Hello all, just finished a very fun project 1953 VW split window ragtop Zwitter done by Russ Rodriguez of Fibersteel. It has a few 356 bits in it including a Super 90 motor & 356 B brakes.
More pics on Instagram @joeybau59
Thanks for looking !
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Hello all, just finished a very fun project 1953 VW split window ragtop Zwitter done by Russ Rodriguez of Fibersteel. It has a few 356 bits in it including a Super 90 motor & 356 B brakes.
More pics on Instagram @joeybau59
Thanks for looking !
very nice.
Thanks Brad ! Glad you like it.
Very nice split window.....
Had a '67 for over 18 years...... GREAT CAR !!!!!
Cheers,
cm
Thanks Chuck ! I like the hotrod louvered decklid, side trim delete & the Mooneyes period decal. Very DKP'ish dont you think?
Thanks Joey..... At one time it had a 'rare as hen's teeth' '67 convert deck lid... but that was just one of things that was taken the second time it was stolen... :(Quote:
Thanks Chuck ! I like the hotrod louvered decklid, side trim delete & the Mooneyes period decal. Very DKP'ish dont you think?
But then the louvered lid went on what was left after I got it back..... ;)
... and so it goes
Hey E ! I missed that Blue oval so much I had to do another one. Waited almost 5 years to find the right car to mod out.
Glad you like it !
Joey!
That is my favorite VW since the Miles Collier aluminum 4-cam. Your color choice is outstanding, 356 color Fashion Grey comes to mind. Do you still have the Oval with 'my' 356A engine?
Here's my early stock '60 36hp sunroof in Indian Red. She came from the original owner VW dealer(Midway VW) in Paris,TN in 1985, the owner kept this car from his first delivery of cars because of the color. I moved to CA driving this car from TN to San Diego to Seattle. One time, a guy walking down the street in downtown Memphis saw my license plate and said "MAN are you from ANTIGUA?"Attachment 456197Attachment 456198Attachment 456199
Chuck, yeah that vert' decklid is too much $$$ nowadays. For some reason Im also digging the overrider bumpers on your pic.
Hello Trey, how are you ? I sold the 57 oval about 5 years ago. It had the strong running early 356A motor you sold me. This split window Zwitter has an L90 Sand Beige color. Love your 60 ragtop too Trey ! Cheers !
This is my all original ,,1956,, with 56000miles
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Here is my ‘59
Yes RHD New Zealand new.
Sema's disconnected ( people just dont see them) but work fine when hooked up..
Sorry about the rotation,,
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That split beetle is fantastic.
My '56 one owner(before me) 71Kmiles hadn't run since 1979
http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/z...psp0ebs3qh.jpg
http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/z...psrvq0wpww.jpg
http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps1xhoah9c.jpg
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That's really nice Chris...looks like it's on "reserve"
No Eric,
She is solid the whole way through the pans. Battery has always been on a rubber tray and I always take it out if it the 6 Volt needs recharging.
Yet another crap photo.
I would love a 52 Split Window,,, it would be the oldest VW in New Zealand if I could get my hands on a good one like the Original Poster has
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This is one of my other projects at the moment (besides getting the good ole Elfer back in shape):
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If the guy at the paintshop really finishes it mid-May (at least he said so) I think it could be in driving condition sometime in the next months. And yes, I am an optimist ;-)
I am / have been casually looking for a pre 66 bug for awhile. waiting for the funds and a car to align at the right time. I played with a 68 Square for awhile, but sold it because I really want a bug.
Mark..
Joey, your ragtop Zwitter looks amazing! Had a cut up '53 Zwit given to me a couple of years ago, missing a door and one fender, no engine, rusty tray, etc. I thought long and hard about putting my Polo4 into that thing and building something similar to yours, but gave it to a young VW guy with much ambition and little money. Too many projects on my plate already. Anyway, this '64 deluxe was my daily driver (along with a 356 hardtop) for many years. Currently undergoing a bare-shell resto... my favorite death trap, hope to finish by November.
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Like Tomster, I'm an optimist.
Thank you for posting your vintage VW cars, buses & projects ! Keep em coming please !
Russ, appreciate the kudos...you MUST install front discs brakes at the very least on your bus. Remember, nothing there up front but sheetmetal for protection ! :eek::D
Eric, thanks for your vote of confidence. Im planning to take it to Treffen in a few weeks just taking care of few details now. See ya there I hope ?
