As I commented in your 1st video with the car, one step at a time. Each step is an accomplishment. It’s looking good. And no part is ruined because you’re basically building it from scratch. I worked in assembly plants. You have no idea how many patches there are inside a new car. They officially just call them “engineering deviations”.

As a maker, you can't ruin anything... you can only create substantially more work for yourself! 😉

As a guy who grew up around farms, I'm glad you finally embraced your inner farm owner and have car parts laying around.

You handled the reality of restoring a car much faster than I did (and most do). Car restoration is like peeling an onion. Good on you for just moving forward. There's very little you can do that can't be re-done.

Watched this while going through some HEAVY ish in my personal life and career, and the piece between the 11 and 12 minute mark hit me WAY harder than I imagine you ever thought it would lol. Just wanted to say Thank You, for always being a genuine human with your audience, and for unknowingly (or knowingly lol) imparting some real life wisdom while still being a great content creator. Really look forward to your videos being released, and now I have one more reason to stay tuned.

I'm pretty sure Alec Steele has never made anything without actually breaking it first. You're in good company then!

As an owner and restorer of a classic Volkswagen myself all I can tell you to tell yourself is this. "How do you eat and elephant?" One bite at a time. Keep going. You got this.

I have to tell you Bob, I LOVED this episode. The way you all filmed, edited, and assembled it. But more than anything I love the process. Makers can find themselves in all the situations you were in with this, and you just have to keep rolling. Thank you for taking us through the process man!

Looking good, man! Reminds me a lot of painting...where you get to a certain point where you've got to take a big step and potentially really screw up what you're doing, but just have to take the leap to keep going and have faith you'll bring it all together on the other end. There are few finer lessons to work through when it comes to making.

Pro tip for the pulling studs. When done with the pulling stud, twist it with the slide hammer still gripping it. Most of the time, the stud will twist off, leaving very little grinding to do. Hope this helps, God bless and stay well.

Best video ever. I'm sure we've all had a moment in life or a project where it feels like the end keeps getting further away. Once you get there, the next move forward is so daunting and your mind starts eating itself. I love the honesty in this and I am currently in exactly that moment right now. You have inspired me and it's kind of comforting to know even clever guys like you have it too

I'm loving this project so much. I have zero intentions on getting into restoring an old car, ESPECIALLY body work! But the lessons learned and the inspiration gained are invaluable.

The plus is, you're going to get really good at sheet metal work! I'm terrified to start the body work on my project. But I'm not going for complete restoration like you, my brain couldn't handle it.

Hey Bob. I restored a 74 beetle (ontario canada, aka rusted). Things I learned. Take whatever timeline you started with and times it by 5. Assume everything is rusted and needing replaced. The fact you are as far as you are with zero real expirience is monumental. You are just so used to starting a "new project" with new parts and building from ground up. This is different. This is undoing 30-40 years of rot and neglect before you even get to think about putting new stuff on. Keep plugging away. It's coming along better than you realize. And it IS fixable. I've seen far worse end up in amazing shape. Just take the time, do your thing. And dont be afraid to step away for a day or a week when you are ready to burn the bitch to the ground. -- those days happen a LOT

Keep going man, my brother took 11 years to restore his MGB to the point that he stripped it down to the chassis rails and built it back up but it was well worth it in the end

Thank you for being vulnerable on camera. This is more encouraging than you know. I hit the "I don't know exactly how to do it, so I'm just not going to start until I fully understand" wall in almost every project. So to see how you worked through that is super awesome! Keep it up, gents!

Love it! We all have many times hit that point where the only options are keep going or give up, congrats on getting through it! The best way to remove those studs is to clamp vise grips on them sideways right at the head and twist them off, then you only need a quick sand with a flap disc which avoids the waviness from grinding. Also this video is not showing up in my Subscriptions feed, only found it by going to my recommended page, pretty annoyed about that, stupid KZfaq!

What a fantastic video. Well produced, a bit of DIY, and some real talk. A lot of makers only show what goes right, it's great that you show what goes right AND what goes wrong. I love following you on this KG journey. Good luck, bro!

Im actually starting an body off restoration of my ‘71 Ghia. These videos are inspiring to me. Keep it going.

