delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
|
|
I’ve been hankering for a fun self indulgent project that was retro, iconic and topless. And could be towed behind the campervan. I figured a beach buggy ticked all those boxes and more. Plus it’s an air-cooled VW with no heating for our chilly British climate but roofless for those lovely summer days. It’s currently yellow with an attempt at a WWII bomber mascot emblazoned on the bonnet and hips. The tale begins as many do with an eBay listing that’s near enough to take the missus to as well...  Thankfully my wife is pretty understanding when it comes to the number of cars in my quiver! And it’s a beach buggy. Who wouldn’t want such a fine example of mindless simplicity and unadulterated fun?! Thank you Mr Meyer. So I headed over to the seller to check the buggy over. He had it for about a year but it’d never left the trailer. Not even fired it up, so it was no surprise then that we couldn’t figure out how to get it started. Once we got power to the coil the 1600 burst into life! Long story short - a deal was struck and it arrived on my driveway this evening!  I took it for a short drive around the neighbourhood, the magnificent exhaust announcing to my neighbours that it had in fact arrived to disturb their tea time. Now it sits waiting for me to begin the inevitable process of making it mine...I may even make a video. Happy days.  |
| |
|
|
|
|
shin2chin
Part of things
Making curse word cars slightly better
Posts: 820 
|
|
|
|
retro, iconic and topless. All my favourite things! |
| |
1977 PORSCHE 2.0na 924
1974 VW Beetle 1600
|
|
LAndy
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,061
|
|
|
|
|
Can't wait to see the progress on this! I've always loved these!
|
| |
Previous retros: 92 AX GTi 92 Scirocco Scala 94 80 sport 87 Golf Cab GTi Current retro: 1965 Clark Cortez YouTube Website Instagram |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yeah, same here. I've always liked these,as well as Baja Bugs. I've promised myself that I'll own one,one day.
Bookmarked!
|
| |
Opel Commodore A Coupe
Opel Rekord C Coupe
Opel Rekord C Saloon
Vauxhall Magnum Coupe V8 (Magnumania)
Mk1 Scirocco GLS
Mk1 Scirocco GLS (early chrome bumper)
Corrado G60
Mk1 Cortina 2 door Pre Airflow
Mk2 Escort 1300 2 Door
VW LT35 Tipper Truck
BMW 320D E91 Tourer
|
|
delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
|
|
Thanks guys. Had a chance to start going over the buggy today. Identifying what I want to change, what needs sorting and dreaming a bit. I don’t know anything really about these flat four air-cooled engines so I’m looking forward to learning. What I do know is this thing sounds rad when it fires up! I’ve got a massive history file and back in 2000, only about 2000 miles ago, this bug got a rebuilt 1600 motor with twin 36 Weber’s and some other smart bits.     It starts on the turn of the key and idles smoothly with a raspy rumble through those trumpets. I figure I’ll leave it well alone But give it an oil change maybe. There’s a good few other things that need sorting out first like the gear shift which I managed to ‘break’ leaving it stuck in gear. Turns out the coupler on the shaft came undone while I was trying to man-handle it into reverse So that’ll be my fix mechanical fix. |
| |
Last Edit: Jul 11, 2020 7:06:54 GMT by delux
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interesting, seeing you and Mrs DL buy such a different car....
Looks like a great base to start from
|
| |
|
|
delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
|
|
grizz how’s things? Who be Mrs DL?
|
| |
|
|
tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,462
|
|
|
|
Good stuff, looking forward to seeing what you do to it I'd recommend plumbing the oil breather (next to filler cap) up to something! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
grizz how’s things? Who be Mrs DL? Mrs DeLux |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I do like a Beach Buggy.
