Father And Son 1962 Volkswagen Beetle Volksrod Hot Rod Build Project

Father And Son 1962 Volkswagen Beetle Volksrod Hot Rod Build Project
Eric had pondered the idea of building a Volksrod for quite some time. Eventually, he couldn’t restrain himself any longer and picked out a pretty ‘72 with fiberglass fenders and running board all around, but it had seen better days. Riddled with rust, the body needed all sorts of restoration, but thankfully, the 1641cc motor - fitted with twin Kadron carburetors - provided enough punch to get Eric motivated for a lengthy build ahead of him.
Wisely, Eric went for a new body entirely: a 1962 shell that is in very good shape, never been hit, perfect uncut dash and a smoothed rear deck, one piece windows with extra regulators and glass, a shell that would make any purist giggle with delight. Considering he dropped just $140 on the new shell and only needed to patch a minor section on the driver’s side heater channel, he had plenty of reason to grin.
He held onto the red shell for comparative purposes, since he would commit to chopping his ‘62 without much reference. The order of operations went as follows: A 4" chop in the front, 2-1/2" in the rear, the roof moved forward 2", the B-pillar cut and realigned with body, and cut the rear inner fenders to align with body sides. When the haircut was complete and he could sit the two Volkswagens next to each other, the difference was startling.
After stripping the chopped Bug down, he took a look at his handiwork, sighed a sigh of relief and took the rusted body off his red donor Beetle - which he’d lovingly nicknamed “The Onion.” He then replaced The Onion’s floor pans, did some fab work to the tunnel, sat the new body on and replaced the parts of the heater channels which were corroded; first attaching what was functional to the pans before cutting, welding, and sanding - and not always in the safest way possible.
Then, with the aid of his metalworking genius of a friend, he had an additional 10.5” added with a beam extender. This goodie dropped the front end 2”. With the headlights mounted on custom, perforated brackets, a nifty tank and a custom VW badge sitting inside, it looked appropriately mean.
Turning their attentions to the inside of the machine, they created a custom dash inspired by a schoolbus, and with a custom steering column topped by a custom billet banjo wheel with a half wrap leather grip, there’d be spartan surroundings for the occupants.
While Eric was out on a business trip in California, he stopped by ProCar and asked them to custom make some seats for him. These simplistic beauties are exactly like their low-back series seats, but he had them shorten the bottom cushion area by 2" so that they sit lower in the car; the chopped roof limits the cabin space. With these in place, Eric could go ahead and finish the steering column as well as the front end.
At another car convention, Eric picked up a set of coilovers and and quad-exhaust. Once he had them home, he disassembled the previous Stinger exhaust and added something that would provide the neighbors a little weekend misery. Not that the Beetle was short on style at this point, but custom taillight mounts and a perforated license plate frame would appease the most jaded of hot rodders.
After attaching new axles at all four corners, stainless steel brake lines and a drilled disc kit, Eric had the braking performance he was searching for. Being the busybody he is, he took the opportunity to remove the body from the frame and spray down any missed crud. You just can’t keep some people down.
With all the greasy bits attended to, it was time to start slathering on the bondo. At this point, the seemingly endless list of bodywork hiccups had been dealt with, and the build was done, aside from retrimming the window frames and sanding things down until it looked right - which, considering Eric’s standards, took some time.
Of course, a few popouts were in order. However, making the windshield do the same might take some people by surprise.
try and improve upon it, since that process got ugly really quickly.
And with a few additions to the interior, Eric had his chopped Beetle, dressed in mint green and ready to dazzle spectators across the country.
Builder: Eric Fernon
/ efernon
Build Thread: www.volksrods.c...
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This video purpose is to tell world about amazing car build project and to inspire ever growing car builder community around the world. So if you're inspired in building your own car and want to learn more about how to do it in best way, don't hesitate and read build source page so you can learn something new and if something is not clear you can always ask builder some questions about the build.

[@michaelschmidt2151]

I can appreciate your high standard of quality workmanship as having done quite a few Beetles myself, your perseverance is truly astounding to getting your fabrication to perfection.

[@farmag]

pfft... I once changed oil on my Honda Civic all by myself.

[@terencegillespie6675]

You really knocked ‘em down. No runs, to hits, no errors!! Nice work.

[@tobiaswedel7245]

Wahnsinn, sie haben einen sehr hohen Qualitätsstandard. Tobias aus Deutschland

[@ADEXClub]

Met eric today at a show downtown Hollywood - he is great inspiration for anyone to get involved in custom cars.