I've been waiting for this video! What you are experiencing is normal! Don't get discouraged and keep at it! Back to waiting for the next video in this series!

Thank you for your video that weirdly come at the exact moment I needed it. I do not know how far the bottom of the hole is, but it helps me to know that people like you also have these kinds of hole and that you gotta keep digging if you want bounce back. I look forward to the rest!

Having watched some of the nightmarish messes that Derek from Vice Grip Garage has gone through, you have a good solid car to work on. Definitely NOT ruined. You’re doing great.

Great video Bob. For some reason I liked the realness of this video more than any other one you've done. I love the highly edited videos, but it's something about this sort of content, makes it more entertaining and feels genuine. I'm actually a simple kind of guy, it doesn't take much to impress me, and this video hit the spot. Great job!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Whenever I watch DIY stuff here (not just yours), I see the polished version (for the most part). It is great to know that I'm not alone with the intimidation of some projects. I know I'm not, but it's good to see it in things like this. Thanks!

I feel your pain man....it's not easy taking on a project like this. Keep pushing forward. It takes the average guy about five years part time to do a complete restoration. I can't wait to get back on mine! =)

Man... This video couldn't have come at a better time. I'm kinda discouraged with a project at the moment so seeing that even you can feel the way you felt made me look up to the project again. Thanks Bob!

I felt this video in my soul. One bite at a time bud. a Ghia is a hell of a 1st ACVW project to take on. In a way, they were a mass produced but also coachbuilt vehicle.. each one hand-finished at the factory. keep it up!

"I'm tired of being scared of it...". That's the point where we all need to get to (sometimes repeatedly--I know I do) before we can start to see change in life.

This whole video, from the title to the blooper reel, was a work of art. The editing, the pacing of the story. *chefs kiss* Well done.

I cannot speak for other viewers or your own determination, but this is by far my favorite video/ series I've ever seen from you after years of watching. Seeing you out of your comfort zone working on such a massive project is really inspiring and informative but mostly just good fun content. I hope you persevere and keep up the project.

I worked with a Doctor who rebuild and 1930' Ford Coup. He had the same problems. He kept telling himself "the further in to the Forrest I go, the closer to the otherside I am" now He has a beautiful fire red ford coup the most people would die for.

Great stuff so far! These kinds of projects can be extremely difficult for the emotional rollercoaster ride alone… Good for you for pushing through and just doing something! You’ll find the momentum builds as you see more progress! 💪✌️👏

I can totally relate with the discouraged part!! Im in the same cave with my youtube channel. It seems like the more I dig in, the more I work and try to improve, the less and less I see the possibility of ever getting turned around to start heading out. I really appreciate you sharing!

So excited to see this project being finished. You're moving about 1000 times faster than project Binky so you can be proud of that. It's encouraging to see you overcome feeling overwhelmed by the mountain of work and keep moving forward - I found it helpful with a big project in my life which feels formidable, to be reminded that what looks like destruction is still progress and is a necessary part of creating something worthwhile. Stripping back the rot means you can trust the finished project. Sorry it's been more of a mission than you expected. I hope the next phase is more encouraging!

Don’t get discouraged. I myself are having same issues. I am doing a resto mod to a 1963 vw Notchback. I have removed so much rust so far but only worked on one section at a time. Cut something out and then replaced it. That way every time I worked on it I saw progress, and it felt really good. At first when I saw how much rust I had I thought to myself “what the heck did I start? ”. Started with the rust in December and it is just about done. Would’ve been finished by now if it wasn’t for a head-on collision I was in back in January so had to take a 7 week break. But keep it up and keep doing it right, looking forward to more videos.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to suggest that anyone should bite off my 'studdly bits'. (Couldn't resist). In all seriousness, I really appreciate you sharing these kind of videos. I've recently been working on a big (for me) renovation of my basement (ok, I've been working on it for over a year, but it can be slow doing it by yourself). And there have been many moments that I imagine feel a lot like you describe: being afraid of messing up when you're doing something that you've never done before. Videos like yours remind me that we all have to do things for the first time, we all make mistakes, and almost nothing is insurmountable if you take it one step at a time. The work you're doing is really awesome, and I'm glad to be along for the ride.

