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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:40 am Post subject: July 1957 Oval resto |
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Hi all,
Have just re-registered as for the life of me couldn't remember what my old password was or which email account it was set up on....anyhoo........
Back in January this year My uncle decided he wanted to build an early VW beetle.
Knowing my passion for all things VW he asked me to find him a good starter car and would I like to be involved with the build. With a swift "hell yes" I hit the internet and turned up an unfinished July 57 Horizon blue oval.
It was part of a museum find by Keiftenklok in 2005 and shipped back to the UK in 2005 and dismantled for resto but never finished.
The previous owner spent a small fortune on welding and original metal to restore the shell then it has sat ever since untill we stepped in.
This is what we got!
A shell and boxes of parts. Sadly no wings or headlamps or an engine plus quite a few other bits but it was a good base.....
So first up was the pan. Have spent the last few months cleaning painting and assembling...
We have now finished this and our attention turned to the shell......
As good as it looks it still needed some work but not much!
Its now ready for prep and paint which will be its original Horizon blue.
Wheels have been sent out for blasting and powder coat before being painted in the original two tone colour.
Next up is the motor......
Nice stock 36hp but boy is it a proving to be hard work. It has since been stripped and sent for a line bore but im having a real tough time on finding the machining tolerances for the oversize bearings I got from wolfsburg west. Soon as I sort that I can begin putting the motor back together as I have collected the rest of the parts and had all the other machining done.
Heads have been stripped blasted and all new valves put in along with all new components like springs etc...
Tinware is off to be blasted and satin blacked.
Well thats where im upto so far. I have collected all the missing parts so far apart from the rear wings/fenders and a set of semaphores.
Will get some more pics up when I take them. I will try and update this thread regularly If folks are interested in my build. Hope you enjoy.
Cheers
Dave |
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Blauchen L331 Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2011 Posts: 1269 Location: Gainesville, Florida
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:59 am Post subject: |
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Fantastic!!!!!!
Another "European" L331 Horizon Blue car yay!!!!!
I REMEMBER THIS CAR FROM THE INTERNET (seeing it when Keiftenklok had it for sale)
Please have a look at this thread discussion about the Grey/Blue wheel color for the L331 cars
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=371894
Original wheels were NOT L331 Horizon Blue and L82 Silver White, they were a Grey/Blue color without a L code (or we don't know the number as of yet?)
Also look over my car's thread here, (my car is from June 1957) I hope it will be of help to you, as I recall your car is a full European Spec car, had blade bumpers and semaphores, I don't remember the interior, but if it was cloth, just have a look at mine!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=506556
Horizon Blue cars also had Dark Blue Leatherette, but if your car was a German car, it had cloth, if it was a European car exported to another country other than German or Austria it had Leatherette.
Congrats on your car and Enjoy!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Horizon Blue
Tom _________________ OG PAINT L331 1957 TYPE 1 OVAL WINDOW
(US Navy In Germany/ Special Ordered Car from MAHAG Munich)
Delivered with Semaphores - German "Puntchen" Cloth Polkadotted Interior -
USA RAM Protection/Export Overrider Bumpers - MPH Speedometer -
Sealed Beam Headlights and Bullet Front Turn Signals!
99.9% ORIGINAL PARTS WITH ONLY 36,500 ORIGINAL MILES/ GARAGE FIND/ UNRESTORED CAR
Last edited by Blauchen L331 on Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Kjell Roar Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2008 Posts: 1326 Location: Norway
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:46 am Post subject: |
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Have a book that says rim color is L33 greyish blue on Horizon blue cars.
Good luck with the car, its nice when you dont have to weld a lot.
_________________ I got a historic car, every scratch got a history...
My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438 |
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:02 am Post subject: |
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Hi many thanks for the reply. Nice car btw had a look through your thread and will prove quite helpful
As for the wheel colour we were lucky enough to have an og paint wheel under the hood and have scanned the paint and have the correct paint codes for the wheels. I will dig it out and post it up as we had samples given to us to double check.
The interior is indeed dark navy leatherette and in near mint condition just needing a couple of seam repairs. The car was originaly supplied to sweden and we have the original dealer information with the car and the dealer plaques as well to re-fit.
Iv been restoring the generator today pics soon |
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Blauchen L331 Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2011 Posts: 1269 Location: Gainesville, Florida
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:02 am Post subject: |
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Ahhh Swedish car very very nice
Dark Blue Leatherette and Semaphores, it will be a beauty when it's done, can't wait to see more pictures!
Tom _________________ OG PAINT L331 1957 TYPE 1 OVAL WINDOW
(US Navy In Germany/ Special Ordered Car from MAHAG Munich)
Delivered with Semaphores - German "Puntchen" Cloth Polkadotted Interior -
USA RAM Protection/Export Overrider Bumpers - MPH Speedometer -
Sealed Beam Headlights and Bullet Front Turn Signals!
