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Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:05 pm

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:24 am

I was hanging out all day today. A few quick shots

This last pic here. Look at the fit of the bumper to the body. Also the molded in turn signal. 8)

Sorry I missed all of the crew. I drove back home to So Cal. Chris it was funny because as I was taking pics I started chatting with some folks about your car. A few thought I was on your team. :shock: Thanks again for sharing the rebuild with us all here.

Glenn

Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:59 am

Alright...I'm rolling out in a few, should be there around 1pm.

Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:28 pm

Looks great. I wish I could have seen it in person again since the change, how did you place ?

Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:40 pm

insane. excellent craftsmanship - but that display along is crazy! :shock:

Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:42 pm

Ranchmink wrote: "...
4. row, I agree. In case you did not pick up on it the coil over suspension allows me to have a 4" range on ride height. I can pretty much have any ride height that I want. The reason we have it set at this height is due to display issues. When I post photos of it going on the display you will understand. I have to push RB over a 2" rise and do not want to damage the body. I agree I hate nosebleeds and if a car is to high it gives them to me. My 50 Mercury has 5" of travel and I like to drag the tail pipes. I have a generous supply of maganium for skid plates if you know what I mean. I am confused on what you mean on "Wheel Set", I am not familar with that term in that context, please clarify...."

Chris Addington :P

thanks for responding in the manner in which my opinion was given...i love your vehicle and am pleased to hear you can even lower it when circumstances allow :D

Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:13 pm

Well its great to go and its also great to get back. I have been back almost a week and have been trying to get my life back into a normal pattern. The shop looked like the tool box exploded and scattered everything like a mad women poos. In case you did not know the Invitialtional show is a mostly non award show, its just an honor to be selected to attend. I felt especially proud to be the only VW at the event and we where one of 4 cars to be at the front door. We held up our part of the show. Many fellow Samba folks attended and I got to talk to many of you out there. We gave away many t shirts and sweat shirts. It was great to attend and share stories with fellow enthusiast. The photos below will be my last post on this site and its time to put to sleep. I am still looking for any past photos of Rodbuster so I can do a photo chronology at which I will start a new post.

Photo 01, interior photo showing the seats and basic interior. I have been real pleased with the Mambo Shifter available on SAMBA. It is only one of a handful of parts that have not been modifed that directly bolted on. I had many comments on the shifter from even street rod guys, eat your heart out.

Photo 02, photo of the front spindal and hub. Notice the billet piece that holds up the hub. I machined this out of 3/4" Billet and it bolts to the lug nuts, which are 5/8", sized up to hold the weight.

Photo 03, another photo of the support as well as the hub carrier. It was machined out of 12"x20" solid chunk of aluminum. Notice the LED light reflections, cool at the show how the LED changes the colors.

Photo 04, rear bumper we fabricated, notice how the fit is within 1/8" of the body all around. We worked hard at making this work and fit. We started with our SKS fiberglass bumbers and added material to close the gap between body and bumper. Many hours of work here.

Photo 05, Another shot of the bumper in the clevage between tail light and deck lid. Notice the texture on the inside face of the tail light, we machined this into the cast tail lights. Notice how the flames come alive in this light.

Photo 06, Shot of the interior wheel well area. We body worked these areas as much as the top side including graphics. Detail, Detail, Detail.

Photo 07, Notice the bottom of the deck lid, like the fender wheels, finished and painted equally. I really like the look of the graphics in this shot as it looks bio mechanically alive......... :twisted:

Photo 08, Cool shot of the door, arm rests, door panels and even the chassis reflection in the mirrors. The panels behind the seats match the body graphics.

Photo 09, Another shot same area but stepping back. Notice the tracker lights, definately lost in the 50's stuff. This came out of an old neon sign where it had Vegas flashing lights. An old friend gave it to me from his bone yard of old signs. Old tech, I am not sure if I will use them again.

Photo 10, I like this shot of the door flames comming alive. It really looks like its on fire!

Photo 11, I like this shot of the engine where you can see everything lite up.

Photo 12, Notice the reflection of the ceiling in the front deck lit.

Photo 13,

Photo 14, Shot of the display showing how high off the ground it was. The sign is 1/4" aluminum, laser engraved over 20 years ago.

Photo 15, For those that missed it this is the shirt we where giving away. I have a few left. If you would like one I would be glad to send one to anyone who wants one. If you want one send me your address and I will send them out as long as they last. Size left, t shirts, S/M only left, Tanks L. We actually gave quite a few out. This was the club shirt for Cal Volks over 20 years ago and we found them in our storage area.

In closing I have really enjoyed this sharing of rebirthing Rodbuster with all of you and will be glad to answer any questions you may have. It will go back into hibernation for who knows how long.