Great storytelling! I have been in this place so many times with projects...might be there with one now. It helps to know others get there and get through too.

Welcome to the world of restoration, particularly of Aircooled VWs! There is plenty online and useful forums to help out with all of this. Shop Talk Forums and The Samba are great places if you aren't there already. Also worth noting that most of the panels come with 'transit primer' and want proper paint / weld thru primer before sealing up.

Just happened to find this video as I'm replacing the floors in my 73 Ghia. Been working on this car for almost 30 years on and off. Happy to say it's finally getting closer to the end. Good luck, you definitely are feeling the same as I have. It's all fixable, just stay determined!

I know how you feel. My 69 Ghia has had me up and down. You do inspire me to try things outside my comfort zone. I have so many things I’m excited about but also so many I ask myself what have I done. It’s not always the destination but sometimes about the journey. Keep up the great work. I appreciate you.

I love this project and I can totally understand how intimidating this must feel. I'm going to start cutting up my rusty squarebody truck floor next week and try to weld in new floor panels with 0 welding experience (but with help from someone who knows how to weld, luckily). But it's your car, and you're the one that will love it for many years to come after all this is done, so who cares you screw up here and there, just learn from it and keep going. Don't get it 100% right, just get it running and enjoy it!

You are doing exactly what is needed. It looks great. Like Chep said. It is one step at a time. Finish one step then go to the next. If you find you have to change something you do. You really can't ruin it. You may have to make something a couple of times. That's ok. The thing is you learn something each time. Keep up the good work. You are doing great.

Bob it is good to see a new video in this series. So good to see how far you keep getting. Can't wait to see more videos soon Bob. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend Bob. Fab On. Weld On. ClampChamp. Keep making. God bless.

I've been told many times that when dealing with car restorations, especially with one's as bad as yours, is that you just have to persevere. It's going to get worse before it gets better. But when it's done, it's done and you can have piece of mind that you've fixed everything structurally. Just take your time and it will turn out fine!

I feel this big time. My son and I started restoring a car summer of 2020. My father had held onto his first car his entire life. It’s an early 60’s Mercury Comet. This thing is far from something special to anyone except my father. That car sat in his barn (pole barn w/ dirt floor)since we moved in to that house in 1993. Before that it sat under a car port in our driveway. In 2004 when I came home from college my father and I started resorting it but “took the winter off”. We told ourselves that it was too hard to keep up with the cold of a northern NY winter to work on the car in that drafty old barn. If I’m being honest we realized the damage done from sitting in that barn over a dirt floor for all those years. When we first saw it my father actually welled up with tears. It devastated him to think that his car was possibly too far gone. Winter didn’t end for 16 years. Somewhere around my dad’s birthday (January) 2020 my son started asking about that old turd in the barn. Dad retired in 2018 and I was working from home (covid). Dad an I chuckled and told the boy it was lost. A few weeks later I caught my son sneaking his phone into his room to watch videos. We caught him because he was hooked to the bathroom Bluetooth. He knew it was against the rules to have his phone past bedtime, and it was nearly 11:00. When I confronted him he showed me he was watching car restoration videos and he felt very confident that if we didn’t give up we could make that car go again. The boy turns 17 in 2 weeks and he intends to drive that Car to prom in early June. We have a day or 2 left before the engine is finished and we are lacking a few chrome bits, but all in all it’s done. My father gave up when it got tough, and so didn’t I. We lost him in December and he never got the chance to see it done. I’m really glad to see you plan to keep the gears turning on this. Not following through on this all those years ago is one of my biggest regrets.

you haven't ruined it yet, just watch out for the metal warping when you're welding and try to cool the welds with something like a wet old rag. but you'll be fine, im sure it'll turn out like the beautiful car it once was again.

"The more I dig, the more I have to dig" Sounds like my last brake pad change on my Mini Cooper. Ended up needing new rotors and caliper as well.

