XXX-1.8T Bishop of Volkswagenism
3,113 posts · joined Oct 2002 ·
Cant wait till its finished!
Dino's 1954 Oval Beetle - 'The Baron'
empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber
4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
So..... is it done yet???
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
HA! (Will swap for a mint anthracite KG 😉)empi wrote:So..... is it done yet???
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
Update time:
Bodywork coming along slowly:
Bodywork coming along slowly:
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
Took LJ's advice, and decided to cut and reinforce the clutch tube 🙂
Big thanks goes out to LJ also for my constant picture messaging that day asking his advice on what I saw, as i'd never done this sort of repair before, so I owe you one big fella!
Looked pretty good, with no movement in the tube:
Decided to reinforce it anyway using a correctly sized washer welded to the bracket:
Made sure there was going to be no weld getting into the clutch tube:
LJ also advised doing the rear whilst were were in there, so cut we did!
Was trying to think of a way to brace the tube in a solid way, and dug out one of our old curtain rod holders from home:
Screwed in place:
Welded with a tack on the screw head to make sure it can't back out:
Time to close up:
Big thanks goes out to LJ also for my constant picture messaging that day asking his advice on what I saw, as i'd never done this sort of repair before, so I owe you one big fella!
Looked pretty good, with no movement in the tube:
Decided to reinforce it anyway using a correctly sized washer welded to the bracket:
Made sure there was going to be no weld getting into the clutch tube:
LJ also advised doing the rear whilst were were in there, so cut we did!
Was trying to think of a way to brace the tube in a solid way, and dug out one of our old curtain rod holders from home:
Screwed in place:
Welded with a tack on the screw head to make sure it can't back out:
Time to close up:
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
Not long after, a large box arrived at my office with VWSunroofs stamped proudly on the outside.
4 months of anticipation was present, so it was time to take it to the panel shop and unbox this bad boy! It literally took up the entire rear of the R36 wagon and 'just' fit in!
Who's a happy lad? 🙂
Christmas come early:
I tell you what, it really is a thing of beauty! Considering John Alba of Grumpys Metal in Huntington Beach, CA (www.vwsunroofs.com) makes each of these kits including the opening from scratch, it really is a credit to him:
4 months of anticipation was present, so it was time to take it to the panel shop and unbox this bad boy! It literally took up the entire rear of the R36 wagon and 'just' fit in!
Who's a happy lad? 🙂
Christmas come early:
I tell you what, it really is a thing of beauty! Considering John Alba of Grumpys Metal in Huntington Beach, CA (www.vwsunroofs.com) makes each of these kits including the opening from scratch, it really is a credit to him:
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
The scary part of having the kit finally here, was that I had to actually man up and cut a hole in the roof of the '54.
We laid the opening out on the roof skin and measured a million + 1 times and masked as we went. I wanted to make sure that we would nail it the first time considering i've never done something this before.
The other thing was I wanted to replicate the factory procedure for a factory finish, and with John Alba's kit being completely interchangeable with a factory 3-fold, made sense to get it right!
Once we were satisfied with the markings, Paulie picked up the grinder asking me one last time if I was happy with the measurements. This moment consisted of puckerage-a-plenty!
Rounding the edges with some tin snips:
It's amazing just how much the roof skin moves up and down once you cut and also equally amazing as to how big a 3-fold cut out actually is!
We laid the opening out on the roof skin and measured a million + 1 times and masked as we went. I wanted to make sure that we would nail it the first time considering i've never done something this before.
The other thing was I wanted to replicate the factory procedure for a factory finish, and with John Alba's kit being completely interchangeable with a factory 3-fold, made sense to get it right!
Once we were satisfied with the markings, Paulie picked up the grinder asking me one last time if I was happy with the measurements. This moment consisted of puckerage-a-plenty!
Rounding the edges with some tin snips:
It's amazing just how much the roof skin moves up and down once you cut and also equally amazing as to how big a 3-fold cut out actually is!
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
First thing we did was get the opening in and c-clamped up to check where we were at with the welding side of things:
Once we were happy with the fit, the car was then taken to another panel shop owned by a friend of mine in Moorabbin (MiColour) where they have a spot welder to weld the roof opening in.
There were a few ideas thrown around, like slow MIG'ing from one side to another to keep the skin cool, Fuzor metal bonding the skin and others.
After speaking at length to John Alba I decided I wanted to continue the factory look installation and go with spot-welding.
Prior to '55, this is how VW fitted 3-fold's to the oval beetles as there was no factory shelled sunroof beetle.
This meant normal beetle shells had holes cut in them the same way, and had the openings spot welded in from factory the same way we were doing ours.
Of course the later 2-folds weren't done this way, hence why they have corner reinforcing in the roof turrets etc and are actually harder to graft convincingly.
Up on a trailer and off we went to MiColour:
Cleaning up the opening:
A few hours later it was spot-welded in:
Once we were happy with the fit, the car was then taken to another panel shop owned by a friend of mine in Moorabbin (MiColour) where they have a spot welder to weld the roof opening in.
There were a few ideas thrown around, like slow MIG'ing from one side to another to keep the skin cool, Fuzor metal bonding the skin and others.
After speaking at length to John Alba I decided I wanted to continue the factory look installation and go with spot-welding.
Prior to '55, this is how VW fitted 3-fold's to the oval beetles as there was no factory shelled sunroof beetle.
This meant normal beetle shells had holes cut in them the same way, and had the openings spot welded in from factory the same way we were doing ours.
Of course the later 2-folds weren't done this way, hence why they have corner reinforcing in the roof turrets etc and are actually harder to graft convincingly.
Up on a trailer and off we went to MiColour:
Cleaning up the opening:
A few hours later it was spot-welded in:
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
The pan was finished and sprayed in a semi-gloss black and picked up to take back home.
It's funny how it's just a piece of metal, but it really marked a turning point in the build, and I started to feel like we were cresting the peak of he hill and on the downhill run 🙂
The pan set up on stands in my workshop ready for assembly 🙂🙂🙂
New DOM beam with OE german leaves, OE german trailing arms and grease zerks fitted, complete with bugpack bushes.
It's funny how it's just a piece of metal, but it really marked a turning point in the build, and I started to feel like we were cresting the peak of he hill and on the downhill run 🙂
The pan set up on stands in my workshop ready for assembly 🙂🙂🙂
New DOM beam with OE german leaves, OE german trailing arms and grease zerks fitted, complete with bugpack bushes.
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
Fast forward to present day (finally!) 🙂
Old roller pedal assembly laid out and sent off to Scott @ PedalWerks for a full restoration and revamp:
Body as it sits now ready for final adjustment and blocking.
I can't believe after 2 years it's almost ready to see colour!
Old roller pedal assembly laid out and sent off to Scott @ PedalWerks for a full restoration and revamp:
Body as it sits now ready for final adjustment and blocking.
I can't believe after 2 years it's almost ready to see colour!
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
JNR356 (thanks Mark!) was kind enough to give my beam the once over and fitted up my CB Performance 2.5 drop spindles with new german king and links all shimmed up nice and tight! 🙂
Big thanks to Ol for the spindle carriers which I didn't have!
I then fitted the beam up to the pan to get the ball rolling to get this baby on the ground:
Empi oil filled shocks fitted up front as recommended by JnR:
CB Performance Wide 5 front disc kit fitted up with new bearings:
Couldn't resist to bolt on a couple of Escra's i've had waiting patiently for my Splitty to visualise! 🙂🙂
Big thanks to Ol for the spindle carriers which I didn't have!
I then fitted the beam up to the pan to get the ball rolling to get this baby on the ground:
Empi oil filled shocks fitted up front as recommended by JnR:
CB Performance Wide 5 front disc kit fitted up with new bearings:
Couldn't resist to bolt on a couple of Escra's i've had waiting patiently for my Splitty to visualise! 🙂🙂
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
Flintstones Custom Title Time!
