Aircooled VW South Africa

After many phone calls, we found a place able to do such a large project.

Leaves for the 'coaters tomorrow.

Roller pedal assembly found...leaving the States soon. Electroplating destiny.

Gearbox parts found...leaving Canada soon.

The beam is going back in, and I don't care how the guy does it, it needs to go matt black. Stripping 'coating is a Biaaatch. Not my problem.

The Needle bearings are shot, so despite stories of Urethane beam bushings dieing after 2 years, we're fitting those as there's a strong chance I'll be replacing them soon...

I'm going for a 65 profile with 195s again on the front...from a current 40.

It needs to look stock - and classic, and rev in the right range.

Problem is clearance...if I'm wrong, it's a few k down the tubes.

I'll need an entirely new beam from Dave Rowley, between 2 - 4" shorter, and a new 3/4 In. swaybar will need to be brought in.

I don't like the look of narrowed beams, and they handle like Shite, but it may be the only way.

I still haven't come up with a solution short of wide rear fenders, of covering the back wheels.

Perhaps wide front and back are called for.

This car is a serious mish-mash of stuff at the moment, inside, so it's going to take some time to get the assembly, shifter, dash kit, and column, plus door kit to line up in any sort of decent aesthetic style.

N.

Pan is back from the 'coaters, and has been done in a "Satin" matt black. I have yet to see it.

Beam was done too, and will be temporarily-assembled in order to check the clearancing.

The existing beam will be used if it needs narrowing.

Sadly, no roller pedal...one for the To-Do list.

Gearbox parts came up nil...the search continues come JAN.

Engine is being built at the moment, after having the balancing done recently. Thanks Calooker.

We'll be keeping the stock '67 & Mk 2 GTi disc setups for now...$$$.

The rims will be changed in order to accomodate the rear clearance issues...wide fenders look Shite.

Possibly stock slots, or we're looking at cutting the EMPI 8s and moving the center out, if possible.

Pulled the chrome engine bay tin out this morning and discovered some rot, and a rust hole - the bug was scrapped and in an atrocious state before I got it.





Wiring and engine bay metalwork are on the near horizon. I've scrapped ALL of the existing wiring.

Also fitted my tri-bar horn grilles.

N.

That stainless tin looks like its still in good nick.
Get yourself some rubber edging for the tin (used to cover the edges of the tin so it doesnt scratch you) and glue it to the tin. Neatens up things slightly if you so it right and also helps to reduce rattling. Then also put on a few strips of that rubber sponge take to the back before you screw it on, this also stops rattling.
The best thing to use to polish the stainless is 3M stainless polish. A bit pricey but the best with zero scratches unless you have sand in your rag...

It is in good nick.

...but I don't want chrome in my engine bay, and I have a really sweet idea for underneath that lid.

I really don't like the look, and tarboard is crap. The '66 has the same chrome setup in it, so I can't use it there either.

Cheers, N.

Very nice,Nic
i'm thinking of doing a black and matt silver colour scheme on my chassis

Very nice,Nic
i'm thinking of doing a black and matt silver colour scheme on my chassis

Looking good,Nic.

Get it all together now!

looking good.
I thought you were short for cash

I am...I've had to downscale the bug slightly this year. The thing has to be put back together, atleast partially. I can't have it lying around forever.

The engine is almost complete, but the gearbox is an issue, so it won't run for a while.

Unfortunately everything is cropping up at the wrong time...I've had a few things, VW and not, come my way recently.

The bike will probably be ordered in 2 weeks, which puts VW expenses down, hopefully only until my raise in Qtr. 2.

Cheers, N.

Looking good there nic. Some nice clean work.................

Shot.

You going to gold-plate the engine bay?

eben wrote:You going to gold-plate the engine bay?

I'm not from Essex, Eben.

Two accessories I'm thinking of fitting to my bug...both from one of my Father's '70s bugs...

EMPI GT Deluxe... (found a horn cover, short of an original logo )



This aftermarket Smiths tach...his was fitted to to the speaker grille, very nicely I might add.



I'm thinking of making up a neat aluminium cover with a bracket and mounting it under the dash, to the left - LHD, remember.

Cleaned up the bezel and housing today, and will take off the lense and tidy that up too.

More old-school imo, and much better than the new-age LED shift lights. I don't need 100% accuracy.

N.