Hi, I've been reading the boards for a while now (the Subaru engine swap threads are really insightful!) and thought I might as well post some pic's up of my bug.
Just to see what you Aussie guys make of it (I'm in England!)
Thanks
...........well ....... i like it!
Al B:P
boersch ·
awesome 😀
i like the flamey theme
dragbug ·
Ya didnt paint,polish,chrome,flame...the fuel filler cap!
Must of run out of money huh?:cry
Alex Holzl ·
Man that looks sweeet man!!!
vw_addict ·
pretty sweet lookin ride u got yourself there mate. love th flares on the engine lid.
VWFREAK ·
Thats one sweet ride. How did you do the unterior door handle, they look smick.
NigeType3 ·
Tasty ride man whots the specs
twoguns ·
nice. no rear louveres? whats cooling the mumbo? looks good on the road.
Kai.A. ·
i read about this on vzi, didn't you win best in show or something at deva?
i used to live in chester, went to the first deva show..... wish i coulda made this year's show tho! there were some spectacular looking rides there from the pics i've seen.
anyway, welcome!!!
kai😎
p.s. i would also like to know how you did the interior door handles.....care to share some secrets?
pod ·
thats one sweet bug😎
Oasis ·
Beautiful. I love your car.
karmen ·
congrats = swap for my ghia = check thread
and now write us again and open the engine lid
ColumBUS ·
beeeeautiful!
im not a big fan of flames (brings back chilling memories of seedy movies) but that is done tastefully and i like it. neo classical style all the way. i can only hope my beetle makes an impression like that.
Daniel - Penis... i mean beetle envy
Al B ·
Thanks for all the kind words guys, 'glad ya like it!!!:thumb
To answer a few questions..........
dragbug, you're not the first to comment on the filler cap!! It HAS been painted, but I think you're right, chroming tank here I come!:P
Bone collector & Kai, The interior door handles came from www.billetandacrylicfantasies.com in Florida US, speak to a guy called Tom Hingle there and he'll make anything for you,..... very reasonable too!
He made my bonnet hinges too....
And yes Kia you're right, the bug did do rather well at DEVA ('Cracking day out!):thumb:thumb Best of show on it's first outing!!!
Twoguns, though the rear louvres have been plated over plenty of air still gets to the motor, courtesy of the obvious vents in the deck-lid and the not so obvious bloody great hole through the firewall!
......it goes through to under the luggage area.
Karmen, thanks for the offer but I'll have to pass this time, it's a bit of a drive to Oz from here!
and as for under the deck lid.............
THIS IS THE TEMPORARY MOTOR! (It was sort of free!)
anyway thanks again guys, it's nice to know that others like my bug, 'cos I do!!
......modified rear lights with sunken indicator lens, tapered off rain gutter.....
chassis stuff next
Al B
[Edited on 7-10-2004 by Al B]
Al B ·
.......worms eye view........
.........front end........
.......back end...........
........and a rolling floorpan!
That'll do for now I think!
Al B ·
Here’s a bit of the spec’/resto stuff……..
From the front….
Replaced the frame-head complete, (Due to terminal rot)
New PUMA adjustable beam,
With,
Pair of castor shims,
Long travel ball joints,
Anti-Bump steer kit,
Camber adjusters,
New track rod ends,
New steering damper,
CB Performance 2” dropped spindles,
New front disc conversion, in BMW 5 stud pattern. (Shortly to be changed for a full BMW M3 set up)
New dual circuit master cylinder, (again about to be changed for a Porsche 944T one)
GOODRIDGE braided stainless steel brake hosing,
New cunifer solid brake lines (all bends at 90°)
Pair of AVO Coil-over shock absorbers.
Heavy duty anti-roll bar with Urethane bushes and stainless steel fittings.
The rear end of the chassis has had new brake components and cables throughout, new drums, in BMW 5 stud pattern.
GOODRIDGE braided stainless steel brake hosing,
New cunifer solid brake lines (with all bends at 90°)
Pair of SPAX adjustable shock absorbers,
Heavy duty rear anti-roll bar with urethane bushes and stainless steel fittings.
