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ddutch
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2020
Posts: 213
Location: Nederland
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 Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| Jimone wrote: |
in the spring of this year we were somewhere like this:
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That engine looks incredible nice, pure eye candy!
You both look very confident and satisfied on that 3rd last picture and you should. Well done! |
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VW_Jimbo 
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11185
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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DUDE! It is time to drive!
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Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 5:13 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| ddutch wrote: |
That engine looks incredible nice, pure eye candy!
You both look very confident and satisfied on that 3rd last picture and you should. Well done! |
thanks! it was a pretty cool feeling getting it installed
| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
| DUDE! It is time to drive! |
heck yeah! Smiley handles city driving brilliantly. up hills can be a bit slow. im adjusting to how aggressively i need to downshift in those situations. i havent taken him over 45mph yet. more than 75 miles driven so far.
here are some more process photos:
replace thee heater tubes. the old ones were unspooling
motor
shameful placeholder generator/regulator.
clutch install
once i started trying to start the car i ran into some problems. the contacts on the cap and rotor were toast. i bought replacements.
the fuel tap leaked excessively. there is some sort of internal washer i cant figure out how to get to. i think i need a tool i dont have. i bought a replacement and shelved the one i had. in the mean time i rigged up a temp tank.
at this point i get the motor to fire. dumped a bunch of gas in the carb and set it off. it was great. it would take me like a month to get the thing to actually run.
i wasnt actually getting compression though. the intake manifold wasnt seated. so...tear it apart.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2025 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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continuing on from where i left off...
i had taken the manifold off. i reinstalled it. still no luck. at this point i realize the problem. im using the wrong size.
so we take it apart again.
get the correct intake in there and put it back together.
then added some sound deadening. i really should have done that when i had the fan shroud out.
redid the axel seals. they were a bit leaky.
labeled my plug wires witha bit of paint to make keeping the in order easier
fun old plugs
the og zwitter carb i have is gummed up. the bbs in the accelerator pump are rusted in there. i rebuilt the one for the truck and am using it for now.
painted the inside of the glovebox. it was gross. i made it light so that i could see in there.
getting snappier with checking and adjusting the valves
lots of oil changes.
and lots of driving
at the library. they have a makers space with upholstery sewing equipment. im going to be doing the seats and stuff there.
getting gas again. im over 120 miles so far.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 5:03 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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been doing some non-functional stuff for the first time in a while.
attached some window shades
added one of ghe grab bars i have
found this cover thing for the front hood latch. i didnt know it existed untill i randomly saw one in the classifieds. i wonder how many more of these things im missing.
fun mile marker. i started at 1381 so its not actually 1500 miles.
took Smiley to the grocery.
we hit 150 miles so running through everything - gaps, points, timing, fluids, brakes, lube, check all the bolts and so on.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11185
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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That just sounds and looks like fun! I can only remember how an old Bug felt driving one. Soon, I will be again. Until then, I live on the words of those driving them! Thank you!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
| That just sounds and looks like fun! I can only remember how an old Bug felt driving one. Soon, I will be again. Until then, I live on the words of those driving them! Thank you! |
here are a couple more to help tide you over till yours is on the road!
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11185
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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Thank you! You do know that it may be awhile till my car is on the road. There is so much still to do. You are going to need to continue updating your thread with pictures!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 11:12 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
| Thank you! You do know that it may be awhile till my car is on the road. There is so much still to do. You are going to need to continue updating your thread with pictures! |
i got you.
we took smiley on our first inter-state drive today. went to missouri. the state line is a street that runs through the middle of kansas city. makes 4 states that i know the car has been in (kansas, missouri, new york, and wyoming). im sure it has been to others but i dont have proof of any others at this time. the car had to go through either nebraska or colorado when it was brought to kansas from wyoming. additionally there are a lot of states between new york, where smiley was delivered, and wyoming where my dad bought him.
here we are by the alexander majors house. it was built in 1856 by one of the pony express dudes. one of 4 pre civil war buildings in the city.
took this neat pic
worked on the polishing and waxing a bit.
we threw together some temporary seat covers while we get the actual upholstery sorted out. it was a significant improvement to the seats feel. the vinyl pulls the springs together and makes everything more firm.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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Schwing
Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2009
Posts: 2509
Location: Centreville, MD
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 3:56 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| Schwing wrote: |
| I really enjoyed the spirit and execution of this build. I could relate since I also lost my father 3 years ago and we lived and breathed vw. Really sweet split, have fun and keep sharing! |
thanks! i appreciate the attaboy! im sorry about your father.
here are some more pics from about town
i have started making the upholstery. its slow going. not too shabby for my first time using a sewing machine. my local library haws a makers space with industrial sewing equipment. they just let me use it. i dont even need a library card.
still a lot of fine tuning to do and i need to double stitch some of the seams. im going for stock-ish layout with the remainder material i had on hand.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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esde
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007
Posts: 6342
Location: central rust belt
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 5:51 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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DUDE!
First time?! 
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modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that. |
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ddutch
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2020
Posts: 213
Location: Nederland
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 6:09 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| Jimone wrote: |
took this neat pic
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Wonderful picture!