In the 60s or 70s, John Muir wrote a book called, How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive. It's all about those VWs that had air-cooled engines, like Bugs, Beetles and VW buses. It's still available on Amazon from what I can tell. It may be a helpful reference for you in your restoration. Also, until the early 2000s, they were still building the old style Bugs at a factory in Mexico, so if you're needing to source authentic parts, you may have luck looking there. Good luck with the rest of this project! KG has been my favourite car since I was a teenager. This is a fun series to watch. 😊

Started my Apprenticeship at a Body Shop recently, It was really cool to see some of our tools being used by someone i have watched for so long. As far as the car goes, typically quarter panels are a much bigger replacement than just the bottom. And you have to be careful where you reweld the new pieces on, some cuts could be structally unstable! Otherwise i love it! Good job!

Just keep digging! Great to see the video progress after hearing you talk about it so much on Making It. Nice work & great video.

Probably one of the most real episodes to date. As a maker we have the attitude to do anything and sometimes it's terrifying. Knowing when to stop is often the hardest thing to do. For many, that car would have been laid to rest.

I watched and helped my dad restore old cars, it's a labour of love. I think it's why I turned to woodwork as I ended up not seeing the value in the time it takes. That said, keep going, you're right to not being afraid of it and start welding panels back in.

I'm in that same mindset right now with my rc hobby as a whole. It's been a rough couple of weeks with my day job, family issues, on top of shipping in my area still stinks! I haven't uploaded any updates to my channel in two weeks. I'm definitely hitting a rut. But.....as my uncle used to say in theater: the show MUST go on! Just have to dig a bit deeper inside to achieve what we love! 🤘🔥 Great video!

Dang Bob.. I Definitely would have had R2-D2 with you. To do all the cutting out panels and pieces my friend. I really think you missed an opportunity. I mean R2 has a Lazer! So much faster! Anyhow great video. I started watching your channel like 4 or 5 years ago. Something like that, and I really enjoy the woodworking part of your channel. (I'm a woodworker myself.) But I have to say I've really been enjoying the car work. I started fixing my own cars at 18 years old. And so I can appreciate your channel, and your inspirational content for sure Bob. Thanks for all the awesome videos over the years. Take care. And keep your chin up. You'll be driving your fully restored Karmann Ghia, before you know it. And look back on the, fixing it up part, like it was nothing.

Make your patch panels round and you’ll get less shrinkage, squares focus the heat in the corners causing problems. Always weld in repairs on early car bodies, bonding is more suited to later model cars.

I have a 1974 VW beetle that i need to do a full body off restoration as well, i have had experience in the past once befor at least so i have to tell you keep going, its terrifying but rewarding and learning it once is actually a lot of fun.

Hey, you’re doing great. Don’t underestimate the process; that’s where your greatest lessons are. Thank you for being transparent in your journey. Keep going 🙏🏼

A long journey has started. Keep it going, share your progress as much as you can. It is going to be epic at the end!

I’m in a similar situation with my first house everything we do feels like there’s just so much more to do. It might not be very helpful but I come to watch videos from you and you say so often you have no idea what you’re doing and every time I just sit here like nah it’s Bob he’s got this. I know we don’t get to see all the behind the scenes of bits that might fail but trust me you’re Bob and you like to make things so you’ll figure it out!

I really like this series. It's a change of pace from the build videos but I really like it for its differences. All the content you make is awesome Bob. You're my favorite KZfaqr and builder!

I am rebuilding my 1978 VW Bus that has been sitting on a farm for the past 18 years. Same type of rust that you have. Body work is slow, tedious work and takes a lot of time. Your doing great and we all go through the stages of “WTF am I doing”. Keep it up and keep working. Love the project.

We definitely need a River car, just like Jimmy said just cast the bottom in epoxy! 😂😅 Great job on keeping on and not being paralyzed by fear, that for me is the biggest thing to get over. Thanks for sharing the process, set backs and all!

