OK - here it is - my eldest son and I have re-started a project I pigeon-holed about 10 years ago. I bought a '54 on a '67 IRS pan - with a Kadron-equipped 1640 back in '95 or so.

Here's the first bit of work we're doing to get it finished.



(sorry about the background - rubbish cleanup weekend) - this is the "new" panel that will be used to fix the rust under the windscreen

The car is mostly a bit further along than that. Its now got a Subie EA82T in it - and I've just bought another, reconditioned one. Using the Sherman adaptor - which I had to spend about 90 minutes on with an angle grinder when I got it back in '96 - because it didn't clear the turbo. I've connected a 75mm x 50mm chassis to the front tubes, the floorpan and somewhere significant on the suspension down the back (haven't been under there for 10 years).

The stainless radiator tubes run through the chassis to a Kingswood radiator. I've got VintageVeeDub rear disks, Hellbug built me a '76 single side plate box with Quaiffe 3.88 LSD, modded CVs (Kombi ?) and Hellbug also did the suspension (Whiteline bars, etc) - which I quite liked.

I'm halfway to ditching my Empi steel rims and have fitted 16" Fuchs black centres to the rears (have the same to go on the front).

Its funny revisiting something you did 10 years ago. I'm re-engineering the radiator set-up. I had a 16" or so fan that I'd fitted behind the radiator - but I'm switching to putting the fan in front of the radiator and aircon condensor. In here:



There's a bit of extra steel in there - this wasn't an exercise in minimum weight, but we haven't gone overboard. The tank is one I built from a '54 top and a later bottom - with a surge tank built in and cut away at the top to give room for a spare. I think it looks a bit rough, so may redo it. That other monstrosity is a 35 litre boom box that fires a sub through the firewall - another thing that I may ditch - not too sure I like a hole between me and the tank and not to sure that an engineer would either - although its well re-inforced. The battery is under there as well.

What else - full set of early 60's Porsche instruments. Mazda sourced under-dash air-con. Nissan heater unit on the rear firewall. Berg shifter. Volvo seat mounts. Alfa seats (they may go). Converted to a three seater - but again, that may change - as I don't think my son is tall enough to drive it - he's only 6'1"

There's plenty to do. My son wants to take it to a track day I'm supposed to be doing at Winton in early December with another car. No chance.

keep the pics comin!

nick

Well, the pics are ugly at the moment - but ... you have to start somewhere.

Looking at these pics, I'm wondering why I didnt buy a Mig 10 years ago. There's tobin bronze in there .... not that I was the first to hit it with that - whoever fitted the Golf sterring column had put a bit of brazing in there.

I've got an engineer mate with a nice $8,500 TIG welder, who will be doing the windscreen fix. Here's why its needed:



In under the fuel tank and subwoofer there's the hole for the speaker and battery:



I'd be interested to hear people's views on this - not forgetting the strengthening underneath though:



That's a 1" square steel beam, plated up to the firewall - the rust isn't an issue, just a bit of surface rust that disappears with a wire brush. There's also a couple of brackets in the centre - under the radio area that hang an under-dash aircon unit sourced from a Mazda.

So - strong enough? Legal to have a hole through the firewall? I can't imagine it is illegal - given the holes in the dashboard for radios, etc.

isnt the firewall behind the back seat? between the seat/interior and motor?

in saying that, the fuel tank is in the front - in the event of a crash does it pose an issue?

nick

Well, she's a runner - if not quite to the driving stage yet.

We've dropped another Subie engine in (why do I always seem to end up with two engines for everything?) and fired her up using a factory ECU.

Any more pics of the Jensen Ian?

Yep - Its a 1974 Series 3 (7.2 litre) - a slightly different concept to the Beetle eh?

Hi

Its going be a nice car when its done.

Did you ever see the Interceptor running around Sydney in the 80s with rust repair panels pop riveted all over it? Every time I saw it I didn't have a camera, it was classic.

I've been trying to get a photo of a "late" model Capri near me, he has whirly fan like you see on the roof of panel vans on his bonnet.

Steve

I saw a better one than that - up at Coffs Harbour - it had corrugated iron front mudguards welded on, but no camera. I've had the Jensen since 1987, but it and a couple of SEC Mercs just have to go. Its getting ridiculous around here. I've just about got my youngest (coming up to 16) convinced that we should re-register the '73 Squareback for him.

Have you some details on the SEC's? I have been looking for the right one for several years.. I sold my 635Csi in 2003 and really miss it.. My next german coupe was to be an SEC.. (I sort of looked at XJSc's for a while as well but too pricy, too rare (in OZ) and too difficult on the maintenance..
PM me or robert@designscape.com.au if you wish to sell..

Thanks
Rob

PS: Sorry to go off topic.. Good luck with the bug

We set up a water tank and ran her till she warmed up yesterday - with the exhaust on. She may even pass the noise meter test. Its a 3" system from the turbo back and includes a catalytic converter.

Here's Shorty discovering that he can't drive it. This is with the seat full forward. He can't get full throttle, among other things.



That'll teach him not to eat his vegies when he was younger. He's only 6' 1 1/2" tall.

haha look at them legs!! haha

Betya he can run faster and further than you .... silly bugga is on the soccer field right now - took off and left me to sand blast and Metal Prep the front of the pan

Had some fun with a wood chisel and the TIG yesterday and today.

Here's the first bit - digging out up to an inch of bog



The offending piece underneath



Yep - the woodchisel was the go - like a hot knife through butter. $35 for this bit.




Lining up the bolt holes with an old guard



Tack it into place with the TIG



Stitch it up an inch at a time, then hit it with a flap wheel on the angle grinder. Got a bit more to do, but the neighbour came home just then - and those sparks go her way. The last of it can wait till tomorrow. I got a slight depression at the front weld - the gap was a bit bigger - I probably should have cut it back and welded in another strip - but it's only about 2mm down and I haven't taken to it with the hammer and dolly yet.



Plenty more to do. I've been working on getting the radiator, air con condensor and fan mountings made - and that all seems good now. It will be off to the sanblaster soon.