FINALLY purchased a Berrien Nostalgia kit!

[crickifur]

Note: I DID NOT get the MST parts there. I currently have their serpentine system (MUCH BETTER QUALITY THAN ANY I HAVE SEEN), their rocker covers, pushrod tubes and fuel pump cover. Their stuff is a little more expensive than most but the quality is amazing.

[Dangib]

wow I do love the silver. Have you seen Jims custom vw out of Ohio built one recently? that was the buggy that made me say this boring black gotta go.

But yes I will agree solid quality body and reasonable price and yes very nice people to work with Anthony would answer any stupid question id hit him with very helpful even opened the shop on Saturday so I could pick up by body. If I ever build another buggy going straight to acme get there pan and body no question.

I Bought my ticket for Carlisle import show taking my buggy and cant wait to see the others.

[crickifur]

It doesn't look as though I will be making that sadly. It is way too early I the season for me to be done...

[aircooledmark]

[crickifur]

So I just got the chassis and suspension back from the coaters!! To say that I am excited may be understanding it a little

[Dangib]

Sheeeesh drippy

[crickifur]

A few more pictures

[aircooledmark]

You are going to have a nice buggy!!

[crickifur]

So.... is there ANYONE in the Syracuse, NY area that has experience assembling the suspension on the bugs?? I have the king li k front and IRS rear. Currently everything is broken down for the coating. I ordered new bearings, seals and stub axles for Thing axles and am waiting for them to arrive. In an effort to not have to assemble and tear apart 5x, I am hoping to find someone that may be willing to assist. I would love to have this car driveable by mid summer... I'd be willing to pay, or BBQ, etc. I have EXTENSIVE AUTOMOTIVE KNOWLEDGE AND ALL TOOLS NEEDED, just don't want to waste days doing this

[crickifur]

Thanks all for the replies!! It has come a long way, but it has been 4 years so it's about time it finally looked like something!! Haha. FTR there are NO drips in the Powder coat, simply sand that has managed to find its way out of crevices since blasting. As I assembly, parts will be thoroughly blown out. The chassis should be rolling within the next few weeks, then the real fun begins with wiring. I have decided to go larger on the engine (1835), but use everything currently installed on this build. As for the suspension assembly, I am still a little uneasy about installing it myself simply due to the fact that I don't want to waste time trying to figure out the indexing. Every time I tear it apart, I risk scratching something up. As it will be a road buggy, I would like to keep it looking nice. Time will tell I guess though...

[crickifur]

So, after 6 years of buying parts, cleaning, painting, powder coating amd storing, i have finally started assembly. Itll be a slow go due to family obligations but ill get there...

[rugblaster]

Like the late, great, Rodger Miller once sang, "All you gotta do is put yore mind to it, knuckle down, buckle down, do it do it do it."
_________________
'69 Karmy, '69 Camper, Meyers clone, '65 drag bug, 10.78 @ 128 (sold it) '51 Dodge farm truck,
'09 MB E350 '18 MB E400, '65 Plymouth Valiant convertible and a '19 Ford F250 King Ranch (nicer, but dirty, farm truck)

VWoA factory trained line tech 75 till 90 or so
ASE Master Certification
VWoA Assoc. of Quality Technicians inductee (One of 25 in the five state southwest region)
La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (San Angelo Chapter)
TCU ......GO FROGS!!!!!!

[crickifur]

Sadly, after starting assembly today, it seems berrien may have sold me the wrong battery box assembly. It turns out they have a "long" bracket assembly amd they sold me the short. When i installed the right rear trailing arm, the box rest on it. There is no room for articulation. I have to figure out a way to remove the current box without messing up the coating and now figure out a new way to install the needed box....... grrrr!

[crickifur]

It is FINALLY a roller! I have completely rebuilt the king/

link pin front end, new German bushings/kinpins, etc. The rear end is together, upgraded transmission with Type 2 axles, 4 wheel disk brake (all lines are installed) and new shoes. I have started the long process of mounting the floor pan/body (as the pan has not been mounted to the chassis fro roughly 6 years, it has warped slightly. In a few days, it should be all tightened down and I can get started on shifting linkage, steering and harness!

[crickifur]

Well I am now nearing 8 years into this very long term labor of love. I have decided it is time to stop upgrading the upgrades and finally get this thing on the road! I have promised my daughters i would take them for ths first drive in the local Memorial day parade 2026.