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!

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 13 May 2013, 9:21 pm

#955556

Hey Aaron / Pete, just need to get to the track to do some setup on the suspension. Have entered the Winternationals also.

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essex Officially Full-On Dubber

352 posts · joined Dec 2008 · 13 May 2013, 9:30 pm

#955559

The car looks great, good luck with the preparations,
cheers Barry

1916baja Custom Title Time!

1,990 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 13 May 2013, 9:48 pm

#955565

Wow!

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 13 May 2013, 9:58 pm

#955566

Love the new colour dude.
And look forward to updates...

Reub

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

2,534 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 14 May 2013, 6:52 am

#955591

Is that like a hammer tone type finish Michael? Looks great!!

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

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

1916baja Custom Title Time!

1,990 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 14 May 2013, 7:09 am

#955594

I'd love to see some more pics of this thing!

20bkombi Wolfsburg Wizard

597 posts · joined Mar 2009 · 14 May 2013, 8:51 am

#955606

Fantastic, I love the dedication.
The paint looks like snake skin, looking very tough!!!

AARON'S SPEED SHIFT AUTOS
Specialising in Vw automatic transmissions, differentials and torque converters
Stock or modified to suit your application (street, drag, off road)
Ph 0402 233 027

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 14 May 2013, 9:26 am

#955610

20bkombi wrote:Fantastic, I love the dedication.
The paint looks like snake skin, looking very tough!!!

Might have been wrapped?

Reub

Stanley I guess the reward is in the doing of it

4,523 posts · joined Mar 2003 · 14 May 2013, 7:26 pm

#955665

Spray or wrapped it looks great.
Thanks for the update
Cheers

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 14 May 2013, 7:31 pm

#955667

Yep, vinyl wrap. A beetle isn't the easiest shape to wrap! Too many curves.

typethreeking Wolfsburg Wizard

621 posts · joined May 2008 · 14 May 2013, 7:51 pm

#955670

I'll talk to you about it at the winters Michael, was thinking of a wrap for my car, looks great!

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

humpty Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,336 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 14 May 2013, 10:56 pm

#955704

That's looking very tough Michael... Looking forward to the track results from this amazing car.

FUCH your early!

http://www.noh2o.org/

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

2,534 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 3 Jun 2013, 6:55 am

#958334

How did you go on the weekend Michael? Get some good data and some passes down?

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

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

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 3 Jun 2013, 9:00 pm

#958440

All good. One half track pass and second to1000'. Got rained out after the second pass. Car launched and handled well. Some fine tuning of the suspension to do and get on top of the tune.
First:
60' 1.441
330' 4.333
1/8 6.738 @ 101.44

Second:
60' 1.436
330' 4.326
1/8 6.747 @ 100.30
1000' 8.905

whathaveidone Custom Title Time!

1,559 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 3 Jun 2013, 9:07 pm

#958442

Good results for first time out!!!! This thing will be a weapon when it sorted!!!! Well done.

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 3 Jun 2013, 9:21 pm

#958451

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 3 Jun 2013, 9:23 pm

#958454

nasty Commited Dubber

65 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 3 Jun 2013, 9:29 pm

#958459

http://www.dragphotos.com.au/p10951750/e6835112d

reub VWRX is gone...

2,054 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 3 Jun 2013, 9:42 pm

#958462

Sweet dude... Thanks for posting.

Reub

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

2,534 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 3 Jun 2013, 10:20 pm

#958467

Runs pretty nice and straight!! And looks superb!! Good luck next weekend at winters!!

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

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

vassy66T1 Wow ... are U reading this?

2,120 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 4 Jun 2013, 5:55 am

#958478

Fantastic to see your car back out on the track Michael!
Best looking wrap I have seen too👍

humpty Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,336 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 7 Jun 2013, 7:18 pm

#958905

What a beast.... The coolest car in Oz VW drag racing. Period.

FUCH your early!

http://www.noh2o.org/

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 7 Jun 2013, 8:01 pm

#958908

10.38 @129 i believe

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 · 7 Jun 2013, 8:28 pm

#958910

matberry wrote:10.38 @129 i believe

Wow...top work on all aspects of this car. Looks sounds and obviously goes hard.

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 7 Jun 2013, 9:19 pm

#958914

10.38
10.39
10.44
all at 129 plus

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

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

2,534 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 7 Jun 2013, 10:21 pm

#958916

Me thinks records might be a Tumbling this weekend!!

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

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

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 8 Jun 2013, 7:02 am

#958928

First round begins at 8am this morning.
The air will be good, so there is always a chance that another pass within 1 %
and under the 10.38 record will be enough for the ET record. Fingers crossed!

The current record is 10.380. The zero is there because 18years ago(1995) they only timed to two decimal places.
The speed record is 127.66mph.

Michael's MPH is well above the national record,
but still needs a back up. This should be a good chance because Michael's best last night was 129.7mph.

Go for it Michael!

westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 8 Jun 2013, 8:51 am

#958935

Times and MPH from Friday look super-consistent - so def in with a good chance.

So dumb question... do red lights and breaking out affect it, or do the ET and MPH still count ???

VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
Join a car club - get car peeps

My toys
'70 Hillclimb Bug 'Jezebel' w/- Haltech EFI - http://bit.ly/VwTNtQ
'60 KG Coupe - resto kinda started
01 New Beetle - gf's car, but I turn the spanners

andrewmurphy Officially Full-On Dubber

307 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 8 Jun 2013, 8:55 am

#958936

He ran 10.289 @ 130.34. But sadly red lit by -.146. Dial in was 10.37

FROSTY Insano Dub Head

744 posts · joined May 2009 · 8 Jun 2013, 9:58 am

#958940

SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That sucks!!!!!!!! I went out last night and saw the 3rd qualifier, man you need to be very proud of your self!!! It is one tuff drag car!!!!