'56 Oval - Another project

Another VW will live to see the roads again - This one being a 1956 Oval!

It's a complete and straight car.It has been "a sleep" in this barn since 1973 - perhaps lacking some "beauty sleep" :-)...

Updates will follow as the "resurrection" starts!

1960 KarmannGhia saved from the crusher

A week or so ago I went to check this 60 Ghia out - Today I went to save it from the crusher! :-) The future of this car is still uncertain - it is however now in good hands :-)! It will not move in to my garage permanently, but rather be transferred to another "VW-caretaker" :-)! Feels good!!

Ghia road trip

Today it was time to head west to pick up a 1973 Ghia. Very solid and with potential - A set of repro chromed/detailed Fuchs' will be a perfect fit in combination with an adjustment of rake :-)!

Heading west early this morning - Empty trailer


Trailer loaded - Heading east

"Treasure Hunt" - 1950 Split Window

They are still out there! - Solid early (stalled) projects waiting to be brought back to life :-)!!
Below are pictures of a solid survivor that I went to look at yesterday - A late 1950 Split Window with "croth coolers". What's pictured below is what is actually there - Very solid, complete and straight(a restoration project that stalled sometime in the early nineties).
Hmmm...exciting!!!!!!

Saving a Ghia???

YESTERDAY:
While filling up at the local gas station a guy pulled up. He came over and asked a few questions on the car and said: "I recently picked up my old uncle's Karmann Ghia. It's a 1961 and has been stored in a garage since the mid seventies. It's never been tampered with and is straight and complete. We have no interest in it, would you perhaps be interested in buying it?"

TODAY:
Needless to say, I was certainly interested :-)! (perhaps this was one of those "barn finds" you read about every once in a while?...)
Called the guy and headed over (excited!!) to his house. Accompanied by "detroit irons" (Ford Fairlanes and early Camaros) there it was!! As we got closer I realized that it was perhaps not the "immaculate barn find" :-)...
After going over the car I left letting him know that I'd be back.
My heart says "save it!". My brain says: "let it go!"...Not sure what to do!!?!!

This is what i found...

Project '59 - Fall cruise...

The days left where a cruise might be tempting are scarce this time of the year. Today was an exception - Clear blue skies, sunshine BUT coooooooold! (2 Celsius/ 35 Fahrenheit).

The stock 36 hp purrs like a kitten - I hate to admit it, but cruising with a well tuned stock engine/tranny is actually pretty nice for a change...

Project '59 - A small "milestone"...

Another "milestone" was passed the other day - Passed the Government Inspection - Nice to get some crusing before the winter hits and it's time to get some needed :-) upgrades in place...

Ordered a new tranny the other day for this car - As follows:

From Rancho Performance (www.ranchotransaxles.com)

• Their new Gusseted/Welded RHINO case (magnesium)
  
• 4.12 R/P
• Superbeetle 1st & 2nd
• Welded 3rd/4th
• SuperDiff, steel forks
  
• Sidecovers
• Early type2 nose cone (to fit pre-60 floor pan)

Later,
Nick

Oh, just a few random shots taken today...

Project '59 - Wind shield!

Finally got the wind shield in place!

New glass from www.veterania.se - top notch and fair price!
New rubber and molding from www.wolfsburgwest.com - simply the best!

Luck struck me last week when doing a quick search of one of the local scrap yards - In the far back was a 82 Volvo station wagon lurking - It had seen better days :-)! I carefully tore the inside cover off the tail gate and discovered a mint condition wiper motor (12V, SWF) - A direct swap with the existing/original 6V, SWF unit - Great stuff!

Where we live...

This is where it (supposedly :-)!) is happening. Plenty of space (3 large ports).
Work continues on the '59 project while preparing for the trip to SCC (www.sccevent.com) next week end!

Project '59 - Down on all four!

Mounted tires on back rims today and lowered it down on the ground for a quick "stance check" - Need to raise it an inch in the front to get the "perfect stance"...

Tires and rims (EMPI BRM repops):

• Front - 5" rims, 145/15
• Rear - 5"rims, 205/70/15
  

Project '59 - Interior progress

Spent the last couple of days working on the interior. The "Recipe":

• Headliner: Original style, Mohair cloth, beige
• Seat covers: Brick red with off white piping
• Carpet: Oatmeal with board
• Door panels: Brick red/off white
  

After media blasting and painting the gas tank it's back in place - looking good!
(gas tank clips from "Vintage Speed" - CNC Aluminum/polished - Nice touch!)

Project 59 - Front end in place!

Well, slow progress perhaps (?)...BUT, it's coming together piece by piece...Front end assembled and mounted in place...I will be running a 2" narrowed/adjustable "Puma" beam with lowered spindles...mounted to the axles/spindles are disc brakes...naturally the braking system is upgraded to dual circuit...

Disc drivers side


Dual circuit master cylinder with Volvo 240 (!) reservoar


Back down on the ground....just checking stance - Inspiring as always :-) !!!

Project 59 - Headliner done!!!!

I'll spare you all the "fun" aspects of headliner installation :-)...Instead, enjoy the finished headliner :-)...
This being a "major" sub project taking time it's now time to push on with EVERYTHING else.
Carpeting, door panels and seat upholstery is next - I.e interior duties!

Another 2 years

Check it out - a CLEAN record from today's visit with SBP (inspection)!...another 2 years until it's time again - Good stuff!

'62 - One step closer to "stock"

Modifications continue in efforts to please the Inspectors :-). T-bars gone and bumpers mounted. Todays "challenge" is getting the horn working (I truly hate how that thing is wired - completely unlogical and throws me off completely when trying to trace/isolate root cause of the problem - frustrating!!!!!!!)

'59 Project update

Well, this project is SLOWLY moving forward. It's currently getting a new headliner (original/multi piece mohair). Next up is the remaining interior. To be continued...