Aussieveedubbers

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!

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nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 10 Oct 2013, 9:42 pm

#972375

Yep, only there for tire clearance. Under braking they would rub. Left side was worse and would pull the car out of shape a bit. Wasn't nice at 130MPH!
It was a quick fix after the Winternationals to be ready for the Sydney event, so didn't have much time to make it look good.

humpty Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,336 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 10 Oct 2013, 9:55 pm

#972378

It actually kinda looks good Michael...

FUCH your early!

http://www.noh2o.org/