VW's .... whos got 'em?

[REDD]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Gotta get pics up, but spent the afternoon on my current project- getting my 66 type 1 sedan out of hibernation. Been parked since at least 1997/98!
Pulled out boxes upon boxes of cool old VW parts and accessories.

Bus is gonna be on hold till this is at least to a decent stopping point.

Things to do-
Finish assembling the new adjustable front beam and suspension/steering components.
Get the shift linkage bushings re-welded in the tunnel so it'll shift.
Get wheels and tires since my mint set of VINTAGE Empi 5-spokes were stolen about 5 years ago.
Get a fuel tank in it, I lost the original lol.


After sorting through parts and stuff and messing around with it, I'm now waiting on tie rods, wheels, tires, and brake master cylinder to finish up the front and get it out of the garage for the first time in 20 years!!!!
After a few years messing with buses and mopeds the VW will be a nice change of pace, and they're so SIMPLE!

You putting it back to stock or some rad mods in order?

Going to look for some pics of mine....thousands of pics to look through.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by REDD

You putting it back to stock or some rad mods in order?

Going to look for some pics of mine....thousands of pics to look through.

It was fully restored in 1997, with a few tasteful mods.
The front beam has adjusters and I'll be running it with 2-3 inches of drop and the rear is stock but I may take it down one spline in the rear or even pop for some adjustable spring plates.
Since my Empi wide 5's were stolen I'm probably going to get replica BRM wheels since they're way more affordable than they used to be.
Planning on running either 195/60, 195/65, or 205/60 for rear tires on 5.5" BRM's.
The fronts will be 4.5" BRM's with 135's. Old school Cali look.
The car is a "resto-custom"... mostly stock though.
Its 1988 Porsche Guards Red with Gran Prix White insert. Original Parts is Parts wood slat roof rack, all sorts of original GENE BERG stuff.
The engine is a fully built, balanced, blueprinted 1600 with forged CW crank, forged pistons, total seal rings, Engle cam, ported heads with larger valves, etc. Built with a new engine case, dual Kadrons, 009 distributor and blue coil. A REALLY nice, fairly powerful engine that's built to last.
The interior is sorta stock, but instead of vinyl its upholstered in an oatmeal colored tweed with a nice darker brownish insert.

I'll get pics or maybe even a vid up SOON.

I'm actually getting REALLY excited about this!!!!!!!!

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

The car is a "resto-custom"... mostly stock though.

I'm actually getting REALLY excited about this!!!!!!!!

That's the basic philosophy I'm going with for my motorcycle. Custom to my liking (and my budget) with a largely stock look. Ripping out the points system and upgrading to a more modern electronic ignition (PAMCO) was a necessity, though. Nobody wants a bike that can't handle puddles.

[REDD]

Sweet... did you switch it over to 12 volt from 6?

On my '66 buggy I had the 135's up front with a 295 50 on the rear, 1776 with dual dellorto's [sp]. Damn gotta find my pics.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by REDD

Sweet... did you switch it over to 12 volt from 6?

On my '66 buggy I had the 135's up front with a 295 50 on the rear, 1776 with dual dellorto's [sp]. Damn gotta find my pics.

Yeah it was converted over to 12v way back when. Although I did drive it around for a couple years with the original 6v system.
6V is pretty marginal. I had an ALL STOCK one owner 63 beetle that I left 6v and man you couldn't see 15 feet in front of the car at night lol. The 40hp was a good engine, though. I think the single port 1300 that came stock in my 66 was the absolute BEST stock beetle engine ever.

If I'd known this car were going to be more a pleasure machine than a daily driver when I originally built it I'd have gone with a big stroker engine. An all-BERG 2007 or 2110 would be my choice now lol.

[weboughtabus]

And since we're on the topic of VWs, anyone get up close and personal with this one-of-a-kind V-Dub? I was in Nashville a few weeks ago and stopped in the American Pickers store (not my choice, I was more interested in the old Marathon Motorworks that it was housed in) and saw this beauty.