Chris and Bette Addington :D

Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:56 pm

=D> Standing ovation

It's been really enjoyable following this thread the past several weeks, and the finished result was amazing. Thank you Chris for sharing!!!

Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:39 am

truly outstanding! =D> wish it would be at the classic in june as i will be visiting cali and would love to see it.

Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:38 am

That is one amazing car, although with all of that custom fabrication, It's not so much a ghia as it is inspired by a ghia.

One way or the other that is amazing.

I was born in the eighties in Miami. The colors on that shirt remind me of when I was a little kid. I want one let me know what to do.

Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:28 pm

8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Outstanding Chris!!! Again thanks so much for sharing all of this, what an honor to even be invited to the show. Count me in for dibs on a small Tee Shirt for my Daughter, I'll pay the shipping just PM me on where to send the $$. As soon as I get my scanner working again I have about 1/2 dozen pics of Rodbuster @ the VW Expo and get those to you as promised. ---- Eric

Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:55 pm

I have been searching around the internet trying to find out which cars won best custom and best hot rod for the 50th Fresno Autorama. I think it would be pretty hard to come up with a winner for either category based on the level of cars that were invited to the show. Like Chris said, just being invited was an honor.

I found this pic of the King T with a giant trophy so I would assume that it won for best hot rod.

So who won best custom?

Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:25 pm

any updates?

Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:31 pm

Chris wrote that he was done posting here for now.....

Rich

Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:31 pm

Thank you all for your kind commens.

Yes, we are not posting any more photos unless we get a specific request, there is not much I have not shown. I have enjoyed the run it was great. I have Rodbuster ready to go back into hibernation until I decide to bring it out again. It will take a special occasion for that to happen. If anyone has any questions, I will respond to them via post. Best Rod went to a Foose hot rod and custom went to the orange wagon all much deserved. I am sure we where in contention but that was not my ambition. We represented VW's proudly and were given a great location at the front doors as you walk in in the "A" building.

Again no more photos but will answer questions.

Questions:
1. Rodbuster is still a ghia but heavily modified and customed. The lines of the body are truly timeless in my opinion. 8) 8)

Chris and Bette Addington.

PS, who know maybe in a few months I might resurect SHOGHIA.......

Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:46 pm

SHOGHIA!! DO IT!!! :D

Thanks again for the awesome thread! It was so fun watching you bring back this legend! :D

Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:21 pm

I dont quite understand why you would spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of labor just for one car show? Why not stick it in a museum instead of a back room?

Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:46 pm

Fantastic thread - thanks for taking the time to share. I have mentioned this before, but the detail pics and descriptions were really interesting. Since your car is so heavily modified, I think a lot of those items would appear lost when looking at the car as a whole (I mean no disrespect by this comment whatsoever). Taking the time to comment on all these items, really makes you appreciate the time involved in what you have done. Really really impressive.

Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:12 am

Ranchmink wrote:

5. What is the purpose of the machined grooves in the floor pan? See photo #4.
i see that very high dollar body to pan seal. How well did this work over the years? i think it would just rot out

Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:56 pm

Questions:
[i]1. Question/Comment: i see that very high dollar body to pan seal. How well did this work over the years? i think it would just rot outPan seal.
Good catch but no fish. The fit of the body to the chassis is about 3/16' to 1/8" all around with the chassis being flush with the bottom of the chassis for a flush look. The high dollar seal is only means to reduce or keep any scaring of side of body to a minimum such that happens when we put the body on the chassis. Our seal is acutally a S10 window molding "T" molding between the chassis and body. By the way the duct tape on there is over 20 years old![/color]

2. Question/Comment: Fantastic thread - thanks for taking the time to share. I have mentioned this before, but the detail pics and descriptions were really interesting. Since your car is so heavily modified, I think a lot of those items would appear lost when looking at the car as a whole (I mean no disrespect by this comment whatsoever). Taking the time to comment on all these items, really makes you appreciate the time involved in what you have done. Really really impressive.

I agree that unless you see it in person you really do not understand the real deal.

3. Question/Comment: I dont quite understand why you would spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of labor just for one car show? Why not stick it in a museum instead of a back room?

[color=red] My goal for the restoriation was two fold. First I had been wanting to bring Rodbuster back to life and preserve it for another 25 years and since it did have some issues it was time. The second was Blackie and talked and I committed to him to bring the car out at his event. I have made some people irritated with me especially the promoters of the Most Bueatful Roadster at the LA at the January Roadster show. He wanted me to bring the car to him first. He would not even speak to me at Blackies show. I never committed to him anything nor will I ever moving forward due to his poor professional behavior. Probably more that you want to know but facts are facts.

Shirts are going out this week for those I promised them to
I will continue to answer questions but mostly likely will not post any photos unless needed for answers.
Chris Addington