Bought a factory black 62 off Eddie the other week. Stuffed if knew how I was going to get it back to Sydney. It hadn't run in 2 years and the rear drums were seized.
A known VW identity kindly offered to join me for the road trip and help get the old girl up and running. We had 20 hours from landing in Hobart to having to be at the Devonport Ferry driving the 45 year old bug.
Needless to say we bit off more than we could chew but we chewed like mad.
The story in pics ..
The first night. Unsiezing a rear drum at 1am.
1st light
On the road
He backed off when the camera came out
Pure art
The Black Betty
with wanker attached.
We didn't make it.....Pt II coming.
Can't say how much I appreciated the hospiatlity of our gracious host Eddie (and Amanda) Storer who went above and beyond the call of duty - put us both up for two nights and offered us unlimited use of his many resources. Thanks mate. Great spirit.
Thanks also to Steve without whom I wouldn't even have made it out of Eddie's shed. Legend. He changed three carbies, two coils, fuel pump, fuel filter, 4 wheel and 1 master brake cylinder, an exhaust valve, a set of leads, welded the exhaust, and probably a whole bunch of other stuff I didn't catch as his hands were a blur and his bum crack blinding.
I changed the rear bumper and got myself an oil shower.
Andy thanks for being open to the unexpected billet. See you soon.
Hey Dan, you were more than welcome mate, it was good to get the shed heater cranked up and a few beers rolling. I had a great time. Real memorable weekend!
That was so funny you getting the oil shower, mate you wont do that again i bet, surprised that bumper didnt fall off!!!!!!!!
You are so correct about Steves Arse crack, he had more slot showing than every eftpos machine in the country, would love to see his face when he sees the movie for the first time and sees us playing behind his back!!!
Looking good mate, and yes Matt was just one more of the just missed out on the bug crew.
Mate you are living the veedub fanatic dream... picking up one owner veedubs and crusing with other veedubbers.... Great to see the vw spirit of fellow veedubbers immortalised in a fantastic story... keep it coming, can't help but think where, oh, where could betty be....
'We teach best what we most need to learn'
VW no more... sigh.... well, at least it's a cousin
That's such an awesome adventure.
What I love is that Steve took off with you and put so much effort into the bettle. It's a true sign of a top bloke.
Can't wait for part II.
Thanks for the comments guys. I'll be back to finish the journey in mid June and will post Pt II soon after.
Plans for now are to tidy her up a little and lower it some, but otherwise keep it as it is. We checked her out thoroughly and she's not got one bit of rust. Nothing. It's quite incredible - such a dry car. However, the donk is tired and worn so I'll be looking for a replacement once it get's here...wouldn't mind the Judson Supercharged 40HP on eBay now if I had the ca$h. Sweet.
adventures like that are great, whether they work out perfect or not, it is all about friendship. Great photos, especially the one of Steve driving. If everybody helped each other like that then the world would be a much better place.
Please, I need drivers side window regulator (winder mechanism) for my '54
Well, I made it back down to Tassie on Saturday for the second attempt.
She purred like a kitten from Launceston - thanks Andy - to the Devonport Ferry. So well did she go that was sure she'd make it to Sydney once we got to Melbourne. And so keen was I to get there I was there first....then spent four freezing hours waiting!!!
Did I say it was f&%king cold?!
Anyway. By the time we were herded on the Ferrry it was dark and to my dismay I discovered that the old girls headlights weren't working. I tried eveything I could and eventually isolated the problem to the fuse board - but it isn't a blown fuse. I knew then that Sydney wasn't to be as I'd be needing to complete the journey after dark Sunday.
So freaking cold was I by the time I parked her inside the Ferry I bolted up for a warm shower neglecting to take a shot of her cosied up with the jap crap and 4WDs. Stuck out like the proverbial dogs..
Anyway Melbourne was nice for a day and it was great crusin' about M-town in the beat up bug. It's at my brother-in-laws until next time...
Here she is enjoying some of Melbourne's cafe culture.
Got a call from my brother-in-law last night. He's been getting off on driving it about his suburb getting all the waves ... bastard!
Dan, your a legend!! Sorry i missed this when it came up for part two mate. Looking forward to catching you for a beer when i get to Sydney in a few weeks mate, prolly out at Steves place eh???
Ed
Dave dropped over today with his ute. Borrowed Richard Holzl's trailer and off we went. Black Betty has been sitting in a chicken shed out Western Sydney for a few month since being carted up in December on a trailer from the 'burg.
Was expecting problems but it was a great morning - seamless and trouble free. Black Betty even fired up!
