Retrovans 1952 Split Beetle -Lady Phoenix

[Tony Z]

Why not keep the name closer to the roots
something like HG or HH (Hermann or Heinrich)

[retrovan]

Still not sure about her name.....

But here are the photo's I promised.





































So now we will do the paper works, and get her registered, that may be fun.

Thanks for looking and if you have been following this thread, I hope it has inspired you to take on a difficult Project and to stick with it till the end, as the fun in the work and the final reward is describable,

Please let us share in YOUR project here on the forum.

Till Later.

Herman

[german]

Unbelievable

[retrovan]

Hey Herman... You do of course know how special that 52 split window crotch cooler beetle is right?

This model is one of the rarest around both locally and abroad. I was quite looking forward to this build until I realised it was going to be a custom job and not a sympathetic or even preservation restoration.

Personally, after reading your last post, I have come to realise that it's after all your beetle and you can and will do with it as you see fit. I did not mean to offend in any way and please don't take my purist's disappointment too seriously.

Muds

Hi Muds,

Yes this was one of your early posts, about 2 years ago, where you where shocked at my intentions with this build.

With this build complete (as near as....) and the final die set, I hope the car is not too repulsive for you.

As a possible daily driver, and the non- correct "Issues" concealed, the car still looks like a original 1952 Beetle and to the normal man in the street, none the wiser.

But as you concluded, I wanted a 1952 and I built a 1952, and I am enjoying my 1952.

Just hope you can live with it as well.

No harm no foul

Thanks for the interest.

Herman

[64 Notchback]

Inspiring

[fourier]

Stunning Herman! Well done. You can feel proud of what you've achieved.

[calooker]

WOW, respect....

[freddiebooysen]

Retrovan well done. What a build !!!


72 - Freddie Booysen
72 Bay - unnamed WIP
72 D/C - Blue abomination!
74 Beetle - BEE

[lowlight]

Sjoe lyk goed

[jolas]

congrats on completing your project Herman, a good looking blue bomber she is

[retrovan]

Thanks very much Guys,

It was not easy, but the final joy makes up for that in buckets full.

Must just add, that this may not have been possible had it not been for a number of you here on the forum,

The encouragement and bantics have helped to keep this project on the go.

Even though each and every one of you played you part to complete this project, I must how ever select a number for their assistance.



Without these guys this project would never have happened.

@vw59beetle, Thanks Wernher, for securing the rust,... I mean car, that was the start.
@Bugger, Pierre for his assistance in getting the rust out and metal back in, was a 50/50 job... 50% rust and 50% metal to start with.
@Jdt1976, Thanks Jaco, for your knowledge of Split Beetles and parts.
@Impi, Armand for his knowledge of all things VW Aircooled.
Arno from Ardrenco Motors for the magic motor build that makes this car so drive-able.
@fig, Cristian for just being Fig. (biggest compliment you can pay anyone on this forum)

Just a pity that this car has not got more known provenance, as that would make it perfect

Thanks again guys

Herman

[retrovan]

So as I normally do, I rotate the cars in the toy-box, and take them out for a good run.

The Fastback had a few Long distance runs, which she enjoys, but had the Beetle out today.

Gave her a fair shake on a open road and brought her back home.

So she gets to about 400m from the house and starts spluttering, I slide her into neutral, and try pick up the rev,s

But all that happens is that she starts backfiring.and dies.

Towed her home and checked for spark, Nill. nada, not a sausage.

No feed back to the coil from the electronic ignition

Dig into the spares box and recover an old dissy, and set timing, Hey Presto, spark and she starts.

Not 2 minutes into this run, she again backfires, and dies.

Test the coil, and now that had died.

back to the spares box, dig out a Bosch black coil and fit, thankfully, she starts up and sounds very healthy.

So now I wonder, did the coil kill the ignition, or did the ignition kill the coil.

But thankfully, the beetle is back onto the old points and condenser, some thing that's fixable on the side of the road,

For the experts, which dissy is best for the beetle engine (balanced crank, 1835)the big vacuum can or the small vacuum can?????

Herman

[Tony Z]

which ignition did you have?

[Terry Phillips]

Great Job Herman it really is nice to look at.

[retrovan]

which ignition did you have?

It was a Sebring Electronics Unit with its own no-name brand sensor Dissy.

Was not happy with its performance as it was OK at low rev's, but a dog at higher rev's.

Will take out the old German Dissy for a good run, and see what the difference is, will let you know.

My opinion, is if you can not program the electronic ignition, then it is of no use.

Great Job Herman it really is nice to look at.

Thanks Terry,

She is starting to run in now, and the small things are showing them self, and getting sorted, so she is becoming a real treat to drive.

Herman