40 Fordswagon Beatle "An Altered State of Mind"

[Jason Vandergriff]

Well A few weeks ago in Atlanta I was browsing the vendor area and came across some Jimmy Flinstone resins for sale. I was looking for something weird and seen the 40 ford beatle cross he had for sale. $10 later it was heading home with me. Since I could make it a stock custom but that would be boring how about a lowered v8 powered rwd beatle? Since the body didnt have opening doors or hood I started cutting when I got home. An hour later I had 2 opened doors and a hood that was ready for rework. Once I got the body to this stage I started drafting plans for the floorpan and firewall. I also managed to do a quick sketch of what I wanted it to look like. Using index cards to keep up with ideas taped to a piece of glass is awesome cause its all there and waitng for you. Now a pic of how it currently sits.

Edited January 7, 2010 by Jason Vandergriff

[Foxer]

Cool .. will be following along this ambitious build.

[Porky]

Hey Jason

Looks good, I like it. Can't beat a Hot V-8 V-Dub and the 40ish Ford front end don't hurt either. Can't wait to see the paint on it. The pics you got behind it with the colors looks like it will be interesting.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Thanks Eric. It is a 40 ford front and Im thinking of opening it up some more and using a 40 ford std grill not a deluxe. Plus I already have the photoetch for it I bought for another project Ill bring to next years show thats been completed for a long time. Now for a small update I found a floor pan in a parts box of mine that will be donating its transmission tunnel. Ill have some floor pan work done tonight in plastic. Once i get the floor done I can move to the suspension and frame work. Motor will be a Ford for now but I have TPI injected chevy but I kinda had other plans for it but if it looks cool under the hood then maybe.

[moonlite5hadow]

looks like a PT Cruiser

[prostreeter69]

Hey Jason

Nicc build you got going there, I really like what you are doing with it. Thought I would show you the one I did a couple of months ago just as a break.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Hey Jason

Nicc build you got going there, I really like what you are doing with it. Thought I would show you the one I did a couple of months ago just as a break.

That looks nice. What colors are on that thing? I got part of the floor pan done today then I had to get some sleep. These 4 am mornings for work are killer. Ill have a floor pan update tonight here in a little bit.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Time for a floorpan update. Took some .020 flat stock and my index card template and started tracing it out. At first I had the rear wheel tubs and all included but they just didnt want to cooperate with me. So I cut em off and dug out a willys kit off the shelf and stole a spare floor pan. Once i had an idea of what needed to be removed I got the saw busy. Not much left of the willys floor pan. For the trans tunnel I used a floor pan from a monroe handler kit that I am working on but its getting all new updated drivetrain so it wasnt getting used anyways. Ive got a few spots to work and putty then time to build the frame. here is a few pics of the tub installed and out of the body.

[prostreeter69]

Hey Jason:

You must be a night owl. The floor pan is looking good, I assume your going with a tube chassis.

For the color base coat of black, pearl flames and rattlesnake over top which is what provide the color shift.

JOn

[bob bauman]

it looks cool Jason ! when are you going to make are trade right ? i've been waiting a long time it was Apr 02, 2009 when we did the trade

[Jason Vandergriff]

Hey Jason:

You must be a night owl. The floor pan is looking good, I assume your going with a tube chassis.

For the color base coat of black, pearl flames and rattlesnake over top which is what provide the color shift.

JOn

Not really a night owl just my work schedule has me sleeping afternoons and I get up about midnight and have a few hours to work. I am going with a tube chassis all the way with independant rear suspension that will be scratchbuilt. I start on it tonight and cant wait. Ill update a little later today again with rear suspension devolopment. Im starting with a 9in for center section and building from there.

Bob I sent you a pm regarding that. Look for it next week.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Spent time working on the chassis tonight. The idea I had of making the chassis the lower a-arm mount points was great but it didnt work out in the end. I realizes that there just isnt enough strength to make it feasable. Ill start over again tomorrow and Ill add a-arm from channel or sheet stock. I do plan on the suspension having a little travel in it. Front will be easy except for the working scratchbuilt rack. Pics when I get awake in the morning of the frame attempt.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Time for pics of whats been happening with this one. I didnt like how the roof was crooked so I cut up a junker body i had laying around and replaced mine. I have also opend the grill up spme to look like Harry's photochop of 40 ford pick up. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23716 Ill be using the side skirt idea as well. I didnt like how i didnt get the tunnel centered on the 1st floor pan so i cust it apart and did it again. Lots better this time. Frame work went south but Im going to try again sometime this week. Heres a few pics from the phone.

Edited December 28, 2009 by Jason Vandergriff

[Jason Vandergriff]

Well after a needed break I jumped back on this one. Redid the lower windshield area from where i swapped the roof built the rear and finalized the wheels. Prob gonna keep it kind of simple in order to finish it for Birmingham. Rotors will be a kit rotor cleaned up. Motor will be coming from a amt Nascar t-bird.

[Smart-Resins]

Very cool idea! I love it! Jody

[FORDSVTPARTS]

My mother had a red bug with a '40 Ford front end kit back in the '70's complete with ah-ooga horn. It was pretty cool back in the day.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Im thinking green as the color. Opinions? Found a can at dads house that looks awesome.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Been a while since ive done anything with this. I finally got the frame partly worked out rear suspension is almost done except for shocks. I built rear spindles from square stock drilled and sanded to get a nice looking piece. Started at the lower a arm mound and worked my way up saving the wheel mount for last. Using 1/16 round stock for my center pin that my wheel would attach to. Ill redrill the back of the spindle for the drive shaft.For the upper arm i took .050 solder and my needle nose flattened an end out and drilled with a 70 bit cause im using pins to attach everything. Had i cut the rear arms loose the suspension would work. heres a few pics of whats been done.