Aircooled VW South Africa

Blitzkrieg_Beetle wrote:

flatfourfan wrote:Armand, just thought I'd give you a comment that was sent to me by Jake Raby on another forum that I chat on.

Jake Raby: " I am familiar with the South African made IMPI shroud and it certainly appears to have the right concept.......Gary, I wish you and IMPI the best of luck, I am sure he will come up with something that is going to make you happy. "

Straight from the horses mouth.

Isn't it good when big players in the industry compliment South Africans who don't have the same resources as them?

Well, I have met Jake, and he is a top bloke. He does knows his stuff! One of those people on life that you just wish you had the knowledge of! He has done extensive research on the cooling shroud(not to knock IMPI at all!) and am sure he threw much more money at it than Armand!! So, I guess what I am trying to say is this.... For Armand to get such an honest compliment from Jake speaks for itself

So are you going to share the topless car wash picks with the rest of us???

Merlin wrote:

Rabid_ant wrote:....and no, i cant see your girlfriend in the background!! very happy they are opening again. Lets hope they can keep it together this time.

What a rude oxymoron!

This has got to be one of the best cherps... Would love to see the pic's of your seatcover getting in

Send It

ZeroAxe wrote:For Armand to get such an honest compliment from Jake speaks for itself

Indeed..........

Just to inform that while the engine build is under wraps and can't really be discussed, I've decided to start work on the interior and shell.

This weekend I'll be fabricating new door panels as I'm pulling out the newer door pulls and replacing them with the older style pulls that I picked up a while ago. I also managed to pick up the handle pins, new EMPI repro backing discs as well as the springs.

The only thing that I will be keeping from the current coor cards is the upper wooden section that houses the slots for the side windows, the rest is all coming off.

This is what I'm going after.



And this is what I have, as you can seen I have my work cut our for me.



After this will be the dash..........the 3 gauge cluster has to be fitted, but only after I've closed off the other holes, the oval ashtray has to be fitted as well as sort out the dash cap that has to be modded and extended.....The radio needs to be removed and the hole filled, as does a small repair on the lower dash on the passenger side.

I'm also pulling the steering wheel and steering column. Anyone out there have an old steering column that they want to get rid of?

Looking good FFF!! Interesting to see that the dash has been rounded at the corners to flow into the side screen holders. Are you hoping to get the same effect? Not long to go now.....the hand is starting to feel like a hand again. Another couple of weeks and I should be able to get started again. Come on summer!!!!

Well I guess it's time for an update of sorts.

I was out of town most of the weekend and didn't get time to get some hardboard for the door panels, but I got chance to strip them back to see what I was getting myself into.

Be prepared to laugh. Looking behind all of the nice panels on these KCC speedsters just shows me while the company went bust. 90% of these things are ghetto rigged and bloody dangerous. They are not even built CLOSE to the same standards as the ones in the states. Corners are cut, ghetto engineering is the name of the game.

The door panels still on. Screwed in self tappers, all different sizes, these won't be used again and I'll be using proper panels pins to hide this.



Door panel removed and "hey look at that door handle mounting". Washers weren't used on the inside, nope, we'll just use bigger nuts cause we're too cheap. Hell, 1 hole didn't even line up. We'll also removed the door opening bar and shove some wire there instead.....of the bar.







This work of art is my door lock........look at the trigger that they rigged to work up with the handle. That wire at the top, well that was connected to the handle itself........eish....I know, I know.....



The whole unit in all it's splendour.



What's going on instead.



I'm re-doing the WHOLE door lock idea as well as hooking up the units for the alarm. This whole set-up is so KAK, these cars look great from the outside, but it seems that if you want to up the bar a bit, then you have to get dirty and do it yourself.

The gauges that are going on. Any type 3 fan should know these. Thanks for IMPI for donating these, They are not the proper units that I was looking for, but crappy repro's are over R4000-00 and the internals are rubbish, this way I have a pretty looking dash and VDO gauages.



The Oval ashtray that's going on, not correct, but it'll add a bit of flair to the dash and is period correct.



The over-riders that I'm going to use as moulds for the bumpers. I paid R40-00 for these and once I've made my mould I'm going to sell them if anyone's interested.



Stay tuned.

Ps, Kev, I'm going for the type of dash like they have in the states, just gives it that bit more finished look.

Hi FFF

Wow will come and take another photo of your car when finished, for the before and after look.

Thanx again for that engine.

The last photo's that you got were my car at it's lowest point....

No problem about that engine, glad you're happy.

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.



I'm also going to remove the rear engine compartment lock and I'm going to fit a mech similar to the one up front that will work with a pull handle, much cleaner.....

Tonight, hopefully I can finish the door levers and handles and start work on the dash layout.

Ye I agree that back lock must go

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.

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.

Keep up the good work!

Ever considered a luggage rack for the rear?