Advice needed on Beetle chassis

[oltman]

Hey guys!

I just joined the forum, introduced myself as someone who might want to do a 356 Speedter build, and then not 2 days later this falls in my lap!

So I mentioned to a few guys that I am looking to do this, and a family member says he has a shortened Beetle chassis in his construction yard shed. It has an engine and gearbox, some seats and that's about it. What it does not have is any sort of paperwork. At all. And no record of any purchase ever taking place. Basically this thing was in a rented yard yonks ago, and then moved two or three times since then. Seems the previous renter left it behind, my family inherited it via the rented building, and then moved along with all the other rubbish that is stored in a contractor's yard. This was at least 15 years ago.

I can have it for gratis, free and niks, as long as I take it away as soon as possible. I have not been to see this gift horse, but should I look it in the mouth?

I have searched the forums and there does not appear to be a case like this on here, and I have no experience in this area. I figured I will have to check the engine number and chassis number and get that to the police to check if it is stolen? Or will that get people in hot water?

In short, how do I go about building a kit car legally on an unregistered, unlicensed, abandoned chassis and engine? Is it worth the hassle of taking this for free?

[retrovan]

You have the best half to make a project.

Take the numbers down, and go to your local licensing department.

They can tell you if its stolen, off the computer, or if it is on the computer, but behind in license fees.

If stolen, say that some one wants to sell you the car but you want to know 1st..

If its not on the computer, then its easy, just search here on the forum for that info.

If its on but behind, then they will tell you how much, and you can see if its worth it.

HERMAN

[oltman]

Thank you Herman! Appreciate the quick assistance! Will go around to check the numbers on Tuesday when they open again. I am getting goosebumps at the thought of starting my Speedster so much sooner than I thought, plus getting this to start with is awesome!

Let's hope it is not stolen, or the numbers are missing, or rusted beyond help, or shortened too much, or or or...

[IMPI]

Whilst it is undoubtedly a score you must remember that different kits called for different pan shortening so you mu\ight get lots of usable bits but not neccesarily a pan fit for a speedster. (in my opinion number is slightly irrelevant in the big scheme of things.

[oltman]

I managed to have a look at the "car" today. It looked just like one of those Discovery channel barn finds. Covered in junk and it's own parts, and a very nice 10 year dust all over it. No sign of a Volksie body anywhere, but judging from the baby blue ashtray, this was a blue bug once.

IMG_20150428_103232.jpg

I managed to clear most of the stuff off the car. It has two seats and a rear bench. The seat have headrests, aparently that makes a difference? On the front i see the brakes and the steering box, along with suspension and other stuff (sorry, still new to this). The rear has the gearbox fitted, and the engine block resting on top of the linkage inspection hole. Other than being very dusty, it seems like a good clean chassis and pan. Clearly someone started to fix her up as the pan is a nice black paint with no signs of rust (and living in Ballito this is saying a lot!). I brushed off some dust and it seems like a steal for zero investment.

I moved the engine and alas, no sign of a chassis number. Whoops. I checked the engine number and it is an AD engine, which according to some site is an early 70's 1600 type 1 or 2 with between 50 and 64 horses (depending on which site you check at). Otherwise it was made Anno Domini which I thought was a given anyway.

Finally I found the broken windscreen with a license disc in. It matches a number plate I found among the rubbish with the same number, but then it gets weird. The disc says it is a VW Sedan, but the engine number does not match. The VIN number, however, says "UNKNOWN". Does this make things easier or harder?

EDIT: Oops, forgot to mention, the wheelbase seems to be very close to 2100mm when trying to measure through the rubbish. ALSO! A book titled "How to keep your Volkswagen alive" by John Muir. Looks brand new!

[Tony Z]

iff nothing else, you have found a good book that is definitely worth a read.

[oltman]

UPDATE: I checked out the engine number on the engine, as well as on the registration disc, and neither are stolen. So that's a plus. I asked what it would take to get all of this in my name so that I can continue and it seems there are R7700 worth of outstanding licensing fees!!! Ouch! Suddenly it does not seem like that good a deal.

Now I have 3 options:
1. License the parts as per the license disc which will cost me R7700 and then later change the engine number.
2. Try to license the VIN-less chassis with the current engine as a whole new car. Was told this might be an option as the chassis is VIN-less and any engine can be added. Not sure about this.
3. Buy a really cheap cheap donor car with matching VIN and engine numbers and papers, and choose the best parts of the two cars to make a whole.

Do I have any other options?

[retrovan]

Think the best option is to get a recon. motor, and have a new number stamped onto the chassis, by the cops, then just register it in your mane.

Herman

[oltman]

Thank you, that is exactly what I will do. Updates will probably follow in my new BUILD thread to be started soon

[oltman]

OK, I decided this is an offer too good to pass up on. I brought it home!

I have sent details of the chassis to Garth and he will let me know if this will work with his kit for the 356 Speedster. Holding thumbs it is perfect!

I also have made contact with a guy in Durban who swears he can get the car and engine legally in my name, no hassles or grey areas. Will see how that pans out. I guess this is my last post in this topic. The next one will be in my build thread!


In it's new home for the next week. Will move it to my workshop soon.



After a quick wipe. Any comments on the shortening process? It looks quite different to the drawing sent by Garth.



Scored some instruments. I assume the petrol gauge in the speedo does not work as there is a second one.



Some other doodads, including a hooter! Yay!

[IMPI]

Hi I think you lucked out big time
From the steering wheel and gauges the donor could have been an sp beetle. The pan halves have obviously been replaced and the shortening done very well those square plates are actually a legal requirement. I am knee deep in a speedster build at and you are welcome to call
And discuss the build
Armand

[IMPI]

Hi I think you lucked out big time
From the steering wheel and gauges the donor could have been an sp beetle. The pan halves have obviously been replaced and the shortening done very well those square plates are actually a legal requirement. I am knee deep in a speedster build at and you are welcome to call
And discuss the build
Armand

[oltman]

Thanks Armand! I will certainly take you up on your offer at a later stage! Thank you to all who have assisted thus far!

[IMPI]

Beetle pan gets shortened 268 mm for speedster.
Armand

[oltman]

Thanks, I phoned Garth and we did some measurements between some areas and my chassis is perfect! Already asked him for a quote without the bumpers. Going Outlaw with my build...