Camo's 1961 Beetle makeover - Finally registered

Camo · 2008-02-16T05:02:30+00:00

Hi all, Only new to VW and this site and thought I would put up a couple of photos of my 1961 Beetle project so far. Just been stripping her down, cleaning and collecting parts (have heap more new parts then in photos). This is my mate sitting in the car down at Albury, where I picked it up from.

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 8 Jan 2011, 8:37 pm

#820528

Starting to take some shape, Kev.👍

Maybe I had a 'crap' pair, but the red poly-urethane mounts in my black Beetle broke up into 'crumbs'. Worth checking out, before the engine goes in.❓

Cheers, Greg

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 8 Jan 2011, 8:40 pm

#820529

hey... thats an awesome result to date. loving the colour and wheels.

Simply Cruzin'...

AUSSIE_MICK Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 8 Jan 2011, 9:16 pm

#820549

Hi Kev
Looking sweet, i would have come around but been busy with work and ripped out my front end last weekend ready for a new one!

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 9 Jan 2011, 12:12 am

#820587

👍.......looking great!

yep, take your time chip away one job at a time

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 9 Jan 2011, 6:42 am

#820600

Kev,

really looking forward to seeing the car one of these days, Mick what are you doing to the 56?

/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

AUSSIE_MICK Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 9 Jan 2011, 9:55 am

#820624

Hey Paul
Just improving the front end ride. Doing it right this time, dropped spindles with lowered & narrowed beam.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 9 Jan 2011, 9:59 am

#820627

Ha! there seems to be an epidemic of orange project beetles in Syd at the moment with the front tyres on arse about 😂

Looking awesome Kev, what you don;t wanna do now is rush the home straight.
I've seen it happen before people get this close and so eager they rush a few things to get it finished

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 9 Jan 2011, 10:12 am

#820630

Joel wrote:Ha! there seems to be an epidemic of orange project beetles in Syd at the moment with the front tyres on arse about 😂

Joel,

I was looking at this yesterday when putting them on and got myself confused (not hard to do). I was trying to picture the tyre rotating on the road and having the water escape and I still got it wrong 🤪.

Thanks, Kev.

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 9 Jan 2011, 10:20 am

#820631

It was just comical to me cos Steves bug is in almost identical situation at the moment

Directional tyres always have a rotational arrow on the sidewall if you're not sure

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 9 Jan 2011, 10:34 am

#820634

Kev, its probably worth you using an aftermarket cradle (or using a strap kit with the factory cradle) so you have a 'bellhousing strap' to help limit the gearbox movement, this should also be in combination with a mid mount support as well. The K Bar kit will stop the forks flexing, but if the gearbox can still move around on its mounts then you will not get the benefits of the k bars stopping axle tramp.

As others have said, I've also had bad experience with the red mounts...................but the yellow Rhino mounts from CB pereformance have been great in the ragtop.

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 9 Jan 2011, 12:57 pm

#820651

Joel, its funny as when I looked at Steve's car the other night I thought exactly the same about his front tyres being on wrong and then I went and did the same bloody thing - 'Me Dope' 👍

Craig, I have a mid-mount waiting to pick up from V-Force (note to self to go pick it up) and the only thing about the CB Rhino mounts (which I want) is that it cost more for shipping then to buy them (I had a quote) 😠 CB's shipping prices are ridicules, I would have bought heaps from them if it wasn't for their shipping costs.

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 9 Jan 2011, 7:18 pm

#820710

get them from here..cheaper shipping cost.

http://www.vwparts.net/CB6212.html

XXX-1.8T Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,113 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 10 Jan 2011, 6:46 pm

#820936

Looks great Kev!

Keep it up your nearly there!

Aussie Dubbin Fahrvergnugen

895 posts · joined Jul 2008 · 13 Jan 2011, 4:37 pm

#821410

Kev, Great bloody resto. Have just read all 6 pages fantastic work looks great. I bet that paint looked amazing first time you saw it on the car. I rember how long it took me sanding and priming and getting to that point where paint was finally going on. Keep up the long hours its paying off.

