TheSamba.com Forums   Forum Index -> Reader's Rides -> 1966 Beetle... Project Cal-Look   View original topic: 1966 Beetle... Project Cal-Look Rude-e Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:18 pm This is my first venture into the aircooled world….so far it’s been fun. I bought my 66 off a friend about a year ago and have recently started to modify her. So I decided to start a thread to post the progress of my project…it will be slow going, as funds allow and parts are slowly found in the classifieds. At first I did’nt know what direction I wanted this project to head in. I loved the look of the Resto-Cal’s, simple, clean, stock motors, lowered and some shiny wheels. But after crawling along at a snails pace w/ the little single port 1500, I realized that I have always been into performance, purpose built vehicles(besides, I personally think that, that look, looks 10x better on an earlier car w/ a rag or an oval window). I’ve recently come to appreciate the early cal-look style…the attraction grows on me almost on a daily basis and the theme seems to look good on a 66’. I love the look of simple cars, (almost sleeperesque) with stock bodies, big and littles, dual IDA’s and a huge roar. I can’t wait till my little car gets there! These first pics are of her first day at the house.... the boys, checking her out for the first time.... Might as well check myself out as well.... The anemic 1500... Interior shots... Clean Pan... Our first show....somewhere in N Hollywood ...late 2006 Rude-e Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:45 pm First round of mods I got rid of those ugly chrome wheels, repainted a set of stock wheels and added a new set of whitewall inserts. I was still unclear as to what I wanted to do w/ the car. I just knew I had to get rid of those ugly chrome wheels. I also started to get rid of the excess accesories(even though I added the roof rack). ahhhh much better... Rude-e Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:22 pm Round two of mods.... CB 2" narrowed beam and tie-rods I found this in the classifieds and picked it up complete w/ ghia disk brakes, it was an OG 3.5" narrowed beam from a drag car. This one did not work for my car, the shock towers interfered w/ the inner fender wells. Lucky for me, the seller had a CB 2" beam that he traded me for. I decide not to use these brakes.... Beam and tie-rods installed: Look at how nice the inner fenders wells are... they still have the origional undercoating This is how she sits now.... starting to look better..... Rude-e Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:36 pm My latest acquisition, a set of centerlines... 15x6" rears 15x3.5" bubble fronts They just need a fresh polishing... I just went down to a local polishing shop...they quoted me $375 dollars...ouch!! This included clear anodizing...which they said seals the polish look from the elements....anybody hear of this? Maybe, I'll give polishing a shot... Couldn't resist mounting them on the car... It looks mean without a front bumper... This is the goal... Burak Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:47 pm woowwww.... you have a nice 66 :wink: estofer Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:48 am I have a 66 pretty close to yours! My car is a california transplant to kansas, so no rust on this bug. Your car looks really clean! road_warrior Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:59 am That's a nice,clean car. Nice work ! Rude-e Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:15 pm Thanks everyone... This weekend I plan on getting a pair of dropped spindles, tires and shopping for a local polisher. The front wheels don't have a mirror finish...it is machined (small groves)...it looks like these will have to be taken down to a smooth surface to achive the mirror finish....too much work to do by hand, I'll just leave the polishing to the pros. I know I'll be using 135's for the fronts, I'm still debating which size to go with in the rear....any suggestions? 205/65's - 215/65's - 215/70's Hopefully we get a break in the weather this weekend, so that I can get back to working on it. Alan Willis Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:31 pm Tire size depends on what gears you plan to run in your tranny. If stock gears,go with the 205 65's. If closer ratio gears,go with the 215 65's or 205 70's. 215 70's are too big :wink: estofer Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:53 pm I have 205's on my bug pictured above I think they look great Rude-e Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:11 pm Alan Willis wrote: Tire size depends on what gears you plan to run in your tranny. If stock gears,go with the 205 65's. If closer ratio gears,go with the 215 65's or 205 70's. 215 70's are too big :wink: Too big!....naw It'll take me 20 seconds to get to 60 ....but I'll be doing 60 in first gear :lol: Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group