A '64 Notchback with a hint of 356 !
Oh and does she go like a Porsche! Hannes took me for a spin around the block this morning
Herewith a write-up by the man himself (sourced from Jakaranda Beetle Club's Website):
When my brother André asked me in 1999 if I would like to have his Notch, my immediate response – YES!
I have been driving a ’63 square back for a couple of years, but had to sell it to finance my ’59 Ragtop project. Apart from my overwhelming fondness of the squary, I just could not refuse.
My brother bought the Notch, drove it for a couple of months and then decided to strip it down for a full restoration. This did not happen due to a lack of interest and time. As you Beetle oke’s know, patience and persistency is a must when going for a full restoration. This is not everybody’s cup of tea.
Back to the Notch; an editor of a local motor magazine of the late sixties stated that the Notchback was one of the finest cars ever built. I agree.
By the way, I sometimes had to force myself to word on my own restoration projects because I also did restorations for clients. Therefore, when the dismantled Notch arrived, I immediately started tackling the chassis. New sheet metal went to the rusted areas.
Luckily the body was still in good shape except for badly rusted areas such as the bottom ends of the front and rear fenders. No problem for the mic and me.
As with my ’59 Ragtop I also wanted this car to be different from the rest. After I made the body rest on the working trestles, I sat down and gave the body a good look from various angles to decide what should go and what should stay. There’s a fine line between overdone and slapdash work.
So I decided to do away with the snub-nosed effect of the headlights, cut the fenders at the right angles and welded early Beetle headlight dome into place.
Not an easy task I can assure you.
The chrome lip beading on the bonnet received shaving and the VW bonnet badge made way for a custom-made Wolfsburg emblem.
The deck-lid also received shaving and the original taillight lenses made way for flatties. While busy with the Notch the bumper blades and the other goodies went for rechroming, side beadings went for anodizing and bolts and nuts for cadmium plating.
Visiting my friend in Whiteriver in the Lowveld, I saw a set of brand-new 5½ J 356 rims and bought it right away. A set of Beetle hubcaps would do the rest.
Another issue that needed attention was the power plant. I decided on a 1900cc water-cooled boxer, but instead bought a 2.1 fuel injection water-cooled boxer from a fellow who smashed his 2.1 microbus. The engine was still perfect running order with low mileage.
The gearbox though, needed attention; so I took it to Ferdi Rädel (former Volkswagen gearbox and engine specialist – I suppose he still is! Nlc) to do the trick. Ferdi got rid of the standard 4th gear, installed a late 2.1 microbus 4th gear and reworked the ratios. The result, doing 90 miles per hour, the engine turning at 3250 rpm. What a pleasure!
The next step was to fit a radiator where the spare wheel used to sit. I fabricated an air duct, cut the front valance beneath the bumper blade line to size and welded the grafted duct into place. With the notch being lowered, the air duct is hardly visible.
After the mods on the body were done, I stripped all the paint, went to bare metal, sorted out the dents and applied appropriate primers. After numerous hours of block sanding sage green was spray-painted as the final layer. Now it was time to assemble chassis and body and everything else.
Grey interior matched the green perfectly and Opel GTE seats complemented the interior.
On August 5, 2002 the Notch rolled of my garage to take the road by storm. The Notch is also used for towing my Ragtop with an A-frame to shows and the like.
In March, during our Street Rod Nationals 2005 in Klerksdorp, the Notch and I took first place in the Volkswagen pre-Golf category.
All the glory to God who made this project possible.
Specifications : Engine – 2.1 Fuel injection
: Gearbox - Modified Ferdi Rädel masterpiece
: Brakes - Porsche 356 aluminum drums at front and stock rear
: Wheels - 356 Rims with Beetle hubcaps.
