TheSamba.com :: View topic - Zwitter (standard) with ragtop sunroof, project by coincidence

Wed May 07, 2025 5:28 am

now that the car is at the painter I am slowly gathering all the small hardware which needs to be de-chromed. In it's past ofcourse chrome was added for a richer look to the car.

That is how it was done in the 80ties, let the standard look as a deluxe.

I have the L grip which is correct for my car, according to the tag it almost looks as a part that was removed or bought by the PO to replace the T shaped lock.

Only issue I have: I don't have a key for it. Is there away (without cutting the lock in 2) to determine which key I would need? Anyone?

:edit: I have a HUFF key with the correct profile, but doesn't belong to this lock.

Thu May 08, 2025 4:26 am

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think that the handle you have in the photos will not fit on a beetle rear deck lid.
It appears to be a handle from a Gogomobile and as such the shaft is too short for the beetle deck lid. I know this because of research I did before finally locating a correct locking L handle for my Beetle.

Thu May 08, 2025 6:02 am

MARKAPTER wrote: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think that the handle you have in the photos will not fit on a beetle rear deck lid.
It appears to be a handle from a Gogomobile and as such the shaft is too short for the beetle deck lid. I know this because of research I did before finally locating a correct locking L handle for my Beetle.

thanks for your valuable feedback, I didn't even think it would not be an actual VW item which came out of my parts-stash..... I will see if I can scavenge a T grip and see what the actual differences are and if I can resolve them........

Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:55 pm

As mentioned in previous post:
Basically I had the 2 B columns in hand and 2 rear side windows cutouts.
All of these had a bronze outside paint and some dark green inside paint.

Based on some info gathered in other posts it seems the inside colour is the original color to the car. Below we have done 3 tests, the left two drops in matt are taken from the paint with a paintcomputer.

The right glossy drop is LRC0001, LandRover Deep Bronze Green.
(I have read somewhere that this color is used on CCG beetles)
Ofcourse this example is too glossy but the color quite matches the original.

Any thoughts?

Tue Jun 03, 2025 1:48 am

Yes, my mistake. It’s deep bronze green, not middle bronze green. Same as the early landrovers.

Tue Jun 03, 2025 6:08 am

sinclair wrote: Yes, my mistake. It’s deep bronze green, not middle bronze green. Same as the early landrovers.

thanks, so at least we have a recipe for the paint available.

slowly the mystery is unraveled :D

Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:03 pm

Since my body is at the paintshop I was just cleaning up my tagplate.
Knowing my car is a 11E but the tagplate I have is showing 10/12E with the correct year and chassisnumber. I have seen a topic without replies regarding 10/12E BAoR chassis. Is there an explanation or documentation available on the use of type 10/12E on the tagplate? (And why it is called 11E for example on the birth certificate)

Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:03 am

MARKAPTER wrote: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think that the handle you have in the photos will not fit on a beetle rear deck lid.
It appears to be a handle from a Gogomobile and as such the shaft is too short for the beetle deck lid. I know this because of research I did before finally locating a correct locking L handle for my Beetle.

Did you write down your research measurement results by any chance?

I have received the L handle back from the de-chromer, and compared it to a T grip.

The thick shaft is exactly the same.
The slightly thinner shaft is the same
The thread is 1.5 -2mm shorter

looks pretty close to me, although not 100% the same........

Sat Jun 14, 2025 12:07 am

Small update,

The chassis is blasted and painted. Red9 subframe is powdercoated.
Made a go-kart, next is to mount the engine and exhaust and then testfit the body one last time. We have replaced rear apron so need to make sure the exhaust has enough room.

To be continued.

Mon Jul 21, 2025 10:03 pm

After some testsprays and multiple different clearcoats from high gloss to semi to matt I have decided the car will get a high gloss clearcoat. This for practical reasons, it is not going to be a museum car but a driver. So a scratch left and right is more then likely to occur. Getting this repaired is just way easier.

Besides this: the misses has a very strong preference for high gloss. :D

we have 2 coats of green and 2 coats of sealer on, first time in the sun, love it!
The color seems to change depending on the sunlight. Can't wait to receive it back and start assembly. Upon return and after wiring loom install it will be transported on the dolly to upholstry-shop for the ragtop install.

Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:40 am

That looks great! I think gloss is the correct choice too.
I like the Red9 and IRS with wing nut seats :D

Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:24 am

sinclair wrote: That looks great! I think gloss is the correct choice too.
I like the Red9 and IRS with wing nut seats :D

No worries the seats will also receive a secondary mounting :D

Also upgraded the IRS a little, now I can adjust the ridehight on four corners easily without dismantling and adjust the springplate, reinstall and hope it is good.

Tue Oct 07, 2025 1:09 am

small update, got my ragtop and headliner installed.
Really happy with the result.

Tue Nov 25, 2025 4:02 am

When we have testfitted the engine we found out that the combination of 44 weber and CSP manifolds caused the aircleaners to touch the backlid.

Since this is a driver, removing the aircleaners just isn't an option.

We have testfitted the CSP intake manifold for porsche-cooling, which out of the box interferes with the stand-up cooling. Testing with washers we found out that 11mm spacer would do the trick. Like this we gain 50mm in height.

below picture, on the right with the shorter manifold, this should to the trick.

Asked my machineshop if they could model a spacer from a cylinderhead I supplied.

After the modelling they have 3D printed a mockup.

After this they have programmed the CNC machine and have milled the spacer in aluminium.

one small step forward :D