My 1954 build thread "Beatrix"

sunroof · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:14 am Post subject:

I wash the ivory bakelite pieces in the kitchen sink with Sunlight dish detergent and a firm toothbrush. If you soak them for a few minutes first they come clean very easily.

Don
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Better and better mistakes!

TheLadyBug · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:24 pm Post subject:

TheLadyBug · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 2:11 pm Post subject:

Got my parcel from concept1, as they had a line that was the appropriate length for the rear passenger line. All hard lines are run save for the ones to the rear wheels, obviously. Master cylinder is painted and in the car. Need some new nuts for mounting the cylinder to the pan as the ones I had didn't fair out too well.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

My parcel from WW arrived today as well. Shift and ebrake boot, and all body pads I need to mount the body to the pan, including the belly gasket. I know that it's gonna be a while but I'm trying to have my ducks in a row.

Next on my list:
I'm waiting on some powder coat samples to see if any match the interior color. If one is an exact match, I'm going to powder coat them. If not, then they'll get painted with single stage. I have yet to decide if I should tank these items to strip them or if they should be blasted.

Once I get that ebrake handle and gear shift back from being refinished, I can finish putting the tunnel all back together and put the beam on.

At that point I will be at a standstill with the pan until my transmission and body are done. This kinda makes me sad as I am moving along much faster than I had expected and now I'm waiting on other people. I thought it would be the other way around!

So, then I will begin cleaning and preparing my engine pieces to be rebuilt and try to get those all ready for when the long block is complete. My carb needs a bigger overhaul than I am capable, which sucks as that was one rebuild I was looking forward to doing myself.

I will also have the tires dismounted from the rims and have the rims blasted and straightened so they will be ready for paint.
Does anyone know what the paint color was for the inset ivory color for the wheels? Is it the same beige as the interior?

I have now gone through 2 heater control knobs trying to get one free from the pin that holds it onto the control. I am waiting to hear about shipping on an NOS one. I need to heat up the pin to get it out and there's no way to salvage the knob if I have to heat it up. My dad warned me to leave well enough alone but the escutcheon was badly chewed up from a visegrip (came like that!), so I couldn't just leave it as it was. I have cracked two knobs trying to free them from the pin by using a punch. The plastic is just too brittle.

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Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

54bugn · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 7:04 pm Post subject:

It is unfortunate, but I had to break my heater knob too, to get the pin out. Once the knob was off, I was able to use vice grips on the pin and twist it out. I obtained a new knob and pin and I am glad I took it apart, it looks and works much better now.

Great build keep up the nice work,
Mike
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"Schwing wrote:
You either have to be too cheap to hire a pro or determined to do it yourself, but it helps to be both!"

54 European Sedan deluxe
Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=414940

TheLadyBug · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 8:52 pm Post subject:

This arrived today. Very Happy

its in awesome condition and is OG.

Dropped off another batch of things at the powder coaters, looking forward to getting that back.

I took the lid off the regulator and was pleased how clean it was inside. I gently cleaned the bottom, hoping that it all works ok. Not sure how vigorously I can clean it without damaging the brown cardboard disc it sits on.

Took a bunch of items to be tanked/cleaned, like the gear shift rod and ebrake push rod, and the generator fan. I'm torn as to leaving the gear shift/ebrake rods bare metal.

Still waffling as to how to finish the beige interior pieces... I got some powder coat for them that looks darn close in color. I have to see if the shop who did my pan will do my seat frames as they're too large for my usual coater that does my small parts.
_________________
Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

TheLadyBug · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:51 pm Post subject:

Waiting on another heater control knob as I broke the last one pushing the pin back in. It really sucks when your dad is right! Laughing

so that's 3 broken knobs.
I need a new pin as I wrecked the last one when I broke the knob. Choice words were said, lol.

Interior pieces are stripped. Still waiting on more powder samples, as I think I'm leaning to get these powder coated.

Generator and fan cleaned. I already have the mount potion of the fan powder coated as the piece was identical as came on the car.

All cables are now run through the car. I bought another choke cable as mine had a weak spot from where it was getting stuck inside, so I replaced it with a new one just incase.

Master cylinder in its place with pedal cluster all back together.

Just waiting on my engine tin and other stuff from the powder coater and some other pieces still getting cleaned and plated.
My generator is going to be sent for a rebuild now that it's clean. I have to send my carb off once I get it back from being cleaned as well.

I grabbed some special steel epoxy to begin restoring the steering wheel but I think that will be a winter project.

Hoping my transmission and long block will be ready in September for pick up.
_________________
Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

silvertonguedevil · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2015 11:10 pm Post subject:

Nice work so far. I'll be watching this one.
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-Greg

Srecko · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 4:57 am Post subject:

Hey Charmaine, Where did you source the rubber boot that sits over your brake light switch? Keep up the great work....coming together.

TheLadyBug · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:30 am Post subject:

Srecko · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 4:45 am Post subject:

thanks Charmaine

TheLadyBug · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2015 9:13 pm Post subject:

Well... Tomorrow marks one year that we've had the car.

