VW Kurierwagen (VW 181)

[HUGO bOSS]

Even an inside edge was rusted and need replace.

More of the same...

Testing and testing...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

From the inside, we can see more new metal and less rust and bad patches...

The result of one day job...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

More work...

Weld and grid...
Allmost done...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

Allmost...

Inside, near the foot pedal zone...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

Still with some small holes to close...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

The small piece that was rot and half missing...

Looking real good... Just need half a dozen spot welds at the second round...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

I'm happy with this work so far...

 

[cattlerepairman]

I admire your dedication and the amount of restauration you are doing. 181's are not yet so rare that many people would go to this extent to save one. It would likely have been scrapped under different circumstances.
A+!

 

[Cleveland Iron]

There are those people in Ohio who would have just used bondo (body filler) to fill in the holes... Then after the first accident, they would have swept up the bondo dust, added some water, patted it into a new shape and made a modern car with a plastic shell. Good welding, good work on the restoration, keep it up

 

[HUGO bOSS]

Thanks for your words.

Here in Portugal, we have less than 40 181s... I have a record of 34 cars... And in Madeira island were I live they are only 7, with mine. With the full military look, they are very few. Many parts are missing and several details also...
I allways like this army VWs... That's why I'm trying to restore this one... in the weekends and learning many things... like welding and griding... I have more pics of the work... Will put them here...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

Another day of work...





Started with the metal at front of the pedals...


Exterior side panel welding...





At the back...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

Up front:

 

[HUGO bOSS]

This is the old metal from the front left panel. It have a round piece of metal weld in to close a hole. This one is to lubrificate the interior to prevent rust. This one seems that was never used.





I remove it, cleaned na zinc painted and will weld again on the new panel.

 

[HUGO bOSS]

At the same place, I put a new suport for some wires...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

Left side panel all welded...





Finally the rear corner...





And the union of the two parts from the inside reinforcments.







Original we can spot the weld spots... will try to replicate...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

"A" pilar from outside...







And inside...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

The rear support seat at place...





Missing to be weld in place are the gun support and the cap for the hole...





They are still wet at the time...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

Painted to prevent the rust and to see were I still need to grid and give some hammer... and weld spots also...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

A real piece of art:





Is the front lower window frame...





An exact replica from original one...





But stainless steel...





No, this one wasn't made by me...

 

[HUGO bOSS]

A real piece of art:





Is the front lower window frame...





An exact replica from original one...





But stainless steel...





No, this one wasn't made by me...