Michael Nash's 54 Beetle - 10.289@130.34

nasty · 2010-04-05T12:28:19+00:00

Here are some pics and info on the build of this car as it is now almost ready to hit the track. Chassis was built by Ron Lummus. Chromoly with strut front, type 1 swingaxle ladder bar rear. Chassis was built in Right Hand Drive Configuration. Custom RHD pedal assembly was manufactured from Chromoly. Chassis was then shipped to Australia ready for body fitment and tin work. A 57 body was first fitted but after discovering a great deal of rust, this 54 body was used. The body was fitted to the chassis using the stock heater channel mounts on each side. Additional mounts were then made, allowing the body to be channeled over the chassis for a lower roofline. The sills along with most of the internal sheetmetal were then removed. The dash remains along with glovebox, ashtray and radio block off. Semaphores remain fitted but not (yet?) operational. Next the interior tin was manufactured. Each piece was made from a cardboard template. Once trimmed to size and step rolled, Dzus tabs were welded to the chassis. About 50 seperate pieces make up the tinwork on the car. This includes this area of the rear seat, firewall and inner wheelwells. The front bar work was enclosed, creating a front firewall. Battery, fuel pump and ballast box at front of chassis. A tunnel was manufactured inside to enclose the shift rod, clutch and throttle cables, fuel lines and wiring. Rear wheel tubs were made to prevent tire debris from damaging the interior tin. Fiberglass doors were fitted along with custom hinges and sills from 1/2" chromoly. I then decided to go with the Mendeola swing axle transmission. As it is about 4" longer than the type 1, the chassis rails were extended. The front transmission mount plate and motor plate were relocated on the chassis. The engine was then dummy fitted. As the Mendeola transmission was longer, a new engine cover / wing was made to suit the new setup. Body and chassis then went off to the paint shop. Both were blasted and etch primed. The body was then refitted to allow finish and alignment of the panels. Fiberglass doors required lots of work! Meanwhile engine and transmission were built. Transmission went back to Rancho Transaxle to be finished. Engine long block was built by Craig Brown. It includes Autocraft Case, Cylinders and heads. 86 x 100- 2700cc, Autocraft Cam, Scat Crank Wedgemated, Carillo Rods, J&G Floater Clutch. Carbs are 58mm Terminators. Fuel System and Vacuum Pump from Product Engineering. Dry sump with pre-heater and 16v Alternator. Exhaust was custom made over the top due to limited space from oil pump and parachute mount. A Racepak data logger has been fitted with sensors for EGT, Clutch Speed, Wheel Speed, Oil Press & Temp, Pan Vacuum etc. A fiberglass front was purchased from Creative Car Craft in Florida. Excellent quality. Lower front had to be modified to get 3" of ground clearance. Work continues on the body, now in undercoat. Including the inside. Doors finished after many hours of work. Body came back off chassis so the interior could be finished in colour. Chassis colour was finished and ready for assembly. Suspension, fuel and oil systems fitted. Springs were refitted to all of the Dzus tabs. Transmission and motor fitted with only a couple of scratches. 😬 Finish painted interior panels next. Pedal assembly and then more panels. Plumbing and wiring next. Dry sump tank fitted and plumbed. Motor plumbed and wiring started. Interior wiring finished and tunnel fitted. Battery and fuel pump connected. As much work as possible was done on the chassis before the body would go back on. Chassis then went onto a trolley ready for the body to be fitted. Meanwhile the interior of the body was finished in it's colour and the dash was assembled and wired. Exterior of the body was painted in it's colour and then colour sanded. Body was then fitted to the chassis. The remaining panels were then colour sanded. Once the body was on, some more interior panels were able to be fitted. Tin work to enclose the motor installed next. Safety gear fitted. Body was then fully assembled for one last test fit of the doors and front before being masked up for final clear coating. More to come very shortly!

vwsteve karmann crazy

2,087 posts · joined Jul 2006 · 27 Oct 2010, 7:49 am

#809687

it now needs a " I AM THE STIG " sticker for the back window to match his white helmet

i think it is around 10 years or more in the making but it sat for quite a while too