Today I dropped off the interior pieces to have them painted in single stage and picked out a beige color that was bang on. I never did find a powder that was perfect - lots were darn close but I'm happier with them being exact. So, still waiting to get that darn e-brake together.

Spent some time looking at bumpers and running boards tonight. The body guy asked for a straight bumper for when he does the rear apron and quarters to make sure all is level... so I have to get that picked out. I was pointed to WW or BBT for these items.

Waiting on my generator and starter back from being rebuilt. Going to send my carb and fuel pump to the guy who's doing my engine to be rebuilt as they need a little more love than a normal rebuild.

Waiting on a bunch of stuff from the plater and powder coater.

Waiting on a new heater control knob, should be here any day now.
Waiting on a new drivers side vent window trim piece... Since mine is stuck in the door and likely needs cutting out.

Next on my list is the wheels straightened and painted, and getting the semaphore arms painted so they can be rebuilt and assembled. And I have to source the best place to get cokers... and decide which arm and leg I'd like to trade for them Wink

I want white walls and have been lectured not to dare buy bias ply Wink

_________________
Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

TheLadyBug · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 5:33 pm Post subject:

Celebrated Beatrix's 1 year with us by ordering new WW bumpers, BBT running boards, early oval mats for the boards, 30mm trim and some other misc parts.

Now to look for some clips, irons, running board to fender seals and the dreaded Coker.
_________________
Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

TheLadyBug · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2015 5:07 pm Post subject:

Some stuff arrived today!

Bbt running boards, the correct oval mats for the boards (which are unjustifiably expensive), some WW euro bumpers and other random bits.

A little disappointed as I had a want ad for a driver's side vent window trim piece. Mine is stuck inside the door and the latch holder is broken. A guy responded, his was correct but also broken. He said he had another piece with the latch intact, and it was. However the one with the intact latch is not the correct piece, and unfortunately the one he sent. So hopefully we can figure something out. Doing the car to spec is getting kind of annoying!
_________________
Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

TheLadyBug · Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 3:46 pm Post subject:

Got some parts back from the powder coater today.

Super excited about the round regulator - took me forever to find one that was reasonably priced and working. The cap turned out beautifully.

The e-brake cover and tin for under the fuel pump.

These also turned out amazing. They were tedious to find but I'm glad I persisted!

I'd love to start the upholstery etc but I won't be buying any of that until the Canadian dollar gets better. I'm thinking a kit from Lenny Copp at West Coast Classics will be the way to go. As my car did not come factory with a radio, I am wanting to replicate a Volkswagen suitcase to match the interior, and put a battery powered speaker in the suitcase to plug an iPod into. I'm going to start looking into this more so when it comes time to buy the interior, I can buy matching material to make the suitcase.

On the go:
Wheels are being straightened and refinished so that I can have a rolling pan when it's time for the body. I'll wait to buy tires until the absolute last minute, or I may mount my weather checked tires if it will be a while before the car is driveable.
The engine and transmission haven't had much work since the spring but I'm hoping to hear back on these soon.
Seat frames and all interior beige pieces should be done shortly.
Waiting on my plater to get pieces back, had the clutch rod and ebrake rods plated, and my remaining hardware all plated with black zinc.
My 4th heater control knob arrived... Going to get a new pin made, and get the nos shaft and screw cap plated. I am going to try my hardest not to bust this one!
Virtanen has agreed to trial making correct early oval bumper mount brackets for me so hopefully he'll be able to do these.

Parts I'm looking for:
Driver's side vent window trim and latch
Driver's side heater control sled - 3 hole/3 rib style
AL smooth semaphore arm
Dark orange semaphore lens
Red hella taillight lens (not a snowflake), with bezel
OG Heart taillight lenses
Driver's side taillight bulb holder
Hardware - the bolts I broke. One rear shock tower, one for rear spring plate, one of the paired body/chassis bolts at the base of the parcel shelf, 2 fender bolts, and 2 front shock bolts. I want correct vintage markings. I can try to find sizes once I get my hardware back.

Shoot me a message and we can go from there if you happen to have what ok looking for! Hopefully that sums up my list of hard to find stuff, although I'm sure there will be more things I don't even know about.

I also can't seem to find running board clips sold by themselves, or the running board to fender seal for early cars. If someone could point me in the right place? WW only seems to sell them in a kit with the whole running board. I don't even know what these pieces look like to know what I'm even looking for.
_________________
Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

3foldfolly · Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:18 pm Post subject:

The running board to fender seals are large rubber washers. WW sells them as well as the molding clips.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111821545
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113853559

TheLadyBug · Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:40 pm Post subject:

pig-pen · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 11:03 am Post subject:

Hello! I still have that vent window for you if you want it...
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1954 L227 Type 113
1964 L31 Type 265

TheLadyBug · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 6:57 pm Post subject:

cn63bug · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 10:59 pm Post subject:

Looking good. Can't wait to see it finished Smile


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My 1954 build thread "Beatrix"
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