New Project for the new year by new member :)

[sarel.wagner]

Now there is a mouth full. I want to start a new project on an older bug, doesn't have to be a split window but deffo not later bugs, more like a 65 or 67. So looking for a project car.

What to do with it then? Well for one chop it a bit. Import a few goodies for the motor and it must be ac motor. Do a good body job n paint, full new interior with some wicked wheels. All this to a good quality with good components and parts.

Now the best part, Where in Gauteng do I go (I'm in Centurion)? I want to do the motor myself as I can, body and interior, gearbox and suspension I need lots of help with. Got a fair budget for all the work (a bit flexible ), a good idea what it must look like and some time to make it happen.

Any suggestions welcome and assistance appreciated.

Rgrds

[Tony Z]

for a job like that I would even start if I didnt have 100K sitting around. More realist guess would be closer to 200K if you want to do it right.

Good luck and keep us posted. But dont be fooled, a VW isnt cheap when you start re-inventing the wheel. Trust me, I know

[JamesD]

200 is excessive Tony! if you doing MOST of the work yourself then i would say 25 on engine, 20 on initial car, 6 on paint. roof chop and glass ??? 25? I would say 100 tops. I built my stock standard bug with Empi 5 replicas for less than 20! agreed, that was 5 years ago but still.

[Blitzkrieg]

If you want a car that's 100 original with NOS parts, that's when it gets expensive
i've seen so many Vws built on small budgets, but yet they looked absolutely wicked, because the owner put in a lot of his time and effort to get things right...

[Bugger]

Guys Guys do not runaway to the top of the hill un nessesary

The topic states PROJECT and mentioned he has a fair buget so a project takestime to do so more finances are going in to the kitty

The best to do is start by looking in to the junk mail for abandoned projects or any bug pre 65 as those are the shape it sounds like you are looking for

Most imp isto try and and find a bug with as little as possible rust that will keep costs down Body wise

Motor wise is all dependant on your buget
The chop I can help you with,but painting I got some one that can help there
The Transmission I can help you with
Suspension can help
The motor I got a 2.4 T available if interrested and you can tear it down and play with it
Interior has a good friend for that
The rest you can then finish your project

[sarel.wagner]

Had to smile a bit, thanx guys.....

Firstly I'm not cross with my money so I don't go pissing about with it. A fair budget is just that, fair. And yes its a project, so time is on my side. And I ain't doing it because I think a Bug is cheap either

So budget wise looking at about R80k. Don't want an original or NOS type of car, I'm gonna chop it put modern wheels on it and a modern interior. Kinda like if VW have designed it if they designed it today. And no not like the New Beetle at all :/ I don't want to change the essence of the car, just modernize it a bit, well that is my idea anyhow.

Anybody here building virtual rides or know of anybody that have done so locally? I am learning the skill in Photoshop currently but I kinda suck at it....

From what I can see the 67 was the last Bug with the longer more pointy boot and bonnet and the old style headlights, not the upright ones like my current cars? Anybody know of an abandoned project with a shell like that perhaps? Obviousely the more complete, even if in parts, the better.

Bugger, man I will surely be in contact in the near future but a turbo 2.4, nope I'm way to conservative a bugger for that I need to do me planning first, find a car and get the parts. Looking for 100-130Hp range or there abouts. Maybe 1800 or so, should be good for that type of power. Its only a street car, no racing, maybe a few burnouts

Regards

[Tony Z]

Glad to hear it... 80k Budget. Its about time someone arrives here saying he is prepared to spend the cash it takes.

Engine wise, a T1 1915cc will do wonders for you. Prob a tiny bit more than 20k but you should come close if you only looking for 120hp.

I dont see a chop top being cheap but I am sure you have anticipated this... as for a R6k paint job when the whole car is down to bare metal... not unless you are doing all the work yourself.

Have a look through the projects section, that should give you some ideas and inspiration

[sarel.wagner]

Tony, and its a flexible budget, maybe it can be stretched to include a half decent paint job and a chop as well.... A few basics for me, these are my ground rules or wish list if you like....

Disc brakes all round
Ball joint front end?
Proper gearbox with LSD
100Hp but no Turbo (would prefer smaller than 2L)
EFI
What wheel sizes will fit front & rear?
Sway bar or if possible IRS (Yea I know, they all IRS but the double jointed one )
Anything else?

Regards

[sarel.wagner]

Oh yea, I know what I can do myself, but far more important, I also know my limits, Painting and bodywork no can do! Chopping of the roof nope, gearboxes nope, upholstery nope. As for the rest, no problems, assembly of mechanicals and engines, electrical and electronics also no problems

Got an electronics patent, do some embedded stuff and lots of IT stuff, maintain my current Bugs, Land Rover Defender, and a Jaguar X-Type, got the OBD computer and did a wiring harness repair that Jaguar and the Auto electricians said cannot be repaired. Took a bloody long time but the computer gave it a clean bill of health Also busy doing a new top end on the Landy, its a diesel.

Regards

[Tony Z]

Look up a member named "Pine" he was selling an SP bug a short while ago - I think those have IRS rear and balljoint fronts.

LSD = eina that in itself is R10k new from USA before shipping and imports.

100hp is easy.

Glad you have your mind set on the disc brakes.

http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=12466 this is a thread about a mild 1600 that will prob have about 100hp

http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775 this is my car, with my engine costing a little over 20k (thats sarcasm, the heads, carbs and exh are more then 20k). I'll have it on the dyno in a few weeks.

http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... =23&t=3299 another good one about a track racing bug.

Do some reading....

[bugspray]

Welcome mate, Love your ideas and mindset. you own bugs,so you know what, and how shyte they can be. So just do it. oh and heres an insider tip... pm eben, and get access to the offered section, there are afew old bugs up for grabs, me thinks.

[sarel.wagner]

Thanx guys, appreciate the insight and feedback. Will PM Eben. Also done some reading

Bookshelf:
Car Custom catalog
Gene Berg instructions and 1996 printed Catalog
How to restore VW Beetle, Jim Taylor
CB Performance printed catalog
How to rebuild your VW engine, Tom Wilson
VW Beetle custom handbook, Keith Seume
Bugpack Products printed catalog
Bently VW Beetle manual
How to hot rod VW engines, Bill Fischer
and a few metal fabrication, sheet metal and welding books and training manuals. Oh and one book on Weld metallurgy and the SAE Internal Combustion Engine handbook.

Got a metal lathe, sheet metal brake, shears and rollers, MIG welder, bandsaw and enough hand and other tools to shake a stick at Know how to use most of those too....

Regards

[karmakoma]

Sarel, welcome.
Sounds like you have more tools than some of these fly by night repair shops! Wish I was kidding

Saw a 58 beetle in durbs advertised the other day for under R10K. Would make a FANTASTIC base for your project

The more you can do yourself, the more budget you will have for paint and drivetrain (the two most expensive pieces of the puzzle imho).

Good luck, update often, and we all love lots and lots of pictures!

[sarel.wagner]

Just a pity I got less time and it seems less money than them

Keep the suggestions cumming guys, thanx. Pictures are no problem, like to take lots will post em.

Any body that can help me with a BUG as a virtual ride, want to do some designing that way?

Regards

[Dirk]

It's been a long time since I've seen a post this positive about ACVW's and their restoration.
Welcome Sarel, I'll be keeping an eye on this one.