Aircooled VW South Africa

Tony Z,

Where the hell did you get these photos!? I was there that weekend. Drove over 500kms for a nights 'sleepover' on the Kawi Z1000(I went to meet Jake Raby). Seen the car in person, it's sick!!! Actually I pitched my camping tent about 20-30m from where that car(and Baywindow camper) was parked!!

got the pics off the net

ok......so it begins!! Excuse the mess, but i figured i'll try and keep you all up to speed with the project. I'll try and make some notes here too for those of you who are in the process/planning to go down this road with the Speedster. So far, lots of swearing and cursing those who worked on it before.... THe way some guys work really ^%@$& me off. Anyway, one of those things i suppose. Both doors are almost ready for some undercoat, so tomorrow i'll move on to the bonnet and engine cover, once all the removable panels are done, its over to the body. Most is in good nic, except the LHS which is going to need some love, and of course the occasional crack, or just bad workmanship on the repairs.



So far, parts needed - windscreen (dangerous when fitting - too much tension on the holders and CRACK. Luckily it was already cracked and needed replacing to begin with.) other than that, not much couple of sundries and thats it. So far so good....

Starting to have rebuild block though - cant stop thinking .....maybe you should have waited another year........lots of work in a already busy schedule.....ahhhh so what, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing properly.
Will keep you posted........

Rabid_ant wrote: THe way some guys work really ^%@$& me off. Anyway, one of those things i suppose.

Brings back the age old saying.... If you want it done right, do it yourself.
Take your time, and enjoy it. If she gets on your nerves, take a few days off.
Good luck

I must admit though, thats a damn nice pic, even without the doors.

lol......quite right!! Thanks TZ, looks really good in pics, but trust me it hides the damage....and the amount of flating....and flating.......

Just in case someone thought i fell asleep on the job, here you go with a couple of updates. Doors and engine lid prepared, getting going on the body for now. Rear bumper is a mess and is gonna take some love to re-use. The back will have to be rewired before it goes back together, spit and bubblegum holding all that together. Would have done more, but the minister of home affairs arrived back from abroad and started asking questions about long grass and stuff.

The biggest issue im afraid is the fact that i may need to order a new bonnet. With all the previous repair, its buckled away from the body, try as i will, cant get it to line up with the bodywork, not without some pushing and bending. I wouldnt be overly concerned except that it lifts about 5mm off the body. Not cool!!



I can see whay some prefer to leave the bumpers off these, actually quite cool if done properly, but hey, that wont be me!!

I think you may need to take out another home loan and fork out for a set of Recaro's... hehehe

Hi Most fiberglass cars have warpage in their bodies from the heat of the resin curing. A new bonnet might not solve your problem. Try do devise a clamp that will correct the distortion and apply heat This takes much patience... The other method is to cut the two halves of the bonnet moulding apart and re bond them to the correct curvature The early pumas had some bonnets twice as thick as normall due to this problem. also check if the front supports of the body in front of the gas tank is in place and not bent It might be the body and not the bonnet.
Armand

awesome Kev..............nice to see some pictures, I wish that I was at your stage, but alas no, I have to do the motor, suspension and brakes first.....

keep it up....

lol.......dont stress, i'm just working backwards!! The minister wants her garage back, so i have to do the messy work first, and quickly mind you. Once i have the shell reasembled, i'll start on the mechanical side. Same boat as you there, engine suspension and brakes .....to start with. Not sure what else i might find in the process. All in good time G!! You'll be there before you know it.