When I first started playing Minecraft with my son a few months back, he got super excited about a world I started working on. We explored island after island, oceans and streams, and eventually discovered the largest network of caves I’ve ever seen in the game. Lush caves, every kind of resource you could think of, diamonds, red stone, tons to explore. Eventually, though, I got tired of being stuck down there. Wanted to see sky and trees and something different. But it just kept going. Lower and lower, more cool stuff to learn and see, but an overarching feeling that there was no way back up. And so, diamond pickaxe in hand, one evening we decided to just start digging our way back diagonally up. One carved step at a time. It took an hour or more, chipping away in the dark. Rock gave way to gravel, dirt, and finally surface. Keep digging. I think Churchill said “When you’re going through hell - keep going” or something similar. Thanks for sharing the full story and thoughts - appreciated hearing about it on Making It, too. You’re learning a ton and I appreciate every step.

Welcome to the automotive restoration world! It is always a dark tunnel for very long before you start to see light. That’s why my cars are never finished lol. It’s hard but it is a labor of love and when it’s finished it’ll be worth the wait.

There's a quote I use a lot when I get in over my head "When you're going through hell, keep going." (It's usually attributed to Winston Churchill, but I don’t know if he really said it.) That and my grandpa's favorite saying when he dinged a woodworking project "Well, we're not building a piano" keeps me going. Also, I'm never allowed to build a piano.

I love the way you try multiple methods when you can. Everything from adhering panels with welding and epoxy, to cutting by hand and with CNC

Every full restoration is a series of “this looks mostly good!” Then a little exploration followed by cutting more and more and more out until it gets terrifying. I think this why minimal work “rustoration” has become popular. It’s more approachable from a time and money standpoint point. I’m going through a restoration project on a boat so I know exactly how you feel, and also summer is coming and the family is ready to hit the water but the boat isn’t haha.

if you are so close with that one piece, then you have made a butt load of progress. I’m still working on a car i bought 2 years ago and i hate it, but i know that when i’m done, it’s going to feel so rewarding to have people turning their heads to glance at the car. It will be so rewarding to be able to finally drive it. Baby steps man, You got this

Excellent editing on this video! I could really feel the emotions involved. Looking forward to the next video!

Bloody Good Job Bob!!! I've been sitting on a project i've been scared of for too long now. Excuse me while get myself to the shed!

I think it is awesome that you bring us along on this journey, Bob! You learn as you go, and we get to learn with you!

You've got this. You're Bob and you like to make stuff! You're a problem solver. You get better every day. You're also a clamp champ. You're going to make an amazing car.

Love this content. Been a fan since your podcast days with Jimmy and David. Keep up the great content!

I've worked on a lot of beetles and done a lot of stuff for those. One tip is to bolt the channels to your floor pans and put the body on top after so all your bolt holes line up after even if you are doing floor pans later, everything will be exactly where it was from the factory. Also for glue vs welding. Whatever the manufactured did ordinary us usually a good place to start. A lot of modern cars are glued and the old stuff is all welded. I weld butt joints but do whatever you feel like.

Look at Project Binky and how long that took! Don't feel bad about taking a week stripping the rust out. Mind you, Nik decided he wanted to fit a 3S-GTE in a Mini, which is a touch more time consuming than restoring a car with factory panels...

I absolutely adore watching old things be restored. That's my obsession with Car SOS. I do hope that you get the framework inspected before you start putting body panels back on; just to make sure that the structural Integrity of the car is solid. Especially since this is the first time you've done massive framework like that. I would hate for you to get everything done, and then there be something you weren't aware of go wrong; and have the frame collapse under all your beautiful work!

I know the feeling… been there myself! Looks good you are making great progress, small steps will get you there!

I've worked in a body shop for a few years. I've welded in panels and glued them in. I'm currently patching rust work on my project car and I can tell you to glue in any panel you can. It will rust proof the car better than welding and can create a seal to keep moisture out where as welding can leave pin holes for moisture

Awesome work Bob! Old cars have a LOT of rust and hidden 'treasures'. I've known this from once owning an old Mercedes. :D Focus on what's ahead and keep going! It'll be worth it! Be glad that you don't have to get your car through German TÜV inspection! :DD

Kudos for tenacity. The demo is the part I dislike the most. Once you start putting things back together, your creative juices kick in and it gets more therapeutic. A tip in frugality, use a pair of diagonals to cut the spot welded studs at the surface, re-use. You're gonna use the stud welder a lot and that will save a couple of trips to restock not to mention expense. Derek at Vice Grip Garage has an optional method of patching and re-panel process, might be worth a look.