99.9% ORIGINAL PARTS WITH ONLY 36,500 ORIGINAL MILES/ GARAGE FIND/ UNRESTORED CAR |
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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Been tinkering with this today....
It's a thousand times better than when I started but still not happy with the finish on the casing so will probably give it another polish. |
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Blauchen L331 Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2011 Posts: 1269 Location: Gainesville, Florida
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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Dave Byron wrote: |
Been tinkering with this today....
It's a thousand times better than when I started but still not happy with the finish on the casing so will probably give it another polish. |
Hehehehehe!
Looks pretty good to me, the pan looks great too, did you have any original Horizion Blue paint anywhere left on the car to mix/match the correct hue?
This one looks like it'll be a really great car after it's done, your Uncle will have a very nice car.
Seems there's not alot of correctly restored HB cars out there anymore, especially European ones, I think this color is finally getting some respect in the restoration crowd, it has become very desirable just like Coral Red has.
Tom _________________ OG PAINT L331 1957 TYPE 1 OVAL WINDOW
(US Navy In Germany/ Special Ordered Car from MAHAG Munich)
Delivered with Semaphores - German "Puntchen" Cloth Polkadotted Interior -
USA RAM Protection/Export Overrider Bumpers - MPH Speedometer -
Sealed Beam Headlights and Bullet Front Turn Signals!
99.9% ORIGINAL PARTS WITH ONLY 36,500 ORIGINAL MILES/ GARAGE FIND/ UNRESTORED CAR |
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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Blauchen L331 wrote: |
Dave Byron wrote: |
Been tinkering with this today....
It's a thousand times better than when I started but still not happy with the finish on the casing so will probably give it another polish. |
Hehehehehe!
Looks pretty good to me, the pan looks great too, did you have any original Horizion Blue paint anywhere left on the car to mix/match the correct hue?
This one looks like it'll be a really great car after it's done, your Uncle will have a very nice car.
Seems there's not alot of correctly restored HB cars out there anymore, especially European ones, I think this color is finally getting some respect in the restoration crowd, it has become very desirable just like Coral Red has.
Tom |
Thanks for the comments much appreciated.
As for paint the hood/bonnet deck lid and doors still retain there og paint.
We took a scan of the back of the glove box door for a match and mixing code
Which we have. Also all the interior components have been painted in the correct sandalwood colour. Things like the shifter handbrake,seat bases and steering colum.
I think horizon blue is a very underrated colour and looks good when done right. Think people see it as a bit of a girls colour though. |
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Blauchen L331 Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2011 Posts: 1269 Location: Gainesville, Florida
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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Dave Byron wrote: |
Blauchen L331 wrote: |
Dave Byron wrote: |
Been tinkering with this today....
It's a thousand times better than when I started but still not happy with the finish on the casing so will probably give it another polish. |
Hehehehehe!
Looks pretty good to me, the pan looks great too, did you have any original Horizion Blue paint anywhere left on the car to mix/match the correct hue?
This one looks like it'll be a really great car after it's done, your Uncle will have a very nice car.
Seems there's not alot of correctly restored HB cars out there anymore, especially European ones, I think this color is finally getting some respect in the restoration crowd, it has become very desirable just like Coral Red has.
Tom |
Thanks for the comments much appreciated.
As for paint the hood/bonnet deck lid and doors still retain there og paint.
We took a scan of the back of the glove box door for a match and mixing code
Which we have. Also all the interior components have been painted in the correct sandalwood colour. Things like the shifter handbrake,seat bases and steering colum.
I think horizon blue is a very underrated colour and looks good when done right. Think people see it as a bit of a girls colour though. |
Hahahahha a "girls color" well, I LIKE TO BE WHERE THE GIRLS ARE!!!!!
The pastely colors of the 1950's and early 60's VW's are getting quite popular now I think.
L331 Horizon Blue
L335 Capri Blue (not really a pastel color, but very underrated 1958/9 Big Window color)
L351 Coral Red
and that sought after 1960's color
L 391 Pastel Blue with the Hydrate Green interior parts
I like all of them and Horizon Blue like you said looks great when it's done correctly, the Dark Blue Leatherette will look nicely done in the car.
I wrote Everett and asked him to link/post this thread into the Oval Window Projects and Builds Sticky ~ I'm really looking forward to seeing the progress of this car.
Tom _________________ OG PAINT L331 1957 TYPE 1 OVAL WINDOW
(US Navy In Germany/ Special Ordered Car from MAHAG Munich)
Delivered with Semaphores - German "Puntchen" Cloth Polkadotted Interior -
USA RAM Protection/Export Overrider Bumpers - MPH Speedometer -
Sealed Beam Headlights and Bullet Front Turn Signals!
