Autocrossing the 58 rag

OTO X58 · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 4:57 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

Well, I picked up the Bug and had about two weeks to go before the Coastal Range Rally. This is a road rally with about 100 cars of various types, out touring some of California's most remote and beautiful backroads. I've taken the Volvo before in the past, but I decided to scramble and get the Bug ready.

There was a lot of maintenance to do, and actually there's still a lot to do. I discovered that I need ramps to get the car into my garage. LOL

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

First thing, the fuel pump was full of trash and making an awful wining sound, so I ordered a new Walbro 255. Got that installed along with some new filters. I also put a new set of spark plugs in it, checked fuel and vacuum lines. I flushed the brake fluid, but the brakes still felt bad. I pulled the pads to find this:

All 4 corners were in rough shape! A couple of the front pads actually fell apart in my hand, with the backing coming loose from the friction material.

I also couldn't stand the metal wheel - I don't know what I was thinking back then. So I replaced it with this awesome Fantaluxe wheel that I got at a swap meet:

That's a horn button that I made out of my son's sippy cup lid.

Got a new set of tires for it too! The fronts were the same ones I sold the car with 7 years ago, but now those tires were 17 years old. :shock:
Picked up some Falken Azenis in 245/40/17 and 215/45/17

Radiator was low on coolant, so I topped that off. And I discovered that the overflow tank (which was an old water bottle) was cracked and leaking, contributing to the low coolant level.

In this mad thrash to get the car ready, I opened the ash tray and found my old autocross timeslips were still in there!! It was so cool to see that.

I also found my old plate frame in my stash, and got that installed too!

In the middle of this fucked up year of 2020, it is so nice to have this car back.
_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

OTO X58 · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

Out on a test drive

_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

VWporscheGT3 · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 11:57 am Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

I just came across this thread the other day, when it looked like you just got it back. such a cool story and awesome car... hopefully this time you'll hold on to it
_________________
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I like being wrong, Because, it is another opportunity to learn. If you stop learning from your mistakes than what is the point?

If you have any questions about Forged ICON 4032 VW pistons just shoot me a line.

OTO X58 · 10.10.84 - 12.25.09

Thanks for the love, everyone! It feels good to finally be happy for something in 2020. Damn.

OTO X58 · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

Well, I made it. I got the car ready for the Coastal Range Rally. There was even coverage about it on SpeedHunters, with a couple of pictures of the bug:
http://www.speedhunters.com/2020/10/dwa-rally-from-home/

The car did great! 500 miles in one day on rough backroads in 100+ degree heat. It kept up with most everyone, aside from the supercars. And actually outran a few of them. I had a guy in an M3 come up to me at the end and apologize for not pulling aside to let me by. Laughing

He said he knew he should move over, but he just was sort of confused that there was a Bug on his back bumper. Something just didn't compute..

A few of my pictures from the rally:

I had a lot of fun, but it was also a little torturing. I'm tempted to downsize the wheels and raise the car a little, to make it work better on those rough roads. It'd be cool to do more of this with the Bug.
_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

VWporscheGT3 · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 8:09 am Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

Dude hell yeah , that looks like a helluva lot of fun! i bet the BMW driver was confused as hell that a bug was on him . lol
_________________
Schnell, SCHNELL!

I like being wrong, Because, it is another opportunity to learn. If you stop learning from your mistakes than what is the point?

If you have any questions about Forged ICON 4032 VW pistons just shoot me a line.

Chickensoup · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

i feel.....INSPIRED Very Happy

_________________
-'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"

OTO X58 · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:08 am Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

I've been fixing up little things, but mostly just driving this thing around. Uploaded a few new pictures:

I need to pull the engine to address an annoying oil leak back behind the motor. While I'm at it, I'll adjust the valves, do a timing belt, have the injectors flow tested and cleaned, and build a new intake tube. I want to get the air filter up higher, and away from the hot engine. I'm thinking of tucking it up in that top right corner, so it can draw cool air from the louvers.