1,077 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
That looks great Dino 👍
It takes some balls to cut a hole in the roof, I remember when I did mine!
Cheers
D
It takes some balls to cut a hole in the roof, I remember when I did mine!
Cheers
D
snitz Wolfsburg Wizard
605 posts · joined Sep 2008 ·
Love the oval..very nice project.I hope you have a good run with your toyo Proxes4 tyres.I ran them on a car and was very dissappointed..they wore out quickly and were quite noisy.Just a heads up 😎
pfillery Insano Dub Head
734 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·
If you don't mind, how exxy is a sunroof kit like the one you got? Including shipping which would be painful? Just curious since I've seen $1000+ asked for Golde roof clips with no canvas left, how do they compare new?
Dirty Den Learner Dubber
2 posts · joined May 2013 ·
My first post here and all I can say is got to love Dub Porn!
vw40hp Seriously Crusin Dubber
127 posts · joined Jun 2013 ·
http://vwsunroofs.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5pfillery wrote:If you don't mind, how exxy is a sunroof kit like the one you got? Including shipping which would be painful? Just curious since I've seen $1000+ asked for Golde roof clips with no canvas left, how do they compare new?
Oh well
bugboymatt Custom Title Time!
1,405 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Damn man. Nice build going on here.
Da Time For The Aircooled Revolution Is Upon US.
Brothers & Sisters Lets Hit The Streets, Roll As One. And Feel The Power Of The Aircooled Storm.
Brothers & Sisters Lets Hit The Streets, Roll As One. And Feel The Power Of The Aircooled Storm.
Mr Bubble Head Insano Dub Head
829 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Dino nice job it's looking good 😉
Keep it up your reinspiring me ........
Keep it up your reinspiring me ........
recycle, restore, enjoy
empi Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber
4,131 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Mr Bubble Head wrote:Dino nice job it's looking good 😉
Keep it up your reinspiring me ........
Yeah Dinos resto is taking almost the same amount of time as yr car Nick..... naaa thats not true..... nothing could take that long!!😂
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." - Anonymous 🥷
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
UPDATE for July 2013:
It's been a steady stream of boxes coming from all over Australia and the world with all sorts of goodies which has been like Christmas in July.
My batwing came back from Koch's in the US looking like new and i'm stoked at the finish, and color match:
Carpet choice has been fun, and came down to Oatmeal and Honey Brown in German Square Weave, and since Honey Brown was the matching carpet for L227 Strato Silver, i've decided on that:
I'll set it up as factory with the carpet edges and the correct black rubber mates for the floor to keep it fairly OG inside.
The OG splitcase gearbox was delivered to ACME in a sorry state, going in for a full clean up, new mounts, new bearings and cosmetic makeover.
JNR was also kind enough to get the Pirate to rebuild my 12V starter and 12V genny which will be assisting the 12V conversion on the 36er.
One cool detail was date stamped 1954 brake drums that came off the splitcase, so I guess it might have been a low mileage car, and considering that it hasn't been registered since 1979, could be the case.
Pan is coming along slowly but surely. Being busy with work doesn't allow me much time in the Man Cave, but I squeeze in an hour here and there when I can, but some progress is better than none! 🙂
After what seems like eternity, the body is now in guide coat and being blocked. I got a trade price on the Glasurit materials needed to paint the thing and that wasn't pleasant, but it's an all or nothing build, so no point skimping now.
Some pics:
It's been a steady stream of boxes coming from all over Australia and the world with all sorts of goodies which has been like Christmas in July.
My batwing came back from Koch's in the US looking like new and i'm stoked at the finish, and color match:
Carpet choice has been fun, and came down to Oatmeal and Honey Brown in German Square Weave, and since Honey Brown was the matching carpet for L227 Strato Silver, i've decided on that:
I'll set it up as factory with the carpet edges and the correct black rubber mates for the floor to keep it fairly OG inside.