A pair of ‘Red 9 Design’ zinc coated 2½ inch lowered spring-plates (lowers the rear end but still gives a comfy(ish) ride) with a new set of urethane spring-plate bushings.
Underneath (and not yet plumbed in!) ‘is a MOCAL 15 row oil cooler. This’ll be rectified when the bigger (better!) motor has been sorted…….. one day!
Stainless steel nuts, bolts & washers have been used throughout.
All parts have been detailed by either zinc coating, powder coating or 2 pack paint.
The wheels ……. The wheels are from a manufacturer in Surabaya, Indonesia of all places, MESHINDO 16x7’s on Yokohama 195/45 & 205/45 rubber.
Body Stuff…..
Front….
Complete ‘front clip’ was replaced, (Due to terminal rot)
Front valance replaced with a Pre ’67 valance (Due to terminal rot), with the rubber seal gutter (water trap!) removed all the way up along both the quarter panels.
Bonnet scuttle replaced (Due to terminal rot)
Bottom of quarter panel replaced (Due to terminal rot………’sense a recurring theme here?)
‘A’ pillar de-seamed,
Bottom of ‘A’ pillar replaced (…….guess why?……..hmmm)
Fuel filler flap plated over
LOTS of wing mounting holes repaired!
Bonnet replaced with a ‘50’s item (with no badge plinth) trim mounting holes welded up then fitted with a Mexican seal.
A mirror polished stainless steel sheet has been mounted to the front bulkhead… not that you can see it now!
From the back……
The body was in a bit of a state! The rear of the body has had the bottom of the rear ¼ panels, the rear ¼ shock’ mount reinforcement panels and rear ¼ bumper mounting plates replaced on both sides, both chassis cross members and a pair of genuine heater channels and closing panels.
Then there were the rear wing mounting panels/strips (more rust!)
Add to this little lot a pre ’67 rear valance that’s had the exhaust cutouts filled and the deck-lid seal gutter (read rust-trap!) removed and it starts becoming apparent that there’s more to this resto’ lark than you first think!
Then, just to be a wee bit different again, there’s the rear of the roof rain gutter, as you can see it’s been tapered of to give a nice smooooth clean line.
The original ’68 decklid has been replaced with a rather groovy STEEL ‘W’/Oval number (the ‘eyebrow’ intakes were fab’d in steel courtesy of FBI of South Wales) this now comes complete with popes nose number plate light and a locking ‘T’ handle.
The decklid has then been mounted on a pair of zinc coated hinges and, as the decklid seal gutter has been removed, a seal has now been made by using a new Mexican ‘clip-on’ bonnet seal trimmed down. The ‘catch on the rear valance was made from the mounting plate of a beetle window winder mechanism…. With a bit of filing and drilling!
Then there’s another couple of Day Moulding wings underlined again with a stainless steel blade bumper, that’s had the paint stripped from its rear and then mounted on silver powder coated bumper irons.
The rear lights are a pair of new old stock’55> numbers that have been modified a little…. Inside of them there are a combination of SEAT Ibiza side repeater bulb holders, one for the tail lamp (bottom) and one for the stop lamp (top), and an aftermarket oval motorbike indicator grafted into the middle of the Glass (not plastic) lens, And I think they look rather good if I do say so myself! Sort of subtle. They work and at night they’re plenty bright enough, but for running around during the day I’ve added a ‘third-eye’ high level brake light at the top of the rear window……. Just for Mr Myopia!
The rear under-window air intake has been plated over to give a ‘cleaner smoother’ look (to go with the trimmed & tapered gutters).
Then a new intake (a la Wizard Roadster) made through the firewall in the engine bay through to under the luggage space floor. …. You can see right through to the gearbox and it DOES flow plenty of air ….so much so that I’ve had to put a grill over the firewall opening as stones were ‘flowing’ into the engine bay!
