Rover's Restoration

We completely stripped down the car, removing the interior, engine, gas tank, all rubber and plastic parts, the dash panels -- everything. Then we had the shell sandblasted inside and out. Fortunately, except for the floor pan, the rust was on the surface and disappeared quickly. We cut away the rusty lace-like original floor pan and welded a brand new one in its place. We also modified her air intake boxes by adding a vent slot in the leading edge, which really pumps air into the engine. Dent repairs and some minor welding was then done to bring back Rover's original beauty. Then we had her painted with 2-stage Imron. Since she was so stripped down, we could do a really complete job and were even able to paint inside the engine compartment, which was a nice bonus.

Since the painter did a poor job on her interior (hair & sand in paint plus drips) we were forced to re-paint her floor pan, rear seat backs & deck, and door interiors with a textured paint resembling granite. We installed an after market glove box/radio panel, painted to match. We rebuilt her front seat frames. All of her seats were then re-padded & upholstered. Countless small trim parts were replaced, and we installed a very cheap radio. We painted her stock 14" rims black, installed a set of slightly taller than stock tires, performed a 2" suspension lift, and replaced her old muffler, brake line, and CV joints & boots. The brake lines hadn't been flushed in a very long time, so we did that too. Finally we added several sets of Tracks to advertise our love of wildlife.

After the major work was almost completed, a few large projects still awaited Rover. Her bows needed straightening and refinishing, her top needed attention, as did her sun visors, and seatbelts. We also wanted to have all the chrome parts powder coated black, and try to find a set of straight bumpers. Except for a few items on this wish-list, all of these projects have been finished. She is one happy vehicle!

Now it is so much fun watching people smile and turn their heads as Rover drives by.

Here is what Rover looks like without her doors. We often remove one or more doors during the summer months. Its easy to do — they simply fit over two pins that have a safety spring. We can either store them at home or under the hood which is her trunk (the engine is in the rear on a VW Thing). The natural air-conditioning is a welcome benefit on a hot day.

This is how Rover looks now (2009). Since the original Volkswagen rims occasionally got bent during off road travel, she now has larger after-market aluminum rims. The ride has been much smoother and quieter since this upgrade. If you look closely at her door handles, headlight rings, mirrors, and bumpers, you will notice the flat-black powder-coating. It has held up extremely well through the years. Her top was new in 1999, and her top-bows were completely refurbished and reinforced at that time as well. All four windows are glass now, instead of the stock plastic. Improved durability and view clarity are the tradeoff for the increase in weight.

Rover ferries our family up and down a steep mountain road almost daily, and is occasionally towed behind a motorhome. She is a fun, hardworking vehicle, and we are so happy to have her in our lives.