Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
It's a Thing come true!
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8  Next
Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
sjhotz
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 468

sjhotz is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 11:05 pm    Post subject: It's a Thing come true! Reply with quote

My dream has finally come true after 24 years of searching. I wanted it to be my first car (Dad laughed out loud), and I never gave up....

I have been searching with little success, lots of rust buckets, lost of welding nightmares, all with very high prices (admittedly they are rare), always bad timing financially or personally.

Recently I have been on the hunt and found a promising 73 that would need rust work, weld work, an engine, possibly a transmission, and some title finagling (yes i said that was promising, the hunting has been slim for me). I went to my mechanic to discuss the upcoming project and he stops me mid description to show me this beauty...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Its been buried in his garage for over ten years, and he recently did a mass cleanup so I never even knew it was there! Its amazing to think all these years she has just been waiting for this moment to peek out at me, when he was ready to sell (at a steal I might add) and I was ready to buy!

She has minimal rust (surface only on bottom of pan, and the 2 rear view mirror points, easily repaired), no accidents with a nice straight body.

I'm still shaking! Simply can't wait to get behind wheel. I'll post more pics as I restore her and vids when possible.

Long Live The Dream,
Long Live The Thing!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
carterzest
Samba Member


Joined: January 22, 2008
Posts: 3842
Location: Eagle, ID/Sun Valley, ID
carterzest is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

congrats Cool Cannot wait to follow along on your progress!
_________________
Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Bugs4Life
Samba Member


Joined: February 17, 2007
Posts: 232
Location: Nor-Cal
Bugs4Life is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very Nice! Congrats! The VW Gods have been looking out for you!
_________________
72 181 Ambulance
62 Ghia
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Van-go108
Samba Member


Joined: November 23, 2006
Posts: 2995
Location: Southwestern, NM
Van-go108 is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 6:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did you buy that from a pilot? (actually spelled Pile-it) It's was probably lost in there and forgotten.
_________________
"Okay, so there's 6 beers and 5 of us. You know what this means don't you? 4 of you are going to have to leave."


1973 Thing
1957 Continental Mark II Click to view image
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vws-microcars4jim
Samba Member


Joined: September 25, 2005
Posts: 337
Location: Chicago
vws-microcars4jim is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

^^
Yeah, why did they pile stuff on that nice hardtop? Looks a bit warped, is that from stuff still up there or is it permanently bent?

Nice find BTW, have fun!
Jim
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
BNMike
Samba Member


Joined: November 12, 2009
Posts: 333
Location: Hot Springs, SD
BNMike is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congrats....

It took me 34 years to get a replacement for my first one Laughing Have fun with it.

BNMike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
77whatsit
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2009
Posts: 38
Location: Deepina Hearta, TX (Austin)
77whatsit is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congratulations! Isn't it great when love finds you?!
_________________
1977 Transporter
1973 Honda CB750 Sled
2000 Honda Elite 80 (which I actually gave to my GF but I ride it all the time)
My '77 Transporter thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=357978
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sjhotz
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 468

sjhotz is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Went bye the mechanic today (luckily he was there cleaning house) and did some more snooping, the Hard Top isn't bowed from weight of the box (it's mostly empty, a few belts and a few filters) it's fractured along the second rib back. Not really stressed about this, appears to be a poorly fitting aftermarket el cheapo version. I plan on scrapping it, getting either the 5 or 7 point roll bar from The Thing Shop, and I already have a decent used soft top (just needs a new rear window, its clouded but otherwise OK).

Interior is better than I thought, heater hoses and channels look ok, black auto carpet over a layer of green felt on pans, some surface rust but no flaking, and metal sounds good (POR 15 and wire brushes are in my future Cool). Front & rear seat pads look to be in excellent condition (black). Roll bar mounts are solid (no rust). Wiring looks pretty stock both in engine compartment and under dash area.

All stock handles and black plastic covers are good. Glove area rust free, (has mesh carpet lining, thinking about adding locking cover). Front windshield latches are in good condition, although there is small evidence of surface rust near lower corners on both sides of windshield. Hood is so solid I am stunned! You can actually stand on that Thing! Ok ok, I wasn't jumping up and down, but still, not even a flex? Wow! Trunk area has original liner and spare tire mount (as mentioned before, getting new fuel lines and gas tank, opting for larger if that's possible). My mechanic is gonna set me up with a stock VW tool kit (the fold up one). I'll add more of my own tools once i pick her up of course.

What I love the most is I can find very little evidence of hacking/modification at any pont at all. In fact I cannot find any cuts or drilled holes even!

I picked up the reg info today and am hitting the DMV tomorrow, (11 years on non-op, lein sale to mechanic, whee this will be fun, good ole CA DMV), gonna go for vanity plates too!

I'll keep updating you guys as things progress!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Semper_Dad
Samba Member


Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3506
Location: Indiana
Semper_Dad is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like a good find.