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by weboughtabus

And since we're on the topic of VWs, anyone get up close and personal with this one-of-a-kind V-Dub? I was in Nashville a few weeks ago and stopped in the American Pickers store (not my choice, I was more interested in the old Marathon Motorworks that it was housed in) and saw this beauty.

Reminds me of the Brazilian Amazonas VW-powered police bike. A truly bad hack job of a mashup, created only to fulfill domestic content requirements levered by the gummint.

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Reminds me of the Brazilian Amazonas VW-powered police bike. A truly bad hack job of a mashup, created only to fulfill domestic content requirements levered by the gummint.

Wow! I'd never heard of that and had to do some research to find out more. This thing looks... bulky.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by weboughtabus

And since we're on the topic of VWs, anyone get up close and personal with this one-of-a-kind V-Dub? I was in Nashville a few weeks ago and stopped in the American Pickers store (not my choice, I was more interested in the old Marathon Motorworks that it was housed in) and saw this beauty.

Seen pics of it long ago.

Saw several VW-powered bikes, trikes, and even a mower over the years.

[Tango]

Speaking of Von Dutch...the Maestros' bus was found not too long ago and restored...

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/1...est-nationals/

[EastCoastCB]

Recently found out that 911 style wheels are being made for the old wide 5 VW bolt pattern. They're available in 4.5 and 5.5 so I'm thinking they'd be the perfect choice.
Waiting on tie rod ends and a pitman arm to proceed.

[EastCoastCB]

So here it is as its been sitting. Older pic. We've long since cleaned up around it and the garage isn't as cluttered anymore.

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

So here it is as its been sitting. Older pic. We've long since cleaned up around it and the garage isn't as cluttered anymore.

That looks great! I like the paint combination.

[Vern1]

Searched for a 67 Ghia Vert for many, many years until I found this one.
Have had it for 30+ years.



Pasture buggy that I scratch built using crashed bugs while I was converting my bus.
Front clip is from a 69 regular beetle, rear clip is from 71 super beetle.
All welded steel construction similar to an early EMPI buggy.
Wheelbase shortened 14" with mild, mostly stock 1600.
The wide fenders and running board, a treated 2x8, are extra wide so you don't wear or taste the cow pies....yeah, THAT kind of pasture...



My son and I built this one and he drove it to high school in early 90's.
Mild(reliable) 1776 with berg heads, dual pict 32s, header with heater boxes removed and other performance goodies.
And that whale tail!!


We found a nice clean 68 and did a mild restoration.


And numerous other buggies, Bajas, sand drag rails, etc. along the way.

[scooterheaton]

Willy's cargo!

[Tango]

What? No split windows or 21 window buses?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by weboughtabus

That looks great! I like the paint combination.

THANKS!!!
I came up with that when I was 15. I spent a LONG time figuring out what color(s) to go with.
Its 1988 Porsche Guards Red and Porsche Gran Prix White. Both are REALLY bright, pure colors. PPG paint. 20 years of dust has it looking a lot darker and all. Its got a chip or two from being in the garage so long.

The interior is BEAUTIFUL.
OG Gene Berg shifter, og bamboo parcel rack, oatmeal tweed headliner, seats, and door panels all custom stitched. Low back earlier model seats.
Going to add a tach and stereo, hidden in the glovebox. Thinking about going with a repro GTV style steering wheel.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Tango

What? No split windows or 21 window buses?

I had a 67 Westy in high school. But to own a split or a nice 21 or 23 window nowadays means you have to be a rich snob.

VW's were fun when they were plentiful and cheap. If I didn't own this one I wouldn't be buying one at todays prices.
The 90's was the PEAK of VW resto-culture, IMO.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by scooterheaton

Willy's cargo!

What year is that white one?

I had an all stock, white, one-owner 64 that I got for $500 just after high school. Had a blast filling the car up to the max and taking slow drives fogging the car out!

[scooterheaton]

1966 daily driver!