I had one of these in my living room for years...
I traded this one for a another project car a few years ago. Pulled the Subaru motor out raised it up and made a camper interior for it.
Then did a 9,000 km road trip half around Australia in it. :D
Great photos here, thanks for starting this thread JB!
Here is Marlena the Bug, 1967 Beetle, Lotus white. California car all it's life.
Sold new @ Gardner VW Fresno, eventually moved south to Balboa Island, restored by Lenny @ West Coast Classics, now residing in the Mohave desert where it likes to run with the big kids on dawn Patrol.
'69 Karmann Ghia. Original paint.Attachment 456422Attachment 456423Attachment 456424
Whoa.... Chris, your Marlena look exactly like my Billy when I bought'm from the first owner in '74Quote:
Here is Marlena the Bug, 1967 Beetle, Lotus white. California car all it's life.
Lotus White, Bob Smith VW Hollywood, .... even our plates are close - TYM 852 vs TRN 962
Thanks for posting your vintage VWs guys....Keep em coming please !
Chris, your 67 IRS is pretty special. Congrats !
63,000 original miles .... matching numbers! Should never have sold it ... :(
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Or this old '54 .... old and tired but ran like a clock
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Very nice Okrasa kit Elsporto ! I also dig the vintage Blue Bosch dizzy ! Thanks for posting !
Looks Like an 010 from a Bosch 'Screamer Kit'. In the early seventies you could buy the distributor and Bosch blue coil for $29.
The black VW is a '56 (on a '66 pan, 1300), the green one is a '54 (on a 65 pan, 1200, later to get a '73 1600). The '54 also got the turn signals from the '65 so it doesn't look very '54ish in that picture. I sold the black one to a friend in '81 and he still has it. The '54 got rolled end over end on I35 in Austin.
The picture was taken in 1973...
Mine was May... curious the sequencing of the plates... :rolleyes:Quote:
That's pretty cool! My Beetle was sold new, July 1967.
Took it in the same hills I take the Porsche..... ;)
Does anyone remember the VTO? My best friend's first car was a '63 with a 356 engine plus a bunch of other modifications, put together at Autohaus in Pompano Beach which was owned by the Brundage family. Supposedly just 100 were made, sort of like the EMPI GTV but much cooler IMHO. In 1971 it was just another used car when Chuck bought it for $500. Went like stink, handled like a go-kart... even had disc brakes! Special paint & trim, too. I check the Samba every once in awhile but have never seen one for sale.
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Chuck, I will take a stab at the Black plate sequencing. Both yours & Chris' cars were first sold in 1967. Yours in May 1967 with a TYM prefix & Chris in July with a TRN prefix. Its only logical that you should have gotten the earlier issued TRN plate since your car was first sold in May 1967...Right ? Since I consider myself a CA License plate geek & from talking to alot of plate restorers, the simple fact that Chris' car was sold new in a less populated city of Fresno...explains why the car got the earlier TRN issued plates. I guess less people in Fresno were buying cars so the plates in Fresno DMV sat longer. My $0.02
Thanks for the logical info JB.....
Thanks for the VTO bug pics Russ ! I just love those period Tuners cars & how they made their cars stand out. Cool striping too.
how vintage are we talking here?
HAD, a 55 oval Euro with batwing and semaphores. A 56` ( first yr) Karman Ghia with authentic Golde sunroof, super rare, a 58` van 13 window with safari windows.
If I had this trio back in my garage I would be very satisfied and rested car-wise.......
Oops, almost forgot my 72 camper van that I drove for twelve yrs in Las Vegas;no a/c no heater only car at the time -89-2001 ( well, my 72T had a/c, I guess?). Used it to go to Pomona to get parts for my 72 T. It served me well.....sold it to a Jerry Garcia Dead Head Groupie. She fell in love with it at first sight....I gave her a nice discount; i knew it was going to a good home..... or going to be a home?.....cliff
Again, a 65 VW, First German car after my 56 chevy 2d sedan-First car, I rebuilt the motor before I had my license ) {67 VW, stolen twice} 56 VW, painted like a Janice Joplin inspired hippie car in (1969) not by me. It was given to me free, just for getting it out of a parking lot at a college. 62 KG, cabriolet, 63 VW.
Too funny Cliff ! :D
Here are some pics from our recent R Gruppe gathering.
Chuck, That "moon " sticker in the your rear window on post #38 is classic. Brings back a lot of memories from that era. My 1st car was a 66 bug in 68.
……………………….. ;)Quote:
Chuck, That "moon " sticker in the your rear window on post #38 is classic. Brings back a lot of memories from that era. My 1st car was a 66 bug in 68.
lurking with envy
The well-deserved Roger Grago Award Winner for 2018
Joey and Cris digging the car in Buellton, CA at R Gruppe Treffen:
Outstanding car..... :)
Appreciate the kudos & nice pics Randy & Chuck ! :)
What a beauty........cliff
virtues of a double cab pick up.
my shop truck for 30 years
Nice one Bill !!! :D;)
Love your car Joey, been following on Instagram.
I've got the Superbug with Ronal wheels.
Hello Matt, nice to know you are here too. :)
vintagespeed hotrodding style !
When installing a 356 engine in a early bug, what do you use for the tinwork around the motor/engine compartment. Those installs look like the engine belongs there.
Coming from you Rick thats a real compliment. This is testament to the fabricating skills of Russ Rodriguez of Fibersteel in Azusa CA. Front tin was mainly trimmed but the side & rears were all fabricated paying close attention to the shape & bends of the originals so the final result is that it looks factory or it belongs there as you said. The Faux Cam motor was used as template for the tin.
The whole car is mind boggling. The air cooled life began for me in 69 with a 66 bug. Then onto Porsche in the early 70's. I will always have a soft spot for the original bug. The workmanship is out standing. Hope to see it in person some day.
Appreciate the kudos Rick ! Happy to announce the bug made the cut for this years Ocean Avenue Concours in Carmel next month if you or anyone here is going, pls stop by & say hello. Tks !
My 66 1300 with a few modifications.
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Looked at an intact '57 numbers matching car over the weekend. ;) Needs restoration but it's intact and not rusted. Purportedly off the road for 40 years.
Great thread with terrific cars. Please share some of the websites for vintage VWs, esp. Karmann Ghias.
You mentioned Karmann Ghias?
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I could be very happy with a “low light”.😉
Always loved the T34, shoulda bought one when they were cheap! Anyone else remember this thread on the Bird?
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...mfi-motor.html
Have been thinking about doing the same to a Brazilian SP2, just need to find a solid candidate. Almost 911-like to begin with, the biggest purchasing issue is buying overseas.
This one's in Brazil with a tempting price.
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Last week I said goodbye to my first car. It was a '68 beetle I had for 20 years and bought when I was 14. It's been sitting for a long time now and didn't get the attention it needed any more. That coupled with moving having 3 cars I need to sell or find a home for and it just made sense for the time being. Anyways here's what it looked like in it's better days. (The bus was the only vehicle I've ever regretted selling. I may have the same regrets with the beetle in a few years but I doubt it)
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Recommend any websites for Vintage VWs with a forum for exchange of ideas?
www.thesamba.com
This is the best site for any vintage VW.
Hope this helps.
some pics from last Sundays Norcal VW Porsche Treffpunkt in Concord.
Love it! Nice pics
A friend and another member here, both on the S and Kansas City,was there too and sent me this;
Were these pics of the amphibious VW in KC or Concord? So many questions...
Dave Brubeck Park in Concord CA.
I'm a VW guy although a 911 purchase and moving frequiently forced me to sell it (too many cars to move around made life hard). I have a '63 Bug that's been in the family since the late '60's I'll restore at some point in the future but for now it's hibernating in my grandparent's garage.
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...kswagen-Beetle
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Staging area from last Tuesdays Ocean Avenue Concours in Carmel by the sea.
Paul is representing another great car.
https://autokennel.com/1962-volkswag...deluxe-beetle/
$32k?? (Probably the Jeanette/Morse pedigree.) Had no idea the early Bug market was there; even for 22k mile examples. It's about time. (BTW: Where's the hood badge?)
Could be the preppy brother to my orphaned Turkis '62. Get's NO love; need to take it out and blow the cobwebs off of it. 'Cept it won't go fast enough.
Late to the party. My 67 and a 58 sunroof I picked up a couple years back. Been parked since mid-70s
Damn d !!!:d
‘56 oval time machine was last driven in 1980.
Wow, real nice.
Nice Dave. Love ragtops.
Very cool Tony! Are those your underpants on the hood?
Don't know how you guys feel but Bugs are such an important part of my growing up (?) I will always own one; whether I drive it or not. They're not worth anything so what's the point in selling?
Lol.
That was going to be my follow up!
I have some NOS parts for that beauty.
My first car, a '54 that I bought with lawn mowing money in 1969. The front and rear aprons were a bit ragged, so we did what everyone else did back then...Baja! You'll note the lawn mowing couldn't quite fund proper wheels and tires to fill the fiberglass, or pants of the correct length. (Priorities.) I credit my dad (pictured), this car, and the '65 that took me through college, with developing some sense of mechanical aptitude.
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Fast forward about 40 years. My son needed a senior project and wondered what to do. Like most kids of his time, he didn't know diddly about automotive stuff. It was the perfect time for him to learn the difference between a carburetor and distributor. We found a '65 sunroof with a seized motor. With "adult supervision", he pulled the motor and stripped it to the spun bearing. A few weeks later, he drove it to school for his presentation.
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A few years ago, I found the identical twin to my old bug. The sounds and smells are like stepping into a time machine. Mom and Dad like this one, too.
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Awesome story and kudos to your son!
I don’t know too many Porsche guys who weren’t weaned on Bugs.
Fabulous story!
+1 ........
Excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed. It all started with a '67 Beetle for me in the early '80s. Shared it with my brother throughout high school. Continuing on with a GTI in the later 80s, a Jetta GLX in the 90s, and now introduced my kids (and wife) to a modern-day GTI for a daily driver.
Scott
I bought a 1969 today, with the roof rack supplied - Seems to be 100% original.
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Thanks Gentlemen, the country of origine is Belgium. and here are more pics:
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Wow...just - Wow!!!
Just brought my ‘58 back West with my move. Nice to enjoy it all year round now. No drops, no hot rod tuning, no restoration needed.
.
Appears to be a "Standard" which would explain the earlier lights and lack of trim and padding on the dash.
It's been too long since I've driven this one..
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Real nice!
The Speedster Truck
1960, All original paint, not even a door ding.
On the left is the top, complete with the upper part of the glass.
You never been known to be too sentimental to utilize a sawzall Frank. I hope you aren’t getting a little soft? The California air must be blowing east.
Bust out the bi-metal blades and live a little.
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Lol.
I confess... I do have a soft spot for stubbies.
Always dreamed of being able to do wheelies at traffic lights.
Jos,
What on earth are you doing up at 4a?
Getting the night shift hustle on these days. I’m a sucker for the extra 10%
23 window buses to the max. The family still has a whole fleet of them on racks in a warehouse.
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I'll take one at the price they were going for 20 years ago. lol
When I was the oil change guy 'the lube kid' at British Motors in Van Nuys (it's still there) in the late '60's, every once in awhile we needed a Bosch part (instead of a Lucas part) and a guy would come over in the silver Micro Motors VW single cab parts truck to deliver the part.... One day he comes in and the thing sounds REALLY different, AND he's keeping it at about a 2k idle... I ran out and asked 'what's-up?' … and he said 'just sign for it kid, I don't want it to stall' ….. He then said (over the ruckus) 'we put in this Carrera engine we were holding for a customer and wanted to see if it would work!!!' :eek:
I looked in back under the open gate and there it was sounding like it was ready to hatch!!!! :eek: ….
The thing is, is that NO ONE took photos of ANYTHING back then... :o
Now I'm think'n, was it hooked up to the early type 2 transfer setup?.. How did the oil system work? …:confused:
All I know is that the 4 cam was back there making a crazy noise at a 2k idle...It took off like a bat... I no one took a picture..... :o
…. and so it goes
Now that I would sell the farm to have. Wonder where it is today. Somebody would probably like to have the engine back. Back then you could buy a running 4 cam car for probably under 5K.
Rare early 914 accessory hubcaps on that blue Stubby...
I recently bought this low light Karmann Ghia, we didn't get them in Australia.
Probably 6 months until I see it, currently doing time in an L.A. warehouse waiting on shipping.
http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/z...pso6iku1pd.jpg
@9er, thats a great lowlight car & color combo ! Love those dark Green roofs !
