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"Project kaferTEK":

I bought this 1969 Standard Beetle in Spring of 1998. The prior owner had purchased what was essentially a rust-free California car and transported it back here to Indiana. He began a full pan-off restoration, but lost interest in it after he had separated the body from the pan and completely unassembled it. The car sat under a tarp in his welding shop for the next ten (10) years until I came across an ad for it in a local Auto Trader magazine. Two weeks and $600 later, I brought the body and pan home on a flat-bed trailer with a pallet-sized box full of miscellaneous parts.

I didn't get much done in the first six years that I owned the car. You see, I brought the Beetle home just a few weeks after my son, Caleb, was born. That's why progress has been slow. You have to have your life priorities in order -- or at least try to keep them in order!

I began picking up the pace on "Project kaferTEK" in 2003. I started scouting around for specific sheet metal parts, bought a variety of body tools, and learned how to do some basic metalwork (bumping and welding). It took a few months to feel comfortable enough in my abilities to start tackling the body, but after that there was no stopping me. I got busy filling body trim holes, antenna hole, dash, a variety of holes under the hood along with replacing the front and rear aprons. Before and after pictures can be seen in the DIY Body Work section.

In the Spring of 2005, I ordered-up a 2332cc Type-1 power plant from Jason Lauffer (VW Paradise) and Pro Street Plus Type-1 transaxle from Kevin Richards (KCR Transmission). Details on both can be seen in the Engine & Transaxle section.

Things are going to pick-up from here on out, so check back from time to time. More progress updates and pictures to follow...

DIY Body Work (Updated 03/18/08)
Engine & Transaxle (Updated 03/18/08)
Chassis & Suspension (Updated 03/18/08)
Final Body Work & Paint (Updated 03/18/08)
Final Assembly (Updated 05/05/08)
Hitting the Street (Coming Soon)