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jeromevw312 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2006 Posts: 236 Location: belmar, nj
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:27 pm Post subject: Back on the road after nine years |
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I have had my buggy almost 15 years, but It's been 9 years since I blew it up in college... And 2 days ago I finally drove it again! I had a build thread goin over the winter while building the chassis t my friends, but my business is seasonal, so it sat behind my house all spring untill I realized it was the middle of July and I went into overdrive and slapped it all together over the last 3 weeks.
I don't have a garage, so after getting it rolling in my buddies shop, I did most of the assembly, wiring, etc on dirt in a crappy tent in my back yard. It sucked, to many Mosquitos, definettly a labor of love but it was worth it!!!!
It's dirty, 13yr old scratched up paint, but I am so cool with how it is. If I paint it then it will need nicer wheels, new windshield frame,pay to store it inside, etc, etc, we all know how that goes. Funk that, I will just rock a pirate flag for now;)
Some Highlights -
Tube chassis from David Barrett
Thing 181 front end, adjusters, new ball joints, tie rod ends, delrin bushings
Thing rear arms, axles, brakes
Center rear torsion adjuster
Hurst shifter
Rebel wiring harness
Beard Seats
Stock 1600 block
019 by Glenn
Weber 40 idf's
Tri-mill bobtail exhaust with lots of exhaust wrap
Mickey Thompson E78 Mini Mags up front
Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ 31 x 10.5 rear
Don't know why back looks crooked in that pic, it sits level, unlike that old concrete driveway I guess.
The biggest reason I kinda like it dirty is cause, first off its a Dune Buggy and second I can use it without fear. I have had perfect ghia's, buggy paint was perfect 14 years ago, and I hated parking anywhere, almost cried ove scratches, etc.. I can drive this thing through whatever, park wherever, and not worry. Heck , I already got stuck in the rain with it today
Also, I am in love with my tires!! I splurged on them, but they are perfect for a buggy in every way.
So the bad, it still needs to be tuned better.. ( you'll have that with 40's on a stock engine ). And I have a bad fuel smell now that I put 3/4 tank in. Thinking its gotta be the relocated fuel filler neck, I checked for leaks everywhere and I did not use any seam sealer on the welds. Hopefully just some pinholes, gonna POR Patch the welds on the tank and hope that fixes it.
Other than that, this is pretty much what it will look like when I bring it down to OBX for Manx on the Banx.... Already rented a house for the week . Now I just gotta register with Manx Club so I can register for the festivities
After 9 long long years, I honestly felt like a 8 year old walking into Disney World for the first 20 min I was driving....... And I drove it for about 5 hours straight the first night, just cause I could.................
For anyone with a never ending project, keep going that first drive is one of the best feelings you will ever experience.. |
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olmer2 Samba Member
Joined: June 28, 2009 Posts: 781 Location: chattanooga TN
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vincent9993 Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006 Posts: 2025 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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Great job, can't wait to meet you at MOTB! |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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Very nice, I really like that. You didn't mention the 914 instrument panel.
Some baby powder sprinkled over the tank might help find the leaks and make it smell better.
Last edited by BL3Manx on Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:20 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8687 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Saint Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 140 Location: Covington, LA
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Awesome looking buggy! Love the tires also... A buddy was selling me on those. _________________ PLM..... |
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Roys_Big_Toys Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2011 Posts: 225 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Everyone is looking forward to meeting the "New Guys". It will be a super trip, don't be bashful. When you get there, try to meet everyone you can. Vincent and France are fantastic and very approachable. I was at Big Bear with them, Bruce, Winnie, most of the BOD and David Barrett. I have talked to David about trying to make the trip, while having dinner with the group of Ausies that will be coming to MOTB. This will be the trip of a lifetime. _________________ I'd rather be an hour early than 5 minutes late. (Mine)
"It's not a hobby, it's an addiction" (My wife)
"Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it." -Ronald Reagan
Original Meyers Manx
Berrien LKD Warrior Ecotec 2.2 w/ Bus 091 Trans
Original 2 sided Meyers Manx Dealership sign
Meyers Manx Surf Board #1 0f #100
Custom Meyers Manx Cornhole game |
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EMPIImp69 Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2006 Posts: 3374 Location: Dirty Jersey
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Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 8:18 am Post subject: |
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You should bring it to Flanders show in September _________________ 1963 Ragtop Bug |
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jeromevw312 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2006 Posts: 236 Location: belmar, nj
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Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:05 am Post subject: |
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Thank you guys, it really is such a great feeling to be on the road again, can't wait for Manx on the Banx.... |
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Mike_CNYBuggy Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2010 Posts: 628 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Ian Samba Moderator
Joined: August 28, 2002 Posts: 4930 Location: 713
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Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:57 am Post subject: |
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Great classic clone style Buggy!! The wheel and tire combo is very sweet and the front ones look very vintage style.
Great buggy all around. _________________ All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012 |
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BIGMIKEY Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2007 Posts: 1102 Location: North East Pennsylvania
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Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:07 am Post subject: |
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That is a very good looking buggy. Great job on it.
Are the 914 instruments hooked up? How accurate is the speedometer? The gas gage?
Just wondering as I intend to use them myself.
Mike T _________________ BIGMIKEY
Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=
1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue. |
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laughlin Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2013 Posts: 48 Location: flat rock, indiana
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Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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Sharp!! Do you have any idea what that color is called |
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