Time to bump this thread. Presenting my 1963 ragtop Beetle in understated L478 Beryl Green with Porsche 356 B brakes, wheels & Carrera spacers. Motor is bespoke 1776cc with pair of Zenith 32 NDIX with Knecht cannisters on special SS intakes, Bosch 010 dizzy, 356 H oil filter, OT pulley & a custom CSP dual in & out muffler.
Beautiful. Can't wait to see it someday. 100 HP ?
I better Join then
Just got this 60" cab home from US which I will start to restore soon, its pretty OK , But I am a bit inspiered by your 912 / 356 upgrades
its not matching in any way ,org color was Parika , I like the blue and will maybe make it 356 Athena blue and put a 912 in it and CSP disc break upgrade
Just sold my 71" early bay panel van a few months ago org 1 owner ,org 30.000 km, never welded , all like factory new ,I had it for a few years , nice to have but hard to use in everyday life :-)
I really want to do a streched pick up once on a early bay as a car carrier , just wating for the right project to pop up
Let's not forget the convert decklid JB ..... NICE !!!!
@Rick, Thank you ! estimated @ 110BHP. :)
@Marek, Great convertible project ! Aetna Blue is a wonderful 356 color & this car is blank canvas for you to add any 356/912 bits. The stretched transporter is really cool especially if youre transporting an RSK racecar ! :D
@Chuck, quite right you are I forgot to mention the almost unobtainium convertible decklid. ;)
Cheers !
Just pulled the trigger on a 3-owner electric sunroof T34... restored 10 years ago, needs a little paint detailing but PPI was very positive. Waiting for Intercity's schedule, will post more pics when it arrives.
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We'll leave it stock for now, but this will ultimately be the recipient of the POLO4 engine cluttering my lounge area. ;)
Great stuff. Just added this '56 to the garage. I'd been looking for a sunroof car in a cool color for awhile. Good ones are getting hard to find.
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That's lovely John!
It still amazes me at how cheap these are.
Nice T34 Russ.
Jeanette has one of these too.
Congrats Russ, that is a pretty amazing T34 razor ! IS the color Beryl Green ? Wow a Polo motor will make this a terror in the street.
Nice 56 ragtop oval John & that knockout color !
Yes, Beryl green... originally red & black, color was changed by second owner who did the restoration. I understand he's known as "Isetta Dude".
Speaking of color, Inca Red is probably the rarest you could ask for on a mid-50s Beetle, and a ragtop to boot! Nice score, John. You're right, good examples are getting hard to find.
Funny you should mention KJ's T34 Frank, I missed the one he sold a month ago, then this popped up on the Samba. Unless he had two, that car went to the Cip1 VW parts guy.
Please; need more info on Isetta Dude.
Car turns out to have an interesting history, and was featured in Collectible Automobile in 2016. The 2nd owners appear to have taken a few show prizes with it, which is encouraging. Still waiting for delivery... longest yet for Intercity. :(
http://blog.consumerguide.com/1963-karmann-ghia/
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That's so cool, Eric... what an interesting career your dad made for himself. Did you ever travel with him on trips like that?
Finally... our new T34 has arrived looking better than expected from the PPI photos. One issue first on the fix list: a previous owner installed HID headlights, only one works.
Otherwise, the 10-year old resto has held up well, paint and interior are very nice and all the glass is original. Biggest surprise not mentioned in PPI is a honking stereo system.
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Bullethead, may I ask where you are located in South Florida?
David
a T34 with a sunroof... that is a very seldom sight! Very cool indeed Russ!
Thanks Jules, we did pretty good for an impulse (sort of) purchase. There's a small punch-list to address but it's a solid, no stories example.
On the other side of the state from you, David... West Palm Beach.
What a cool car Russ & an even cooler digs !!! :)
Thanks Russ! Do you service early 911's with MFI or are you purely a private shop?
David
No, sorry, David... this is my storage & service shop/man cave. If you're in need of an MFI specialist there are at least two reputable guys on each coast.
Beautiful man cave Russ. Who are these reputable guys and where are they located?
Wow that's beautiful !! And sunroof too !!
Any chance it's coming to Amelia Island next month for the VW coachwork class ?
Very cool car Russ. I will reluctantly admit that I had a drive-by dream about it last night; we were doing a tune-up on it and I couldn't find a fuel filter. Absolutely true story!
Some guys dream about women... my Nirvana is achieving perfect valve clearance.
