My German Import RHD 58 - Updated

[Rudi02]

Well done Karma, The installation looks super cool. Thanks for the pic's.

[GavinHuart]

Welldone! Quite a weekend then for you!? Glad you came right at VDB with the bonnet. You mentioned finding all that stuff at the bottom of the A-pillar, I got to mine through the ever-feared rust behind the front wheels. I started scratching and poking about and of all things, the original tiny socket that goes on the end of the wheel-bolt handle dropped out! My original tool set for the car was then complete! . I believe the rust there to come from a combination leaking window rubbers and the car left in the rain for quite some time. Most of the older one's suffer this.

[karmakoma]

Got my two new wiper arms from Calooker. I got two so that they would match and they weren't ridiculously priced.
Didn't have a chance to fit them though, as I went to collect my next project, a notchback!
Thread coming to an aircooledvwsa forum near you soon....

[karmakoma]

Modified the two new wiper arms so they look like the old ones (the new arms were wider), fortunately I could use the old arms on the new assembly, so all is well. Wipers look good as new.

Also took the bumpers in to be re-chromed this week.

Thanks to Beetlefanatic for also dropping off some chrome trim goodies from Calooker today.

[karmakoma]

This project/thread has not died, been working behind the scenes.
I need to get the car license renewed, to get her on the road. Then I can take her for a spray of the bonnet and wings, (No point doing the headliner and carpets and then taking her for a spray, bound to end in tears) and perhaps a once over by a good VW mechanic before roadworthy. We still had an old license renewal form I got from the PO.

My father-in-law took it to the post office (before the strikes), and the lady was processing the renewal, when she noticed that the car was actually still in the old - deceased - Oom's name, and not in his wife's name - the name for which I have all the signed paperwork! I phoned the PO and the lawyer sent me an official estate letter stating all the relevant. So next week we try again, wish me luck!

Got feedback from the guys doing the rechrome, bumpers have a bit of panel beating to be done to them, not so easy, especially on those curved "towel rails", but at least they are solid. Not so the Notch bumpers...

Once painting is done the process should be as follows:

Fit new window rubbers and at the same time headliner pieces.
Service and oil change to the best of my abilities.
Take for a good mechanical checkup.
Fit new carpets
Clean and repair existing upholstery - remember, this car will be a "Maintained not restored" TM (Preserved is for museums, this baby was driven )
Hence the repair first and only when it's no longer serviceable replace. Spraypainting will therefore only be done to accident damaged areas, DEFINATELY not the entire car. Like you would maintain your only car if you drove it for 50 years.
Fit all the eye candy chrome accessories.
Convert rear lights to 3 way snowflake.
Get the semaphores working.
Attend a show!!!!

DEADLINE (am I tempting fate with this one? ) Dec 2009 - wish me luck!
And next year - Fit a very special aftermarket item I have been saving for 8 years!

[karmakoma]

Finally decided on a name for my beetle !

Now bear with me, I am not old enough to be an old fart, but I can be as nostalgic/sentimental as one.
So the name will be... drumroll.....SR71.

Why SR71 ?
3 reasons.
Reason 1. For generation Y, no need to google, SR-71 was one of the fastest military planes out there, capable of speeds above Mach 3! Known for it's speed and as one of the first ever "Stealth" planes.
Also known as the Blackbird.

Reason 2.
From wikipedia:
To allow for thermal expansion at the high operational temperatures the fuselage panels were manufactured to fit only loosely on the ground. Proper alignment was only achieved when the airframe heated due to air resistance at high speeds, causing the airframe to expand several inches. Because of this, and the lack of a fuel sealing system that could handle the thermal expansion of the airframe at extreme temperatures, the aircraft would leak JP-7 jet fuel onto the runway before it took off. Sound familiar ?

Reason 3 - *Warning* - stop reading now if sentimentality makes you nauseous
My wife's 90 year old grandmother sometimes jokingly calls me blackbird - after a family nickname from her youth, predating even my 58. I thought perpetuating the name would be appropriate.

[Blitzkrieg]

Nice work Blackbird! I have type 3 bumpers that are still quite decent, if you need!

[karmakoma]

Got some Bananas for blackbird today.



Why, I hear you ask ? The existing front fenders have been cut for indicators , and have some poorly repaired accident damage.

The plan is thus to take these two, compare with the two on the car, and get the best possible set for use with the 58. Fix what rust there might be, fix any problems with the mounting holes, and then spray and fit for the most original 58 look.

[karmakoma]

Also got this early W decklid. Painted black it would make a nice period accessory dont you think ?

[karmakoma]

Quick update.

Went to the licensing department with letter from the attorneys and AGAIN - rejected, sorry sir, you also need a certified copy of the previous (deceased) owners ID ! aarrgghghh. Busy arranging this with the attorneys handling the estate. Wonder what they will ask for next time we go there !!

BUT, little challenges aside, I have such a big smile on my face.

Wanted to go to the Sasol down the road from us to get a little late night snack. (what can I say , it was a rough monday and I needed a sugar rush.) On my way out, I realized that since I have bought this beetle, I have not even taken it for a spin yet (besides up and down the yard) ! How pathetic is that, especially after all the work to get it going.

Back to the livingroom, grab the keys, to the ACVW we go! Pulled the choke out all the way, primed the fuel pump a bit, and after a couple of turns blackbird starts as true and easy as always .

I reach for the seatbelt, oh wait, no seatbelt , lights on, click, whats that midget with the torch doing under the bonnet - I lie, it wasn't that bad, not GREAT, but adequate for town driving (6V lights for those who don't know).

Pull out of the driveway and I can hear the whole neighbourhood's dogs barking their approval

Since I have not yet had the pleasure of driving blackbird on a public road, you can understand my trepidation, also, the little matter of it being unlicensed - but we are working on that

Down the hill we go, whats that wine ? CRASHBOX , or, no synchro first at least. Stop before you try and engage first gear, and when I say stop, I mean COMPLETE STANDSTILL. My 2nd attempt at engaging 1st was much better

Round the turn and here we are at the STEEP hill into the sasol service station. Down the hill we go, hand on the handbrake ! But my fears were unfounded, no problems, brakes as good as the day they left the factory.

Park and get my fix. She looks a bit ratty standing outside the sasol - rust to be repaired painted with rust inhibitor, looks almost like bird droppings all over the front, bumpers off , just the brackets standing proud of the body work, but still has more character than all the other cars parked outside by a LONG shot.
Get in the car, now where will I put my sweets, no problem, on the parcel tray Now there is something every acvw should have.

Start her up and now its back up the hill. Try it in second, but not enough momentum. STOP, first gear, and up the hill we go, no problem whatsoever. Feels ready for the SANI PASS Park her back home safe and sound. Never before has going to the shop for a couple of sweets and coldrinks been this much fun. LONG LIVE THE ACVW!

Only a fellow enthusiast will understand

[dsan]

haha brilliant, nothing like that midnight ride to make it all worth it!

[BUGGOFF]

Lol. Sounds like you had a lekker road trip.

[Dutch_Diver]

I know exactly what you mean.....I had the same naughty but really satisfied feeling when I drove Rosie to Jurgens for the start of her rebirth!

Hand over the handbrake, no license, worries around the gears and engine,did I have enough fuel and the super cool feeling of realising everyone I passed wanted to be driving my car

[karmakoma]

LOL , I didnt even think about the fuel! DUH, at least I was going to the garage! No fuel gauge, no reserve tank. Will have to make me some kind of dipstick and get a logbook

[lowlight]

Know the feeling. Did the same with the kombi but in day time. Im slow but Im in front of you and it doesnt bother the people they accept it