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!

Michael, WOW!! excellent work. Look forward to seeing it in the flesh - glad you're enthused again

THIS is gobb smacking......

about time man.
i have seen the teaser pic's on pagey's site for so so so long waiting to see more.finally they have arrived.yipee.
man what an awsome car .i love it.
you must be happy with it,it is a nice peice of work with some unreal goodies in all the right places.
are you hoping to have it finished soon,cause i can't wait to see it in the flesh.
thanks for shareing .
man that is cool.
you made my day.cheer's

Holy Crap!!!!

Cool man.

Awesome car. Like westi said, it's been on Pagey's site for a while with no updates.

Thanks for the build up pics...and again... awesome stuff

Michael, that is fantastic!!! Great to see the attention to detail and the patience and perseverance in getting to the finish line.
Dying to see the photos of the body after clear.

that is very neat, nice work.

I'm excited

What a wicked car dude. Look forward to updates - and seeing it at Warwick this year??

WOW....love the colors as well

awesome.. it's a piece of art!

That engine looks amazing too!!

hurry up cutter

OMG so sweet
looks unreal

yeh dido to what westi said
what an awsome job mate
that thing is a work of art
can't wait to see it in the flesh
i think pagey finally has a competitor
for who has the best looking drag car

Fuck me thats unreal........!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very very nice Michael. Congratulations on turning out what is one of (if not the) nicest VW drag cars in the country. I can see why the extreme attention to detail on every component would have blown out the time line for its completion (not to mention the budget I'm sure)....but its well worth the wait. More importantly though, can't wait to see how it performs on the strip after its shake down period.

Well done
Al

Hmmmm!.....9's

OMFG!
Incredible, a bug with a mission

Awesome does not cut it - but that is all i've got... Work of art Michael!!
Thanks for sharing, all the best with getting it finished and to the track.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nasty I wouldn't expect anything less from you knowing your absolute finite attention to detail. Absolutely awesome dude!!

So Warwick this year could the cars first outing yeah??

Looking at these pics has certainly made my day cause it has been shite since I got up this morning

Ha ! Michael , How far now mate , clear coat done ? , car home yet ? , love the clear plastic tube on braided hoses , to stop scratches and wear .

DUDEE! that thing is insane!

Awesome job

Must be finished by now dude?
When is dyno day?

Thanks for all the compliments. Here are a few pics from earlier in the week.

Finished off the airbox tin that seperates the carbs from the motor. There were a few issues with the width of the motor but that is sorted.



The loose panels have been cleared. The body has been masked up, just a little more to finish. It should be cleared in the next few days. While all the masking is on the body it's getting polished so the mess won't go everywhere. The headlights are getting airbrushed on the front.



Don't know when dyno day is but I was planning on being there. Had to go and get new glasses today so I can get the medical for my andra licence.

Magic

Ps. See much of Laurie these days? If so say g'day for me. Cheers.

Michael a welcome competitor at the Dyno day!! Prolly around August at this stage cause Valla is on this year...

nash with glasses, are they dame edna style?