Hopefully I'll get to see it on a trip to Sebring.
It was a rather sad day, somewhat overcast with the smell of rain in the air,,,
With a dry driveway in her sight she awaited an afternoon cruise around the 'hood'. (weekly run around)
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With excited expectation she fired up....
It was the beginning of the end of what had been a reliable and faithful companionship that was (and I hope) a respect of each other,, as the ageing sometimes have a soft spot for.
She had always been older than I, having been born in 1956 however I always enjoyed the company of the 'like'.
Even pampering her that day was not enough,, she had an issue with the incline outside the house and decided to become emphysemic so I had NO choice other than put her to bed.
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Rotation stuff up.
So moving right along..
56 was sold with tears from my Millennial daughter,, calling me every explicit ''germanic'' name under the sun,,
Ol 56,,,,, gone... So,,
To make amends I came up with 1 of 2 choices..
A,,, perpetual persecution from my daughter (( jee dosn't anyone realise that Im suffering loss here ??))
B,,, rectify the problem.
After a ( surprisingly hahaha ((dont tell Liz) respectful amount of mourning and chastising I realised that a newer puppy was required..
RESULT.....
Well I am delighted and after the crap I got over the 56 I needed some MORE love.
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Jan 1966
I will miss my 56 VW. She was like a clock, never ever letting me down,, even at night with the amber full beam 6V headlights attracting more bugs and night fly's than my eye's were respected to see ahead on the road.
SOLD to a lovely family with under 10yr old kids who just want to relive the beauty that we enjoyed.
That's a pretty nice replacement after you've kicked yer Kafer to der kerb, Mark. Dry those tears.
Good color on the Beetle. Here's it's cousin, also a '56 but with extra-special massaging under the skin. Collier built this thing in the late '80s, Ludvigsen wrote a piece on it a couple of years ago worth reading. The idea was what would Porsche have produced had they been asked by Volkswagen for a Mille Miglia competitor? A rare thing to see, they brought it out to play this afternoon. Originally, it once sported a 547 4-cam... now it's got something more pedestrian: a VW Type 4 that makes stupid go-fast waaay beyond Her Doktor Fuhrmann's fevered imaginings. The intake plenum is a work of art and the pea-shooter exhaust is a dummy. Amazingly quiet, totally baddass. Check out the oil door behind the side window. Loaded with tricks it's a testament to what one can do with unlimited resources. :cool:
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Speachless, wish I was there.
Are those carbs? Or a trick sano EFI set up?
WOW! That is SPECTACULAR!
This is the coolest bug ever with mostly hand beaten aluminum panels. Too bad the flatfan 4 cam is gone but here is pic of that motor.
I love this thread, guess why :D
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My friend saved this one from a barn that was about to collapse on his father-in-laws farm in the north of Sweden, and is now offering me to be the caretaker, yeah ...someone's gotta do it, I'm planning the 3000 km roundtrip in July to pick it up.
It still wears the old style registration plates, so it has not been registered since at least 1973.
I think it's a -56 modell in the colour "L227 Strato Silver".
Bengt
Thanks for posting Bengt that is a beauty & L227 Strato Silver is hands down the best color for early VW !
WOW, what a find!
...and you filled the fenders with decent rubber! Any idea where your Baja ended up, Frank?
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Time to bump this thread up. My 53 Zwitter making a cameo appearance in the recent Kelly Park VW show.
Nothing less than beautiful, and that does not do justice! I thought 911 builds took a long time. That car was not built overnight.
This weekend I picked up this sweetie of a 62. Got it from the daughter of the original owners. Completely unmolested car. Original paint, never been hit...even has original windshield.
I love that it came with the original black CA plates, all the service and owners manuals and every registration from June 62 to date. Even have the business card of the salesman. Worst issue is that the threads in the seat covers have given up. I hope to be able to re-stitch them with new.
Car was in Vallejo until 2005 and only covered 100 miles here in Ohio. I need a Dalzell- Graham plate frame if anyone sees one. A little elbow grease and she will be amazing
I was waiting for you to post in here!
Beautiful Dave.....
Thank you Ric for your kind words !
D, will keep my eyes peeled for that plate frame, Bugorama in Sac just around the corner. Love the car, its history & the ashtray too. :)
The behind dash shot reminded me how simple these cars were.
