(Project) Boat tail-4 Door Sedan VW Mk2 (1990 Jetta GL)

[JethroBodine]

Thanks, deejaaa. I should update a bit, especially because my avatar doesn't look like the last update here.

I did round the end more, as Tango Charlie suggested. I can't quantify any change. Butt-o-meter didn't notice a difference. Once I do have it fully shaped, I may add some clay to simulate the old shape for some testing, but that may be a bit ambitious for the way I do things.

I developed quite a bit of cracking of the Bondo after not letting the foam cure long enough. Ha ha, I have no photographic proof of this misstep.

Before the trip across half the country( was supposed to be almost all the way), I smoothed over the rough edges with fiberglass resin and filled in most of the cracks. I didn't take the time to fill them all fully, but it seems to be holding together nicely for now.



I also filled in over the tail light assemblies with my old buddie, spray foam( I think I should buy stock).



More filling over the rear( and that nasty crack).



Oops, I guess I do have some evidence.



Right before the resin.



After resin. Black paint was just so I could get an idea what it would look like.



In the booth.



As she sits now, more or less.

[2000neon]

This thing is way too cool!

[HyperMileQC]

I love this boattail project!

[Sven7]

This needs to be updated with more pictures! If you can find an amateur photographer in your area that digs weird stuff he/she might do you a photoshoot for free. That's what I did for the Anal Probe last spring (and they turned out great).

[ecomodded]

She is looking out of this world, the space inside the tail is a bonus as you now have a mini RV,small camper car on top of its aerodynamic advantage.

When you get the bugs worked out of the engine i am sure it will make some large 70+ numbers.
Car looks a lot "funner" to drive with the boat tail on, Also a great advertising billboard,good job.

[Varn]

Wow Jethro, For some reason this is the first time I have seen this thread. I must'a blinked at every tag line you have posted.

[JethroBodine]

Thanks Guys!

I've recently done some engine work to the Jetta( been driving the Pathfinder while recovering from overload of this summer and pouting about the continuation of the fuel leaks of the big trip). I installed the old injector pump, with some new seals, and have the injectors facilitated by Metromizer( many thanks again!!!), and a new heater core, just in time for winter driving. Hopefully some good numbers before the snow gets too bad.

The tail has, again, developed a couple cracks, but not nearly as bad as previously. I'll weather the winter as is and plan to do the final glassing next summer with finishing the rear interior as a possible.

Taking a 650ish mile trip for the holidays and going to try to do it on one tank of fuel. SHOULD be easily done with the current fixes in place, but we'll see.

[brucepick]

Wow - glad to read that you got those issues dealt with. Hope it runs great and for a l-o-n-g time!!!

[JethroBodine]

Had a bad Friday morning. Just after I dropped my son at school, one of the locals decided the rear of my car needed a reshape. Both tail lights are broken and the camera is also no more. The bottom cross bar is bent in about 1.5-2 inches and the bottom sheathing is rippled at the end. I didn't see any damage on his Subaru, but, honestly, I didn't really care about his car. The main framework held up well and there shouldn't be any major obstacles for fixing.









After work I patched the lenses as best I could with clear packing tape until I can get new light assemblies. I heard from a friend in town( I work out of town so I don't really know many people around here) that he has a reputation for being somewhat... confrontational and difficult. I didn't really see that today. He seemed quite apologetic and helpful... once I climbed out of my car. The changing of his expression from when I first started out of the car to when I stood fully upright was priceless.-

[HydroJim]

It's time to upgrade to annoying bright LED tail lights! They're definitely worth it.