Aircooled VW South Africa

Hey guys I am new to the world of VW but not to the world of cars. Unfortunantly i worked as a mechanic for almost 9yrs, but luckily I got out before it ruined my hobby. Anyway I recently picked up a 1970? Super Beetle for cheap and it has become my new toy. I will put some pics up soon to show how the project is going. My new floor pans arrived today Don't you just love it when your parts for your toy arrive. I feel like a little kid on x-mas. I figure that you guys or girls will understand because my wife sure doesn't. How many of you have heard this before "How come after a long day at work you are to tired to spend time with me but you have plenty of time to work on that (insert your choice of curse words here) car.


P.S. Let me know if I should have posted this thread here else. I am new to this site and wasn't sure exactly where to post this

Hi the posting is in the right place

I for one am a very lucky chap My seatcover does not have that problem with me working on my toys (just give them a few you know what now and then and they stay motivated )

Good luck with the Super

When I got married there were bug & bits all over the place, and had to clear out the yard.
She knew not much was going to change , I think after 8 years she has given up moaning / complaining about all the ACVW crap, so hang in there.

calooker wrote: She knew not much was going to change

I know the feeling : i'm already driving 22 years with several beetles

my wife had to face it : my beetle with her or my beetle without her

greetzzz

Nah she is usually pretty kool. But anyway the real reason that we are all here. VW!!! Here are some pics of the car. The first 3 are when I first got the car to the house







The Next few are the current state of the car. Notice my little helper always wants to help daddy work on the car.



Has a bent rod Not real sure what I want to do with it its a SP1600. Any suggestions for turning it into a decent street motor without spending too much would be greatly appreciated. Like I said I'm new to VW so I'm kinda learning as I go but I have seen that you can really do a lot of different things with these cars. I may just get it running and then do upgrades or I may just build it how I want it first since i do have time and i'm not in a rush. I would love to hear what you guys think.







Really no rust on the car aside from the floor pans which were so bad that I decided to just get the complte halves. I'm still trying to get all the prep work done so that hopefully soon I can weld them in. I'm thinking next step will be to do suspension and brakes while I have the body off. Suggestions here would definantly be very much appreciated as well.

Thanks ahead of time for all the great suggestions that i know you guys will have

Very nice project you have threre.Does that car have a factory aircon?

One suggestion I can make is to fit discbrakes.If you are going to build a mild street engine then you'll need to stop.

The 1303s came from the factory fitted with front disk brakes. Nice project!

Nice wheels too. I think they are called GT's right?

Looks like drums.

Chris wrote:Looks like drums.

Yes, it does. Isn't that Phil Collins behind them??

nice replie... the frontman of Genesis, Phil Collins

Yes It does have drums on it. I was planning on A disc brake conversion. As soon as I get the new floor pans welded in I plan on starting my adventures with the brakes and suspension.
I've seen seen several different web sites that have them. Any recommendations on specifice brands or types? Also when I do the brakes I plan on doing suspension at the same time. It just makes sense that while I have all of that stuff off that I would go ahead and do anything that I am going to do as far as suspension goes. I guess the one major question that I have as far as that goes is, how do they handle at stock hieght? Should I lower the car? Or at least the front? What would you people reccommend as far as that goes and what are your experiences with suspension products, both good and bad?

Oh yeah to answer your other questions. No A/C an i'm in Houston Tx., where it is hot.

Also I do like the wheels that it has on it. I don't know what they are called. They do need to be cleaned up though. But one thing at a time. Luckily I will be getting some Overtime this week so there will be more $$$ going to the VW budget

You canuse Golf (Rabbit) front discs and callipers.All you need to make is a plate that fits to the strut that the calliper can bolt onto.

Just go find 1303 disk brakes.

Might be easier to find that 1st generation VW Rabbit.