The Toyota Mr2’s drivetrain is somewhat wider than the factory VW bug’s, I will need to flair the rear fenders a bit. I will determine this distance by installing small allthread pieces in the mount holes to hang the fenders from.
More pics….. The sheetmetal removal and body fitment. See the Photos page.
With the VW bug body now sitting on the plywood platform, I have removed the shop crane and wooden cradle so I can get a good look at it. At this point I want to get ready and mock up all the sheetmetal to insure that everything is in the correct location.
After removing the excess steel from the VW bug body, I can now lower it completely down on top of the Toyota MR2 3SGTE engine and chassis. The body fits fairly well for the first fitting.
I have now removed the excess steel that would keep me from lowering the VW bug body all the way down onto the platform. It is now time to finish the first fit of the bug body over the 3SGTE engine and custom chassis.
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 2×4 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.