TheSamba.com :: View topic - My UK '66 resto-cal bug

Sun Oct 03, 2004 12:00 pm

Hope you like my pride & joy, I've owned "ruby" for over 9 years and am constantly adding more bit's n pieces! the 90mm narrowed beam is a recent addition this year!

If you are into Resto-Cal VW's then have a look at www.restowagenuk.com the UK's new Resto-Cal website & community!

Sun Oct 03, 2004 1:26 pm

wow that is really sharp, how are you holding the suitcase, etc on your roof rack down????

Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:07 am

with big elastic bungee straps! they just don't show up to well in the pics :wink: thanks for the comment on the car too :)

Alex

Tue Oct 05, 2004 2:11 pm

That is a sweeeeet 66!! Good stance and the racks look really nice to. What you have for powerplant? Got any interior shots?

Tue Oct 05, 2004 2:57 pm

Thanks for the interest Bill, your bug in the avatar looks SLAMMED! - very nice too!.

Here is the only interior shot I have, it's all been retrimmed with TMI seatcovers, headlining, Sun visors, grab handles etc, Steering wheel is a Flat4 EMPI GT replica, and gear shifter is a Gene Berg 40%, hidden in there, is also a 7 speaker Alpine ICE system. The carpets could do with being replaced with a more original looking set.

As for the motor, it's a 1600tp built from all new parts that have been lightened and balanced, with 009 dizzy, Bosch Blue Coil, "pointless" ignition system and twin '40 dellorto carbs on a CB Performance linkage, the bugpack big bore header and glasspack will probably be replaced with a stock system this winter as it grounds out a fair bit!!!

Suspension for your info - front 90mm narrowed beam, sway-away adjusters, CB performance dropped spindles and Koni adjustable shocks - it will go another 2-3 inches lower but the UK roads are crap!!!!! so it stays as is at the moment!! rear is just dropped one outer spline, but the torsion leaves are tired and it's dropped approx 4 inches!!! tyres on the front are 135's and rears are 195/65/15 for the skinny and FAT look!

The resto has held up well considering the UK climate as the body and paint was all done over nine years ago, "Ruby" does get pampered a bit though!!!!

Cheers

Alex

Tue Oct 05, 2004 3:41 pm

8)
Cool 66 there Crazydaze! :wink:
That stance looks spot on to me! :lol:

Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:23 pm

IMO, RHD looks pimp. but i guess you dont have much else out there.

Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:33 am

crazydaze....your car has moved waaay up in my favorites list!! Way to go - whish my car was half as nice....but in due time. Cant think of one thing I would change if it were my car!

Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:50 am

Hi HamburgerBrad!!

There are loads of left hand drive dubs over in the UK (especially splits, ovals and late '50's bugs), they really are'nt uncommon, and no-one bats an eyelid!!!!!! they are mostly imported from Scandinavia as they started changing safety laws in the late 50's and loadsa people just mothballed their cars in barns instead of scrapping them :shock:

As for Split screen busses, I'm surprised you have any left in the USA there seem to be hundreds imported every month as they are REALLY popular over here (approx £6000 - £8000 for standard camper conversions needing paint, rubbers, overhaul etc), Sambas on the other hand - just name your price!!!!!! alot are imported from Australia and South Africa too, as they are Right Hand Drive markets like the UK! (and supposedly dry, rust free markets too :wink: )

I't's easy to convert any old dub to RHD, as the parts are interchangeable and new ones are available off the shelf over the net, the dash's are not difficult to get for any year over here either, so you could easily weld one in if you wanted!

It's funny how trends go, loads a people run US style plates like mine over here - highly illegal because the letters are the wrong font, size and spacing!!- all red rear lenses are popular over here too, I see the interest in european spec bugs seems to be growing in the US for euro spec bumpers, rear light lenses RHD cars etc (according to the UK magazines that is)

Thanks for the cool comments guy's, I guess the cars "coming together" now and is close too how I wanted it all along, I have Kerb feelers and chromed rear light housings on the way at the moment, so I guess yes' thankfully it's just cosmetics really now!!!

6d6vdub, good luck with your project, it's like anything in life, if ya want something enough, you'll make it happen, I could never have afforded my car to be built like it has been in one go, so I have bought the best parts that I can afford, as and when I could afford it, I suppose the car probably owes me about £15000 but spead over 9 years that does'nt seem so much :lol: my girlfriend and parents don't agree with me on the last point!!!!

Take it easy

Alex

Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:51 pm

That is a real clean looking car, I like it! :D good job Alex!

Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:39 pm

your car is simply amazing to me. despite what anyone may say, the 66 is probably one of my favorite years mainly because of the 1300 script on the decklid (which you have unfortunately hidden :wink: )

Thu Oct 07, 2004 9:14 am

Cheers again guy's :wink:

When I bought the car, all I knew was that I wanted a European pre '67 bug - sloping wings, 6v etc as I prefered the earlier look, I'm not sure if I had my time again if I would have looked for a pre '64 or not, but when I park next to my friends ex- UK German Folks '64 bug, it's amazing how much "newer" my car looks with the bigger windows etc. I guess that's the nice thing about a '65 or '66 or early european '67, you get the classic looks and trademarks in an "easier to drive/maintain" package!!!

Anyway, any of you guys got links to pics of your rides/local clubs? here are a couple of mine if ya interested/bored!

www.restowagenuk.com - UK resto-cal website, forum & community
www.dubaddicts.co.uk - My local VW meet and Cruise web page
www.crazydazevws.co.uk - My own dedicated site - needs updating a bit!!
www.volkszone.com - UK vw internet "hub" with very active forum.

Cheers

Alex

Thu Oct 07, 2004 11:32 am

www.restowagenuk.com

Cool site i just registered

Thu Oct 07, 2004 11:46 am

Nice :wink:

Active on the forum already :lol:

Alex

Sat Nov 06, 2004 3:55 pm

man, I am a sucker for that roof rack! nice work. what kind of capacity can most roof racks hold. i need somewhere to carry my drum hardware case. also, how durable are the wood slats. thanks. nice 66'!

edit - im also interested in your stereo. i need some ideas for my own 66.

Sat Nov 06, 2004 6:29 pm

very nice !!!! :D

Sat Nov 06, 2004 8:24 pm

From the home of Cal-look, Southern California: Great work. I can see you're a person that takes pride in their ride. I like it.

Scott

Sun Nov 07, 2004 1:03 pm

Volks66Wagen wrote: man, I am a sucker for that roof rack! nice work. what kind of capacity can most roof racks hold. i need somewhere to carry my drum hardware case. also, how durable are the wood slats. thanks. nice 66'!

edit - im also interested in your stereo. i need some ideas for my own 66.

Hi guys :wink:

I've no idea the official weights on roof rack capacity, but I've never had a problem with "overloading" them, and that includes loading the car and racks up with 4 people and all the camping stuff and Beer! needed for three days at Bug Jam - Europes biggest VDub festival :lol: pics of this and the stereo setup to follow :wink:

Alex

Mon Nov 08, 2004 12:52 pm

Amazing what a difference a year can make :wink: pic taken at Bug Jam 17 @ Santa Pod raceway, pre- Narrowed Beam, Slammed rear, loads more accessories now too!!

Roof rack still holding up though :lol:

Sun Nov 28, 2004 3:06 pm

Nice lookin car. 8) I'm falling more in love with that color every time I see it.