Just thought I`d put up a few pics of work I did on my `61 Rat Bug other than just the beam narrowing (which is covered in many different magazines and websites).
The first problem I found with narrowing my beam 6 inches (really just an exercise in finding just what is involved) was that the turing capability had been reduced to about 1/4 of a turn on the steering wheel. This was because of the tyres fouling on the headlight bowls and the top of the inner guards/boot floor area(!!).
To get it to the show at Glenelg at the end of that same week that I started doing this work, I just cut some nice big gaping holes in the inner guards........................

the other side............

I`ve actually sold the Bug now but part of the deal was that I would finish this area off (well, fabricate some "wheel tubs"/re-shape boot area).
Finished this yesterday.

the other side

[Edited on 27-3-2005 by 57 Chook Shed]

[Edited on 27-3-2005 by 57 Chook Shed]

boot area..........

Why aren`t my pics coming up???
Why do you have to download them??
Think this has happened to me before.

Also had to reshape the back of the headlight bowls to clear the tyres. I ended up cutting just over half of the original bowl depth away. I re-fitted the headlights and the tyres fouled on the back of the bulbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, I searched the parts bin and ended up fabricating some brackets to attach late Bay Kombi sealed beam headlight units.
They are about half the depth of an original 6V Bug unit.
Anyway, here`s the back of one of the new bowls......

The new headlight fitted...........

Comparison of headlights.........

I then cut up the original units to clearance the new headlights.

All done, you`d never know!!!!

The finished article!!!!!!!!!!
Gonna miss it.

[Edited on 27-3-2005 by 57 Chook Shed]

man that looks tuff!

is that all legal in SA? Do you have to have it certified or something?

What was it like to drive with that much of the beam gone? aside of the lack of turning circle.

Nice work. Not scared of a bit of cutting and welding.
Is that zinc coated sheet that youve used?

No sure about the legalities, but we have no RWC or anything. The key is just not to get caught.
The cops don`t really care about Dubz over here, it`s more your Rice Burners and Commodore shite that attracts their attention.
I have heard that there is some law about pre `72 cars when it comes to lowering i.e there is no limit.
ROTORBUG I actually used a pair of old rear Bug guards to fabricate the tubs out of. These came from my mate Aaron when he was having a clear out. He had blasted and primered them with the intention of repairing the dents. Not much left of them now hey!!
And no, the more cutting and welding the better as far as I`m concerned!!
Cheers
Gra.

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by 57 Chook Shed]

cool, hey what did you do about the shock towers ? Are you still running shocks ??

What`s a shock??