[@deweypittman2925]

All that beautiful work, and no windshield wipers…they’re required in Florida…

[@Asad-2166]

🤣🤣🤣🙏

[@vincentjames724]

Old body man here (got the knees to prove it) and that’s awesome work. Nothing off the shelf and good fab work. Just awesome

[@peterhodges6684]

I'm a bug guy from a long way back, she is absolutely stunning!!!

[@djh254]

Top notch build and I’m pretty honored to do some Vw cruisin right next to this car.. pictures do not do it justice at all!

[@philtucker1224]

It’s the open wheel look that really does it for me. (How a pair of humans can have this level of skill and imagination I just don’t know..) peace and love from the U.K. dudes 🙏

[@fernonchop]

Thank you for the kind words...

[@Spike9803]

What a nice build, nicest VW Bug hot rod I have seen in a long time. I just love that it was a Father/Son project too! How cool is that?! Your son learns to work with tools and acquires skills that will serve him the rest of his life. He will remember this project when he is building some custom rod with his son.

[@franktaylor854]

I’m

[@cankicker6570]

Back in the 80's I helped my friend chop and rake his 67 bug. Sure wish you were around then. His turned out awesome despite us learning. Yours is truly a work of art...WELL DONE. What an amazing ride!

[@fernonchop]

Thank you...

[@irredeemabledeplorable5227]

Way more elegant subtlety than originally meets the eye

[@martinharris5017]

The famous Fernon Chop that everyone's copying these days! One of the most influential custom VWs of all time and I never get tired of looking at it!

[@fernonchop]

Thank you Sir...

[@martinharris5017]

@@fernonchop YW Eric!

[@donaldtownsley4099]

Outstanding! I had a 67 VW with factory A/C in high school! Have a love for them!

[@howardtowler6146]

A beautiful car. The beatle is still one of the best looking cars and yours is a peach.

[@huseyinakko6335]

عمل اكثر من رائع وهذه السيارة بلذات تقبل كثير من التعديل والتصفيح والتحسينات شكرا جزيلا عمل فني متقن

[@MahmoudAhmed-ew3lp]

انا عندى 72عام ونفسى اشترى ادفلوكس وجن احسن سيارات شفتها فى حياتى وطلع على المعاش وجوز الصبيان بشقق وعفش وانا الان المعاش يدوبك بيخلص بعد عشر ايام انشاء الله يمكن وحصل معجزه من عند ربنا واشترى فلوكس وجن كتى لومستعمله يارب يارب يارب كل اليشف الفديو يدعى لجدو أن ربنا يدوم على الصحه اولان ويحقق حلمه قبل أن يتوفاه الله

[@allbbak7636]

BRAVO to your end result! Having built several dozen VW bugs, I have huge respect in the restoration, innovative craftman required to fabricate a beauty like your VW roadster. There are several way to chop a top and you have done a great job! The suicide doors was alway a thing I wanted to do with mine but the right hardware wasn't around at that time.

[@resgateerestore]

Oi amigo, tenho um canal onde eu e meu filho encontramos carros, motos e até bicicletas antigos, assiste lá e se gostar se inscreva, abraço

[@outlaw36sst]

i do not know what is better his awsome sense of kool....or is impressing fabricator talent all that sugar coated with exterme patience.....just wow .

[@seanfainsan4002]

Love it. I started with a 62' bone stock and to date, the best car I've ever owned. It had the 1200cc with the tiny carb and pea shooters. Drove around forever on fumes of gas as a teenager.

[@lonnieclifton3883]

One Day Some Fenders On The Beetle For Everday Driving. Yall Did A Fantastic Job, GOD Bless, From Lonnie Clifton In Boiling Spring Lakes N.C.

[@wadelewis9260]

WOW, little red bug was a nice daily driver but well worth the sacrifice for this true beauty. Great job thanks for sharing. ✌🏻❤️VDUBS

[@benjackson6429]

Love the speed holes. In michigan we get these installed from the factory. Also known as rust.

[@kenmcleod8618]

Your neighbors must love you!

[@nickking1510]

I was thinking that also that why I bought a house 16 years ago that in an commercial light industrial / residential zoning so I would as not to be hassled and still got hassled . I had to inform the investigator of my zoning and that it was one of my many hobbies some busy body that walks in this area called them likely jealous

[@964cuplove]

A split or small oval window in the rear would have been a cool addition, I would have left the slots in the back and possibly added 356 slots in the engine cover or details like the rear lights, but then I couldn’t do anything close to this car. It’s really fantastic, have you already been invited to jay leno ?! especially the fact that this a car you really built yourself and hadn’t done buy a workshop that you just paid would make it a perfect Leno object !!

