Aircooled VW South Africa

Thought I'd put my pics of the buggy here, since putting it in "projects" implies that I am going to do much more work on it than is likely. Maybe it'll move there one day.









To call it off-roading would probably be a bit of an exaggeration, but it is about as "off the road" as I have been able to find around the Southern Peninsula. If anyone knows of any trails, lemme know!

FM Why don't you join the "WILDBUGGERS" at the "Beach buggy club" with headquarters in Melkbos. We would love to hear more about you and your bug. We have about 20 buggies in the club at present, 10 of which are going on a 2170 km tour of the western/eastern cape, leaving on Saturday.

See also http://www.beachbuggyclub.co.za

Sorry for the quick club advertisment all you administrators, but how else must we increase or members. lol

Lekkerrrrrr

..I am SO jealous

That does sound pretty cool. I have looked at their site a couple of times in the past.

Unfortunately my buggy is in no state for long trips at the moment. I've just woken it up from a couple of months hibernation and it doesnt seem terribly pleased with me

A nice roadtrip is on my agenda though sometime. Nothing beats driving with the wind in your face

I have a different theory on that - a car (any car) is in my opinion MORE reliable doing long distances, than as a runabout. Think about it - relatively constant speed, adequate cooling, less wear on the working components etc. In 1993 I bought a 1100 Golf in Bloemfontein that had been standing under a tree for about a year. Got it the afternoon, checked all the vital fluids, put a new battery in it and drove it that same night to Mossel Bay - more that 800kms...

Aye, those are fair points, I agree. Unfortunately, the popo seldom do... Its a little "unroadworthy" at the moment (hopefull that will be sorted out soon, but I've been having issues with police clearance etc).

I finally got some new tyres for the front, so the mismatched widths and 30 year old rubber are things of the past



Any suggestions on how to fix the replacement floorpans which are falling out? As far as I understand, they dont provide any strucural strength, they just prevent my ass from dragging along the road flintstones style. I can get access to an arc welder, but I've been told that I will most likely just burn holes through the thin metal. I have been considering using something like holts rust stopper on it, and then just fibreglassing it all up. Not sure if it'll actually end up being any cheaper though.


(that sprite bottle isnt rubbish, its my emergency fuel tank, and the rope is for anything that threatens to fly off)

Every time I start evaluating what needs to be done on the Buggy I realise its a futile job and I may as well just sell it, but then I get in and drive, and there's something about it. It pops out of gear when I hit bumps too hard, the roof threatens to fly off in the wind, I run out of petrol at random times 'cos the gauge doesnt work, I get soaked when it rains. In short, its awesome and I love it.


The amazing dashboard with one working instrument (speedo, in mph). Oh, and lights, but I dont think they count as an instrument.

That is a very cool Buggy that you have there! With a bit of TLC, it could well become a stunner

*Wonders if there is a BlitzBuggy in my future*

Fauxmechanic wrote:

(that sprite bottle isnt rubbish, its my emergency fuel tank,

Hehehe, that is funny shit! I have a 5l plasitc jerry can in the Bug, for 'just in case'. And when I drove the Fastback, I had(have?) a 20L steel Jerry can in the front where the spare wheel should be(fits like a G-Luuuuuvvvveee )

I'm quite fascinated by your body shape, it looks like a LWB Lolette?

You can get floor pans from Beetle Bits or maybe Shelleys or even Dave Rowley. Or you can do it yourself by using galvanised plate. Look under Suppliers.

Seeing that you have a long wheel based buggy, you won't have to cut the pans. They should fit with ease.

Cool, thanks, I will look into the replacement floor pans. Its obviously had them before, but not well done. I guess one needs to get the rest of the chassis cleaned up properly first and then repaint the whole lot after installing them if you want it to last.

I think it is a lolette body, but I didnt realise that long wheel base would make it unusual? The roof definitely looks as though it has been lengthened, but there is no sign (to my highly untrained eye) that the body was stretched.

Looking on the volkspares site, it seems that the lolette comes in short and standard sizes. Im not sure where my roof comes from. It has a very homemade feel to it. I like the shape of it though.

Well, further saga's regarding my buggy.

I need to get my engine police cleared before I can complete the roadworthy, is there any way I can determine whether it is legit or not before I get to stikland? It came with the buggy, but I have no idea where the previous owner got it. Just "some guy". If they decide that it has been reported as stolen sometime in its life, will they confiscate the whole buggy or just the motor?

On a similar note, what would one expect to pay for a legit, reconned motor? (stockish 1600 DP)