The steering column has been swaped for a 1973/4 item to allow the use of the twin control stalks (Indicators & Washers)
Then came the wiring….Aaarrrgghhhhh!!!
…with all the extra toys that I wanted, Alarms, Electric windows, Central locking, Electric washer, 2 Speed (’74>) wipers, Electric bonnet release ….and the stereo…..more of which later! Next came the shiney bits!!
The Flamed Bonnet hinges came from ‘Billet & Acrylic Fantasies’ in Florida.
The Mirrors are ‘AERO’s’ from some firm out of Practical classics Magazine… sorry ‘cant remember who!
The headlamps are US Spec’ ones with some mad Italian ‘Clearvision’ type inserts (mucho mod’s to make them fit!)
Nice iridium blue indicator bulbs and blue sidelights.
The horn grills have more gold anodised grills behind them, and behind them two LOUD FIAMM horns……..how it should have been in the first place!! And just to underline all this there’s a stainless steel blade bumper, on powder coated mounts………… with the comedy number plate…. just ‘cos it looks better!
Phew........... that was a lot of cut'n'pasteing!
Al B
JsVW ·
Alright Al!
Its Jay, with 'Mirage'.
Where did you get the front plate made mate?
I'm getting some more mods done over the winter and will need to relocate my rear number plate.
Cheers
Jay
Al B ·
Hi jay! fancy meeting you here!!! 's a small world!!
I got the front 'plate made at DUBFREEZE this year, can't remember the name of the business though, sorry:blush But I'm sure they go to most of the shows......... not that there's any left to go this year!
What's your plans with 'Mirage' then ?? Pray tell!!!
I've just managed to get a full set of M3 discs and calipers for mine....... all for the princley sum of £102!!!!
Don't ya just love ebay!!!!
Take it easy mate and try and keep out of the green kit!!
Al B
JsVW ·
I'm in the green kit everyday mate!
I'm getting some targa bumpers made and relocating the rear lights into the bumper for a smooth rear end. Plus some different wheels.
The rear number plate will be removable, under the rear bumper, so I need some new plates.
Jay
boersch ·
wow. it's the little things that really set cars like this apart, nice job!
68AutoBug ·
A Job Well Done....
One Beautiful customised Beetle..
Congratulations....
Lee
Tim Meier ·
wholly shi&!!! Bloody awesome;
BenettonVW ·
Jay from Thump Thump.. Man are we getting some big names on here now..
Welcome bro.
type3kid ·
damn....that is one AWSOME beetle.
nice work
Skinnyboy ·
Awesome work mate,
I grew up in Runcorn not far from Chester, the bug scene is awesome in Pomgolia, soooo miss Tattan Park and Run to the Sun!!!
Love your ride, I'll be in Chester for christmas so if I see ya, I'll get snapping for the Aussie Folks here!
Skin!
kroozzn63 ·
geez weve got alot to step up to thats awesome nice work
57 Chook Shed ·
Hey Skinnyboy, I`m from Frodsham mate!
How long you been over here?
Might know ya.
Did you ever go to the Curvy Car Club in Warrington??
Small world.
Graham.
Skinnyboy ·
dude! I been here since '99. Wasn't in the CCC I had my last bug back in 95 sold it to some prat salesman at Nissan in Warrington when i moved there (Birchwood... shudders....)
What school did ya go mate, i was a Grange lad!! class of 84-89!
3toes ·
I'm from Runcorn too Skinnyboy, went to the Heath until '88. Went back two years ago and realised I'd forgotten how weird looking the people who hung around the Shopping city were.
57kombi ·
And Im from Warrington
ex Curvy Car Club member .
Got a lot of bits for my bus at Tatton Park, great day out.
Cheers
Dave
Skinnyboy ·
hahaha the 3 Stripe Tusken Raiders!!! Yeah remember that bloke Wimpy who used to live in the Shoppo, always eating some foul smelling food outside of Woolies! My brother reckons they're all still there, just older! Should be a laugh to go back, I might see if I can get a grant from HBC to study the local chav population. I still read the Runcorn world on the interweb, great for a laugh!