1 1963 356b porsche coupe
2 1960 karmann ghia cab
1 1965 karmann ghia cab
1 1966 karmann cab
1 1961 split ute
1 1967 split p/van
1 1952 standard bug
1 1963 ragtop
1 1960 ragtop
2 1954 ovals
1 1956 oval baja project
1 1957 oval flying flea

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 12 Dec 2010, 6:22 pm

#816668

Finally have the car completely finished after running into some major problems with lack of travel on the front suspension.
Car is loaded in the trailer and waiting for some fine weather to get to a test and tune before Christmas. Hopefully Wed 15th will work out.
I have entered both New Years Series events at Willowbank in January and hope to have made a full pass at one of the upcoming test and tunes beforehand.

vassy66T1 Wow ... are U reading this?

2,120 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 12 Dec 2010, 6:30 pm

#816672

Great news Michael.
That looks sensational 👍

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 12 Dec 2010, 6:55 pm

#816677

Looks awesome dude,
what was the final weight with driver?

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 12 Dec 2010, 8:48 pm

#816693

👍

Reub

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 12 Dec 2010, 9:24 pm

#816702

dangerous wrote:Looks awesome dude,
what was the final weight with driver?

Have to weigh it again with fuel but will be a max of 1500lbs with driver.

richie webb Learner Dubber

9 posts · joined Dec 2010 · 21 Dec 2010, 8:24 pm

#817837

Micheal, well done on an beatifull car and build,good luck with it in the future:-)

cheers richie,uk

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 2 Jan 2011, 9:08 pm

#819414

Michael is testing tonight at willowbank.
Was listening to the live reports, but they did not tell abouta ny times, only that it did a wheely.

http://results.willowbankraceway.com.au/radio.php

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 2 Jan 2011, 9:37 pm

#819417

very nice job..
u deserve a beer or three for that effort at least
my shout at dubs 🙂

fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

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

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 2 Jan 2011, 10:38 pm

#819430

what time did it run ?

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 3 Jan 2011, 7:40 am

#819458

I missed it to ,
I will listen again to day I think they said around 3pm .

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 3 Jan 2011, 8:06 am

#819461

Craig Torrens wrote:what time did it run ?

It was at about 8.30pm.

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

Dak-A-Tak Volksie Pete

1,381 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 3 Jan 2011, 11:48 am

#819492

ARE ! didn't run any numbers , Car isn't staying straight , so he has to keep lifting off .
Very new car lots to sort out .

vwsteve karmann crazy

2,087 posts · joined Jul 2006 · 3 Jan 2011, 12:06 pm

#819493

1st run couldnt find 2nd gear, bad adjustment
2nd run found 2nd and got to third but after every gearchange it wants to go sideways so he backed off
i missed the third and he was going back today, a lot of things to sort out but i can say when he launches the thing from the start you can tell there is plenty of power there and it wants to go very hard so we should see some nice times from this car when its sorted out🙂

1 1963 356b porsche coupe
2 1960 karmann ghia cab
1 1965 karmann ghia cab
1 1966 karmann cab
1 1961 split ute
1 1967 split p/van
1 1952 standard bug
1 1963 ragtop
1 1960 ragtop
2 1954 ovals
1 1956 oval baja project
1 1957 oval flying flea

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 3 Jan 2011, 3:45 pm

#819508

👍

fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

Stanley I guess the reward is in the doing of it

4,523 posts · joined Mar 2003 · 3 Jan 2011, 7:24 pm

#819544

dangerous wrote:
Craig Torrens wrote:what time did it run ?
It was at about 8.30pm.

