So I replaced the NSX with an old VW...
Discussion
I actually still have the NSX - why would I get rid of one of the greatest cars ever made??
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
But I had a hankering for a project and an obsession with possibly the most un-PH car there is. Please accept my apologies and feel free to leave at any time.
So what makes this more special than the millions of other ones? It is a recent Portuguese import with just 15,590km and 1 family owned from new. Made in November 1960 and matching numbers. Although paperwork is sparse it seems like it was last on the road in 1997.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
But I had a hankering for a project and an obsession with possibly the most un-PH car there is. Please accept my apologies and feel free to leave at any time.
So what makes this more special than the millions of other ones? It is a recent Portuguese import with just 15,590km and 1 family owned from new. Made in November 1960 and matching numbers. Although paperwork is sparse it seems like it was last on the road in 1997.
TBH, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it but the first step was a thorough wheels off inspection (I only gave it a cursory look over at the viewing). The structure was remarkably good - all original panels, no accidents, only 1 repair under the battery. It was repainted in the 90's I think. I was pretty gobsmacked, it is the best one I have seen by some margin.
So I decided it was too good to modify and that it deserved a thorough refurb back to original. It was filthy underneath, like an inch of grime. In some places it was like concrete and had to be chiselled off and other areas was like a thick black ooze. The jet washer wouldn't even touch it so I had to spend days underneath with various wire wheels / brushes / gallons of brake cleaner / scrapers etc. You get the idea.
steering box cleaned / resealed and adjusted.
It has cleaned up really well. The front beam was removed, cleaned and painted. Anything rubber has been replaced.
So I decided it was too good to modify and that it deserved a thorough refurb back to original. It was filthy underneath, like an inch of grime. In some places it was like concrete and had to be chiselled off and other areas was like a thick black ooze. The jet washer wouldn't even touch it so I had to spend days underneath with various wire wheels / brushes / gallons of brake cleaner / scrapers etc. You get the idea.
steering box cleaned / resealed and adjusted.
It has cleaned up really well. The front beam was removed, cleaned and painted. Anything rubber has been replaced.
Edited by LarJammer on Sunday 5th May 12:57
I do like a '67. Having checked the originality of my '60 I am astonished at how often parts were updated by VW, there are many parts on the car that are unique to any particular model year which can make finding spares tricky. As an example my steering wheel and indicator switch is painted green - this was an option offered for around 6 months. Thesamba forum has been a brilliant resource for information. A few more pics -
Wheels painted L380 Turquoise to match the body (this isn't strictly correct but better than silver) and new radial whitewall tyres fitted. Correct 'snowflake' rear lights also fitted. Although the car still had 6v electrics much of it had been modified and later lights fitted. I have reverted it back to how it left the factory.
The seats are in fab condition, as is most of the carpet but a few sections have rotted away. Note the factory fitted clear protective covers still fitted to the door panels. I may get range anxiety as there is no fuel gauge. Or much else. Still, if I run out of fuel I can look at the family photos on the dash!
Wheels painted L380 Turquoise to match the body (this isn't strictly correct but better than silver) and new radial whitewall tyres fitted. Correct 'snowflake' rear lights also fitted. Although the car still had 6v electrics much of it had been modified and later lights fitted. I have reverted it back to how it left the factory.
The seats are in fab condition, as is most of the carpet but a few sections have rotted away. Note the factory fitted clear protective covers still fitted to the door panels. I may get range anxiety as there is no fuel gauge. Or much else. Still, if I run out of fuel I can look at the family photos on the dash!
Well this thread is proving slightly less popular than 2manycarz garage!
A few little updates that fail to convey how many hours I have spent underneath this thing.
Indicator stalk rebuilt, the end has snapped off (they all do that sir) but these Hydrate Green ones are nigh on impossible to find.
The floors have come up amazingly well with 'just' a bit of cleaning.
The frunk is almost there now, wiring tidied, fuel tank repainted & a quick polish. You can still see the numbers painted on at the factory. More next week if I can summon the energy.
A few little updates that fail to convey how many hours I have spent underneath this thing.
Indicator stalk rebuilt, the end has snapped off (they all do that sir) but these Hydrate Green ones are nigh on impossible to find.
The floors have come up amazingly well with 'just' a bit of cleaning.
The frunk is almost there now, wiring tidied, fuel tank repainted & a quick polish. You can still see the numbers painted on at the factory. More next week if I can summon the energy.
Another little update. New window rubbers fitted - the old ones were toast. these were a PITA as I fitted them on my own. Still have the rear window to do but I will need a friend for this. Seems my normal friends have no interest in helping fix an old VW.
The front suspension has been completely rebuilt. New kingpins, bearings etc. The beam has been off, cleaned & repainted.
I managed to find a 6v horn at a swapmeet. the seller assured me it had been tested & I handed over £45. Of course, he was lying and it didn't make a squeak. Fortunately, like many old car parts it can be stripped & rebuilt. It now sounds awesome, who knew 6 volts could make so much noise!
A big update coming soon.
The front suspension has been completely rebuilt. New kingpins, bearings etc. The beam has been off, cleaned & repainted.
I managed to find a 6v horn at a swapmeet. the seller assured me it had been tested & I handed over £45. Of course, he was lying and it didn't make a squeak. Fortunately, like many old car parts it can be stripped & rebuilt. It now sounds awesome, who knew 6 volts could make so much noise!
A big update coming soon.
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