Retrovans 1952 Beetle find in South Africa

[Retrovan]

Hi Guys,

With regard to this shipment, South African postal service is not to blame

....Yet....

Still awaiting shipment from John, as he is still in building stage.

I am sure he will get it shipped as soon as he can, and we are willing to wait for that to happen.

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Retrovan]

We still waiting for harness, but have had word that harness will be here before end November, so I will be carrying on with the assembly on all parts that will not interfere with slipping the harness in when it gets here.

Have received some long awaited bling so my "Must Get" list is getting shorter by the day.

Here is the Trim;-

and here some of the much needed bright work, that was missing when I got my shell.;-

With all the moving and packing and un packing, I can not find my running boards, that means I will have to repack 3 storage places to try to find them.

What fun.......

Herman

_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Retrovan]

So, still waiting for harness, but have done some work on the 52.

So a lot of threads have asked about how do you do wheels the correct way.

Well here is the the right way to do wheel refurbishment as per the "Old Toppies"

1st you send the rims out for sand blast.
Next you have the whole wheel powder coated with the colour you want the hub to be.
Then you mask off the hub, Make sure you drop the masking tape into the grove, before sticking it to the wheel, so that it sits right down in the grove, as shown here;-

You may have noticed that the powder coating will not go into the grove/ joint line, this is normal and will be sorted later.

Now paint the uncovered edge of the rim, making sure you spray right to the bottom as well as over the edge of the rim, as you do not want a white ring between your rim and tyre.



When dry, remove the masking carefully, as it may still have some wet spots, and you do not want to smear the paint now.


You will find you land up with a terrible edge line, that looks like S#it, and bumps from the sandblasting and powder coating.

Fear not, that is where experience comes into play.......

You now take a syringe, fill it with the paint used on the wheel, and start applying it to the wheel.



Make sure you have a steady stream coming out, and make sure the tip of the syringe, stays on the painted edge, NOT the grove, as it will flow in by it self.

If you do not keep it on the painted edge, you will land up with high spots, and smears where you do not want them, then you have to start all over again.

Take it slow, and make sure you wipe the front of the syringe perfectly clean before coming over the rim, as one drop could spoil the whole show.

If you do not have it all covered, or you have messed up, go around again, with more paint, and make a new edge line higher up.

When you done, it should look like this.......


Well till next time, maybe the tyres will be on then....

Thanks for looking

Herman

_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Mr. OGPaint]

Please be very sure to frequently retorque powercoated wheels, many people have had issues.
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https://instagram.com/mr.ogpaint
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Patrick Hall

[sled]

all you need to do is completely clean the powder off of the lug nut seats. one and done!


a couple of months ago I was cruising with another bus and just happened to glance in the rear view right as his front left wheel went flying off across the road. fortunately we were only going 20/25 mph and he was able to direct the bus to the side of the road. 15 minutes previous we had decided not to get on the freeway!
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drive your split.

[Retrovan]

Thanks for the heads up guys, but have never had this problem, as I am a firm believer that if you tighten the wheels till the bolt talks to you, it will never come loose.

You may have heard it your self, when its tight, and you give it one more jerk, you get that resonance sound, as it slides just that little bit with lots of protest.

The thing that happens, is that as the wheels are nice and new, the owner does not want to damage the coating and just nips it up, then the powder gets compresses, and the bolt is looses.

So the morel of the story is, tighten the bolts, and compress the powder, with the spanner, then it can not compress more when running.

OMO

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[chthemonkey]

I'm a bit late but welcome to the club of original rhd splits here's a pic of mine it's a old photo but it not lowed anymore

[Retrovan]

Thanks,

not many RHD Splits around, never mind the crouch cooler.

Fine looking Split you have there, was that original colour,

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Retrovan]

So one of the show stopper parts has final arrived,

and looking at the quality, it was well worth waiting for.

I am referring to the window sash, that is the thiingemebob that holds the glass in the door, and lets it move up and down.

YES....I know, its in the door panel.....No ones ever going to see it.....who cares what it looks like..... you can just as well use electrical tape and bubblegum........ well....

i will know its in there, and it will not make me happy, so it was a frantic search to find the correct one, and now I have a set....

So here they are....


Not very clear in the bad light, so lets try again...

[

OH Yes.. and I got more ...more ...

Here is the true 1952 engine hood spring, the 1952 correct carpet heater hole rings, the 1952 correct bonnet VW emblem as well as some hubcap clips.