[@michaelkuzma582]

the attention to detail is great but without trying to sound contradictory less is so so so much more, well done great job

[@markjones4457]

Perfecto!! Look's like it just came out of Wolfsburg like that! A true resto rod. A +

[@juanbarturen2726]

That is the best VW custom I have seen.i like the craftmanship. I saw you at Sunset Place. I like the slated shop. Rounded doors. Hell I like it all

[@juanbarturen2726]

Sorry.SLANTED TOP CHOP.

[@vanshpratap6315]

now this bad boy can beat a formula 1 car ☠☠

[@mrabrasive51]

I'm sure your neighbors look forward to the day you move!

[@mickeymomighty5660]

When I was born, my father bought a VW beetle like this, 1300 cc. That was in november '62. I also remember the license plates Mo 47-54. We had it for 10 years and I would have had it today if it hadn’t been smashed in a crash.

[@gabrielflorenciani1407]

Dios bendiga las manos que trabajaron en ese Volky quedó espectacular bendiciónes para todos

[@adelinodias4132]

The Beetle project was wonderful, congratulations to the team.

[@user-rb1yf4he9q]

The VW Bug has to be one of if not the most versatile platform for modding ever. From dune buggy to street rod to drag car to highboy to………..you name it. Flat Fours to Porsche 6s to full V8s. The only limit is the person’s vision.

[@siphiwemavuso1062]

nice build bafwethu here in south africa with such skills you could literally buy the country you can own the car fabrication industry

[@HotRodDad]

OUTSTANDING!!! I love this little V-dub.

[@allanrichards3752]

A brilliant build. All the little details as well as the big changes like the suicide doors. Great colour also. You must be really proud of the result.

[@kennethroberts5493]

Nnjj

[@chrisparti]

Every design choice was perfection and carried out flawlessly, I was nursing a semi throughout the whole video...😂Outstanding attention to detail, and the overall vision and creation is incredible.... Dimple die heaven... I'm all for it ..❤❤❤

[@darylarmentrout252]

The only thing I don’t get is where you find an unrusted Unwrecked pre65 body in 2020. Very Nice! 😍

[@alexandercarrasco4270]

It's a nice build but I'l rather see a series of the build than an hour long slide show. That said, thanks for sharing

[@thomasschafer7268]

Nice colour. And cool wheels. Super project. I'm driving a german hoffman speedster.

[@josephwest7227]

Very Nice it's the DETAILyou Two put into the car. Nice Job !!!!!

[@LenB4830]

Without a doubt, the best looking bug I've ever seen. Living in San Diego, I've seen a lot of customized VW's, but yours stands out as the best.

[@fernonchop]

Thank you...

[@theariesexperiment4642]

I bet those doors shut flawlessly.😊👍🇺🇸

[@fernonchop]

Yes they do...

[@theariesexperiment4642]

@@fernonchop Just incredible build sir. I consider this kind of build what guitar builders consider "An Artisan" or "Master Builders" quality. Where the craftsman has reached the absolute pinnacle of that medium and genre. You just dont see a build like like very often. Most folks buy all the parts, assemble, and call it a SEMA or Riddler winner and they weren't even involved in the process. But this,....... this,.... is truly art. You've touched every single nut, bolt, and part on that car and modified I'd say 70% of them. You are an insanely talented individual. The vintage aircraft feel you captured here is completely off the charts. 100 out of 100 brother. CONGRATULATIONS. Would love to see more from master builders such as yourself in the resto mod world. Hats off to you sir.

[@fernonchop]

@@theariesexperiment4642 Thank you for the kind words...

[@803mastiff9]

That may just be the coolest beetle I have ever seen.

[@kevincain2697]

Love the Bug .had one pumpkin orange loved that car 👍. What the music playing .to cool

[@wikingmatheus]

...this is a drastic reconstruction!🤘😁

[@tomkitchen2764]

That is so cool, a great father and son effort.

[@antoniopaulo2566]

G

[@michaelcardona7397]

Extraordinary job; I'm in my late late years and have been a VW guys since the 60's, this project of yours is really superb, what I would do; I believe you didn't chop the top, it's what I'v heard to be called "SUNK" the top down, different and really cool; My father had a business and we had 1960 VW Panel Van which we sold frozen chicken, eggs and corn bread from, never used 3rd or 4th gear driving through the mountain roads of Puerto Rico, my personal car was a 1962 VW. Super great memories, I currently have a 1974 Karman Ghia, also modified, i'm not much into stock, Love my Ghia!!!

[@amorporlosautos1173]

Eselente buena restauracion y

[@nonyb6365]

Gorgeous car! Amazing work!

[@andrefischer1631]

Eine wunderschöne Arbeit der meister kann sich selbst auf die Schulter klopfen daumen hoch❤

[@tonythomas951]

I just realized how lucky I am to have been in Tucson my whole life because Ive never seen rust like that. What a pain.

[@tonygreen3528]

Superb fabrication, you have motivated me to redo my volksrod, thank you . 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@sebastiaopauloqueirozdefre1083]

Simplesmente magnífico , isso sim , é uma lindíssima obra de arte , bravooooo !!!!!

[@wwallusa123]

Love it. The longer wheel base really sets it off. The angle from the steering column to the rack and pinion is some cause of concern though.

[@liboy9844]

Love that you kept rear seats, suspension and engine ‘stock’ so that car can still be used as a ‘reliable’ daily driver...but in-style.

[@ahynter]

нахожусь в Мексике, в штате Пуебла, никогда раньше не видел столько Жучков, может каждый 10 автомобиль - очень красивые

[@davidamato768]

Amazing build guys. All of the subtle details are perfect. Great craftsmanship. A little perplexed by your rendition of the VW logo though.

[@fernandosouzasoares734]

Same here... what was the intention with that logo?

[@marcosguimaraes2220]

O melhor fusca reformado e reforçado que eu já vi , a sua criatividade e bom gosto valeu dez e o mais bonito também.

[@jeffbaldwin9842]

Beautiful car. Some high quality workmanship there and lots of it. Well done. You should be proud.

[@elligconcepcion06167]

Awesome! 🤩😍🔥😻👏👏One of my favourite car , Volkswagen beetle 🪲🪲😍😍❤️❤️ 🙏👼🌻🌻 GOD BLESS!

[@celsocarvalho1113]

The best I’ve ever seen. Congratulations!

[@martitinkovich4489]

Pure inspiration! Quite fortuitous[big word] that i came upon this piece of art that i have no words adequate to describe. as i've just started working on bugs in the last 2-3 months since there's no American rods w/in my financial reach as i live abroad now.

[@juanperez-kk3dw]

Greetings, good job here in the Canary Islands, Spain, this type of modifications are not allowed, simple bureaucracy, but thanks to you and other builders, we can dream of the models. Just one detail, for the record that I respect your decision, the logo from 1937 I don't see it clearly but I respect it. Thank you very much for the video.

[@elligconcepcion0617]

Awesome😻😍♥️🔥🤩🤩🌹🌹 one of my favourite iconic car👏👏 Volkswagen beetle😻😻😍😍😘😘God bless!!🙏😇🌻🌻

[@johnbehneman1546]

TOTALLY AWSSOME BUILD!!!!!! I AM SO IMPRESSED!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!! IT CAME OUT GREAT!!!!

[@jimmybonifacio6734]

Freaaaakin awesome! Been following the thread but "The Evil Metal Genius" rocked the great welds!

[@dwayneaguiar1148]

Man thats one bad ass car.

[@gottliebheinrich8413]

1:11:06 a cool historical reference like the sign on the front hood with the sprocket (Zahnrad). Here in Germany the sign with the propeller in proximity to the Hakenkreuz (Svastika) would be punished by law. (They assume and declare it as promoting the III.Reich's Ideology) The build is a honourable work. And it has its own charme. I am normally very traditional - so i feared for the little bug ("Käfer") .... But what a wonderful Metamorphosis!🤩 Sehr schön und kraftvoll!

[@x15973]

Outstanding Doom Bug! Nice work and details!

[@TheWisdom3]

Beyond proper.

[@amorporlosautos1173]

Eselente buena restauracion

[@rosehenderson4557]

DOING WHAT YOU WONT, WITH FINOMINOL TALENT $$

[@adoniascarneirodequeiroz3472]

coisa do sonho dificio ter um como este so a coragem p fazer nao foi facil

[@jasonhull5712]

" Super bug " Haha, I love it! Love hand built cars like this. So unique and fresh. Congratulations on a beautiful win. A completion at it's best. Most projects like this get abandoned or never see the finish line. Mine is 12 years and counting.. but its almost ready to fire up for the first time! ( not a bug, and not done to this level of craftsmanship) thanks for sharing

[@resgateerestore]

Oi amigo, tenho um canal onde eu e meu filho encontramos carros, motos e até bicicletas antigos, assiste lá e se gostar se inscreva, abraço

[@offgridislandfamily]

Anyone else think it looks more 'right' and balanced with the hood off, showing an equally 'raw' front and rear treatment?

