Raising from the dead, or at least liberating from my mates garage

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

I bought my bug from my mate recently after it had been layed up in his garage for many years - it last ran in the late '80's






Image for project (with the help of Photoshop)



I have converted to twin circuit brakes and fixed the lack of exhaust, EMPI droped spindel discs and BRMs on order etc

[Mark Thompson]

Interesting. I think someone spent a bit of time on the dash incorporating the gage pods into the passenger side and the smoothing around the speedo. What are your plans for the raidio holes? It looks like a fun project. Enjoy! 

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

I'd like to put the dash back to original, the speedo grilles are just bondo'd over so that shouldn't be too hard, the glove box hinges are broken off the body so that will be a bit of work. As for the radio slot, I'm unsure what to do, I may just hide my Ipod and connect it to the amp in the nose (the amp is all that remains of the audio system)

thanks!

[elterraplen]

The dash and decklid apart, the car looks very good as is.

What make and size are your tyres?

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

New Boots 175/65/15 & 205/65/15 Yokohamas




The dash I will change, the deck lid is growing on me although I will put the plate back where it belongs. And I have a black pair in waiting.

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

Not running but rolling.
Jobs complete: new exhaust fitted, new axle boots fitted, brakes overhauld, new hand brake cables, new 3 point retractable seat belts, new steering coupling, front suspension link and king pins overhauled, lowered disc brake kit fitted & new rims fitted. Started to color sand body pannels.

[Mark Thompson]

It's now "screaming" for a narrowed beam from the looks of it. I'm curious as to how it looks once the color sanding is done. Thanks for the updates.

[rickeyman]

the first bug i had was done in the 80's and had a louvered decklid and i hated it at first but it grew on me after about 6 months. that dash is pretty cool compared to the one in mine it had a sweet 80's splater coat on it. yuuuuuck

[sinikl]

It's now "screaming" for a narrowed beam from the looks of it. I'm curious as to how it looks once the color sanding is done. Thanks for the updates.

why do cars need a narrowed beam (beyond getting back to stock after adding drop spindles?)  I don't get the 6 inch narrowed "tricycle" look, i guess. narrowing only to get back to stock.

[Eric Harris]

Looking good, but you should have kept that motivating sticker in the back window.  I can send you some new ones to replace it!  Seriously, looks like a neat project.

Eric Harris
Stafford, VA

[John P]

I really like the direction that you're headed in, and congrats on your new ride.

BTW, if you keep that decklid, be careful when washing it. I lost more *&^*^%*& skin on those damn decklids in the '80s. That, and chunks of my skull on Herod Helpers.

Is the Footie Ball on the rear bumper for downforce?   

Enjoy,

JP

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

It's now "screaming" for a narrowed beam from the looks of it. I'm curious as to how it looks once the color sanding is done. Thanks for the updates.

the tires and fenders are screaming alright!
What looked like reasonable clearance changed to 1/2" clearance after a mile or two. So here's a few questions....

1) who makes the best/best value narrow beam?
2) do I need narrow leaves or can I cut mine, advice please?
3) do I need narrow steering rods or can I modify existing, again advice please?
4) has anyone narrowed their own beam?
5) did anyone notice any ride height change with caster shims?

[elterraplen]

1) who makes the best/best value narrow beam?
2) do I need narrow leaves or can I cut mine, advice please?
3) do I need narrow steering rods or can I modify existing, again advice please?
4) has anyone narrowed their own beam?
5) did anyone notice any ride height change with caster shims?

1) I think CB Performance's 2" narrowed beam is great.  Nevertheless, If you are using dropped spindles & disc brakes with your BRM's, My reccomendation is , no less than 3" narrowed beam.  I think Airkweld have them narrowed 3" or more.

2 & 3) both (leaves and rods) can be modified.

4) I have not done the job myself, but know people that have done it.  Is not a science if you have the equipment and aptitude to do it, but my reccom. is: buy one already modified or seek someone whit experience; it will eliminate trial and error nd headaches.

5) Never have used them.

Thanks for the inf. of your tyre size; I like them for my ragtop.


Th

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

Thanks!

I've just pulled the beam off and now considering the scale of the chop. The tires stick out 1.25" so a 3" inclusive chop seams reasonable.
I do have one question though, will the shocks fit without modifying the body?

[Ohio Tom (DdK)]

you will have to modify the body or shock towers. I modified my shock towers. I took a torch and heated the area and pounded with a hammer. I kept at it like that for about 2hrs. The result was  nicely formed "notch" in the shock tower that fit the car perfectly.

[60newrag]

1) who makes the best/best value narrow beam?
2) do I need narrow leaves or can I cut mine, advice please?
3) do I need narrow steering rods or can I modify existing, again advice please?
4) has anyone narrowed their own beam?
5) did anyone notice any ride height change with caster shims?

My 2 cents....

4 inch beam would be my recommendation - you want the tires to clear the fenders, not just be inside them with a 3".

1. I got a 4" from Keoki on the samba, and am super happy with it.

2. You can narrow your own torsion springs, but most will give you a good price when packaged with a beam. That's what I did first two times around - first a CB 2", then the Keoki 4".

3. You can modify your tie rods.  First, decide if you want a steering dampner. If not, you can remove the dampner locating tie rod end and replace with a short one, and you'll end up with 2" narrowed tie rods. I've run 2" and 3" beams with stock tie rods, 4" beam with 2" tie rods. You don't want to narrow your tie rods as much as your beam, from my experience.

4. I've built a 5" and a 3" beam. Had a local fabricator use their plasma table to cut torsion tube braces, no shock towers. Both turned out nice, but a new beam is way "nicer" looking, if that's what you're going for.

5. I remember a lot of discussion on this one. My summation: adding caster shims without lowering will raise your car by way of increasing the angle of the trailing arms, and is entirely unnecessary if the suspension geometry is reasonably original. Lowering the front with dropped spindles only should not require caster shims.  Lowering the car with beam only does.  Add a set of caster shims will get the car closer to original caster, allowing for closer to original steering and alignment geometry.

So, if you're keeping the car that height: get a 4" beam with torsion and tie rods all ready to go (and new tie rod ends while you're there), no caster shims, call it a day.  Don't forget to mention to whoever you're getting your beam from that you have dropped spindles, they'll index the adjusters appropriately.

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

After a 3" narrowing of my front beam http://www.cal-look.com/forum/cal-look-high-performance/narrowing-a-link-pin-beam/

[elterraplen]

Congrats!!!!  I think looks good.

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

Thanks! here's one more. I'm trying to line up a 914 2.0L next

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

My Projects For Sale:

I have about $4.5K in, wanna make me an offer?

Engine is freshened, has ported single ports and dual 34's.

Valencia (Santa Clarita) CA. will ship if you arrange. take Pay Pal / Cash / Gold Bullion / PX '68 Camaro (I wish, in my dreams.)

[Uber Kleiner Panzer]

$3,500

[tpsky]

I'd like to put the dash back to original, the speedo grilles are just bondo'd over so that shouldn't be too hard, the glove box hinges are broken off the body so that will be a bit of work. As for the radio slot, I'm unsure what to do, I may just hide my Ipod and connect it to the amp in the nose (the amp is all that remains of the audio system)