😂

Dak-A-Tak Volksie Pete

1,381 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 3 Jan 2011, 9:41 pm

#819583

Michael was looking forward for more testing today but the weather stop that!
Afternoon storm came through and washed the drags out .

vwsteve karmann crazy

2,087 posts · joined Jul 2006 · 4 Jan 2011, 2:55 pm

#819706

http://www.dragphotos.com.au/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=93018

1 1963 356b porsche coupe
2 1960 karmann ghia cab
1 1965 karmann ghia cab
1 1966 karmann cab
1 1961 split ute
1 1967 split p/van
1 1952 standard bug
1 1963 ragtop
1 1960 ragtop
2 1954 ovals
1 1956 oval baja project
1 1957 oval flying flea

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 28 Jan 2011, 7:14 pm

#823617

Heading up to the Test & Tune this Saturday

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 29 Jan 2011, 9:17 pm

#823785

Willowbank live timing says Michael ran an 11.92@83.3.
Most likely a half pass for licencing.

Half track was 6.81 and 1.44 sixty foot.
Missed the mph, but based on what I have run in the past it will be over 100mph.

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

20bkombi Wolfsburg Wizard

597 posts · joined Mar 2009 · 29 Jan 2011, 9:51 pm

#823793

Wow that's got potential!!!
Saw michael as we were leaving.

Well done.

AARON'S SPEED SHIFT AUTOS
Specialising in Vw automatic transmissions, differentials and torque converters
Stock or modified to suit your application (street, drag, off road)
Ph 0402 233 027

LIFE IN THE LOW LANE All people have the right to stupidity but some abuse the pr

2,534 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 30 Jan 2011, 3:57 am

#823813

Did you get all your licensing done Michael? Half track times are very impressive indeed!! Nice one!!

ACCEPT THAT SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE PIDGEON AND SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE STATUE

Alder Outlaws VW Racing - check it out on fb!!

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 31 Jan 2011, 10:22 pm

#824171

Had a fairly good night. First pass was a half pass for licencing. Got off it before half track (7500 RPM in 3rd) and coasted to the finish. 1.440 60', 4.350 330', 6.815@94.00 for the 1/8th, 11.924@83.30 for the 1/4.
Car launched reasonably straight and shifted fine after making adjustments to the rear suspension and shifter from last time out.
Tweaked the rear end for the second pass. Launched more aggressively than the first, started nice and straight but the wheelie bars unloaded left rear tire and got out of shape. Got off it and didn't record a time.
Got some good data and video of the rear end, so we are getting on top of the suspension setup. Shouldn't be too long before a full pass.
I'll get the video up in the next couple of days, not the best quality but you can see what's going on.

LIFE IN THE LOW LANE All people have the right to stupidity but some abuse the pr

2,534 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 1 Feb 2011, 8:50 am

#824210

Nice one Michael. Good to see your getting the handle on the beast!!

ACCEPT THAT SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE PIDGEON AND SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE STATUE

Alder Outlaws VW Racing - check it out on fb!!

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 4 Feb 2011, 7:39 pm

#824775

1/2 Track Pass.

vassy66T1 Wow ... are U reading this?

2,120 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 4 Feb 2011, 8:54 pm

#824789

Damn Michael!!

That is sounding sweet.
Good to hear you are confident of getting on top of the suspension tuning.

STOCK Wolfsburg Wizard

446 posts · joined Apr 2008 · 4 Feb 2011, 9:50 pm

#824824

micheal she's sounding pretty crisp ther mate
can't wait to see it @ portland

🤘
STOCK

VE13LA Learner Dubber

3 posts · joined Mar 2011 · 22 Mar 2011, 4:33 am

#831854

chael or any member could you please guys tell me where I can buy the Coil over Michael install in his project . I am trying to replicate the Michael project so I am stuck here . Thanks (Michael Nash's 54 Beetle Build)

Turbo54 Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined Jul 2004 · 22 Mar 2011, 9:14 am

#831883

Hi Michael,
Very nicely presented drag car. Thanks for the project build thread and sharing with us all the trials and tribulations of build such a car. Well done.
Can you please put me in contact with who did the inner door panels. i also and building a 54 and would like to go this way.
thanks
Heath
Turbo54

C'mon kids gather round,
there's a new sensation hitting town,
It's moving straight, low to the ground,
it'll pick you up when your feeling down.

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 22 Mar 2011, 1:19 pm

#831909

Pretty sure the shocks were from Lummus.
Probably out dated spax if my memory gets dusted off.
Michael did all his own tinwork.(door cards)

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.