The OG splitcase gearbox was delivered to ACME in a sorry state, going in for a full clean up, new mounts, new bearings and cosmetic makeover.
JNR was also kind enough to get the Pirate to rebuild my 12V starter and 12V genny which will be assisting the 12V conversion on the 36er.
One cool detail was date stamped 1954 brake drums that came off the splitcase, so I guess it might have been a low mileage car, and considering that it hasn't been registered since 1979, could be the case.
Pan is coming along slowly but surely. Being busy with work doesn't allow me much time in the Man Cave, but I squeeze in an hour here and there when I can, but some progress is better than none! 🙂
After what seems like eternity, the body is now in guide coat and being blocked. I got a trade price on the Glasurit materials needed to paint the thing and that wasn't pleasant, but it's an all or nothing build, so no point skimping now.
Some pics:
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
shaven Insano Dub Head
729 posts · joined Jul 2007 ·
bloody BEautIFuL Dino👍
"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends"
spamwell Casual Dubber
23 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·
incredible
STZR Learner Dubber
5 posts · joined Nov 2013 ·
Love what you've done Dino 🙂
update? 😂
update? 😂
Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion
8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·
👍👍👍
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
Time for an update and I apologize for the time between drinks. Work and the house has been taking up a lot of my time, but I have been chipping away at progress.
Last I mentioned I sent my split case box to Mark K (JNR356) for a tear down, inspection and rebuild, along with rebuild of my 12v starter and 12v genny and what a job he did!
The case was media blasted by John W (IN2VWS), who also did a cracking job at short notice.
JnR's fine work:
Re-assembled with all new rubbers, seals, wheel bearings, clear coated outer case, new oil and CB wide 5 disc brakes fitted:
Back at home:
OG springplates removed. Yes I would have liked the torsion bars to have stayed in, but no matter what I did, they wouldn't budge:
Gearbox going in with some JerFab 2.5" drop plates sitting on the floor:
Motor tins removed for a basic clean:
Panel shop movement is almost done and here are some of the hang ons:
My honey brown german square weave kit arrived from Newton's finally also, and it looks great!
And by ABSOLUTE chance, the manufacturer of Airevo wheels in Belgium was in touch to see if i'd fitted the polished set of 17" wheels I imported from him a couple of years ago and I told him I sold them, much to my regret.
He then mentioned by coincidence that a wheel shop in Europe had closed down, and they had returned to him TWO sets of 17" Airevo wheels the same as what I had bought from him previously, but this time they were CHROME sets.
Needless to say, along came another 2 month wait whilst they were shipped from Belgium!
8)
Fast forward to today, and we're expecting a delivery from Glasurit of all paint materials to paint this beast as planned in L227 Strato Silver 😀
The plan is for Damo to lay color on the shell on the Australia Day long weekend, so it's going to be some sleepless nights waiting for the result after THREE years!
Last I mentioned I sent my split case box to Mark K (JNR356) for a tear down, inspection and rebuild, along with rebuild of my 12v starter and 12v genny and what a job he did!
The case was media blasted by John W (IN2VWS), who also did a cracking job at short notice.
JnR's fine work:
Re-assembled with all new rubbers, seals, wheel bearings, clear coated outer case, new oil and CB wide 5 disc brakes fitted:
Back at home:
OG springplates removed. Yes I would have liked the torsion bars to have stayed in, but no matter what I did, they wouldn't budge:
Gearbox going in with some JerFab 2.5" drop plates sitting on the floor:
Motor tins removed for a basic clean:
Panel shop movement is almost done and here are some of the hang ons:
My honey brown german square weave kit arrived from Newton's finally also, and it looks great!
And by ABSOLUTE chance, the manufacturer of Airevo wheels in Belgium was in touch to see if i'd fitted the polished set of 17" wheels I imported from him a couple of years ago and I told him I sold them, much to my regret.
He then mentioned by coincidence that a wheel shop in Europe had closed down, and they had returned to him TWO sets of 17" Airevo wheels the same as what I had bought from him previously, but this time they were CHROME sets.
