan.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by HelmetHead

Could you elaborate on what you used to polish the window frames...I have this on my "to-do" list for our SC/RS build.

Sure, I used a paint stripper first to remove the old paint. It took multiple tries to get it all off and it still left a little on there. I then used a die grinder with a scotch bright pad to remove the stubborn stuff. This kind of scuffed it up but it was easy to polish out with a polishing pad on the die grinder. All the polishing pads, scotchbright pads and such were purchased at Harbor Freight. Cheap but effective. After that I finished it by hand with a terry towel and Mothers Mag polish.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by myamoto1

Lookin' good Eric! Let's get 'er up on the rotisserie and fix that suspension pan.

Yes, yes, I definitely need to get her up on the rotisserie to finish getting the bottom cleaned up. Removing all the undercoating while under the car is a real pain in the back! I need to finish fitting the front bumper and the hood straps first then we can tackle the rusted out suspension pan.

[Eric Hahl]

I got the rubber tie down straps all lined up and in place on the rear decklid.





I also glassed in some retaining nuts on the back side of the bumper for the license plate mount.

I really didn't like the way the rear bumper looked in relation to the quarter panel lines so I decided to do a little sanding to try and match up the lines. I know its not correct for the style but I think it will look good when completed. Here are a couple of initial shots of the forming.





I also had to fix up some bubbles in the gel coat on the old ducktail.



The old Duck is looking good with a polished grill!

[OttoB]

Good Lord that's a lot of quality work - you're my hero!!!

[Eric Hahl]

More weight being removed.




About 4 lbs each off the rear!

A little heat and the a arm bushings just peel right off. New Elephant Racing bushings on the way from our own Steve Weiner at Rennsport Systems in P-town.



Also purchased a slightly used set of of Sanders hollow t-bars, 22's and 29's, should do the trick!

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by OttoB

Good Lord that's a lot of quality work - you're my hero!!!

LOL, thanks Otto, I'm a complete rookie just learning from this site and going slow. I really have to thank Wayne for providing this wonderful site and everyone on here for their expertise.

[ivangene]

wow - you are sick!!

Thats awesome !!
more therapy needed !!

[Eric Hahl]

New Turbo tie rods installed!



Lots of undercoating removed.


Adding a little more "lightness" to various parts.



Got the heat exchanger harware soaking in penetrating oil to help break them free. I've got 4 of the 6 barrel nuts off so far without breaking any studs, whew! 8 more to go.

[Eric Hahl]

More goodness!

[foxpaws]

Eric - you need to start flaring some of those holes you are creating to save weight - I see some structural compromises there regarding strength.

[nilknarf]

Go Eric, Go!

Curt

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by foxpaws

Eric - you need to start flaring some of those holes you are creating to save weight - I see some structural compromises there regarding strength.

Certainly worth considering. The holes in the engine brace are where already there, just purchased that from Rennline so its should be good. The cable mount on the side of the intake is no biggy, just holds some cables in place. The hinges however might need flared. Right now I've got a much lighter deck lid on there and only one of the shocks. Seems to be just fine. I'll definitely consider that advise though, thanks!