The project started some 8 years ago, my son (nicknamed Koebelwagen) had a "64" Beetle, as he progressed in life, it ended up sitting in one of my garages, I casually reminded him that one of my other vehicles now stayed outside, perhaps he should get rid of it, "NO DAD", why don't we build us a toy, make it run a little better than normal. Now, in my young days , I had a SP Beetle and with a few minor mod's, it ran quite well, so I suggested we stay with the 1600 motor, do a few mod's, make it to breath a little better, feed it sufficient fluid from the oil barons and see how it goes, needless to say, one thing lead to another and we never came to do anything on the 1600 motor, we ended up with a 2273 cc animal running in a Auto Linear case with Mahle Pistons, Forged crank, H-Beam rod's, a Engel W130 cam, 1:1.25 rockers, twin 44 Empi HPMX carbs, Empi exhaust with trumpet and the ignition side controlled by a Gotech management system. We managed to get a set of original brand new 911 rims, these are fitted with Michelin Pilot 205/55 back and 195/55 front, this change in it's own brought about some major changes. I completed the engine build about 7 years ago and it was then bench run, however, before we could install it and the specially strengthened/modified trans axle in the original 64, Koebelwagen decided to go for a replica Porche, he soon came to realise that he wont fit as he is a 2.00 meter giant, so back to looking for another Beetle, ended up buying a 68.
This came with disc brakes all round, bucket seat etc. The body is not the best around, but the car is not meant to look perfect, it must just run well, so the transplant started two years ago, both me and Koebelwagen have other interests, so it took a looooong time, Koebelwagen did most of the transplant including fitting of new wheel bearings, brake pipes etc.,finally the project was brought to my house for me to complete as a holiday project. We also came to give it a name, "SPITSFIRE". After a lot of hard work, finally came to drive Spitsfire up the road and back some 3 weeks ago, this proved there was still some sorting out to do, oil leak on the cooler fitting, oil leak on the push rod tubes and loads of other little things that I anticipated to sort out in a day or two, eventually, it took two weeks and I finally got to drive Spitsfire again this afternoon, seems all the niggles are sorted, now just for the final jetting and setting of the carb's. In January, it must go for a "Roll Cage and safety belts", then some test runs and eventually some FUN!!!!
Koebel is back from holiday, on his next visit, I will get him to post some of the few pic's we took during the process.
