Structural welding (July - August 2002)

Here's some of the major welding work in progress. The old floor was too rotten to save, and had to be replaced. Inevitably, one of the heater channels, being a Beetle weak spot, was rotten and had to go. Note the bracing rods welded to what remained of the body shell to prevent distortion. It's very easy to lose the shape of a vehicle when structural parts are removed, so it's essential to keep anything bendy from bending.