What did you do to your Oval today?

[misfitnick]

Hello Gents,
I've been working on my 56 a bit recently. I wasn't happy that the transmission was leaking from EVERY seam and that #3 cylinder was getting oil in it. So I did a partial rebuild of the trans and installed new rings in #3. I did a good cleaning of everything and added the Fram-style filter to the engine. I'm happy to say that my car is now 100% leak free...which I think is pretty amazing for a car that is approaching 70yrs old!

And I snapped this interesting pic of the Oval next to my 1989 Testarossa. These two cars offer quite the contrast!

[BulliBill]

I am so sorry to hear about your wife "obus"! You have a good buddy there to get you out and at least enjoying your hobby during your loss. We're thinking of you...

Bill
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I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

[Da TOW'D]

I have not driven my '57 beetle at all for the last 3 years. I've started it and let it run for a while just to keep things lubed up a few times.

Yesterday I figured it time to take a cruise, I put it in first had the clutch on the floor yet when I twisted the key we started moving ahead and then the engine started. I still had clutch pedal on the floor. I shut the engine off and tried again same thing-- the clutch was seized and not disengaging.

So today i pulled the old fresh air 40hp. out. After I removed the pressure plate bolts I found that the disk was stuck against the pressure plate and flywheel with rust, i had to tap around the pressure plate to knock it off.

The flywheel, pressure plate and disk got cleaned up with a grinder with a flex pad. I removed the gland bolt and cleaned it with gas and repacked it with a little grease. no leaks on the front seal so I left it. All the valves checked good so tomorrow it is going back together.

The bug was sitting out side all that time so it is time to clean the addition next to my shop and give it a spot out of the rain coast weather.

Part of the cycle Fix it, Enjoy it, Neglect it , Fix it again and so on
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'57 type 1 Blackberry
'58 SC Ruf
'62 type 3 Notch
'92 Eurovan Willy
'99 Eurovan Winnie
and NUTS

[obus]

My Wife passed away last Sunday and my buddy dragged me out in the beetle for bbq and the ghia for a ride later.
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July 1959 Mango Standard Bus aka Obus L346 L347 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256592&highlight=
June 1973 Pumpkin Orange Thing aka Othing L30H
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=711775&highlight=
1960 Paprika Red Karmann Ghia Convertible aka Schatze L452 built 5/20/60
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
March 1956 Beetle convertible L41 Black

[redbug64]

After owning my 1954 For close to 20 years, having saved it from laying dormant in a barn for probably 20 prior to that, I was able to drive it for the first time today. Be it still in need of many things, it moved under its own power!

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Jason Arms
Fairfax, Vermont

1954 Standard Beetle
1965 Firetruck Red Double Cab
1975 Porsche 911
1984 Rabbit L
1988 Scirocco 16v
Random Toyota daily drivers because winter.

[obus]

Got it legally registered, insured and plated here in NJ and took it on its 1st ride
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July 1959 Mango Standard Bus aka Obus L346 L347 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256592&highlight=
June 1973 Pumpkin Orange Thing aka Othing L30H
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=711775&highlight=
1960 Paprika Red Karmann Ghia Convertible aka Schatze L452 built 5/20/60
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
March 1956 Beetle convertible L41 Black

[Strawman914]

Long-time lurker, but it is finally time that I shared my VW project. Long story is that when I was born, my parents were broke college students and had to sell their '56 Euro (for $280) to pay my birthing bills in New Haven, CT in 1966. My first car was a 1964 Beetle sunroof that I bought in 1982 while a sophomore at Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco. I used my paper route money to hotrod it in my mother's San Francisco house with a tiny garage. Mods included: 1385cc pistons/barrels, Engle 110 cam, header, dual Kadrons, lowered with a lowering front sway bar (remember those?), and one-piece windows. It was stolen from in front of my house about six months into the project, and I replaced it with a '66 11-window Bus. I've also owned one more Beetle ('63), '66 Fastback, '69 Squareback, '67 rusted-out 21-window Bus that I bought for its engine (and sent to the crusher in 1983!), Manx-style buggy, '75 Bus during college, '81 diesel Westy (GTi Golf-swapped in 1999), '86 Syncro Westy (Suby-swapped in 2001), and most recently a '93 Westy Eurovan (TDI & manual swapped). But it was always my dream to build a "legacy" Euro Beetle.

I finally found a '56 Euro Beetle in a Samba ad about two years ago. My wife and I dragged it out of the guy's front yard in Oakland, CA using a come-along. It is a complete basket-case: the MY '58 36hp engine is locked up; the doors were cut for one-piece windows; the trim holes are welded-up (poorly); it is missing the semaphores & W-lid; the seats are hashed; it has the wrong aprons (riveted on!), fenders and hood; it came with no lights/lenses; it has no interior panels; etc. But it is surprisingly straight and there's not too much rust. The cowl is damaged from the hinges; obviously, the hood flew open at one point...

