Its Official

I've finally decided that the frame of the yellow beetle is too far gone for me to feasibly repair. The amount of deterioration on the frame makes it too dangerous to drive and if done improperly could be very dangerous. So for the sake of safety i'm going to get a body in better condition and do a motor swap because the motor on the yellow beetle only has 90000 original miles and runs mint.

Here are some pictures of the most valid candidate for body swap.

Its primed and ready for paint. Apparently these photos are a bit older and it has a few spots of rust but nothing that isn't manageable.

Any thoughts? Comments appreciated :)

RUNNING!

Got the beetle motor to turn over and run strong for the first time in 17 years.

Currently the motor runs off of a small half gallon jug of fuel sitting on the roof of the car.
It needed to have the plugs cleaned some oil and the fuel lines replaced before it ran this nicely.
Still debating weather or not to buy a body in better shape because this one is on the verge of being too far gone...

74 Beetle Project.

It all started with a 74 beetle.


BACKGROUND
My name is Mike. I'm 18 years old in my first semester at Massbay College. I'm writing this blog to keep track of all the restoration projects that i'm doing. This is the first car that I have bought with the intention of restoring. Ive been a mechanic for 3 years now and have always wanted a classic restored beetle.

CAR INFO
I currently work at a small shop in framingham mass. One day i noticed this car showed up at a shop down the street and I decided to ask the owner if it was for sale. He said he was gonna junk the car for 500 bucks and he would give it too me for 400. I gave him 300 cash and walked off with the car. Unfortunately it needs some serious bodywork luckily the motor is basically mint with less than 95000 miles on it. Also the car was driven by 3 women over the course of its life so the clutch and transmission are in perfect shape.


PLANS.
Given that this car is going to be a long project that has a lot of room for modifications I will be adding a few of my own. My goal for this project is to have a bad ass race tuned classic beetle.
-Lowed suspension.
-Dual port EMPI 40-44mm carbs.
-Racing glass pack exhaust.
-Fully redone interior.
-Lightened front end.
-Proboly going to add rims.
-High lift rods .
-New forged crankshaft
-High lifters.
-New aluminum pullys.
-New coil pack and distributer
-High gloss dark purple paint for the body
(Currently working on this list. More to be added as the project continues.)

NO FLOORPANS + A ROTTED FRAME.
(Advice Needed!)
PS: I'm considering getting yet another beetle with a good body and no motor and simply swapping and taking the best of both. Is this a wise idea? or should I brave out attempting to weld the frame and floor pans?


Your input would be much appreciated. Please leave a comment if you have any advice. I'm new at this whole restoration thing and any help would be fantastic.