Wow Dave, that's a true time capsule, did you stumble on it or patiently wait until it was available? Hopefully you can restitch the seats, the rest will detail beautifully. Is that Pacific Blue?
Small update on my recently purchased T34... there's a reason it had sat so long: engine internals are literally junk. Building a fresh pancake isn't expensive, but maybe the car is asking for the Polo4? Hmmmm.
BTW, anyone here have a '58? I've got a nice owner's manual and dealer pamphlet that's free to a good home. Motor Imports, Dayton Ohio.
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Russ, Dave has a ‘58 and lives in Dayton. If you don’t find a specific person who needs it and are going to post it for sale l’d be interested in purchasing just based on it being from a southern Ohio dealer.
While cleaning my mom's house my wife stumbled across the invoice/BOS for the Neptune Blue '67 Ghia my dad bought new. I have no idea where the car ended although it was last seen around 1972 heading south to NC? That'd be a car I'd love to find. Great memories.
How much did it cost in 67 ? $1900 ?
That’s awesome Dave. Looks like my Turkis ‘62 except much more handsome.
Lol. 16 years-old with my goofy haircut and clothes. (Mom made that shirt; a phase she went through.) No idea where it went and can’t say I care even though it was car zero.
What I WOULD love to find is the ‘70 Bus I built when I was 18. 2.2 911 motor, 1200 watts of Fosgate, and 18 speakers (four 10’s).
Epic trip down to Mexico one weekend. (Forgive me if the story is a repeat.) We missed crossing the border by a few minutes (closed at midnight) so what do stupid teen boys do? What else... see how fast I can drive with 2 of my mates lying on the roof rack hanging on for dear life! 80+ mph; it still gives me goose bumps. Oh the stupidity...
That bus sounds like it's worth searching for, Frank... 911 power was not a common thing back then.
Just got this in my morning Barn Finds:
http://www.oldbug.com/volkyland.htm
Yes, the collection is in Puerto Rico but shipping isn't complicated because of that. There are a lot of interesting cars in this collection, I'm seriously tempted by the Zwitters.
I bought this '63 Ghia today. Been hibernating in a Montana garage since moving from California in the '90s. One family. Can't wait to get it cleaned up.
Attachment 495171
Nice find !
Great color and looks fairly original.
fantastic! i was placed in the back seat with my sister and we drove through Europe in 1972 in one of these...camping...was tight.
Excellent!
Can’t wait to see it cleaned up
I picked up this one-family black-plate Vallejo CA car last month. Original paint, interior...even the window sticker and manuals.
Pretty cars... Volkswagen's color palette was quite sophisticated compared to other manufacturers of the day. The Ghia looks like it might be Strato Blue. David, is your '62 Beetle Pacific or Turquoise?
Congrats to you both on the quality garage additions. They're fun to drive, too!
I like the buses. My 1970 walkthrough deluxe.
Russ, it’s Turkis Green. Thanks
Thanks guys. I'm not sure about the color of the Ghia. I'm thinking maybe Pacific Blue? It's very well preserved. The owner had the seats covered and carpet remnants covering the carpets.
Attachment 495238
Well I'll share my recent purchase. Although the deal was done a couple months ago I've only had it out here in California for a month now. I haven't done anything to it yet but put it in the garage. It's going to need a full restoration but it's a very rare L41 (Schwartz) '67 Vert. By the looks of it, it's been in a front end collision at some point, a door replaced at some point in it's early life and the PO backed a trailer into the rear fender more recently.
925787 Beetles made in '67
7597 Convertibles
and maybe 5-10 known original L41 verts. I know of 4 in my research but there are none in the '67 registry.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1916452.jpg
Finally got my Lowlight from the USA, hopefully have it looking a bit happier soon.
https://i843.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1ytun2hs.jpg
Mmmmm, Lowlight Ghias are like pre-A 356's. Perfect lines. Congrats, Chris.
My bus is waiting for an upholsterer to do the upper interior panels so I can install glass. And the lovely little T34 we got a few months ago has needed a heart transplant.
Without ripping on the guy that restored the car 10 years ago, the internals of the engine were absolute junk. After a couple hundred miles I noted a rattle every time it started or stopped.
Thought it might simply be the fan but noooo... crank was shot (10th of an inch of play at both ends) and the case, worse.
