Aircooled VW South Africa

Bought a new toy. Checked the vin, its a '58 with a split window conversion.

Ready for a roofchop (now I know its not an original splittie) and mat black ratlook. The rims are empi 5's I think, gonna polish them chromelook.


http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/7053/crim0115.jpg

After I checked the vin and it was a 58, This is how I also found out its a conversion by checking the airvents.

I didn't pay the world for it, now that I know its not a "real" split, its up matblack ratlook style and a professional roofchop for this one and polishing the empi 5's it got..

Was a discussion on this very same car a while ago on the forum. At least it went to a loving home

Congratulations Bugz.....now for the project thread to be created and then loads of pictures as you go!

Any link to that old thread?

Its a bit of a strange one this one.

Apparently, there must be a poster at (old) lindsay sakers where all the bugs produced where on. They went from split to oval to bigger window, but then in '58 only in south africa, a split was produced again for a very short period as the story goes. A guy named "anthony" from lindsay sakers knows this car and maybe the story behind that poster where the year models are on. Is there a chance that they made a split again only in south africa in 1958?

Just trying to figure out whats the story is on this car. Since if its a conversion, I have go ahead for other mods, but if its a rare short edition split, then it should go to original state. (wich seems strange to me but you never know.)

Also, I am looking for the son of beetle inn ex-owner. As he is clued up with roof chops. Anyone got his cell?

Bugger has also done a few roof chops....

Highly unlikely that splitwindows were produced in SA in 1958.
Air intakes and window cutouts are on same body panel, a special pressing would be required with old splitwindow cutout and newer air intakes.(Like in your picture.)
Looks like yours has been welded in.
Is you dashboard looking like an oval or later beetle?
See it has a "W" decklid,with lisence plate light removed and holes filled in.(Probably been fitted later).

Congratulations, enjoy your beetle.

Can this thread be moved to "projects" please by admin?

a teazer on when its finished. (end goal)

Bugz did you see that choped bug in the speed and sound a few issues ago?it looked awsome!

HAve any of you actually SEEN that Gold Bug in real life??



All I can say is The owner of that Bug has got LOADS of


He doesnt seem to spare a cent! Those rear wheels, to me, looked like 20" jobs

Haven't seen that one in real.

I contacted Bugger.

As soon as I get the bug delivered end of month it goes to bugger for a roofchop and, if he can do it as well, suicide doors, while were at it.



I'll ask him to make pics of the conversion to post here as well.

Just my 2 cents on suicide doors. Get hold (or get someone to make/make it yourself) of proper hinges. Those that goes inside the door. Try avoid using the original Beetle door hinges. ALSO, make sure that you have a secondry locking mechanism. You dont want your door to fly open while going down the road!!!

This was my Leathal Beetle back in 1992 with a 2.5 Oettinger WBX motor in


And this was one I built for a Clothing designer when I was still pertners at Bi

ZeroAxe wrote:HAve any of you actually SEEN that Gold Bug in real life??

Just to proove that I am not lying Actually, I forgot that I saw this Bug twice Once (the first time) at Spa and then the other at the National meeting....







Notice the 4 Porsche seats *drool*

Don't think those porsche seats are reclinable. Have two black ones of them in mine and its a pain to get in the back like that. Might sell them to get reclinable as the bug will probably also get a rollcage for safety since we chop the roof.

I can't say I like the chopjob of that gold beetle, find it to low and to square. I like buggers chop better.

I have contacted bugger and I made up a wishlist, sourcing the hinges from overseas.

This is the wishlist for mine for now:

- Roofchop
- Suicide doors
- Ragtop (need to come into contact with Madbones, anyone got his number?
- Widened steelies
- dropped drasticly, might consider air ride system
- Custom Mini Cooper headlights (need a donor bonnet, anyone know a good scrapyard that might have that??)
- Reclinable bucketseats
- Shaved doors and remote open/start car

Found a pic of a beetle i like, color and all.

I probably sell the empi 5's that are on it now, see pic. (1800 to polish all 4) and the two porsche seats. Any takers? PM me.