You're doing great! A car restoration is a whole new animal to tackle. Take some time. Make some memories. You'll remember each part of that car when you look at it when it's done.

I know next to nothing about cars, but I find this whole series fascinating to watch. Great stuff.

7:00- 7:37 nearly every large project I have ever done... and I thank you for capturing it on video

I understand how you feel. After almost a year of working on my boat I realized I need to move on. I haven't been able to make much progress and it is taking up too much of my time, money, and space. I need to clear up some resources so that I can get back into making stuff.

This is my favorite series on your channel!

dont quit!!! you are doing great!

You're doing humanity a service to bring that car back. And the first time some stranger stops and tells you a story about how that was the first car they had when they got married, or how they learned to drive in a bug but always wanted a Ghia, every second of doubt you ever had about it is going to evaporate.

As resourceful as you are, you'll be able to get it done. It all comes down to how quickly you want it done and at what expense. If you find a competent car shop that will let you film them as well as help with the restoration process so you can learn more about it, the extra money spent may be worth it. Matt Carriker from Demolition/Off The Ranch has been fixing up/modding some cars collaborating with some local shops. He isnt a DIYer like you, so he has to resort to outside shops, but it's still really interesting to watch him show the work they do. It could be a good way for you to get your project done a little faster, learn how to do some of what you're trying to do from professionals, and help local businesses. Heck, you might even save money if you and a shop work something out through showing their shop on your channel. Either way though, I enjoy watching you turn this thing into something someone would want to ride in🙂.

U got this Bob. One step at a time, sometimes we have to y in order to create. Plus i believe the end results will be beautiful and amazing.

Take heart my friend. Check out Bad Obsession Motorsports Project Binkey. They had a great heaping amount of fixing to do before they could get anywhere with their Mini build. It took them 7 + years, but they finally finished it. Your project should take no where near as long. You are going back to stock or nearly so, not trying to cram 10 gallons of stuff into a 5 gallon hat! lol Relax, take your time. 1 day you will come out and realize you have been reassembling for a while, and you are on that upslope you mentioned. By the way, their videos have some really good methods for swapping major body components and getting them back together in the proper place again. Determining reference points, etc... You are doing great work. Keep it up!

Great job Bob!!! I enjoy seeing what and how you are working on your Ghia!

love this project! its very cool to see this process. as i would be at the same skill level as bob. you can do it dude! keep up the hard work. it is looking great!

Good stuff dude! You'll get there with time and it will be super satisfying when you're done!

This is a 100% normal stage in a car restoration like this. At some point you will have it all ready to get back together. There are A LOT of projects that end right here. Just take your time. Keep going and you will have a sweet little car. Good work! Oh, When you realize you welded something in wrong, don't worry about it. Just cut it out and fix it. That is also normal.

I feel ya Bob, I've had to sand paint and resand my current project like 5 times at this point. Finally think I'm making some forward progress.

For a FIRST bodywork/resto project, you picked a tough one for sure- but it'll come out great- Biggest advise I have for you having doen a few cars this bad, or worse myself - (1) Do ONE SIDE at a time so you can take measurements off the uncut side- (2) Cardboard and Masonite and Masking tape templates are your FRIENDS (3) when welding old, crusty THIN sheet metal make a zillion little tiny tack-welds nothing bigger that a Tic-Tac mint and move around a lot to lessen heat warping (4) NEVER EVER Trust re-pop parts to be dimensionally correct, go watch Mustie1's videos about restoring the old Ford Van/pickup thing, and You'll see how bad it can be........

I bought a 1972 vw beetle late last year and starting the restoration process soon, it’s a lot more rusty but it’s good to see another ghia being saved

As you noted Bob, slow & steady wins the race all the time. Hang in there and don't let the set backs get you down! It will all be worth it in the end! 👍👍😉😉

Best wishes on the project! (First video of yours Ive seen.) Its nothing I would tackle. (Maybe a Morgan - I know what to do with wood.) know that Karman Ghias were never really widespread in the US, but this made me realize its been something like 30 years since Ive seen one on the road.

Great series! One of the few videos I get to the end of without realizing how long it was.