Aircooled VW South Africa

I've been wanting to start a little project blog for a while now concerning my beetle. December 2009 I came across a 1 'carefull' owner, zero rust, 1972 white beetle at a local garage... Wanting a slightly older vw to play around with, it seamed like the opportunity of a lifetime (couldn't find the 66 I was after) so my story begins... Since then i've done a full engine seal replacement (oil leaks), new exhaust (original rusted to bits), new pipes, carb rebuild, cables and had the brakes and syspension checked and obviously a really good service and wash:) more recently i have also acquired some added parts for my little collection which include new american style taillight lenses, front indicator lenses, a couple of rubber seals (like the bootlid stopper thing), new handel, seat belts, spare wheel toolkit (beauty), mirrors left and right and a few other odds and bits.. I use the car at least once a week so it needs to remain a practical classic for me so no outrageous turbocharging or engine swaps here, maybe some engine tweeks though for the benefit of the car of course... I'll post pictures later today but wouldn't mind your suggestions and comments.. I'm new to all this so any advice would help:)

Sounds nice. wheres the pics? what does american lenses look like?

BUGGOFF wrote:Sounds nice. wheres the pics? what does american lenses look like?

american taillights are the full red with a clear bottom portion for the reverse lights. The indicators are also red and work with the brake lights but flicker when you indicate. Aftermarket versions available through empi i think. My old man's 38 dodge taillights work the same way. Will be posting a 'picture fest' soon as i get home:) anybody know where I could find wider steel rims? Fitted 2 new tires in front (165/x/15) but i'm looking for slightly wider wheels for rear to fit 205's rear...

you can get rims made wider... not sure where tho

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I could have the mags done at Mag-repair (part of hi-q) but would rather see if someone doesn't have a spare set lying around.. My local buggy shop only has widened rosstyle. My chassie pan was on a lift a while back and believe it or not, its in great shape! No rust, bumps or any major damage! I'm looking into the idea of sandblasting everything and powder coating and refurbing the syspension and chassie through this year and get on top of engine rebuild (might just give this 1600 a raise, what you guys think would be best?) and then at the end of the year look toward building over a early 60's body or 356 coupe conversion, but still deciding.. Thats what i intend on doing but i'd like it all to be practical cause i'd like to continue to use the car as a daily (i've got a polo to use during major work). But again maybe i'm just talking too much due to lack of knowledge but thats why i'm here, for your input..

This car is so neat i would just give her a good service and a
profesional polish fix the minor things that was modified
and keep it just like that but that's my 2c

I intend on fixing everything i can can servicing everything else to learn more hands on beetle mechanical skill before i build my project. Found a ratty '66 today which seam's like my ideal project car, but the owner won't part with it just yet so... Been thinking about buying just a pan and building my project ground up and keep this bug standard. But thing is I bought this bug for its great looking pan.. The thought went along the lines of great base model for a project. Anyways, fixed my sagging driver door and bonnet lock today. Ordered myself a cubby with bonnet release cable today and i'm trying to source a petrol cap release handel but i'm not really sure what i'm looking for, anyone got a pic of one?

slak wrote:This car is so neat i would just give her a good service and a
profesional polish fix the minor things that was modified
and keep it just like that but that's my 2c

X2

Keep her as is - beauty - plenty of other cars to throw money and effort at that need it !!

Nice one

Discussed getting a bigger place (for toys) with the other half so end january when we move, i'll begin my project build thread.. For further reference to my white 72, i'll be fixing the odd bits and bob's, keep her clean and serviced

You have a very neat beetle and I like the blue interior

Thanks! The front seats are recovered (quite well) and the front door panels around the winders are damaged so i'm looking into vinal repair same color. I almost bought a 68-71 beetle with mint red interior and all the chrome on the steel dash with the chrome horn push lever but the motor packed up before i could say yes.. So R5k more and i rather bought this one which required little more work but came with so many extra parts:) wind deflectors, louver deck, aluminium chrome palate trim between the center hubcap and the outer rim.. (post a pic cause i don't know what this is called)