Pictures.

I still need to get the dash and door windows in before I can drive it, but here are a few updated pictures from this weekend.

Windshield done!

Tyler and I got the front windshield in tonight. It really helps knowing what to do, we got it in the first try! Don’t get me wrong, it was still a bit of work. I was really careful because I was afraid of breaking or cracking it. No breaks or cracks ... but i did notice that it has a really small rock chip on the passengers side. I'll have to keep an eye on it for any future issues with it.

Tonight I also got both of the rear quarter windows tinted. They are totally flat which made it straight forward to do myself. I’m really happy with how they turned out. I’ll let them sit for a day and hope to put them into the car tomorrow evening.

Rear window.

Well it's never as easy as it looks on TV. I got the rear window in tonight. What a pain that was! After my 6th or 7th attempt doing it by myself (like the guy on the restoration video so easily does) I had to enlist Tyler's help. He held the top part of the window in place while I seated the molding. With a little banging and some sweat, we got the window in ... first try. Tyler was a big help.

After the window was in, we had to go around the exterior edge and make sure there wasn't any part of the molding edge rolled under. Looks nice. I want to let it sit out in the hot sun sometime soon to really let the rubber molding relax and settle in.

I also put the molding around the front windshield and set it in place. If I have time tomorrow I'll get that (with Tyler's help) window in too. And need to finish the tinting of the rear quarter windows soon so I can get those installed too.

Headliner, check. Glass next!

OK, the headliner was delivered a few weeks ago and this weekend was the first time that I had some real time to work on it.

My daugter Rachael helped me put the new pad interior padding in the car on Saturday. It was like a puzzle and kinda had to figure out where everything went. I found an image on the web where I ordered it but not quite everything lined up just right. No biggie, just trimmed the extra stuff.

Sunday I was just going to use whatever I could and see how far I got. I watched my interior restoration video again and headed out to the garage. I had to stop back in a couple times along the way to see again how they did a couple of things ... but now it's finished. Took a good 8 hours to get it done with just one person.

Now this was the first headliner I've ever done, and while it's not perfect, it's not too bad either. I'm happy with it. I think that it could have been a little tighter in a couple of places, but it will do the job.

This was going to be the biggest hurtle to getting back on the road ... I dreaded it ever since I got the car, and even more over the last few weeks. So happy to be done and moving onto the next step.

Next steps ... putting in the glass. The front and read windows are ready to go but I still need to tint the 2 side rear windows. Then dash can go back in ... and the door windows ... and seats ... and a little more trim ... then its drivable! Which I'll probably drive right to Main Street Auto and have Tony fix the timing and carb. Then more driving.

The next few weekends are going to be busy so finding any block of real time is going to be hard. I'm going to just have to see how far I get by doing 1 thing an evening... Man I want to drive it!

Lights ...

Tonight I was able to get the headlights in, and the front bumper on. The bumper looks kinda junky compaired to the body and paint job ... but that is fine for now. More then ever I just want to get everything put together and on the road! I started it up and let it run for about 10 minutes. It's been a while since its ran.

I found a great image that helped me get the wiring correct on the headlights.

I also ordered the headliner, padding, glue and an interior restoration CD tonight from jbugs.com. Not sure how long it will take to get the parts because it didn't give me an option when I ordered. I'm assuming about a week or so.

Happy Father's Day ...

My kids asked what I wanted for Father's day a couple of weeks ago and I said "an afternoon to work on the bug would be great". We'll I got just what I wanted. Thanks family!

Tyler helped me a lot today. First thing we did was put the new little moon shaped vents by the rear windows in. Easy and quick and on to the next thing. While I was putting the rear fenders and running boards on he put the rear tail lights in. I installed the door handles and closing hardware. Tyler put the front turn signels on and played around with the headlights. We didn't get that finished and will pick up there tomorrow.

Tyler helped me with the wiring of the rear tail lights by pressing the brakes, turning on and of the running lights, flipping the blinkers and hazzard lights. Really make the process easier when there are two people.

Other noteable events this weekend ... we camped in the backyard on Friday and Saturday nights in our new (1989) StarCraft pop-up camper. My dad joined Tyler and I for most a day at the "Back to the 50's" car show. For not being a "car guy" my dad really knew a lot of stuff about 40's and 50's cars. It was a great time.

Great weekend, thanks to everyone!

Happy Birthday ... kinda

Well its been one year since I picked up the bug. I've made a lot of progress but wish that I was farther along and had it back on the road and drivable. Soon. A little more money and a lot more time and she'll be making the rounds.