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GMendoza Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2007 Posts: 338 Location: Alta Loma, CA
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 9:43 pm Post subject: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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I had just finished sorting my Notch, my 66 Bug was done, I'm thinking, "It's time to finally finish the Ghia I started 7 years ago. Ha! Not so fast!
I get a call offering me a 1955 Bug project that had stalled. Previous owner had started a pan off resto, had floor pans replaced, powder coated pan and had a high-end paint job done. Unfortunately, that's where the project stopped.
So, we make a deal and I bring home a shell, loosely installed on a pan, and a few boxes of parts, no engine, no trans, no wheels.
First thing, send off the interior bits for powdercoat and assemble the seats using SewFine covers. FYI, new seat spikes are sharp! I had to get stitches that day also, but that's neither here nor there.
The pan already had a 6" beam installed, I was not a fan, Installed a 4" beam with needle bearings and shocks, Limebug extended Ultrarm and steering stop. Rear had 3" drop plates, I was also not a fan, installed 2" adjustable drop plates to go along with the previously installed later torsion bars & JayCee Billet Spring Plate Retainers. Here are some random pics of the assembly.
Once I had the body & interior done, I shifted my focus on engine, I had a shuffle-pinned Mexican AS41 case that I figured would be a good match.
Went down to the local Brothers VW machine shop and bought some shiny bits; Mahle 94mm pistons, 78mm crank, Brothers hand-ported 44x37.5 heads with VW650 Springs & Ti retainers and matching welded Big Beef manifolds, Pauter 1.5 rockers, tool steel lifters, FK8 cam, H-beam rods, flywheel and misc stuff.
I love heat in a aircooled VW, so heater was a must. Modded, cleaned up and painted stock tins. Also installed Andrig's composite fan and fixed cooling flaps.
Almost ready to fire up..
Unfortunately, being my first oval, I didn't realize that Big Beef manifolds and air filters dont fit under an oval decklid, So, no filters it is.
To go with the new engine, I got a Dave Folts built Pro Street starting with an IRS case converted to swing with 3.78/2.06/1.32/0.89 & 4.12 final with a modded Super diff and billet end plates to provide additional oiling to the fulcrum plates. Also installed a Stiffy Kafer Bar and Mid Mount to tie up the rear.
My vision for the car was something that looked "stock" at a glance, something that still kept a little of the early bug look and feel but with a little more. I figured a set of stock smoothies up front and a pair of Deep Vees 6" widened smoothies wrapped in BF Goodrich Silvertown Radials (145r15 front and 205/65/15 rear) completed the look, no fake whitewalls here.
Then end result ...
I wish I would have taken more pics of the process but I was too focused on the build. Now, the million dollar question, which bug do I keep?!?!
Thanks for reading. If anyone is interested, here are links to my 66 bug and notch "build"
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=761525&highlight=
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762225&highlight= _________________ '54 Bug, '59 Speedster replica, '65 Ghia (in pieces), '66 Notch, '80 930, '85 C10, '89 928, '96 LT4 'Vette, '03.5 Esprit, '05 Elise, '06 Murcielago |
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Dan22 Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2019 Posts: 450 Location: Battle Ground, WA
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markendee Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2009 Posts: 237 Location: Kyabram, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 3:35 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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Absolutely magnificent.
Great job. _________________ Member # 145244 |
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GMendoza Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2007 Posts: 338 Location: Alta Loma, CA
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 7:35 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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Dan22 wrote: |
Wow a one-post build! Looks awesome. What color paint is it? |
Thanks guys. The color is actually Toyota Army Green. _________________ '54 Bug, '59 Speedster replica, '65 Ghia (in pieces), '66 Notch, '80 930, '85 C10, '89 928, '96 LT4 'Vette, '03.5 Esprit, '05 Elise, '06 Murcielago |
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finster Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 7801 Location: north o' the border
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 7:38 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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nice! is that iceland green? _________________ "we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
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scottyrocks Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2016 Posts: 2641 Location: Long Island, NY
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 8:27 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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My goodness, that's beautiful. _________________ “If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch' |
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tehillah1 Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2009 Posts: 256 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 8:37 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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Wow. Clearly a professional build. Very nice. |
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Dan22 Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2019 Posts: 450 Location: Battle Ground, WA
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 9:43 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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Keep the oldest one! It will have the most value and WOW appeal! _________________ 1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074 |
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D. Haviland Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 536 Location: Burlington, Vermont
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 10:34 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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sweet |
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markendee Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2009 Posts: 237 Location: Kyabram, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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GMendoza wrote: |
Now, the million dollar question, which bug do I keep?!?!
