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!

pigman Casual Dubber

21 posts · joined Apr 2011 · 18 Apr 2011, 8:35 pm

#836375

this is one cool bug to work mate look really good a credit to your self

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 19 Apr 2011, 11:15 am

#836435

good on you mate! nice one

fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

Dak-A-Tak Volksie Pete

1,381 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 30 May 2011, 7:29 pm

#843704

Michael has entered winternationals warm up this week-end ( sat & sun ) check willowbank web site.
Witch means he has entered Winternationals as well , good luck buddy.

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 5 Jun 2011, 10:42 am

#844656

10.35 !
awesome.

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

TRENT_DEMOS Slammed & Awesome Dubber

86 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 5 Jun 2011, 5:37 pm

#844722

Mad .. What mph?

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 5 Jun 2011, 6:27 pm

#844740

Well done Nasty......WOW

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Stanley I guess the reward is in the doing of it

4,523 posts · joined Mar 2003 · 5 Jun 2011, 6:56 pm

#844750

whoo hoo....congrats

LIFE IN THE LOW LANE All people have the right to stupidity but some abuse the pr

2,534 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 5 Jun 2011, 7:37 pm

#844765

If MPH is where we think it should be does this mean we could have a new record holder on our hands?? Obviously we have to wait till racing next week at Winter Nats for it to be official right?

ACCEPT THAT SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE PIDGEON AND SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE STATUE

Alder Outlaws VW Racing - check it out on fb!!

whathaveidone Custom Title Time!

1,559 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 5 Jun 2011, 8:10 pm

#844774

NICE!!!!!👍

Whats the current record?

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 5 Jun 2011, 9:36 pm

#844811

We got two good runs in over the weekend from four starts. Pretty much got on top of the rear suspension and wheelie bar setup.
Weather was good with corrected altitude between about -250' and 1700'.
Here's the numbers:

2nd run:
1.411 60'
6.555@103.32 1/8th
10.350@126.96 1/4

4th run:
1.423 60'
6.629@102.83 1/8th
10.421@127.10 1/4

Under car video footage of the 10.35

Dak-A-Tak Volksie Pete

1,381 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 5 Jun 2011, 9:53 pm

#844815

Fantastic mate ! I'm so glad that 4th run went well , we had to go as you were towing up .
What lane did you run in ? Footage awesome , love the sound .
Cheers PP

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 5 Jun 2011, 10:06 pm

#844820

The bloke in the other lane took quite a while to catch up - could see him on the left, out under the RH back guard.

From your ole' mate Jeff

Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus

5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Jun 2011, 10:36 pm

#844829

Nice work Michael - good to see you are getting some good passes under your belt in the new car.
Al

www.dasrestoparts.com.au

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 6 Jun 2011, 7:37 am

#844843

http://www.dragphotos.com.au/p1059939996/h24944b1a#h24944b1a

and more:

http://www.dragphotos.com.au/p1059939996

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

splity65 Slammed & Awesome Dubber

75 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 6 Jun 2011, 6:08 pm

#844941

Awesome work Micheal, Good to see all your hard work paying of with results.

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 6 Jun 2011, 10:04 pm

#845015

Dak-A-Tak wrote:Fantastic mate ! I'm so glad that 4th run went well , we had to go as you were towing up .
What lane did you run in ? Footage awesome , love the sound .
Cheers PP

Left lane of course Pete!

HS618 Officially Full-On Dubber

277 posts · joined Mar 2005 · 6 Jun 2011, 10:17 pm

#845018

Congratulations, Michael - absolutely first class
By the way, left lane your favourite?

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 7 Jun 2011, 6:18 am

#845044

http://www.dragnews.com.au/images/stories/EventGallery/2011/2011winterwarmup/8E7W6650.jpg

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 7 Jun 2011, 6:19 am

#845045

WOH!

http://www.dragnews.com.au/images/stories/EventGallery/2011/2011winterwarmup/EZ2C4609.JPG

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

BeetleJuice Officially Full-On Dubber

350 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 7 Jun 2011, 8:24 am

#845054

Magnificent! 😎

FringeDweller

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 7 Jun 2011, 9:31 pm

#845139

HS618 wrote:Congratulations, Michael - absolutely first class
By the way, left lane your favourite?

Hi Henry,
Left lane for sure.

Another Pic

vassy66T1 Wow ... are U reading this?

2,120 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 8 Jun 2011, 12:45 pm

#845224

Very stylish pic 😵

Weather for the weekend looks rubbish currently 😠

FROSTY Insano Dub Head

744 posts · joined May 2009 · 10 Jun 2011, 5:22 pm

#845589

Did anyone hear how Michael went today at the winter nationals? did he quallify for tomorrow?

vwsteve karmann crazy

2,087 posts · joined Jul 2006 · 11 Jun 2011, 7:28 am

#845676

I unfortunately recieved the worst news possible last night, nash unfortunately rolled the racecar at the end of the track when the chute opened, unsure of any more details but obviously nash and sarahs dreams are shattered and as we can all understand are very unhappy atm, nash is apparently ok from what i hear.

ok not worst news possible but sad either way

1 1963 356b porsche coupe
2 1960 karmann ghia cab
1 1965 karmann ghia cab
1 1966 karmann cab
1 1961 split ute
1 1967 split p/van
1 1952 standard bug
1 1963 ragtop
1 1960 ragtop
2 1954 ovals
1 1956 oval baja project
1 1957 oval flying flea

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 11 Jun 2011, 8:53 am

#845686

Not the 'worst news possible', because Michael is physically fine.
But yes, sad because the car is not looking so good.
Damage looks to be largely only the body shell.
The run was pretty good, but it looks like under brakes it got a bit of a 'tank slapper' going.
Michael said,"I nearly saved it", but it dug in at the last moment.

Michael ran under tha national record last night at 10.35@130.59 and only had to back it up this morning within 1%.
(10.45@129 would have done it)

Not much to add other than I am so glad he is unhurt,
and I am sure that Michael and Sarah will get it back on track in time and be under that National record again.

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

Stanley I guess the reward is in the doing of it

4,523 posts · joined Mar 2003 · 11 Jun 2011, 9:05 am

#845688

Glad to hear Michael is ok most importantly.

Sorry to hear that this stunning car is banged up, but I hope we get to see it again in the not to distant future looking as good as it did and continuing to produce the results.

Top news on running under the national record

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 11 Jun 2011, 10:27 am

#845702

Stanley wrote:Glad to hear Michael is ok most importantly.

Sorry to hear that this stunning car is banged up, but I hope we get to see it again in the not to distant future looking as good as it did and continuing to produce the results.

Top news on running under the national record

x2

Very sorry to hear this news........hang in there Michael, I know you'll be back, bigger and better.

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 11 Jun 2011, 12:39 pm

#845710

Sad news and not wished upon anyone, particularly after such an awesome build...

Good to hear Michael is ok.

Reub

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 11 Jun 2011, 5:11 pm

#845745

sad news

typethreeking Wolfsburg Wizard

621 posts · joined May 2008 · 11 Jun 2011, 6:06 pm

#845759

glad to hear michaels ok, sad news as the car was just getting sorted, hope to see it back on the track again soon..

BEING ASPIRATED FEELS GREAT BUT BEING BLOWN TAKES THING TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL....