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!

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 22 Mar 2011, 1:24 pm

#831910

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=517193

door trims . owner happy to freight the cards out here, and group buy of 3 sets works cheaper.

i still havent got around to ordering some if you go this way i would join in.

Damien

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 22 Mar 2011, 2:12 pm

#831917

hellbugged wrote:http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=517193

door trims . owner happy to freight the cards out here, and group buy of 3 sets works cheaper.

i still havent got around to ordering some if you go this way i would join in.

Damien

I'll potentially opt in for this too...

Reub

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 23 Mar 2011, 9:49 pm

#832178

We will be at Willowbank this weekend Friday 25th and Saturday 26th at the top fuel championships. Should be running in Super Sedan.

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 23 Mar 2011, 11:12 pm

#832187

Look forward to hearing results dude.

Also - can you please PM me your email address. Had a chat with Laurie the other day and said I'd email mag articles and video links for VWRX. Cheers

Reub

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 26 Mar 2011, 12:24 am

#832518

Michael ran a 10.93 backing of @ 1000ft, 108mph,
then a 10.5@123,
and finally aother 10.5, but this time...131.7mph!!
Awesome!

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

modnrod Fahrvergnugen

978 posts · joined Mar 2011 · 26 Mar 2011, 2:46 am

#832519

Good speed there.

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 26 Mar 2011, 8:01 am

#832532

Michael has three more sessions today in testing(after lunch i think).
Just for reference, the current national record is 10.38 @ 127.66mph I think.

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

OZ Towdster Keen to finish some projects

1,921 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 26 Mar 2011, 8:32 am

#832541

MMMMMMMMMM Look in good for those numbers easily , might be worth a drive to Willowbank this arvo .
Good luck Michael

Don't let body work get in the way of real suspension travel

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 26 Mar 2011, 8:35 am

#832543

dangerous wrote:Michael ran a 10.93 backing of @ 1000ft, 108mph,
then a 10.5@123,
and finally aother 10.5, but this time...131.7mph!!
Awesome!

WOW .... Awesome dude....VERY WELL DONE 👍👍👍
Haven't seen those sorts of numbers for a long time 🙂

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

Dak-A-Tak Volksie Pete

1,381 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 26 Mar 2011, 8:37 am

#832544

I couldn't beleive my eye's when the times flashed up on the boards . Car really came on stronge in the top-end .
Berg all so ran 128.98mph (willowbank speed record , ss/c)
Good-one Michael , speed king !!

vassy66T1 Wow ... are U reading this?

2,120 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 26 Mar 2011, 1:18 pm

#832582

If the behavior in first gear gets just a little better it will take a few tenths of that IMHO.

It was cool to see him run last night. Well done Michael. 😵

Good to hang out with you to Pagey. You are a flaming drag racing almanac!!! 😘

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 26 Mar 2011, 1:22 pm

#832583

Awesome!

Reub

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 26 Mar 2011, 6:09 pm

#832639

10.47@132.7!!

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 26 Mar 2011, 6:52 pm

#832645

Just heard that From Laurie.
Good work!!

Reub

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 26 Mar 2011, 6:59 pm

#832647

👍👍👍

A new Oz record?? Did he back it up?

Well done to all involved.

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

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 26 Mar 2011, 7:05 pm

#832649

Michael is still in the licencing stage,
so no records for this event.
He still has two more test sessions tonight.
If you want to listen to the audio commentry as you work/sleep/eat,
here it is:

http://www.nstream.com.au/

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

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

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 26 Mar 2011, 7:09 pm

#832652

FANTASTIC RESULT 👍

vassy66T1 Wow ... are U reading this?

2,120 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 26 Mar 2011, 7:09 pm

#832653

The mph is startling.

How did it go in the launch?
Is it getting out straight?

13BVW Seriously Crusin Dubber

151 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 27 Mar 2011, 9:16 am

#832725

All the runs looked good congats

13BVW 11.80@114mph

20bkombi Wolfsburg Wizard

597 posts · joined Mar 2009 · 27 Mar 2011, 2:38 pm

#832753

Wow!!! awesome times michael👍👍
Congraulations man.

Thanks for the link Dave.

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

essex Officially Full-On Dubber

352 posts · joined Dec 2008 · 27 Mar 2011, 6:51 pm

#832805

Fantastic photo!

oldskl60 Officially Full-On Dubber

251 posts · joined Mar 2008 · 27 Mar 2011, 7:07 pm

#832808

Awesome stuff Michael. Great result for you and your crew - congrats. We'll all look forward to seeing you set some records in the near future!

kombibob AKA: Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter Van Robert

1,698 posts · joined May 2004 · 27 Mar 2011, 7:14 pm

#832809

Nice work Michael, and i thought your Baja in the early 90's was insane.

1961 swb buggy
1960 karmann ghia
1963 Single Cab: "El Concreto"
1963 bent 23 window " Frieda Samba "
1963 Eriba Faun camper " Cara Van daCamp"
2012 Skoda Octavia scout

Get down low and go,go,go

Stanley I guess the reward is in the doing of it

4,523 posts · joined Mar 2003 · 28 Mar 2011, 6:50 am

#832882

As you can see in the photo all eyes were on you. Awesome stuff mate

vwsteve karmann crazy

2,087 posts · joined Jul 2006 · 28 Mar 2011, 6:55 am

#832883

woo hoo hoo, great stuff mick and sarah keep it up 😎

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

westi what the

1,610 posts · joined Aug 2005 · 28 Mar 2011, 8:19 pm

#833006

awsome stuff.and the mph to boot.man she is going to be fast.
congrates on a top effort.can't wait to see more.

down sharon.

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 31 Mar 2011, 1:14 pm

#833408

http://m.youtube.com/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Db4R5S-vaihE%26sns%3Dfb&sns=fb&v=b4R5S-vaihE&gl=AU

Just found this...Hope link works as posted from my iPhone

Reub

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 31 Mar 2011, 1:50 pm

#833412

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

DavoBuggy 1641 Officially Full-On Dubber

359 posts · joined Nov 2008 · 31 Mar 2011, 6:55 pm

#833440

Awesome, Can't wait to do that!

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 31 Mar 2011, 7:07 pm

#833445

Unreal 👍👍👍👍
Awesome pass Michael, you must be STOKED
Man the launch looks so controled, very nice 😍😍

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