Building custom cars in my backyard

Now with the VW bug body sitting within 6" of the platform, it is now time to measure and fine tune the cuts to be able to fit the body all the way down on to the platform. I just measured 6" up from the framework and marked the locations with the Sharpee marker.

I am slowly lowering the VW bug body down over the engine and chassis. I am using 2x4 blocks and all thread to align the body for the fine tuning of the body cuts. It looks like it wil fit fairly well.

With everything now ready for the first trial fit of the VW bug body, I have moved the bug shell back into the garage. I have it hanging over the engine and chassis to determine where any and all modifications will need to be made.

I am now ready to test fit the VW bug body over the Toyota MR2 3SGTE engine.

I bought this VW bug project from a guy that was in mid restoral. Upon the first sheetmetal mock-up I found out that the front nose apron had been welded on 1/2 inch out of alignment. I now must remove (cut out) this existing piece and replace it later.

Both holes have been drilled out in the VW rear fender wells to allow for the MR2 struts.

New Pics....New Pics..... See the Mr2 VW Bug Turbo Photos page..

With the driver side MR2 strut hole located in the VW bug's rear fender well, I am now using the same poster board and tape technique on the passenger side.

After locating the MR2 strut hole in the paper template, I can now move it back into the VW bug body. Positioning the template exactly along the basket lines I marked the hole on the VW bug inner fender well. I found the center of the hole by using a paper circle folded in half [...]

Using my newly created paper templates I am positioning them on the basket to determine where the Toyota MR2 struts will penetrate the VW bug inner fender wells. I am cutting the holes small for now so I can slowly expand them later when the whole assembly is in place together.