Bookmarked.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
|
|
Good stuff, looking forward to seeing what you do to it I'd recommend plumbing the oil breather (next to filler cap) up to something! Do you mean the chrome tube? What’s normally done? |
| |
Last Edit: Jul 11, 2020 7:05:55 GMT by delux
|
|
tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,462
|
|
|
|
Good stuff, looking forward to seeing what you do to it I'd recommend plumbing the oil breather (next to filler cap) up to something! Do you mean the chrome tube? What’s normally done? Yes, the tube right next to the oil filler cap. Easiest thing to do is run it to one of the carb air filters, keeping the pipe as big a bore as possible. |
| |
|
|
delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
|
|
I don’t know if anybody will watch it but I made a video of my first impressions as I did a walk around. Go easy...I thought it would be fun. My first Beach Buggy video! |
| |
|
|
|
|
1962 VW Beach Buggyjohnthesparky
@johnthesparky
Club Retro Rides Member 6
|
Jul 11, 2020 10:19:22 GMT
|
Do you mean the chrome tube? What’s normally done? Yes, the tube right next to the oil filler cap. Easiest thing to do is run it to one of the carb air filters, keeping the pipe as big a bore as possible. We had issues with breathers on the Fug, so I’ll tell you what we eventually found out, The original 1300 dual port had a little paper filter on that breather  And we had no issues, I was told that standard engines (69mm crank) should be ok without any positive crankcase ventilation, so if yours is a standard 1600 you’ll probably be fine Stroker engines have problems with crankcase pressure (because when I finally understood, it’s like a big accordion in the cases) we originally had breathers to both heads and the filler breather to a breather box on the 2007 stroker   But it blew oil out of the flywheel oil seal when revved, so after a few engine out seal changes we went belt and braces, and have breathers to both heads, the fuel pump block off plate and the generator stand. And pcv to the nearest air filter (all via a fancy genny stand breather box)   Some of that may not be 100% right, but was all learned whilst having problems, so having struggled and repeatedly swapped seals and friction plates (including the night before the Gathering in the rain and dark) I would probably save myself any future hassle, and as stated run the breather to the top of the carb for pcv, as originally there was a breather from there to the air box on a beetle for that reason. And the tube going down I’d just leave (there is normally a rubber tube on the end to clear the engine) if it does overflow out you may get a bit of oil on the back of the engine because of turbulence, and it’s just another place for it to dribble oil from  but should stop with pcv But as with all old cars there is loads of conflicting information and arguments which can make it hard to bottom out the truth Anyway, looking forward to updates |
| |
|
|
delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
Jul 11, 2020 23:21:56 GMT
|
Wow johnthesparky that’s an incredible setup. Mines a standard 1600 - nothing in the build sheet about any intervals mods. I’ll check out that chrome tube again - I thought it was open top & bottom but I may be mistaken. Strange thing happened today. I put the battery on charge overnight and when I went to start the buggy today it was dead despite the battery being fully charged at 13.1v. Turned the key in the ignition and nothing happened. No lights, no start. Nada. It’s weird because it’s started immediately each day this week I’ve had it. Checked fuses and they’re ok. Got the same voltage as the battery on the starter motor, at the voltage regulator (top two connectors) and at the first input to the fuse box with a 16a fuse. Took the ignition barrel and switch out of the dash and if I put a live feed from battery to the IGN connectors then each of them respond. If I give 12v to the SR connector the starter motors fires. Like wise if I give 12v to the voltage gauge. The red wire coming from the fuse box to the ignition labelled BAT has varying voltage from 0 to 9v but never 13v... Did I somehow fry something putting my battery on charge with disconnecting the terminals?   Any advice appreciated! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bookmarked. This should be good, 1600 in a buggy, jum!
|
| |
Current:
1983 Volkswagen 1200 Mexico
2021 Kia Niro Hybrid
-----
Former:
1989 Volkswagen Jetta
1990 Volkswagen Golf Madison
1996 Volkswagen Golf Wagon Happy Hour
2006 Fiat Panda 100HP
2006 Toyota Avensis Wagon
|
|
delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
Jul 13, 2020 10:01:43 GMT
|
Well I fiddled around with the wiring connectors under the dash and boom - the buggy fired up again! As it was a sunny afternoon I figured a Sunday drive was in order and headed off to the fuel station because the gauge was showing empty.. but I never made it. I ran out of petrol on the way!  Thankfully the wife was able to pop down to the nearest petrol station with one of my Jerry cans and about fifteen minutes later had ten litres of fresh unleaded in the tank. And off I went to traipse through the country lanes listening for Squeaks, knocks and other noises. Man this buggy is solid and a hoot to drive! Although my list of fixes is growing, the suspension is not on it. The temperature gauge doesn’t work and neither does the fuel gauge - so those will need troubleshooting before my next outing.   The clock wire has been cut - no doubt it was draining the battery over the longer periods laid up between sunny spells..  The rev counter, voltage gauge and the Speedo work just fine!  I am loving these Smiths gauges! |
| |
Last Edit: Jul 13, 2020 10:04:16 GMT by delux
|
|
delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
|
|
Been a while. Lockdown ended and we shot off to France, Spain and Portugal in the campervan. Now the weather is pants and the cold makes me lazy... In case you missed it I made My first Beach Buggy video! First I needed to get that awful looking snarking bumble Bee off the bonnet so I could feel like I was accomplishing something on this 58 year old.   There was a good idea at the start but The execution was just, well how can I say politely, wibblepoo (that weird word was inserted by the forum auto correct haha). If the face had been more pleasant and not something that reminds you of a snarling mother-in-law then this graphic could’ve worked for me. Remember the Hornet on the Jordan’s F1 cars? Those were very cool. No I don’t think I’m going to do that! Anyway pictures tell a story...      With buxom bumble bee gone from the bonnet it was time to try polish out that colour fade.  Out came the cutting paste and polisher.   Off for a drive!  Then I removed all the fake carbon vinyl sticker from the sides as well and... Then I made another video cos some people liked the first one - click here.Happy days! |
| |
Last Edit: Oct 5, 2020 6:34:50 GMT by delux
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is it just me? The link for the second video just takes me to the start of the thread in a new tab. |
| |
|
|
delux
Part of things
There's treasure everywhere!
Posts: 531
|
|
|
|
Thank you for the heads up georgeb - link now corrected. |
| |
|
|
|
|
but should stop with pcv
