My '73 Beetle (v long term) project

[Jonny 5]

Here's my very first VW, bought by my Dad as a damaged repairable back in 1990. Way back then at the age of 16 I did a few things to get it repaired but, as I didn't learn to drive for a few more years, it was rolled into the garage and partly forgotten about. Unfortunately it was more cost effective to buy another car once I passed my test ( a Maestro :eek:) and a series of other cheap dailies followed including another Beetle, mk2 Golf, Camper, mk3 Golf, saab 99 and bay window pick up so I never spent the time on the Beetle it deserved. It hasn't turned a wheel for over 10 years but I've recently had some renewed enthusiasm towards it and, as my first vw, it holds a bit of sentimental value and I'm reluctant to part with it so fingers crossed it will hopefully see the light of day again very soon.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4/jonnyvw/RBB%20538M/S7000258.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4/jonnyvw/RBB%20538M/S7000255.jpg

[FordCorsair]

so eighteen years off the road with good intentions.... my wife's 1302 is thirteen years off the road, and counting. Good to see a Ford in the vehicle list. :)

[Jonny 5]

Good to see a Ford in the vehicle list. :)

Another potential long term project :rolleyes:! The bodyshell has been sat on the back of my pick up since I bought it about 4 months ago!

[B-boyblue]

:D This makes me feel better! Just finished mine after 16 years of building (off and on)!!!! That was my first car and VW so I get what you mean about the sentimental value of them! Drove mine for the first time in 16 years on my wedding day in Sept!

Really hope you get yours sorted soon!

[Jonny 5]

:D This makes me feel better! Just finished mine after 16 years of building (off and on)!!!! That was my first car and VW so I get what you mean about the sentimental value of them! Drove mine for the first time in 16 years on my wedding day in Sept!

Really hope you get yours sorted soon!

Cool! I bet that was a fantastic feeling. My plan was to get it back on the road as my 35th birthday present for myself but as that's only 3 months away it's looking unlikely :( (unless there's anyone local who can fit in a few weekends work ;))

[B-boyblue]

Yep, it was pretty special, but I must confess to handing it over to the professionals at Retro Customs to get it working as with 6 weeks to go to the big day it still needed a fair bit of work - it hadnt turned a wheel under its own steam since 92! If I lived in near Bridport I'd be there, spanner in hand dude but Rushden is a long way away!:)

[Jonny 5]

:D Cheers mate! Have you got any pics of yours?

[B-boyblue]

Yep got some pictures of mine. I'll try posting some in a bit. I'm a bit of a feeb when it comes to computers and it usually takes me a whole evening to post pics!:confused: Might ask the wifey to do it for me unless of course shes watching Gok Wan - then i'll have no hope of getting her to do anything!:rolleyes:

Take it easy.

[Retro Custom]

Yep got some pictures of mine. I'll try posting some in a bit. I'm a bit of a feeb when it comes to computers and it usually takes me a whole evening to post pics!:confused: Might ask the wifey to do it for me unless of course shes watching Gok Wan - then i'll have no hope of getting her to do anything!:rolleyes:

Take it easy.

Hi Giles, Its Larry here!

You can email me pics of your car and I'll host them up for you if you want.

I have some pics of your car when it was in the workshop.

[B-boyblue]

Hey Larry,

Hope all is cool with you. Be calling you soon for some more work to the bug over winter!:rolleyes: Cheers for the offer of techno help! Think i'll try and figure it out for myself otherwise I'll always be a computer feeb! Saw your good lady's car on here! Like it more everytime I see it!-Top work squire!

Jonny5, hope you get the bug sorted in time for your b'day! All the best people are 35! Look forward to seeing the finished result! You going Stock or Slammed???

[Retro Custom]

Hey Larry,

Hope all is cool with you. Be calling you soon for some more work to the bug over winter!:rolleyes: Cheers for the offer of techno help! Think i'll try and figure it out for myself otherwise I'll always be a computer feeb! Saw your good lady's car on here! Like it more everytime I see it!-Top work squire!


No worries, dude! Just give us a call whenever you're ready!

Glad you like Kelly's car - it seems to have been well received since its debut this year. Its about time late models got the credit they deserve!

Speaking of which, there will be more late models debuting shortly! ;)

[Jonny 5]

Jonny5, hope you get the bug sorted in time for your b'day! All the best people are 35! Look forward to seeing the finished result! You going Stock or Slammed???

Cheers dude. I was going stock but slightly lowered with a set of Cosmics and some period accessories, now I'm thinking of a more of a retro race twist (still with the cosmics and accessories). It's a good honest car so I'm torn what to do at the mo. Definitely won't be slammed as there's too many potholes around here!!

[B-boyblue]

Sounds good! Glad your not going too wild with it. Its nice to see more or less stock VWs! I tore mine apart with the angle grinder and now kinda regret it! Well- not regret it, because i do love it but it just sad knowing that it will never ever be able to be as it was when it left the factory! Bright Orange and basic! Well- not without a different bodyshell and whole heap of smacking with the stock hammer anyway!;)

Cosmics are aquired taste but think they suit bugs nicely!

[Jonny 5]

Cosmics are aquired taste but think they suit bugs nicely!

Yeah they're a bit like Marmite! I've got a set on my bay single cab plus a another set that were going on an old Saab 99 of mine (sold the saab but kept the wheels for a possible project) plus a spare set of bay pattern ones and a couple mini ones that might find their way onto a trailer. You could say I'm a fan :D!