TheSamba.com :: View topic - Shaka's Project Beetle :: Now 99% done! :: [Pictures]

Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:50 pm

Link to more pictures --> http://cometfamily.fotki.com/a....html
For the latest photos, start at picture #108 and go up from there:

So, what makes this your project and how is it 99% done?!
This car was purchased May 10th (my b-day!) as a sort of gift to myself. Engine had been recently rebuilt and the brakes done. Car was pretty clean to begin with for a rust belt car, but I wanted to make it my own. Since purchase I've done some mechanical upgrades, but had always wanted to make it a bit more spunky in the looks department. Here is a short list of what was done over the last few weeks and what makes me feel it is 99% done:
- Fixed bubbling rust on rear left quarter of car
- Replaced BOTH floor pans (with body-on)
- Two-Toned the car (added white, car was previously all-red)
- Replaced various gaskets on exterior that had been painted red
- Replaced running boards (both sides)
- Replaced driver side mirror (didn't have time to install p/s mirror yet)
- Replaced all interior door panels (4) with MAM black units, nice!
- Painted all wheels black, got wider rears to go with new tires
- Installed whitewall tires from diamond back, 145R15 / 205/60-15
- Random brush-touch-up with red paint was also completed
- Pedro's Vintage Style Roof Rack w/old school Coke cooler, wicker basket
- Tiki style shift knob from the Samba Classifieds
- Stainles Steel Eyelids, Billet Door Lock pulls, other random trash!

What is the 1% remaining?!
As noted above I got new outside mirrors, but the body shop didn't get a chance to drill/install the passenger side one for me. I may also do a little bit more touch up of the red paint as it has a few bigger spots. But we'll see since I'm already quickly approaching my budget for this car right now. Gotta save something for next season, right?! LOL .... but the REALLY BIG UPGRADE sitting in boxes in my garage not yet installed is the front disc brake kit with 2.5" drop spindles -- to be installed in the very near future. Isn't happening right now because I am getting ready to head to the show this weekend (June Jitterbug in Niagara Falls)... but next week I hope to get that on the car. Hence the reason for the skinny front tires, btw! (future: narrowed beam? who knows)

Sidenotes for all the haters and wise crackers:
Yes I realize the roof rack is installed too far backwards. It is rock solid as is for now. It was rubbing my doors and I wasn't having that. Yes I realize the idiots at the tire shop didn't remove the tire stickers, they'll wear off eventually, deal with it. Yes I realize some of the tire pics have some goop in them, it wiped off afterwards, I didn't have any cloths with me during my photoshoot b/c I am the st00pid. Deal with it. Yes I know many of you don't like engine bay located fuel filters. Shut up, it isn't your car and I don't care. A previous owner did a ghetto job making the interior black, you can see spots of stuff I've changed showing white bits. It sucks, I know, please don't remind me. The car was originally green, it shows around some rubber seals, again, I know, don't remind me, I may cry! And last but not least... it isn't meant to be a show car, but instead a car I take to shows. I added some goodies to make it "mine" and personalize it. It isn't a 'concourse' car .. it drives great and makes me smile and that is what really matters. Thanks for looking!

Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:56 pm

Very nice , I really like the coke cooler. 8)

Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:58 pm

volkswagenut wrote: Very nice , I really like the coke cooler. 8)

Thx. My co-worker and I were talking about the roof rack a week ago and I told him I wanted something vintage to throw on and he gave me that for FREE! Score!

Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:16 pm

Shaka wrote:
This car was purchased May 10th (my b-day!)
Hah, I finally find someone else with my birthday (1978)!

Car is looking good. Dropping the nose should really finish it off, but you might need to adjust the rear some too--but that is free.

I'm not a fan of narrowed beams... it just doesn't look right to me. Finish up what you have, and get out there and enjoy it! I know you don't keep cars long, I don't either. But I haven't been through as many as you :lol: The bug is the longest I've owned a car for at five years. It's the first one I don't have an itch to dump off and get something else, even when it isn't running. Time will tell what kind of effect the bug has on you...

The Coke cooler is classic...

Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:24 pm

2002sportside wrote: Hah, I finally find someone else with my birthday (1978)!

Car is looking good. Dropping the nose should really finish it off, but you might need to adjust the rear some too--but that is free.

1976 here... so we're 2 years apart... cool beans! :)

Yeah I think the drop spindles + lowering the back a little to match (keep it level, not much rake planned) would be the best bet. I'm also note a huge fan of narrowing the beams... and its just so much easier/cheaper to stop at the brakes/spindles and call it done.

You are right... there have been a few cars I've had that just captivate me.. my 2004 VW R32 was one of them... I kept it only 2 years but put over 50k miles on it in that time period. So based on that, I was ready to move on. But I think this bug'll be around for a while. I really love it!

Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:53 am

Nice! I love the look.

I give it two thumbs up.

Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:21 am

You've got yourself a really nice little fatty.

Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:11 am

Nice looking car! Really like the two tone paint. IF I ever get mine done it will look very similar. My white is a bit "dirtier" than yours :wink:

Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:26 pm

Looks good! You really busted your butt and your wallet to get it going so quick. The drop will really look good too.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:53 pm

Things go better with Coke...

nice car!!!!!!