So where in Melbourne are ya, we should catch up for a Runcorn Bevvie, I used to be a local in the Navvie!!!
57 Chook Shed ·
I`m an ex Frodsham High boy. I remember the Grange and the Heath though. My cousins went to the Heath. I`m from the class of `87-`92, a bit younger than you dudes!!
Also remember the Shitty City well. Saturday morning shopping with the folks, great (not!).
No wonder everyone has moved over here!
My local always will be the Bulls Head in Frodsham, on the way up to the Mersey View!
Cheers
Graham.
3toes ·
The Bull's Head, now you're talking. Never has there been a pub with such a huge amount of gorgeous student girls ever. We used to start in the Bulls head and work our way down to the Bears Paw before getting an Indian and going home. Isn't the navvie the one on the canal in the Old town? The Windmill was my local but we'd go to the Barge in the Summer or Liverpool was always an option.
Skinnyboy ·
Ah the Bears Paw!! Had many a wry conversation with the sheep shaggers of Frodsham in there!!! lol, All my old teachers used to drink in there it got quite embarrasing!! Yeah the Navvie was on the canal, I got turfed in there in the 1996 European Cup Final when Germany won Czech Rep. in the final. Being born in Germany gave me instant "bombed our chippy, Stan Boardman" markings!!! Bastards, all good fun, i just dragged meself out slopped back to the bar, finished me pint of Guinness and got the Landlord, Dave to furnish me with some suitable breeches!! Happy Days!
Al B ·
hi guys, 'sorry that its taken a while to get back on here but I'm glad I have!!!!
Talk about coincidence!!
I'm from Warrington, I'm living in, and writing from, Great Sankey right now!! Small world isn't it!!!!
But it gets better......
I was in the Nav' on Saturday night!!!
It's been 're-done' earlier this year but it's still 'The Nav'!! (New landlord now too!) It is a fantastic boozer really friendly people, well into their darts, but best of all you can stay 'til whatever time you like, supurb!!!
I'll speak to the boss there next time I'm in and let him know that there's ex-pats still thinking of his watering hole!!
Oh and thanks for all the kind words about my car guys, 'makes me smile
Al B
ColumBUS ·
you really have gone to extremes! work like that makes guys like us smile dude, so the kind words are more than worth it.
its always great to see such care and meticulous detail, a lot of blood, sweat and beers have gone into your car no doubt.
you said the engine was temporary (i wish my temporary engine was as shiny... more chrome than my entire car) what is the replacement going to be? subaru perhaps?
Daniel - hoping the hsc is multiple choice
62deluxe ·
Wicked bug mate. True attention to detail. Guess you gotta do something while you all wait for the sun to come out over there!!
Well done. Top job.😎
Al B ·
Thanks for the kind words guys, yes it's been a lot of work but 'I' think it's been worth it!
The motor is a temporary measure, scooby power is the big plan..... watch this space!
However, first thing on the list of jobs to do is fit up the new brakes. I've managed to get hold of a full set of HUGE discs and calipers from a late model BMW M3, for the bargain price of £102.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (thats A$250.48)
In the words of Wayne and Garth: "we're not worthy!"
How did you go about removing the hinges and seam down the a pillar?
Al B ·
The hidden hinges are, (or rather 'were' as they're no longer available) a kit from Machine7 here in the UK.
The 'A' post seam was then just zipped off and welded up🙂
here's a few (more) pics.................
............ hope that helps!
Al B
Cam ·
Awesome, thanks dude. Love the flame shaped hinge too.
Are there any other kits like this out there?
Dasdubber ·
Congratulations on an awesome job - it is a real credit to you! I remember seeing pics a while back on germanlook.com or somewhere similar and thinking how much time and hard work has gone into it!
Well done mate.
Alan
:beer
Al B ·
Thanks again guys, 'glad 'you like it.
Cam, as mentioned Machine7 no longer make their hinge kit........... however,
