Aircooled VW South Africa

Just read this whole thread....amazing work! Just perfect as I am busy starting to plan my 356 build off a corrected UP Speedster or even a Coupe perhaps, still undecided. One part of me loves the Coupe lines (911 like) and the other thinks that if this is a replica and a fun car it may be better without a roof. I love the way you have tried to make it as close to the original as possible. My idea is a slightly lower outlaw or rebel racer style coupe or Speedster on Fuchs or Gas Burners but that had a realistic interior and body on a 1995cc disc brake IRS setup.

I am from East London but often come up to JHB and would love to meet you and chat and learn all the relevant know how as to what needs to be done to make a replica replica!! I would build it from a UP Kit, just getting pricing and will visit Garth on my next business trip.

It been a while since I have updated progress on the Black Sheila.
Progress has been slow very little has happened in the last few months, Both Armand and I have been preoccupied with other things.
Armand has done some very nice mods to the engine bay which will definitely compliment the replica 356 Engine. With the rear seat upgrade and other additions the engine bay was out of place, Armand decided it was best to clad the engine bay with new steel cladding, the old Stainless steel cladding and fiberglass was removed a frame was constructed to support the external oil cooler and fire suppression kit this frame will also support the original 356 steel bumpers, paper templates were cut out and fabrication commenced. The steel cladding will be painted stone chip black to replicate the early 356 engine bay. Progress thus far .....

My spurious 356 speedster feeling quite at home with the thoroughbreds.

Two weekends ago I was able to Visit Armand and to see the progress on the speedster it has been a few months since my last visit.
The clading in the engine bay is completed.
The external oil cooler is fitted and all plumbing is done.
The D.I.Y fire Suppression kit is fiited, spray nozzles and plumbing is done.
Fuel lines plumbing done.
The VW Type 1 Replica 356 engine is also installed , seeing it in the flesh is truly a master piece, well done Armand.
The exhaust still needs to be modified to suit the Euro bumper Guard together with the exhaust trumpets.

Cool ! How do you activate the fire extiguisher / fire suppression system ?

Under the dash is a pull cable with a locking pin, remove the pin and pull this will activate the fire extingusher.
The fire extingusher has a guide bush ( I used a pop rivet nozzle) on the fixed handle the cable is fed through the bush to the moveable handel the moveable handle has a small hole drilled which the cable is secued with cable stop lock.

Lovely.
Have you got any more pics of the engine?
Love the air filters

Some more pics of the engine,

I thought I would update on the speedster as it has been a while since my last update.
With the engine bay complete it was time to move to the front area of the speedster, the whole idea is to replicate the black sheila as closely as possible to an original speedster. One of many items is to replicate the battery box or spare wheel compartment, with the original 356 fuel tank fitted to the Black Sheila to complete the look it needs the spare-wheel, the battery box also serves many other purposes namely a strong support for the steel bumpers, supports the fiberglass nose section and horn mounts , once again no surprise Armand did an amazing job on the battery box.
the first step was to remove the fiberglass battery box, next square tubing was welded to construct a frame , the frame was cladded with sheet metal and welded together , little details were added to give it the correct look. I am extremely happy with the end result.

nice!!

A step closer to completion,

Really looking nice !



Freddie Booysen
72 lowlight
74 beetle

I love this.

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Beautiful car Manny! Love the detail.