[@adventure461]

One of a kind . A true Masterpiece.

[@johnparr5879]

Pure skill and creativity within design. Great...

[@atomc.r.s.]

My name is Rafael and it is a great pleasure to watch an artisan transform a work of art into something magnificent, congratulations. This is a restoration dream that I want to make one day with my daughters, a pity here in my country some tools are difficult to access because of the prices. Your skill is so great that I couldn't stop watching, once again congratulations.

tôi thực sự cảm thấy như hiểu được ý định của thiết kế của bạn 👍

[@robertlewis7237]

THANK YOU FOR GREAT SUPER DETAILED VIDEO OF BUILD BEAUTY BUG AS JOY WATCHING FROM AUSTRALIA

[@mikerussell6212]

Great video an a fantastic looking car 👍🎉🎉👍

[@joereedmusic9853]

Well crafted.

[@edgarrondinelly5943]

Perfect custom

[@edivandrosilvasantos3597]

🤓 o projeto foi tão bem feito e deu tanto trabalho que conseguiu me segurar todo o vídeo!! Parabéns 👏👏👏👏TOP D+++++

[@resgateerestore]

Oi amigo, tenho um canal onde eu e meu filho encontramos carros, motos e até bicicletas antigos, assiste lá e se gostar se inscreva, abraço

[@saraspitefull32]

Very nice build..if we drove around in beetle in Britain with no wheel arches they would throw the book at us crappie Britain hey 😒 thanks for sharing 👍

[@BLUESNAKE777]

Nice making👍

[@ralphjules9594]

Its really holey, love it lol

[@MrBriggsy70]

WOW just WOW well done

[@hedgehog5001]

I've seen a lot of modified car videos over my years but this one must rank in the top five, it's quite simply stunning. Everything about it looks superb, truly an amazing job. I wonder what these guys could do with a car that was instinsically more interesting than a beetle? I look forward to seeing what you do next.

[@fernonchop]

We are in the process of building a 1941 Willy's Coupe Big Blower Car. Not sure if that is interesting enough for you...

[@frankschwartz7405]

>> a car that was instinsically more interesting than a beetle?

[@resgateerestore]

Oi amigo, tenho um canal onde eu e meu filho encontramos carros, motos e até bicicletas antigos, assiste lá e se gostar se inscreva, abraço

[@ahmettezci3378]

Uii

[@tomraviele7332]

Amazing Video documentation of your build! Fantastic job, your ride is awesome, well done!

[@stevenpackard1463]

oh,oh,oh, i thoroughly enjoyed that

[@GGk1cars]

Bro, I loved this project, the body had already won me over when I looked at the Porsche Boxster engine, it's really incredible, I wish I could do something like that in my country! Have you ever tried trying out a "fueltech" programmable injection kit? You would get all the benefits this machine deserves without much expense! amazing thanks for sharing

[@jacobsmith8497]

The description is a fucking book very well written.

[@bazd]

Great job and a fantastic car I like the way the headliner is done it really is something special.

[@jameskorner6611]

What a great build,love it from up here in Canada

[@wmrmartin9801]

One bad ass VW. Great job

[@charlesgraham9954]

funny story about my dad and i with a 67 Bug. i was so excited about being done building my 2180. i put it in my car. put the driver-side seat in so i could test drive it as i tuned and sinked up the Webber carbs. then i put the passenger seat in, BUT.! i got side tracked with the radio. so i said dad wanna ride with me and see out she is? he gets in right. not knowing the seat isnt bolted down.. lmfaoo. so i back-up, pull out and ripe it.. rolf.. all i see is legs and feet flying back. OMG i started laughin so hard i could barley drive. my dad not so much.. lol thats my Bug story. nice ride as well. ima VW nut, since the 70s when my mom had a 72

[@jogjakarta8990]

Wèèè

[@RussSchoonmaker]

I really admire the overall vision and execution. When a product gives me the feeling that I wouldn’t change a thing, i really feel like understand the intent of the design. Only a couple of choices surprised me: 1. I expected the hood hinges would have been drilled to match the theme, and 2. I thought the rear seat would be deleted, for weight saving, and to allow room for a roll cage.

[@resgateerestore]

Oi amigo, tenho um canal onde eu e meu filho encontramos carros, motos e até bicicletas antigos, assiste lá e se gostar se inscreva, abraço