But I'm also tempted to go further, and pull the transaxle out to remove the welded diff. That was cool back in the day, but it's kind of annoying now.

Just trying to figure out where to draw the line, and how deep to go right now vs later on...
_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

connerkuhns · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

I had a feeling this thread would come back..

It’s a forever car now, Thomas. I say tackle the issues to make it as reliable as can be expected and drive it for awhile to enjoy it and get reacquainted. Then make a list of things you want to address and slowly tick them off!

bloodbath · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:37 am Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

I am so excited you have this car back! I think I read every page in this thread years ago. Your car motivated me to find my own early bug. Granted my 60 still has the 36 hp and is pretty crusty haha.

OTO X58 · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:52 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

Small update. I didn't like the 911 seats, so I found a set of fake Recaros for super cheap on Marketplace:

And my steering wheel quick release hub was worn out and getting kind of loose, and the wheel I had didn't fit onto the hub without the quick release hub, so I swapped to a Momo wheel that came off my 924S:

The car just generally feels nicer, like it's more of an adult's car and less like a high school kid's budget hot rod. :lol:
_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

OTO X58 · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2020 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

Out for a cruise, before I rip the motor out and do some maintenance:

_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

OTO X58 · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:30 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

Timing belt service this weekend:

_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

OTO X58 · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

All done with the timing belt service. And I threw on a new crank pulley for good measure. It sort of reminds me of a light aluminum Empi pulley on a bug motor.

I tried my best to find a silver one, but this red one was a great deal. It'll mostly be hidden behind the apron anyway.

I really need to move that air filter. Not only does it pick up hot air off the exhaust, but it also sucks up a ton of dirt. I cleaned it a month ago, and it's already caked with dirt. I don't think it used to get so dirty before, but now that I live in the mountains I end up on short stretches of dirt roads occasionally. I'll have to figure something out..

Whenever I pull the motor to do the rear main, I'll also repaint the manifold.
_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

Chickensoup · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

whats the red car on the left in the last pic? alfa? not enough to see.
_________________
-'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"

OTO X58 · 10.10.84 - 12.25.09

OTO X58 · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 11:30 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

I love having this car back!!

I took my daughter out on a little kayaking trip a couple of weeks ago:

The boat is the same length as the car! :lol:

Crazy view from inside:

We made it there without any problems, and had a fun day out on the water.
_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

OTO X58 · Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

I took the bug on another rally! This time it was the Aircooled Affair, put on by the folks at Breakfast Club Rally.

https://www.breakfastclubrally.com/drives/bcraca001
https://www.breakfastclubrally.com/

It was really a Porsche event, but they let a few people bring porsche-esque cars. They me bring my Bug, and let Carlos bring his 63 panel, which also has a Subaru engine in it. Look for the radiator disguised as a Coleman stove on the roof rack.

I got some cool shots of the Bus on the way up there going through SF.

There were a few photographers there who took nice pictures of our cars.

_________________
-Thomas

RIP HBB 10.10.84 - 12.25.09
1958 Ragtop Bug Build - Subaru Swap!
1957 Gazelle Beige Ghia FOR SALE
1957 Dove Blue Kombi field find

auslander · Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 6:34 am Post subject: Re: Autocrossing the 58 rag

Awesome pics!!!
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Wandering...Have you found what your looking for?

66 POS Bus
69 Class 11 Beetle
71 Cat-Look Beetle
64 Old Skool Baja
74 "Swamp" Thing

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pitargue · Samba Member Joined: December 24, 2006 Posts: 232

Oh man. Want to rally so badly, but need to get my notchback (the one at the Gilroy meet a month ago) ride height squared away. The stink bug stance is not to my liking.

Thanks for the link to the Breakfast Club Rally. If you have more info on other rally orgs in our area, please share (again).


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Autocrossing the 58 rag
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