TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Jan 02, 2021 12:24 pm

flyboy161 wrote: .....after pulling about 6” of string, “snap”, it cracked right down from top to bottom in front of the driver.

Man, that's one of my biggest concerns with my '66 project. Trying to re-use my original windshield when the time comes, and having it break. If it does, I'll have to see if I can find a vendor that ships a good replacement to this podunk town....

Sat Jan 02, 2021 12:28 pm

The 65 and up windshields are a little more forgiving. They have a slight curve to them. 64 and down are perfectly flat and if it isn’t just right, *crack*.

Sat Jan 02, 2021 2:13 pm

flyboy161 wrote: but the windshield ended up cracked in short order. It was not fitting very well in the hole and after pulling about 6” of string, “snap”, it cracked right down from top to bottom in front of the driver.
I had that happen. On the second to last windshield that I installed. Mine was the last 6" of string to pull at the drivers side upper corner. Same thing, "snap!" :twisted:
It happens. But it is so deflating when it does.

I guess congrats are in order on getting back to work. I think.

Take care!

Sat Jan 02, 2021 4:41 pm

I just took two weeks off for Christmas/New Year’s. Need to go back to work so I can get some rest, lol

Sun Jan 03, 2021 9:55 pm

flyboy161 wrote: I just took two weeks off for Christmas/New Year’s. Need to go back to work so I can get some rest, lol

You're so close to being done! Can't wait to see what it looks like. It's a beautiful bug!

Mon Jan 04, 2021 8:07 am

Thank you! So close is right. FedEx notified me the carpet and door cards are arriving today.

Sat Jan 09, 2021 2:29 pm

Still waiting on a windshield, but I took the Diamond out of que. Today’s exercise was carpet, rear quarter cards, and seats.

Sun Jan 10, 2021 4:59 pm

I am now officially out of work on the Diamond until I get a windshield. Everything else is done. Today the door cards went on.

My high tech vapor barrier...courtesy of Hefty yard bags. I redid the headliner material at the base of the arm rest bracket and cut a piece of old carpet to replace the piece I threw away that acts as a buffer between the bracket and the door card.

Drivers door was comparatively easy. Clips lined up nicely on the Wolfsburg West/TMI door cards.

Passenger door card clips lined up very well. It was only a minor challenge to engage the arm rest in its bracket and then slide ever so slightly left and right to line up the clips.

Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:50 am

Just finished reading the whole thread. Great Job. Will be following along and asking questions.

Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:49 pm

Finally done! Today, my buddy Raymond and his friend Junior came over and helped get the windshield in.

I changed out exhaust tips also. Mine, were a little rusty :lol:

Now, for a test drive

Sun Feb 07, 2021 7:23 pm

Congratulations on a job well done.
I hope that you wiped all the finger prints around the windshield off before rolling the car into that very bright daylight outside to admire your hard work!

And yet you haven't posted a picture of your car in the direct sunlight.

I look forward to the first drive impressions and PIC's

The car came out beautiful.
Enjoy the ride. You deserve it!

Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:01 pm

Thanks dude! Weather permitting, tomorrow I’ll take some outside pictures. My road trip was a short one; no low beams. A little troubleshooting and found the low beam wire at the dimmer switch was teeny bit too short, and had become disconnected. I made a jumper, and have low beams again. Yay!

Mon Feb 08, 2021 5:16 am

Your car looks great! I recently replaced my exhaust tips with stainless steel pea shooters, look great and no chirping!

Mon Feb 08, 2021 5:46 am

Inspiring.. thanks

Mon Feb 08, 2021 8:35 am

Thank you, thank you. I have a plan to build up another 40hp long block to swap in to the Diamond. I have thought about the stainless steel resonators. I’ve been really impressed with the stainless steel bumpers. I’d like to put them on the rebuilt motor. Truth be told, I “borrowed” these off the ‘58 motor because they were the correct length.

Mon Feb 08, 2021 2:12 pm

What a long strange trip this has been. Today was the Diamond's first foray into the world since the middle of last year. She performed flawlessly as I drove her to work. One hiccup with the gas gauge but other than that, no problems. I had planned on going by the body shop so they could see the finished car but they were closed. I di go next door to the VW dealer and they "ooo'd and awed" at it for awhile. They took pictures and were very nice. So, for 67Rustavenger...

Mon Feb 08, 2021 3:46 pm

Wow! I'm stunned.
That is just lovely outside.

I'm surprised the VW dealer didn't ask you if they could display that beautiful Beetle in the show room. Of course the thing would get finger prints all over.

Again. Nice work.You have done very well for yourself. Congratulations!

And thanks for putting up with my pic requests. I have to live the beautiful car idea through the eye's of others. Our paint shops here want the life of a first child to do the level of quality work that went into your Diamond.

Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:10 pm

Thanks again, man. Sounds like you should send your car down here for body work, if you're not in a hurry to get it back. :)

Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:34 pm

flyboy161 wrote: Thanks again, man. Sounds like you should send your car down here for body work, if you're not in a hurry to get it back. :)
Lol! Don't think for a minute. That I haven't thought about it.

There is a body shop in town down by the tracks that did a 68+ bug a year or two back.
I saw it outside the shop before the owner picked it up. The car looked pretty good.

I don't think the shipping costs to Ga. Would save me any $$$$$.

Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:45 pm

Meh, just flat tow it out here. Visit for awhile. You can have some Georgia bbq and sweet tea! LOL