99.9% ORIGINAL PARTS WITH ONLY 36,500 ORIGINAL MILES/ GARAGE FIND/ UNRESTORED CAR |
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:22 am Post subject: |
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Having an og paint Horizon blue spare I had the wheel scanned and colour matched. Our wheels are being painted this week so will post a pic of the results. Here is all the information I have along with modern dupont mix codes. there is a paint chip attached in one of the pics. I found it interesting that the match came in as capri blue.
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:30 am Post subject: |
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Wheels back from the paint shop today. Need a couple of weeks for the paint to harden then tyres to be fitted and we will have a rolling pan.
have been tinkering away on engine bits but the machine shop is being very unhelpful!
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Blauchen L331 Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2011 Posts: 1269 Location: Gainesville, Florida
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:18 am Post subject: |
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Dave Byron wrote: |
Wheels back from the paint shop today. Need a couple of weeks for the paint to harden then tyres to be fitted and we will have a rolling pan.
have been tinkering away on engine bits but the machine shop is being very unhelpful!
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Dammm Dave, that colors like dead on...... Very Very Close - yay!!! I know your happy about this.
Kudos to you and the painter!
Too bad about the machine shop, I guess patience is the only cure for that issue......
Tom _________________ OG PAINT L331 1957 TYPE 1 OVAL WINDOW
(US Navy In Germany/ Special Ordered Car from MAHAG Munich)
Delivered with Semaphores - German "Puntchen" Cloth Polkadotted Interior -
USA RAM Protection/Export Overrider Bumpers - MPH Speedometer -
Sealed Beam Headlights and Bullet Front Turn Signals!
99.9% ORIGINAL PARTS WITH ONLY 36,500 ORIGINAL MILES/ GARAGE FIND/ UNRESTORED CAR |
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johnshenry Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2001 Posts: 9364 Location: Northwood, NH USA
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2012 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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Dave, you may find the resto of my '57 documented at thebugshop.org of interest. It has been nearly 13 years since I finished that oval. I still have it, drive it often, and it is the best driving VW I have ever owned. Looking forward to seeing yours done.
Take a pic of the big ass smile on your face the first time you drive it too.... _________________ John Henry
'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab |
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Busdriver79 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2011 Posts: 1655 Location: The Peoples' Republic of "No" Jersey
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Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:24 am Post subject: |
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please tell me those brake tubing lines are NOT copper ?? |
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Last Triumph Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2006 Posts: 914 Location: Wirral, United Kingdom
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 1:32 am Post subject: |
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Looking good, I'll be watching. |
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 7:58 am Post subject: |
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Last Triumph wrote: |
Looking good, I'll be watching. |
Many Thanks. I will be needing some of your flywheel shims shortly
I have read your 57 preservation thread many times with interest. It's been a most helpful resource.
Thanks for taking the time to post in such detail. |
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 7:59 am Post subject: |
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mschiffel wrote: |
please tell me those brake tubing lines are NOT copper ?? |
Cant see why that would be a problem? Iv used copper brake lines on all my cars and buses with no issues. |
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:21 am Post subject: |
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Apologies for the poor quality picture but my phone is all I had!
Anyhoo...............
Got the engine back from the machine shop (At last) Case is now line bored and had a shave on one half to restore the cam journal as well.
Crank has been reground and the flywheel has been re-metaled with spray metal then polished to remove the deep groove cut into it.
All the barrels have been honed and the heads are awaiting new valve guides which are proving a nightmare to get in the uk at the moment. Just cant justify the shipping cost on valve guides from wolfsburg west but might have to bite the bullet!
Case needs some cosmetic tidying due to deep pitting in places but this will be re-metaled then filed down to restore a stock look.
Thats all for now pics when I get the camera sorted. |
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dubjeep Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2011 Posts: 354 Location: Rhode Island
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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Dave Byron wrote: |
mschiffel wrote: |
please tell me those brake tubing lines are NOT copper ?? |
Cant see why that would be a problem? Iv used copper brake lines on all my cars and buses with no issues. |
We used noncorrosive brake lines just like that at my last job. They exceed the standards of regular steel brake line, are flexible like copper tubing, and will probably never have to be replaced. It won't rot on the outside due to the elements, or from the inside due to the brake fluid. _________________ "Harvey"--My 1970--http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=495804 |
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Dave Byron Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: Grays Essex UK
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 11:36 am Post subject: |
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Well today was spent cleaning! case has come up lovely with a few repairs to do but nothing sinister.
All internal components are now soaking away in my special formula ready for a buff in a few days.
Couldn't help myself and put the barrels up....
Carb and dizzy next on the clean and detail list.......
Last edited by Dave Byron on Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:10 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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