Needless to say, along came another 2 month wait whilst they were shipped from Belgium!
8)
Fast forward to today, and we're expecting a delivery from Glasurit of all paint materials to paint this beast as planned in L227 Strato Silver 😀
The plan is for Damo to lay color on the shell on the Australia Day long weekend, so it's going to be some sleepless nights waiting for the result after THREE years!
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
oldturtle22 Officially Full-On Dubber
267 posts · joined Nov 2011 ·
Wow, looks amazing mate!!!
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
Thanks all 🙂
Some goodies turned up today, starting to feel real!
Some goodies turned up today, starting to feel real!
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
crsedge Wolfsburg Wizard
687 posts · joined Jan 2005 ·
Nice one mate!
Looks like it will be a Happy Australia Day (weekend) for you! 😎
Cheers
Craig
Looks like it will be a Happy Australia Day (weekend) for you! 😎
Cheers
Craig
May '55 Oval
STOCK Wolfsburg Wizard
446 posts · joined Apr 2008 ·
awesome build so far
great attention to detail mate
cant wait to see it finished
keep up the great work
great attention to detail mate
cant wait to see it finished
keep up the great work
🤘
STOCK
STOCK
PASHN8 Seriously Crusin Dubber
198 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
So yesterday Damo (damoyouknow) and I planned to spend some time in the shop and get things moving.
Plan was to rub down and mask the hang ons and get the underneath in paint, sound deaden the rear seat/firewall area and seam seal the same, and under bonnet.
7am start was in order and we managed to get everything done to plan with Damo flying through the day.
I decided to stop being a slacker and take some decent pics instead of being lazy with my iphone :oops:
The shell moved out of the booth so we could gain better access:
Spray on sound deadener applied:
Seam sealing:
Masking up:
Bit of extra 2k primer:
Mixing up the base coat of Glasurit L227 Strato Silver:
Second coat of 109 clear applied to basecoat. These pics do NOT do the finish justice, I was in awe of the result at this stage, and can only imaging what the outside an shell will look like:
It is a beautiful color and very underrated, and i'm not sure why we don't see more Strato bugs in Australia and i'm extremely happy I chose it all those months ago.
Monday we head back into the booth to paint the outside of the hood, engine lid and guards, and also hang ons.
We've got a few little things that we want to tweak on the body shell, so they will be done during the week, with the plan to paint the body shell inside and out next weekend. Exciting times! 8)
Huge thanks go to Willy from Tropic Motors for being so accommodating of us and massive thanks to Damo for his hard work and attention to detail.
Plan was to rub down and mask the hang ons and get the underneath in paint, sound deaden the rear seat/firewall area and seam seal the same, and under bonnet.
7am start was in order and we managed to get everything done to plan with Damo flying through the day.
I decided to stop being a slacker and take some decent pics instead of being lazy with my iphone :oops:
The shell moved out of the booth so we could gain better access:
Spray on sound deadener applied:
Seam sealing:
Masking up:
Bit of extra 2k primer:
Mixing up the base coat of Glasurit L227 Strato Silver:
Second coat of 109 clear applied to basecoat. These pics do NOT do the finish justice, I was in awe of the result at this stage, and can only imaging what the outside an shell will look like:
It is a beautiful color and very underrated, and i'm not sure why we don't see more Strato bugs in Australia and i'm extremely happy I chose it all those months ago.
Monday we head back into the booth to paint the outside of the hood, engine lid and guards, and also hang ons.
We've got a few little things that we want to tweak on the body shell, so they will be done during the week, with the plan to paint the body shell inside and out next weekend. Exciting times! 8)
Huge thanks go to Willy from Tropic Motors for being so accommodating of us and massive thanks to Damo for his hard work and attention to detail.
Dino!
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval
www.dinography.com.au - Property Media
www.skysight.com.au - Aerial Media
1957 11-Window Split Kombi
1954 3-Fold Sunroof Oval