Aircooled VW South Africa

Hi

I registered to ACVWSA in 2011, and have always been the "lurking" in the background

I have owned a Left hand drive Karmann Ghia (type 14, I think 1959) model since 2000 and initially would drive it every week, but marriage/kids came along and she became less used.

More free time now!!!

She is still all original condition,, but would require some work to get her back to the condition she deserves.

Will post in the project page, as I would appreciate some more info and help/tips in restoring her.

Welcome, very nice. At least you kept her and can now enjoy.

hi guys

I'm Ruan from Centurion , recently bought a '71 bus for me and my girlfriend to road trip with. We call her Mary-Jane


The 1600 engine she came with was rebuilt by the previous owner, and gave in within the first few weeks we had her. I was looking for help ever since, and today I think I've hit the spot.

Mary-Jane has become a new born passion of mine, yet I still have a lot to learn. I'm currently in my final year of studies and saving up cash to fix her up. I'm seeking all the advice I can find regarding reliability as we want to travel the coast of SA soon and maybe even cross borders!!

I was thinking of converting to a golf 1.8 l or 2.0 l motor with radiator at the back. I'm calling on the wise and experienced guru's of the old school VW world to guide me in the direction of freedom. Hope to hear from you soon

Ruan

Welcome Ruan. Nice bus. If it was my bus I would paint the bumpers white, ditch that ugly bullbar and keep it aircooled. A properly running 1600 motor should be adequate for your purposes. Then again, its yours to do with what you please...

Welcome Ruan

Do you have any pics of the front of the bus ?

I agree with 73type2 - the bus would look superb with the original bumpers in white. And no problem with the long road with a good condition 1600cc motor

"IF" the engine was done up not so long ago, it may be something small that has gone wrong.

Maybe a ring that was cracked or something.

I would have someone with knowledge open the engine and see before you look into conversions as that tends to run up a bill till its working right.

Keep the bull bar as it does not look too bad and will give you young guy some protection especially if you going road tripping.

The aircooled engine has a charm all to it self, would be a shame to take it out of such a fine bus.

Herman

Thanks to info on the paint codes. I've worked out the colour is Pernod. I'm thinking the easiest as I'm in Scotland is to machine a piece of alloy for the centre caps, copying the one battered cap I have. If reflectors are so difficult , I'll have a look at trailer front reflectors. We don't need the reflectors here but there one of the features that shows it's not built in Germany. As my wife is proud it built in Africa . David

DAVID 67 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2018 9:50 pm ... As my wife is proud it built in Africa ...

I share your wife's sense of pride. Here in South Africa people tend to be more proud if there car was imported from Germany.

DAVID 67 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2018 9:50 pm .. We don't need the reflectors here but there one of the features that shows it's not built in Germany. As my wife is proud it built in Africa . David

Hi David, and welcome, The type 3 have an integrated reflector in the back chrome work, and as said above, these get brittle, and look S#1t

So what I did was strip the plastic part out of the holder, and used the reflector of a truck or trailer and down sized it to fit.

Looks pretty dam nice now.

Herman

Afternoon everyone

Just bought a 1975/76 (not even sure, eek) high top Bay Window which I'm going to convert into a proper camper that I'm planning on living in full time. Will start a project thread and post some pictures as we go along and ask for some advice as well.

Keep well

Welcome to the ACVWSA forum Kimberley cousin - you are at the right place !!!!!

Hi, I am buying a 81 autovilla 2L aircooled but the engine has a soft knock and after idling for a while it goes softer.Standing behind the camper it sounds like more on the lefthand side. Any ideas what it could be, can I drive it home(about 50km)
Can anyone recommend who to trust to repair it somewhere in the Westrand area (Krugersdorp) and likely cost?
Thx Johan

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Could be an hydraulic tappet, but check it out just to be sure.

And welcome to the forum.

Herman

retrovan wrote:Could be an hydraulic tappet, but check it out just to be sure.

And welcome to the forum.

Herman

Would I be able to drive it or wpuld I damage the engine?

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If its an tappet, and you have a sump full of oil, NO, you will not damage the engine.

It will get softer and softer as you go along, But should it get louder, stop.

Herman