"BOBBIE" the '63 Beetle - aka BB / Rosie

[Dutch_Diver]

Hi everyone and sorry for not being on over the last few days but I was on holiday and flew back this morning. Anyway, update on BB......sorry no pics yet.....in the post

So popped by on the way from the airport to work and I can't believe the progress. The wings, doors, interior bits, bonnet and boot have all been primed and sanded ready for colour and the shell is being done now.

When speaking to Jurgen that doesn't actually cover the work that's happened in the last 2 weeks. Upon stripping, he found loads of holes in all the joints, bottom on the windscreen, the bottom of the A-pillars, etc. He's fixed all that with new metal. The bottom of the bonnet was all filler and again that's all been rebuild with metal. The passenger full pan has been replaced with a NOS one that he had hidden in the back room. The 1200cc engine has been totally stripped, found a few issues from original (see other post re bits needed) and the casing all cleaned and reengineered for reassembly. All new bearings and gaskets have been ordered. The 1600TP engine is with the engineering shop as it needs loads of repairs to be brought back to life but all the bearings and gaskets have been purchased ready for that to come back next week.

So today I needed to pick the colour and I've asked for 4 samples (Polar Silver, Silver Granite, Spedia Silver and another silver). Top coats will be going on next week if I pick this! Also the restoration of other bits has also started, the tinware has been stripped and painted, the fuel tank is all back to 100% original (Jurgen had a pop of the original black paint for the tinware and tank which he shared with me!)

Interior colours and materials have been chosen and just waiting for the samples to give final go! I can't wait.

Need to pick up the buggered gearbox from Dirk this week and drop off with the driveshafts,brakes, etc to Jurgen for the reassembly to started in a few weeks!

I can't believe the speed but talking to Jurgen, he's really enjoying doing it as I want it original (with fun engine on the side) so he's working on her all the time!

I can't wait and I will try and get some pictures unless you all want to be kept in the dark until she's finished and only use text to give progress updates?

[karmakoma]

Very exciting, we wanna see pics!!!

[GavinHuart]

Don't leave us in the dark!! Pictures, pictures, PICTURES! I'm foaming at the mouth in anticipation!! Sounds like it's a winner already. High 5's all round.

[Dutch_Diver]

Going Saturday with the camera.....hope I can get to the panel beaters to get some pics!

[Dutch_Diver]

OK...Pictures is what you want then, don't complain if this takes some time to load....

The deconstruction of BB......





The original engine just before being dropped out.....look at the dust!

[Dutch_Diver]

Then some pics of the repair work required! Many areas with small holes and the passenger side pan needed replacing!















All this in under 3 weeks!!!!!

[Dutch_Diver]

Now for a few Panel shop pics

[Dutch_Diver]

And now for the help I need from the Forum members (please)

Armand....you mentioned you might have a sleeve for a 63, 1200? 77mm or 77.5mm?


Merlin...you mentioned you might be able to help on the heat exchangers?


Anyone can help on the round housing?


(Pictures kindly supplied by other customers of Grand Slam.....so I can't steal them )

[Dutch_Diver]

Reconstruction of the original 1200 is underway and we are trying to put it back to 100% original as it isn't quite.....

[Dutch_Diver]

And so far 4 weeks in......Jurgen has said that he's doing it because he's enjoying and he thinks I'm a nice guy

I think I owe him a Braai and a few

I just read the thread from the start again and it bring back great memories......I think it's time to let everyone know what's the plan as the first page starts with Custom or Standard.....

So here's the list of what she's heading towards....

Outside
[*] Colour will be Polar Silver L324 so not the original one for this car but at least an original VW colour
[*] Wheels will also be original but colours Polar Silver to match the car
[*] Lights etc will all be restored and originals will be replaced (so I won't be using the 58 rear or front lights anymore)
[*] Bumpers and all chrome is being straightened and then where necessary rechromed or replaced
[*] Tyres will be replaced with radials as currently ones are remould crosspiles and I want safety

Mechanics
[*] Restoring the original engine 1200 SP to total original - Full rebuild with all new bearing, etc - This will be stored away
[*] Rebuilding the 1600 TP that I bought off Chris and we are going to give it a little more power but not make it any bigger yet
[*] Gearbox has been Buggered with syncros on all gears and a taller 4th for cruising at 120 to 140kph - Jurgen needs to change all the mountings as the Buggered box is totally different to the original one (Woops..... )
[*] Brakes will be drums front and back but I'm upgrading the drums to the later 1600 not the 1200 (have a big lip for strength)

Inside
[*] The interior will be reupholstered to original patterns, stitching/trim lines and chrome strips as BB is an original Deluxe
[*] As the outside colour has changed, I'm changing the interior to Red & Cream leather seats and side panels
[*] Deep pile red carpet will finish off the floor
[*] Roof lining will be new and will be the original colour as from the factory

So summary......original car but with a bigger engine but original one stored to put back for shows!

Hope everyone is happy with that and the purists are OK with the colour change......? The M plate does not show the colour so when finished no one will ever know unless they read this thread!

[Ron&Gill]

Dutch, I have a 1200 sitting under a tree in my back yard. It looks like rubbish, but it's complete. I'm sure there are many parts you can use. The heat exchangers are there too. If you want it, let me know. And the Beetle exhaust on the Notch is also complete, with heat exchangers and it's coming off. I have a new set for the Notch, plus a spare set.

[Dutch_Diver]

Ron.....I would love it please!!!!! Happy to swap for something Green?

[Chris]

Awesome,just awesome!!

I'm watching this thread with anticipation.

[Farhaad]

Awesome,just awesome!!

I'm watching this thread with anticipation.

chris
i second that. that was a great find. i personally would not "krap waar dit nie jiek nie", but the guyz look like they know wat they doing.

[Dutch_Diver]

Can someone translate? "krap waar dit nie jiek nie"