65 Westy

[65Westy]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to introduce myself. I've been a Beetle guy my whole life, starting with my first 62 Beetle at age 16. I've just finished a 3 year restoration of my 56 Beetle and its time for a new project. After going to to three OCTOFESTS in So. Cal. I caught the splitty fever bad, so the only thing I could do is buy one, right?
Many of you probably saw the 65 Westy for sale in the swap area at the Columbus show in August. I recently sold a very rusty 62 single cab and the Westy was still for sale, so now it is safely tucked into my garage. There is like almost zero rust on it. It is completely torn apart with hundreds of nuts, bolts, & screws in lots of cans, plus lots of parts and pieces that I have no idea as to where they go. The Westy interior mostly there, but is missing the icebox/sink and the paneling on the ceiling. Nothing like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. My plans are to rebuild the engine and brakes this winter and hopefully have it on the road in the spring. Its gonna be in primer for a long time but I hope to eventually get it back to its original Pearl White color. I'm sure I will have lots of questions along the way. Thanks in advance for tolerating dumb questions from a newbie.

My wife & I are planning on going to the Toledo show this weekend. I hope to drive the 56 up and we will also be set up in the swap area. My wife sells the handbags, key rings, & coin purses made from VW upholstery material made by Susie at West Coast Classic VWs. Please stop by and say hi.

[dormohbile2]

Welcome to the club Craig.

We need to get together some time, my wife and i live just 10 minutes from Galion at Candlewood Lake.

Are you going to try to go to Kelly's this year (you can camp if you still have a VW)

[65Westy]

Thanks for the welcome Hank. Yes, we should get together, maybe once the snow flies. I'm in the third summer of trying to get my house painted and I seem to be running out of time.

We'd love to go to Kelly's this year, but we already had some other plans. But, maybe the old Westy will be up for it next October.

[Howie]

WELCOME 65Westy! That looks like a nice solid canvas to get working on! If you don't make the Kelley's trip, you still can get in on the Put-In-Bay campout in November if ya hustle. No women allowed though- MEN only there! A MANLY Campout!

Memo to Smittie- Shut up Smittie. We had this fight LAST year. If you want to come to PIB and freeze your butt off, and use a Pit Toilet, and no showers, then bring it onnnn, Woman!

[abuspilot]

Great user ID 65westy!! I've also got a 65 westy just a different model... We need to talk sometime... I've sourced out a good supplier for 5x5 birch headliner matrial. The material is out there, you just need to know where to look for it. We are all happy to help, just ask.

Good luck,
Marc

[wwebner]

congrats,I looked that bus over at the Columbus show. VERY solid.You have a great start to what will be a lot of enjoyment.
Bill

[Ken]

Welcome 65 Westy. Very nice solid body - thats the most important piece od the puzzle. LEAKOIL members have a wealth of knowledge especially on Westy's. We also have quite a few very nice examples of early Westys in all stages of condition and restoration within the group.

You've come to the right place my friend.

[SlashKirk]

Welcome!

Now post that oval window up here!

[65Westy]

Thanks everyone for the welcome. For Kirk, here are some pictures of the project that has taken up my spare time for the last 3 years. Oddly enough, both the 56 Beetle and the 65 Westy came from Texas.

[65Westy]

Couple more.