OK, so now you think, ...He should have it all by now...

NO. still waiting on the wiring harness, and hope to hell I do not get let down....

Also, there are a few small dash parts that is coming in from Spain, then it should all be here.....

Lets hope.

thanks for looking.

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Retrovan]

Been busy with the smaller things, still no word on the harness........

So I took my frustration out on a block of wood.



"Hope you not going to put that in your Lounge" ....I hear you all say......No, if you look carefully, you will see a shape of a Split Glove box.

Then I got the inner child in me to do some Paper-mache and covered the block, not once but twice, as there are two glove boxes.



When dry, I applied a layer of Fiber glass, to stiffen it up a bit.



Here are both done with Fiber glass, so when dry, I will be finishing them off and make them ready for the upholster a so he can line them out with the same covering as the door covers.

Then I made the finicky little glove box hinges, Man what a job, these frankfurters are way too big to do such little work, Had to swear constantly, just to get it right.

"Where are the photos of this..." you ask....

No, that would be giving away too much at one time need to fit them to the dash 1st.

Till next time..

Thanks for looking

Herman

_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Retrovan]

so here are a few pic's, for you addicts.....

So now you see the hash job to get the motor running as the harness has not cleared customs yet...... all Santa's fault.....

Here is motor running very happy..

Valance and bumpers on at the back

as well as the front

So till next time.....

Herman

_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[johnshenry]

Nice to see the progress on your '52 and thank you for your patience on the harness. Unfortunate that it has not cleared customs. I saw that it had made it to JOHANNESBURG 4 days after I shipped it. My harness build process is bit complicated as I source materials from both the US and Europe, assemble them, then ship them to another place in the US to have them "braided" with the black cotton loom... then they are sent back to me for finishing the ends, solder dipping, etc. Hopefully you will have it soon....!
_________________
John Henry

'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab

[Retrovan]

Thank you John, for your efforts, this makes a big difference to the final build, even if I am making the car a "Daily Driver"

The original Parts that are not fitted will be in a box for the next owner to restore or retain, at least the car is saved for future appreciation.

Our customs department is not known for being the fastest in the world, and with the extra Christmas load of gifts streaming into the country, it will take some time.

Working around the harness, and this should save time, but no fault of yours, when it is fitted in, it will make a h&!! of a difference.

Thanks once again for your excellent effort, and may you and yours have a happy holiday season.

In fact, to all the good peoples on this forum, let me wish you all that you have ever wanted, and the ability to spend it with all the ones you love.

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Retrovan]

Customs are still admiring my harness, so we will just have to do the little jobs......

Got the Running boards on as well as the the mud flaps.

Did the prep work on the hood, and fitted the trim and badges.

Booked the upholsterer for the new year, hoping still the harness will be here on time.

Till then

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Basketcase]

someone at customs might be a VW nut in need of a new harness....
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'72 Karmann Ghia Coupe (the Boss's)

[Retrovan]

[Retrovan]

Ok, so you are all wondering what has happened here........

We, to save time, and due to customs holding up the harness, I pulled in a few draw wires, hoping it will work when the upholstery is in.

Then the beetle went off for upholstery.

Last week, the Harness turned up but the beetle is still getting dressed.

So will it make George motor show, not sure anymore, as there is a shed load of work to do when it gets back, ...when it gets back....

So now we concentrating on the Bay P/Van

Will let you know, till then...

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[Retrovan]

Harness is great, will take photo of it for you some time, sorry been busy with the bus,

as I have become used to the idea that the beetle will not make it this year.

To The motor show in George that is.

Herman
_________________
1968 Fastback Type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (Red)
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc. twin 34 ICT's (Azur blue)
1975 Split Bus Type 4 1914cc. twin 34 ICT's (wh/aqua)
1972 Bay Panel-van with type 4 2 Lt. twin 34 ICT's (white)
2019 Beetle Flatbed Truck called MeFusco
1973 FT Hahn SP - Project 1776cc

[aa390392]

Bravo..on the harness, John harness sounds like a complex project in itself.
Thomas
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.
getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet

[56reddy]

John Henry's harness is so nice and well laid out, that it normally takes me 4-6 hours to install. Depending on how long the upholstery shop takes with the car, and how much time you can dedicate to the car, you should still have a chance to make your show. 👍🏻
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New Vintage Specialist.
1974 ghia convertible
1981 Vanagon Westfalia
Making VW’s Fun Again.(MVFA)