Shortened rolling chassis?

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:05 am

Hi guys, I was thinking....

What would a shortened rolling chassis with new pans be worth??? I have several bug chassis here. Where I live in Delaware, you can take any chassis to DMV and get a good title for it IF its not stolen. I was thinking about shortening some, installing new pans and providing a link pin front end and a standard tranny. all parts except the pans would be used. I would be doing this in an effort to make a little $$$. So you would be getting a shortened, TITLED rolling chassis. Sandblasted and primed. as far as brakes, tubes or anything else, that would be extra. Is there a market for a completed, titled chassis?( I'm sure there is) What do you think it would be worth? it would cost me around $600.00 to do it right. So Im thinking around $800.00 to cover labor. Is that about right? All thoughts are welcome.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 6:14 am

Does that include the rear torsion & arm assembly & horns etc. ?? To me, a rolling chasis includes the front axle, including drums & wheels and the rear axles, & wheels including drums, unless it's a swing arm tranny, then everything,but the tranny and motor. I got one in Calif. for $ 1,000, with a glass body. :2cents: Jimbo

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:49 pm

A Berrien aftermarket chassis wo/title is about $1,100 bucks and needs a torsion housing in exchange and you need a doner Bug to get it titled. I think many people would rather have an original VW pan under their buggy with a title and no hassles. I don't think $800 to $900 is out of line if everything is done correctly.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:24 pm

I'm pretty much a do-it-myself kinda guy, but that price sounds quite reasonable to me. By the time I get all the bad/missing components replaced on my $150 pan I'll be close to that....not to mention the labor involved. Your location would have more effect on me than anything else. Getting your pan to Texas would really add to the cost.

Siggymanx33 · Post by **Siggymanx33** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:06 pm

Scott, I would possibly be interested in a rolling pan just north of you outside of PA. With the Siggy close to completion, I may be looking at starting another project. Of course my wife couldn't catch wind of this idea so if you could help me disguise the pan as a piece of useful yard equipment or art during the build, I would appreciate it.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:31 am

Dave, for some reason, I'm not listing the "new posts" correctly so I missed this till now when I looked at my thread suscriptions. We could stand it up on end and paint the pan like a scaracrow...:laugh1:

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:39 am

Guys, What im thinking of is a true rolling chassis. Shortened with new pans tranny (used) front beam ( used) . crappy wheels and tires just to move it the horns would have to be there... no tubes drums but no brakes everything sandblasted and primed you get the idea. I could probobly do this for around $800- $900 or so. anything extra someone wanted I would provide but that would be extra. heck Ill build your buggy if you have the money and alot of paitence.... Thanks for your replies.

UncleBob · Post by **UncleBob** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:18 pm

what do you mean by 'no tubes'? Fuel, Clutch, and e-brake? You gonna shorten the shift-rod too? Cables? I think you could sell a few for $800-$900. I don't think you would have enough interest to quit your day job, though.

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:55 pm

I can't believe you can do it for $800/$900 bucks and still make enough money to make it worth your time. People that are not capable, don't have the time or the equipment to actually find and shorten a VW pan, will pay considerably more then the $800/$900 you have proposed.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 1:49 pm

Uncle Bob, no clutch, shift tubes sec. at that price. Jerry, Yea you might be right about the price. Winter is comming. I am self employed and business drops way down. Last year I spent my time rebuilding my ManxII. I have a clone to do this year but I was thinking of some ways to finance some of the expense of the build.

allen pierce · Post by **allen pierce** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 3:36 pm

Scott, while re-doing the pans to a very nice condition is noble, you seem to be finding a bunch lately, so, I'm thinking buy low, do a minor clean up, and sell at a reasonable price, would get you about the same $$$, save someone else some cash and give them the chance to DIY on the pan. You'll be able to "turn" more pans this way, thus more $$$. And maybe, you'll be making a few buggy friends in the process. Just my :2cents:

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 6:35 pm

Thanks Allen. I think I am open to ideas. I will be building a jig to weld the chassis back. and new pans are no big deal. After thats done, any degree of completion is possible depending on what someone wants/needs