Progress Pics of new Beetle with body work.

[COZMO6476]

Hello everyone,
Its me again with more pictures of that Pseudo RSI Beetle. It started out being a Wings West Beetle but I stumbled upon some RSI photos from google and its been evolving into more of an RSI than a wings west beetle. After completing several kits box stock, several people were politely encouraging me to do something along the lines of the supra that I made (ehem… FOTW). I hope this is not a let down. Here are some of the details so far:
1. cut doors and created hinges using brass tubing and musical wire
2. cut the rear window so that it can also be open and installed hinge
3. wings west side accents made with styrene sheet backed by putty
4. RSI type front end constructed with more styrene sheet
5. RSI type tail made and installed. More detail will be added soon
There has been lots of sanding, puttying, and a couple coats of Mr. Surfacer and this is what it looks like at the moment. I have no idea what wheels to use at this point nor do I know what color to paint the car. When im closer to that point, I will set up a poll.
Other info:
Its basically a hodge podge of body parts. It doesn’t look like any of the reference pics I have chosen as reference but is more like a combination of a few. The RSI has flared fenders which my model does not. And the rear bumper of the RSI is much more complicated than the one I have on mine but I will add more detail as soon as I figure out how to do that. Finally I’d like to add that opening the doors on a Beetle is a real pain in the ass since the door is so irregularly shaped. There isn’t much room for a hinge and the mirror just makes it even more complicated. I think it works ok but I will probably stick to opening rectangular doors in the future. Thoughts, Comments and Suggestions are welcome as always.

[Ayala]

kewl project!!! btb, isn't it the fenders of the RSI wider

[Gainsbourg]

Great work on the body Rob.
Like especially the open doors.
You seem to use a much simple system than what I’m use to see but it appear to be quite effective.

[Jarrod Li]

Looks great! Hope you are planning on the RSI spoiler as well, IMO that's the best looking part of the RSI.

[Jastor]

I love the RSI Beetle!

And what you have so far looks truly excellent!

If you're looking for an accurate RSI, I believe the front bumper doesn't have the standard turn signal lenses. They've been relocated to just above the outboard vents in small slits.

Also the rear bumper has an area at the bottom made of mesh, and the exhausts I think are farther apart.

The fenders are a tad bit wider, and have a "crease" in them, compared to the standard smooth Bug fenders.

What you have right now looks like a regular Bug with aftermarket look-alike RSI parts, which is still cool!

Sean

[bends]

Looks fabulous man, great job!

[mstngcobrasvt98]

Dont know if you have these or not, but im going to post it anyways so people can see what your trying to do.
VW Beetle RSI

[integra818]

UMmmm cosmo... you sure that's putty?

[COZMO6476]

i know its not a true RSI. for now all i can hope for is for it to be a regular beetle with an RSI "type" bumper. to really make an RSI i think i would have to start from the original kit again since the doors are also different and it would be a pain to make them accurate after i have cut them. Once this kit is done, i will pick up another Beetle for the sole purpose of making an accurate RSI. i promise. for now you will have to bear with the 'pseudo' RSI.

and Integra818, it is mostly plastic styrene with some putty to fill in the gaps.

[njh]

Looks very nice so far!

[[S]ky|ine]

Looking fine !!! nice work done by you again!!! Keep it up and hope can see more progress pic coming up!!

[supratuner]

i was expecting another supra or nice RX-7, sad to see u went with those hippy mobiles

[mentel]

i also notice your door "droops" when open. mine does the same.

you figured out how to fix that yet, or has anybody else? cuz i dontlike my door to droop down or "hang" lower than it should

[chaos]

Can't wait to see the end product - seeing what you did with the F&F supra!!!

[bah humbug]

Awesome putty work. Your doing a great job.

But I'm just not with that beetle.

Here is my opinion, IT IS UGLY.

But you are doing a great job on it.