Because I'm a Porsche 914 guy and I recently bought out a guy's estate that included two 914s, five engines, six transaxles and four trailer loads of "stash," I am in the midst of building an upright Type 4 engine and have recently completed a 901 5-speed conversion into a '74 Beetle IRS chassis. Regarding that pan, I narrowed the front beam 2" and installed CB Performance disc brakes on raised spindles, welded-in adjusters, new balljoints, and I installed narrowed tie-rods and sway bar. I also narrowed the rear trailing arms 1" each side so that the wheels will tuck under correctly beneath the narrower early body. I welded-in early pans so I can install early-style seats; I have a set of 1980s era Corbeaus that I might use, although I might opt for 914 seats since I've got a couple good sets.

This is a medium-term project, since I've got a couple other projects that I'm trying to finish up (M54B30 swap into an '85 BMW 524td chassis, Suby EG33 swap into 1975 Porsche 914 that I plan to flip, and I'm helping a friend swap an M54B30 into a 2000 BMW 323 wagon) before going whole-hog into this Beetle. I also autocross a built EJ257-swapped '73 914 (302whp, LSD in modified Suby transaxle, metal flares, 911 front suspension, big front sway bar, etc.), and my wife autocrosses an '01 Corvette or her mostly stock '75 914 -- and those cars always need attention.

As shown below, last night I finished welding up a rotisserie that will make it easier for me to address rust -- mostly in the bottom of the heater channels. My luggage tray has some rust-through, too.

[slayer61]

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[56Cabrio]

Got the vert running after years of being parked.. for 13 years

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F#CK CANCER
Make a donation

1956 Rag Top owned since 1988
1956 Convertible owned since 2000
1963 Hard Top

RIP Dad 4/20/1951 - 2/4/2023

[MJMarkham]

After years of the cheap TMI vinyl interior kit, I have reworked the interior on the '57... new headliner, carpet, seat covers and door panels. Also upgraded the steering wheel...

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M J Markham
57 Ragtop Oval, 58 Lowlight Coupe

WANTED: Original 58 Ghia Dash Knob

[WadeLinger]

Hooked up the wires behind the dash.

[WadeLinger]

Wired up the headlights.

[markendee]

I registered the 54 in March but couldn't decide on a way to attach the plates that made me happy.

I finally fitted my number plates today.

I Really did not want to drill holes in front bumper and have the plate hanging down and getting all bent up.

I looked at frames at accessory shops and online but couldn't find what I wanted.

We replaced the front bumper (?) in my daughter's Toyota on Monday and I liked the look of the number plate support frame.

Bit of recycling and jobs done.

Also like that the rear plate colour matches the Hearts (sort of)

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Member # 145244

[Riff Raff]

[Da TOW'D]

Over the years I've hired a high school kid to lend a hand in my shop and maybe they would learn something.
In the 80's one of my helpers always showed on time and was enthusiastic.

We found a '60 bug and put it together for him. His family moved to Halifax and he drove the bug across Canada and used it for a few years.

His father was a doctor and his mom was a nurse so he and his 2 brothers became doctors.

Flash forward to today he stopped in to say hi and wanted to see my VW fleet.
First I showed him my 1957 black beetle and he asked if it still runs.

I told him of the long story of how a friend traded it to me for doing a brake job on their Toyota. How another high school guy and I stripped it down and rebuilt it.

I checked the oil and pushed on the vee belt .

It is just a little above freezing here so I told him to push the manual choke on the carburetor because the choke cable is broken.

Then noticed that the flex fuel hose was split and just sitting on the fuel pump with the outlet aimed right at the distributor.

I replaced the hose and we started it right up.

I'm sure glad I was showing off and not just got in and tried to drive off.

BTW I do have a on board fire extinguisher
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'57 type 1 Blackberry
'58 SC Ruf
'62 type 3 Notch
'92 Eurovan Willy
'99 Eurovan Winnie
and NUTS

[tehillah1]

[aa390392]

Am kind of remorseful, I put a lot of love/work into it..and enjoyed it immensely
The color, Inca red was most unusual and not often seen..she was fun to share with viewers..hopefully the new owner will also enjoy, but I have my doubts.
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.
getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet

[2Dokas]

[aa390392]

And I sold it today
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.
getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet

[aa390392]

Polished the Inca red Kab,
Polished out prairie beige
Picture tomorrow
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.
getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet