Been looking at doing a beetle project for a while now and im looking to end up with a rod/drag beetle. Not for drag competing just for show more than anything so if it can do wheelies that would a bonus :-)
My budget after i sell my motorbike will be around the 10-15k mark with most of the work being done myself.
What i would like to know is based on everyones opinion's what would be the best base model to start with? I know i haven't given much info but assume the bug will remain the same but all the parts will be upgraded to be bigger and better. Should i start with an early 60's or late 60's model? I wont be doing an oval because i feel sorry for the purists 馃槀
tar76 路
Earyl 60's and go for the gasser drag look !
Me and Thvee 路
tar76 wrote:Earyl 60's and go for the gasser drag look !
Is there a reason to go an earlier beetle over a later one? I would assume that going a later beetle would provide a beter base because it would have some improvements over the older models.
whathaveidone 路
BAHAHAHA youve opened up a can of worms there mate!!!!!!
Me and Thvee 路
whathaveidone wrote:BAHAHAHA youve opened up a can of worms there mate!!!!!!
Haha i have no doubt. I plan on keeping the car's shape fairly intact and i wont do any major modifications that might stop me from changing the car back to its original form, well thats the plan anyway and plans almost always get changed 馃槀
matberry 路
Definately a can of worms.
What first comes to mind is that primarily you mentioned rod, so surely that relates to the earlier look of the '67 and earlier body shape (Oz models) as the door and side glass didn't change from the first beetles of pre '50. The later car ('68 on) has some advantages but is a different look wiyh skinny door and window frames.
h 路
no fat chicks
bajachris88 路
Personally i believe the early 60's models have nicer smooth lines in the curvature of the body, and also have smaller windows adding to that oldskool look, and even 'chop top' look compared to the later 60's models. Furthermore, swing axle rear will give that awesome dub signature style negative camber when dumped in the arse. be aware that 'some' of the later 60's models (some of the 1500 series after 67') have irs and won't permit the negative camber look.
imo
regardless though, all 60's models are beam front ends so thats a good start for the rod style i rekon.
Choice of wheels with the wide 5 stud pattern is nicer too compared to the later 60's 4 stud style too. with teh 4 stud style, your spoit for choice in teh old skool style rims.
LUFTMEISTER 路
Use a 54 as they are rubbish. Chop top and suicide doors would be the go. 馃槒
Joel 路
LUFTMEISTER wrote:Use a 54 as they are rubbish. Chop top and suicide doors would be the go. 馃槒
Eh why not?
I know where theres a 52 zwitter split window bug thats bajad and now even WRX powered 馃槈
Me and Thvee 路
matberry wrote:Definately a can of worms.
What first comes to mind is that primarily you mentioned rod, so surely that relates to the earlier look of the '67 and earlier body shape (Oz models) as the door and side glass didn't change from the first beetles of pre '50. The later car ('68 on) has some advantages but is a different look wiyh skinny door and window frames.
So anything pre 67 has the the smaller windows as mentioned by bajachris88.
h 路
Joel wrote:
LUFTMEISTER wrote:Use a 54 as they are rubbish. Chop top and suicide doors would be the go. 馃槒
Eh why not?
I know where theres a 52 zwitter split window bug thats bajad and now even WRX powered 馃槈
that is the bizz right there 馃憤
MY68VW 路
hahaha love how it's parked over the bump stop!
It's like, "hey l can do it so I will!"
Carl and Emily 路
Do you want it go around corners at any sort of speed?
That is another good question you should ask yourself.
Many people on here will be able to advise you on best pan set up for that.
Me and Thvee 路
Carl and Emily wrote:Do you want it go around corners at any sort of speed?
That is another good question you should ask yourself.
Many people on here will be able to advise you on best pan set up for that.
I would like it to be able to go around corners aswell as or better than a standard beetle. 4 wheel disc brakes is something i consider a must so braking wont be an issue. I am ruling out a beam extension, as nice as it would look it would change how the car would drive and i am assuming it would drive worse, also it would cost alot to engineer from what i have heard. Still in the planning stages so not sure what im going to end up doing, i thought about a road/circuit beetle but i cant get over how nice some of the rods of ive seen are and ive got a few ideas that i would like to try out on a rod.