2.0 KCC 356 Speedster - www.356speedster.co.za

[flatfourfan]

Firstly an update. 17/09/2007





This is about 30 minutes work.......I have to strip off the unit again tonight, to clean up the crappy handle trigger that they ghetto rigged to make the outside handle work as well as weld 2 nuts to the handle and then fit two bolts with countersunk heads.

It works just fine, actually easier than the crap that they put in.

Tonight I have to clean out some of the garage as I need place to pull apart abby and to store.

Now that I knwo what to do, i should be able to do the other side in about half the time.

[flatfourfan]

Ye I agree that back lock must go

It's going, it looks tacky and it means an extra key on my key ring for the car.

fff,still a lot of work.I did the same fit on my 356 and it looks a hell of a lot nicer than those Beetle locks.

Yup, there is still a lot to do, but it's not that much, just takes time. I'm lucky if I can squeeze 30 minutes a day at the moment. Slow but sure though.

lol....all of a sudden i dont feel so alone!! Not to worry FFF, your doors actually look better than mine. i had the same issue with door handles etc. The cheapest available parts went into these puppies. Like you said, the shell looks great...if only they had put in the time and the effort to make the rest of the car look any bit as good. Did notice that your door rubbers are fixed to the door? Interesting....mine are fitted on the body. I think it actually may seal a bit better on the body. I'll drop you a pic once completed. On the over rider moulds, im in if they look anything like i think they will. Keep me posted on your progress with them. If you find any more of those door handles, let me know. Looking for a set for Gonzalez too. Will drop you a mail in the week. Seems i dont have to rush to finish anymore, but will elaborate in the mail.

It's a shame how "down to a coin" that these things were built, I remember before KCC went tits up, they were selling the turnkey speedsters for R120 000. And if it's finished as badly as mine, then no wonder people weren't buying them.

Yup my door rubbers are fitted on the doors and this is going to change as the doors shudder when you drive on hard roads, let me see pics when you have the time of Gonz as now I'm curious about that one.

I have an extra handle if you want it? I'll have a look see around our local shops and see if I can get you another, I didn't really struggle at all to find them. Volkspares had the brand new backing rings for R20-00, which I saw as a bargain.

Keep up the good work!

Ever considered a luggage rack for the rear?

I've considered that, but I guess it all depends on who can make me a good one.

This is what I'm going after, something like this.....but with a bit more trim and less ricey stickers.

[Rabid_ant]

hhmmm....closer inspection reveals you have different door hinges too. I'll send you a pic of mine, they look much better than those goodies. We'll just have to figure out what they come off.

Regarding the door rubbers, i've already ripped mine off, but i'll pop through a pic of where they were placed. once you see it, you'll get my drift. Only thing that may need to happen is to reduce the height of the door panels by about 15 -20 mm. Allows for clearance for the door rubber, otherwise the doors push out at the bottom. Just another thing they overlooked when building these!! Quite sad actually. Lets hope replicars improve on a couple of these small items. Perhaps we should consult

[vader]

Also got to finally fit my D badge that I've had forever........the mounting hardware is a bit of a schlep to fit and the rear vent has to be removed, but it's on and it's SOLID.

D as in Doos?

[flatfourfan]

^^ yup as in "you are a.........."

lol.

[flatfourfan]

hhmmm....closer inspection reveals you have different door hinges too. I'll send you a pic of mine, they look much better than those goodies. We'll just have to figure out what they come off.

Regarding the door rubbers, i've already ripped mine off, but i'll pop through a pic of where they were placed. once you see it, you'll get my drift. Only thing that may need to happen is to reduce the height of the door panels by about 15 -20 mm. Allows for clearance for the door rubber, otherwise the doors push out at the bottom. Just another thing they overlooked when building these!! Quite sad actually. Lets hope replicars improve on a couple of these small items. Perhaps we should consult

I think that they used door hinges from a variety of beetles, basically whatever they could get their hands on it seems.

I'm going to do a basic rubber male/ female set-up for the doors as they close pretty good and sit pretty flush as well. So I don't want to screw around with that too much.

The thing is with these cars is it's all in the details. I think that KKC forgot that when people were out shopping for a R110 000 car. I'm glad I didn't pay that type of money.

On a good note, I got the drivers door handle conversion done 100% last night, there is a trick to it which took me a good 3 hours to figure out and lots of trial and error.

Also expect a write up on abby for the website before the week is out.

[Bugger]

FFF are you sure yours was built by KCC

[flatfourfan]

Yup. They were the only guys doing it back in 1991.

[Bugger]

I mean Built fully
Not just the Glass part

Remember they sold lots of chells to home builders like you and I
And some guys did it to the best of their abilities

Alot of guys just jump in and want to get it done to show off to mates but it was what was done during the build procces where no reacearch has been done how to do it better

KCC did not go BANG Rudi Malan Sold the buisness to Ugene and Johan
And they had to use their own name--Venom Cars
Johan died from brain cancer and that is when it really went south

[flatfourfan]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I never knew that.

First I heard of it was the liquidation sale, but I think that could of been when it was already VENOM.

I also have the feeling that mine was not bought turnkey......in fact I believe the stats are as follows:

627 Speedsters as of 9/01, of which 57 sold as Turnkey.....

My car has been been so ghetto rigged with diy stuff, that I simply cannot believe that a shop would do this.

[Chris]

When I bought mine,I knew of a couple of people that was busy building their own cars.I was in contact with them,because I also wanted to build one.Some of them just wanted to get their cars finished,and others wanted the car to look like the origanal.

I eventually bought mine from a guy that was a near perfectionist.I can still kick my own ass for selling that car.

[flatfourfan]

^^^

I really wanted to buy one and start off scratch, but alas, with venom closing and a basic shell costing R30 000 plus, buying a running so-so version for R40 000 was the better option.

I am a perfectionist and am not afraid to spend the coin to get what I want. I've allowed myself a budget of R40 000 to get the car to where I want it. Cars in the Park 2008 is my target.

What did you sell yours for?

[Chris]

R25000

[flatfourfan]

WHAT?

How long ago was this?

I had an offer to sell mine after cars in the park for R50 000. as is.

[flatfourfan]

Did some stuff last night.

The opposite side handle. Easy fix to the bailing wire used.



Some pictures of the door handle mounted in place. Eish.





Drivers side handle, in sorted and working 100%. Getting the pin in for the handle is a bit of a schlep when you have fat fingers.....all I need now is new hardboard and some panel clips.



And seeing that everyone wants to know what's going in the back, well here goes............(man am I going to get it now).