Can i question you about your brakes. I have recently bought these (exact same) and my car is in a thousand pieces so i want to ask about what you meant when you said they needed a few modifications to make them work??? They look great and i know what you mean about wheels and offsets. I thought there would be plenty of options but the ofset seems to be difficult to match. Have you fitted standard guards Front and rear? are you running long or short axles? I am considering 17x7 (et23 i think) fuchs from classics do you know if they would have worked on your setup? or porsche cookie cutters 15x7 et23. Have you run a bigger master cylinder or anything like that? Are you thinking that these will be strong enough?

Cheers Aaron

'68 BUG build(Racing)
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=85509
69Baja
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=88798
Manx(MaxFX)
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=88799&page=1#pid826884

ECCLES Commited Dubber

66 posts · joined Jan 2011 · 27 Feb 2011, 6:33 pm

#828538

very nice

JVLRacing Custom Title Time!

1,100 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 1 Mar 2011, 12:38 pm

#828872

Camo wrote:Well guys and gals it has taken 3 years this month, but the body (not mine) has finally got some colour on it. I am yet to get out there and see it in person, but I am rapt with the clour in these following photos that my mate sent me. Nice and bright 😎

Kev

very very nice....colour is sweet, even better the blokes seem to take pride in the conditions sprayed at nice😎

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 1 Mar 2011, 8:35 pm

#828937

WOW Kev

Everyone will see you coming.... lol

good safety color...

Your mates may be pulling You over... 😂

as You will stand out....

cheers

LEE

PS: too late for Nationals this year... Lee
maybe Next year..lol
I said that for 8 years... lol

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

sikras Seriously Crusin Dubber

106 posts · joined Feb 2011 · 1 Mar 2011, 10:18 pm

#828963

Hey Kev,

Nice beetle, what colour is it ? looks like its got alot of pearl in it or is a 3 layer ?

Also where did you get it painted ? i bet it was at a TAFE , spray painting division .... they all look the same even after so many years

lou0060 Wolfsburg Wizard

568 posts · joined Dec 2010 · 5 Mar 2011, 6:18 pm

#829508

nice work Kev, read the whole post and credit to you!

Colour is great choice for a Beetle, we have just painted my sons 2 door golf the same colour and tho it's not finished yet looks even better in the sun.

Colour is Ford Mondeo XR5 Magnetic Orange.

1971 karmann ghia Cabrio - Cruising 👍
1963 beetle Sunroof - gathering dust 🥲
1968 race beetle - twin turbo Subaru - stress relief 😁
1960 beetle - old school low & slow 😏

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 12 Mar 2011, 9:23 pm

#830483

Thanks again for the favorable comments and Lou I thought it was a Ford Focus colour called Electric Orange.

I had a visit today by Mick and PaulC so I thought I had better update the little bit to show what they have also seen. They didn't stay long as Mick was in his beautiful oval and there were about 10 drops of rain and he was off 😂

Anyway, although I have been putting a bit of time in on the car it doesn't appear to be much has changed. The motors in and have been making my entire wiring harness from scratch.

Also something that I am going to have to attend to is the ride height. I set up the rear suspension some time ago when the floor pan only had gearbox and the empty body shell on it. I thought I allowed for the weight of the engine and set it up at that time with the rear guard being about 1 inch plus above the tyre. Well today I finally let it down off the stands and its resting on the bump stops 🙁

Also in the photos you can see the huge negative camber of the rear wheels. I'm sure it would look shit hot when the guards are on, but the tyres would wear really bad and would be a bugger of a ride. So I guess more work to be redone (again) on the rear suspension 😬

Again, the photos don't really show the time that has been put into working on the car. Or maybe I'm just really slow 😂

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 12 Mar 2011, 10:33 pm

#830496

Was great meeting today and the car looks spectacular can't wait for when it is finished. I am wondering if Mick's 56 is painted with water paint because as soon as there were a few drops we were off lol I have to say though its so cool to be in and his 56 sounds awesome.

Mick has challenged me to put sidewinder exhaust on my rosie lol so guess i am on the lookout for new manifolds and exhaust.

oh Kev start saving I suggested to Mick that in two years we go on a Rod Penrose tour to LA for bugorama.