Mine came with the glove door and I like it a lot. Good semi secure place to put the registration and stuff that accumulates. I wouldn't put anything "hard" in the door pockets.

Repair the old mirror mounts on the body by welding the holes up and going with the hinge mirror mounts. Much better design.

Mine also had automotive carpet but I'm removing it and opting for rubber mats and duckboards. Just make better sense up here in the Pacific Northwest. Easier to keep an eye on pan rust and clean as well.
_________________
Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sjhotz
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 468

sjhotz is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey gang, need some opinions, was talking to my mechanic about some modifications on the car, and i mentioned my concern about stopping power on LA freeways and possible disc brakes up front.

What he wants to do is use drums from a super beetle which have larger and wider pads. He has the same setup on his Thing, and just did it on another one for another customer, and he has given me a nice set of 4 pattern alloy wheels to match the super beetle hubs which I just need to go get blasted and polished. And supposedly its much easier to find the pads.

My only concern is he mentioned that I would widen my wheel base by about 1/4 inch on each side. I was'nt quite sure what he meant (does it need a spacer or something due to different drums so they wont rub?, etc...), i mentioned my worries about offset. he assured me it would be stable at high speed and aid in cornering both on and off road.

Any insight or opinions from my Guru's O' Thing?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vws-microcars4jim
Samba Member


Joined: September 25, 2005
Posts: 337
Location: Chicago
vws-microcars4jim is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What kind of powerplant are you planning on running?

Stock drum brakes that are properly adjusted work fine for me in heavy traffic. I have a nearly-stock motor and I occasionally hit the highway. I'm running the original brake shoes on my Thing with new wheel cylinders, master and flexible hoses.

In the pics it looks like your Thing has brakes parts already on it, it would seem easier and cheaper to fix whats there...is your mechanic trying to make some money off you?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sjhotz
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 468

sjhotz is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Were building a 1776 with a 34 pict 3. gonna have the compression lowered a bit too to account for crappy CA gas.

The parts are mine for the taking, he has been working on my VW's for over 30 years and he gave me a nice set of 4 lug 14 inch alloy rims (both brake sets and rims were taking up space at the shop for too long). It's a modification he has made on quite a few Things and is a cost savings vs front Discs. I have seen prices from $200 to $800 on various kits and assume you get what you pay for. On that note, has anyone found a kit that will allow me to keep the stock 14 inch wheels?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sjhotz
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 468

sjhotz is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow looks like im spending $1k to keep 14 inch stock wheels and have front disc brakes. Think im gonna let my mechanic make his proposed changes and use the Super Beetle brakes with the 4 lug alloy wheels. That way i can upgrade to the less expensive SoCal Imports 4 lug kit later on when the budget allows.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
[email protected] Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: February 21, 2003
Posts: 868
Location: Clifton Park NY Saratoga County
mpb181@aol.com is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Body great, more pictures, looks like a slight fender bender right front.
other than that looks good,

I would stay stock on all brakes wheels, save your money..
including stock engine. imho
_________________
Michael Basso
http://www.thingparts.com
New and Used VW Thing Parts Free advice
CALL 518 630 0173
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
EODinert
Samba Member


Joined: April 11, 2003
Posts: 464
Location: PHX, AZ
EODinert is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sweet! I love it when a Volkswagen finds me.
_________________
'61 rag top beetle, '73 type 181, '66 13 window deluxe
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sjhotz
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 468

sjhotz is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rear Brakes Done! CV Joints & Front Brakes later this week, next week engine! Progress is a wonderful....wait for it....Thing! 8P

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Last edited by sjhotz on Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:22 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Semper_Dad
Samba Member


Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3506
Location: Indiana
Semper_Dad is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's much better to upload picture to Samba and then post. Only problem is Samba doesn't have a bulk upload option.
_________________
Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sjhotz
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 468

sjhotz is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ya they also have a 600kb cap, so I just use Picasa, can you guys see the new pics?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Semper_Dad
Samba Member


Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 3506
Location: Indiana
Semper_Dad is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep, I can see them now
_________________
Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sjhotz
Samba Member


Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: 468

sjhotz is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So im debating putting in a FI 2l Pancake engine & matching Trans from a running 76 Bus I have into the Thing.

The engine and trans are in good shape recently rebuilt, and the FI system is solid, has all pieces, and passes CA smog (body is a junk salvage and another story).

My question is since I have the stock FI setup working so well and a matching trans, can i put them in my Thing?

From what I understand the issues are:
1) Space to the rear, engine and trans are roughly an inch longer than stock so butt up against bumper?
2) Problems fitting FI heads in the engine compartment (really don't want to cut any tin).
3) Problems with air intake unit fitting in engine compartment.
4) Proper Cooling due to bad fitting and modified tin?

Am I missing anything else obvious? Am I asking for trouble and better off enjoying a solid 1776 with a 34 pict 3?

Any and all advice is welcome and sought after!

Thanks all,
sjhotz
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8  Next
Page 1 of 8

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.