Attachment 499224
Attachment 499225
So, bought the 1776 kit from Berg Enterprises. New case, balanced and blueprinted every component, doweled counter weighted crank, added full-flow oiling, etc, etc. Runs like it should.
Hoping to have this ready to ship for a vintage rally in Ontario in two weeks, still need to lower the suspension an inch and put some mileage on before it goes.
Wish me luck.
Attachment 499233Attachment 499234
57 purchased from an enthusiast who went a bit over board. Comes with an Allstate trailer that carries a vintage Heidelberg Keg. Since these photos I have adjusted the ride height upward and removed some of the over camber. Much fun to drive.
Always loved VWs. My first car was a 64 bug that I stuffed a 356A 1600 Super in. I've got a 66 1300 bug, 66 walk thru 11 window bus , 79 convert. and a 1985 Vanagon westfalia. We just took the Vanagon to Oshkosh for the air show and camped with it. I modified the looks with a Porsche SC, Carrera style bumper in the front and back. (2 fronts and 2 rears cut in half then stretched in the middle) Frenched in the stock turn signals up front and kept the park lights and turn signals in the stock Porsche location. Also stretched a stock Porsche front valence to fit under the bumper. In the back I removed the VW tail light assemblies and made some louvers which also help cool the engine bay. I wrapped the rear bumper around enough to fit stock Porsche rear tail light assemblies. This allowed me to build a 2 bike carrier and not obstruct the tail lights. Engine was going to be Porsche but so far just a rebuilt 1.9 with larger jugs and oil pump.
My latest. This was a bit of an impulse buy....complete with metal flake paint:rolleyes:
I'm thinking about painting it Mango Green - time will tell!:D I keep laughing about how cheap parts are compared to a Porsche!
Cool. A baja has long been on my bucket list.
My current '67 will eventually hit BaT auctions. Original to the bone, paint, interior, all metal, bumpers, wheels & caps, engine/tranny and all the often missing, and hard to find, '67 only parts. I'm currently caring for the only rust, battery floor, with new metal and a couple of other tidying bits. The most complete and original '67 I have seen. If anyone has real interest in this car prior to auction (about a month out) message me. Known history since new.
Nice car Peter....
Nice looking engine Eric
My late 59 vert is also finish in the next weeks , org vegas car, zero rust
car is done, but just at the interior guys for the roof job , pics from the paint booth
in Denmark we have strict rules on engine power, not som much oversize is allowed most guys keep it stock
just just had the fresh rebuild 1600 with a few twist it should have around 70 horses
so next time you come by Eric, we take it for a spin on the Strandvejen :-)
Marek
Thanks for directing me to this site Eric. Restoring my 54 has been a labor of love and I'm super excited to be almost done. Now I wait for sunshine!
Beautiful and HARD work.
Merek, Would not the Denmark government consider that "dual port" engine non original ? More power than original.
Beautiful oval Joe ! I love the color combo & the motor posted by Eric. Is that a VintageSpeed Sebring exhuast ?
Yes, it is. They make very nice exhausts...including Porsche.
Well, it didn't go... only finished the engine and fiddly bits recently. We took our 280SL to Ontario and glad we did: top down, fall colors, perfect weather!
Anyway, two issues with this car have taken waaaay more time than they should: fuel pump and sunroof. Have rebuilt the former three times and it finally works... the sunroof is another story.
Nearly every part on the T34 is unique to the model, and a broken roof carriage is kicking my ass. There are no replacements, and 356 (which can be modified to work) cables are NLA. Anybody have a spare left side available?
Bought a NOS T3 fastback cable shown in the photo below, as you can see it'sa no good. Of course I stupidly cut the cable to length before noticing that. :(
Attachment 514567
Runs great and looks nice on it's new boots, though. I do love this car, just wish there were parts sources.
Attachment 514566
Beautiful oval, Joe... that looks tasty.
What colour is the T34 Russ?
All the metalwork and bodywork finished on mine (I know it doesn't look that way), I can get the eBay "spray booth" out of my shed and claim some space back.
https://i843.photobucket.com/albums/...psyw7tahzv.jpg
https://i843.photobucket.com/albums/...psnsv87fq3.jpg
Windows and headliner and some trim
https://i843.photobucket.com/albums/...psvi1hdq4o.jpg
It's Beryl Green, Chris... is yours 2-tone Beryl and Java? Original combo? Bet that's rare...