Was great meeting today

Paul

/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 12 Mar 2011, 10:45 pm

#830497

looks great with nice combo of parts giving it the look. credit to your taste and vision for the car i must say.

yes progress will seem slow through this stage, wiring and final finish took me ages and that was just on a rat with no detailing to be done as it went.....but it will come together all of a sudden.

make a list and start crossing off the jobs as they are done to keep the motivation up. pick off a little job when you have a little time and dedicate those big days to the big ones. i like to finish a job to completion as it goes so this attack works well for me.

one notch on the inner spline would see the ride height pretty close to a comprimise i'd say looking at the pictures.

well done!

AUSSIE_MICK Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 12 Mar 2011, 11:57 pm

#830499

10 DROPS OF RAIN = HALF DAY DETAIL!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 13 Mar 2011, 1:03 am

#830504

Camo wrote:Thanks again for the favorable comments and Lou I thought it was a Ford Focus colour called Electric Orange.

Anyway, although I have been putting a bit of time in on the car it doesn't appear to be much has changed. The motors in and have been making my entire wiring harness from scratch.

Also in the photos you can see the huge negative camber of the rear wheels. I'm sure it would look shit hot when the guards are on, but the tyres would wear really bad and would be a bugger of a ride. So I guess more work to be redone (again) on the rear suspension 😬

Again, the photos don't really show the time that has been put into working on the car. Or maybe I'm just really slow 😂

Hi Kev
it all takes time and a lot of it.....
Making the wiring nice and neat takes a lot of time too...
I made the mistake when i did My wiring, as the tank was out and didn't allow for the wires to go around the tank.. lol

I am in the process of rewiring under the bonnet and in engine bay to make it look better... and cleaner..
I put in a new fusebox and got the wires mixed up.. lol
so, I'm using circuit breakers at the moment for everything..
maybe I should do away with the new fusebox???

My beetle is going better all the time...
I just fitted a new larger oil cooler under the RHS rear guard
only place I could fit it... as the auto gearbox is larger plus ATF hoses etc...
its not directly behind the tyre so it should be OK...

I am looking to find something that will stop stones but not air... lol

Hope to meet you at the nationals this year...

where about in Sydney do You live?

cheers

LEE

3 attachments · Log in to view

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 13 Mar 2011, 1:24 pm

#830533

Mate, you are gunna need another garage to fit the smile on your face when this gets finished

Damn I love that colour 👍

Futue te ipsum!!!

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 13 Mar 2011, 9:25 pm

#830606

Looks heaps good Kev.

I ended up comming out through western Sydney late this morning on my way back to Orange. If I had known, I could have PM'd you last night and called in and checked it out on my way through. Damn.

From your ole' mate Jeff

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 13 Mar 2011, 9:33 pm

#830610

Awsome work Camo. 👍👍👍

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 17 Apr 2011, 2:07 pm

#836170

beetleboyjeff wrote:I ended up comming out through western Sydney late this morning on my way back to Orange. If I had known, I could have PM'd you last night and called in and checked it out on my way through. Damn.

Jeff, always welcome to drop in and that goes for any other veedubbers out this way.

As you can see by the photos I have been buying a bit of s/s braided hoses and many, many connectors. The hoses and connectors cost me more than the car to buy in the first place 🥲

I love these hoses (not the price) and they are not that hard to make up. Obviously the ones off the rocker covers are for looks only as there will be F.A. pressure in them 😂

Few photos to update, although again it doesn't look like the amount of time that has been put into it.

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 17 Apr 2011, 2:24 pm

#836171

looking awesome is that a ceramic coated sidewinder exhaust i can see?

Also in the 4th photo the hose looks rather short shouldnt there be more free play?

/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 17 Apr 2011, 5:17 pm

#836191

Hi Paul,

yes, ceramic coated heater boxes and stainless sidewinder (muffler still to be fitted). Also, yes this is something I had been thinking about, all depends on how much the motor rocks up and down. Time will tell, or other people with their thoughts 😂

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.