When you started working on this car my initial thought was that it needs to be repainted somehow to bring out the best of it, mainly because of the patchwork of all the different colours, paints and primers.
Then you started cleaning up all the different painted parts. There are no (big) rusted areas, most of the metalwork is dry and hard. After that you started reassembling it and made it driveable again. Now it tells a great story and shows it with pride. I guess you could, or should, leave it like this forever.  |
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 2:58 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| esde wrote: |
DUDE!
First time?! |
lol. thanks! i have a lot of experience with things like a table saw and jig saw so it came pretty naturally. i was lamenting the slow pace and my gf reminded me that i have only been sewing for 6 hours. she pointed out that i should be happy i have anything at all to show for my time.
| ddutch wrote: |
When you started working on this car my initial thought was that it needs to be repainted somehow to bring out the best of it, mainly because of the patchwork of all the different colours, paints and primers.
Then you started cleaning up all the different painted parts. There are no (big) rusted areas, most of the metalwork is dry and hard. After that you started reassembling it and made it driveable again. Now it tells a great story and shows it with pride. I guess you could, or should, leave it like this forever. |
im glad you like the look. im pretty lucky the car was so solid. its fun when people ask me what color my bug is. i cant imagine ever painting this car.
here are a couple more shots of making seat covers.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 11185
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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My jaw hit the floor!
I do everything on these cars. I mean everything! I am also proud, because I have sourced out the tooling to be able to do everything to these tin cans. I am able to install all of the interior items, even the dreaded headliners. But never, I mean NEVER, have I purchased, cut and sewn together my own seat covers! DUDE! That is RIGHTEOUS!
And to top that off. THEY LOOK AWESOME!
Very nice!!!!!
One small tip, when you go to install them for good. I have learned in doing seat covers. Actually anything that has a material that changes dimensionally by a visible amount. I allow the piece to fully warm up. Either in an oven or out in direct sunlight. After warmed up, install immediately and quickly. It drastically helps in the installation, as everything is more pliable; and it allows for a more taunt surface, after the piece has acclimated to the surrounding temperature. I use these techniques for laying up cabinet parts while laminating out in the field. Same with flooring, drywall, wood paneling, most everything that is hygroscopic. It all needs to acclimate!
DUDE! Truly inspiring! WOW!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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| Back to top |
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Loren
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2004
Posts: 1835
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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I love this build and it’s so great to see this beetle is back on the road!
Looking at your seat recovering pictures it doesn’t look like you have anything between the padding and the seat springs. If that’s the case I would recommend hand sewing some burlap or heavy upholstery fabric to the top of the springs. This keeps the springs from wearing through the padding. I don’t think VW did this but it will sure help maintain the padding. Here are some photos of what I did to the seat springs on my 58 Ghia project. I rolled the edges under and used some binder clips to keep the fabric taut while I hand sewed it with a curved needle and upholstery thread.
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Jimone
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2021
Posts: 399
Location: Kansas
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 5:21 am Post subject: Re: Jims 1952 |
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| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
...DUDE! That is RIGHTEOUS! ...
One small tip, when you go to install them for good. I have learned in doing seat covers. Actually anything that has a material that changes dimensionally by a visible amount. I allow the piece to fully warm up. Either in an oven or out in direct sunlight. After warmed up, install immediately and quickly. It drastically helps in the installation, as everything is more pliable; and it allows for a more taunt surface, after the piece has acclimated to the surrounding temperature. I use these techniques for laying up cabinet parts while laminating out in the field. Same with flooring, drywall, wood paneling, most everything that is hygroscopic. It all needs to acclimate!
DUDE! Truly inspiring! WOW! |
thanks man! also thats really good advice with heating the material up. the thing is more tedious and fiddly than anything. the design of these seats is super forgiving to bad stitching.
| Loren wrote: |
I love this build and it’s so great to see this beetle is back on the road!
Looking at your seat recovering pictures it doesn’t look like you have anything between the padding and the seat springs. If that’s the case I would recommend hand sewing some burlap or heavy upholstery fabric to the top of the springs. This keeps the springs from wearing through the padding. I don’t think VW did this but it will sure help maintain the padding. Here are some photos of what I did to the seat springs on my 58 Ghia project. I rolled the edges under and used some binder clips to keep the fabric taut while I hand sewed it with a curved needle and upholstery thread.
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i had kinda rolled mine under as well. they started to come free from being used without the top layer. i didnt put anyting between the cocoa fiber and the seat frame. i get small rain of bits all the time.
a bit ago we were discussing the fuel line. here you can see where it runs in the back. my finder is where the rear bench rests. the line is towards the rear of the car from there so the seat cant hit it.
we took Smiley to the mo-kan vw club meet this week. we craossed a river and went all through the middle of the city.
here we are driving past the western auto sign. its one of the citys popular landmarks.
here are a couple of other vws. i didnt take great photos. it was neat ot get the car to a gathering of like minded weirdos.
we are over 300 miles driven now.
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab |
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Two Glove Boxes
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Joined: March 03, 2005
Posts: 986
Location: Texas
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