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My vote is the '55 but I may be a bit biased.
I am fascinated in your car's history. Someone has gone to great lenghths to restore it beautifully and walked away. Could be many reasons I guess. _________________ Member # 145244 |
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GMendoza Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2007 Posts: 338 Location: Alta Loma, CA
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Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 11:29 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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Thanks guys
markendee wrote: |
GMendoza wrote: |
Now, the million dollar question, which bug do I keep?!?!
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My vote is the '55 but I may be a bit biased.
I am fascinated in your car's history. Someone has gone to great lenghths to restore it beautifully and walked away. Could be many reasons I guess. |
Unfortunately I think he fell into the same trap that many fall into, had a vision but under-estimated the resources that it takes to finish a project like this and it became overwhelmed _________________ '54 Bug, '59 Speedster replica, '65 Ghia (in pieces), '66 Notch, '80 930, '85 C10, '89 928, '96 LT4 'Vette, '03.5 Esprit, '05 Elise, '06 Murcielago |
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allsidius Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2010 Posts: 1475 Location: Norway
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lardawge Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2020 Posts: 355 Location: California
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:38 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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GMendoza wrote: |
Thanks guys
markendee wrote: |
GMendoza wrote: |
Now, the million dollar question, which bug do I keep?!?!
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My vote is the '55 but I may be a bit biased.
I am fascinated in your car's history. Someone has gone to great lenghths to restore it beautifully and walked away. Could be many reasons I guess. |
Unfortunately I think he fell into the same trap that many fall into, had a vision but under-estimated the resources that it takes to finish a project like this and it became overwhelmed |
I am not sure folks are aware of how much it costs to take on a project of this caliber. That’s where the overwhelm comes into it… cost. Depending on how much you pay for the car, it’s anywhere from 60-80k all in if you do the assembly yourself. If you pay someone else, forget about it. It better be a labor of love.
I am currently restoring two cars. One, the ragtop, came up midway through the hard top build. Much like the original owner of the car in this thread, I will likely part ways with the hard top before it’s finished. The ragtop is my holy grail and I will see it to completion. Cost too much to build two cars.
PS. I would reverse the color of the rims. It would be more correct to original with a bonus of not making the white walls look 10 inches wide. Other than that, nice build! _________________ 11/2/54 L227 Strato Silver Ragtop - Soon to be L41 Black - Build Thread
1/7/55 L275 Light Beige |
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allsidius Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2010 Posts: 1475 Location: Norway
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:42 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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Quote: |
PS. I would reverse the color of the rims. It would be more correct to original with a bonus of not making the white walls look 10 inches wide. Other than that, nice build! |
I did not want to nitpick, but I would have skipped the whitewalls altogether, to the same effect. Otherwise it is incredibly tasty. _________________ 1973 1303S w sunroof Click to view image
1978 1303 convertible (sold)Click to view image
1966 1300 RIPClick to view image
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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markendee Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2009 Posts: 237 Location: Kyabram, Australia
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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allsidius wrote: |
Quote: |
PS. I would reverse the color of the rims. It would be more correct to original with a bonus of not making the white walls look 10 inches wide. Other than that, nice build! |
I did not want to nitpick, but I would have skipped the whitewalls altogether, to the same effect. Otherwise it is incredibly tasty. |
I love the wheels.
Here is another great example.
_________________ Member # 145244
Last edited by markendee on Tue Jan 10, 2023 8:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5910 Location: central rust belt
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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Nice wipers
Really sweet build. That green with the oatmeal interior is just perfect. _________________ modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that. |
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Major Woody Samba Enigma
Joined: December 04, 2002 Posts: 9010 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 11:20 pm Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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I love the interior. Very nicely done. Great paint. |
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markendee Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2009 Posts: 237 Location: Kyabram, Australia
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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esde wrote: |
Nice wipers
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Totally missed that. Looks good though. _________________ Member # 145244 |
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Riff Raff Shivering Sambian
Joined: October 25, 2004 Posts: 3096 Location: Alberta
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Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2023 8:15 am Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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Well that didn't take long!
Darned nice finished product. _________________ The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge
- Daniel Boorstin |
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Blue Baron VW Aficionado
Joined: June 16, 2006 Posts: 23651 Location: Southeast USA
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Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2023 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: I didn't think I'd be building a '55, but here I am. |
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markendee wrote: |
GMendoza wrote: |
Now, the million dollar question, which bug do I keep?!?!
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My vote is the '55 but I may be a bit biased. |
Before deciding, we should see his '66. I have to admit I'm partial to both.
Frankly, I would part with the Notchback, because I'm a bug guy. _________________ We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.
Heinz Nordhoff |
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