The Cal-look Lounge

You may remember this from the "look what followed me home" thread and this is where we started.
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Thanksgiving Weekend 2009
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So much paint that there was absolutely no rust in the windows
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Stripping paint. We used kleen strip aircraft paint remover. It took about two gallon cans to strip the body and two trash cans full of stripped paint.
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What do you think about the headlight buckets and the nose section?
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Fixing the rust.
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A few more spots.
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What is it about ghias that makes body men think they are sculptures, I bet I scrapped off two gallons of bondo off of this car only to find no dents. Then I've used less than a gallon and swept most of it off the floor after sanding.
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DP 40 time.
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Few more shots
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Which bring us to the sanding primer, which is where we are now. And we are all caught up to date.  :)
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nice Lucky daughter

well done , make me want to get off my lazy a** and get stuck into my ghia

I'm a bit jalouse! I never get something like that from my parents  :-[.

Looks like you got your hands on a verry healthy Ghia! Much better than mine  :-\.

Is the dashboard cover orriginal? Cause I have to find one for my Ghia and want to know which one I have to look for (mine is a 6/1969, model 68).

Good luck, you're allmost there!

gr
Wout

Great looking Ghia Thats One thing nice about Stripping all the Paint off A ghia it really makes all the Body Line's Sharp and they really Stand out with so many layers of Paint They Loose there Look I have seen Ghias with so Much Paint on them there was no body line showing on the tops of the front fenders Great Job Cant wait to see it Painted What Color will it be?   Looks like the Original was Ruby Red?

Lookin good! What will be the final color?

--louis

Just wondering if you where going to save the paint you scraped off for another project? Have you started blocking yet? Looks good, Becka should love it.  Maybe teach cathleen how to sand!

Randy, I will be down in about a week, Let me know and we can get the jams sprayed and panels all hung back on. While I'm down

She has chosen regatta blue for the color, I stripped the doors, hood, and decklid yesterday. All in great shape except the decklid, it feels like a bag of marbles. So if anybody in so cal has an original paint lid, let me know

no its not original, its been recovered. ive talked to karmann ghia parts and restoration and they claim theirs is 99.9% spot on, perfect fit, show quality, and for the price it better be or its going back

yea, saving the paint for the bus, blocked it with 80, reprimed, block again with 150, reprime, and its ready for 400, but now ive got to bring the doors and hood up to this stage, plus the trunk, jambs, engine compartment, and wheel wells need to 320'd so when yo get here its ready to go. good thing im unemployed, or this thing would never get finished :D

that and a very wise man once told me" paint only sticks as good as what its stuck to". and the only way to find out is to get rid of any re-sprays and start fresh.having danny gabbard as your best friend is a blessing and a curse, your cars come out bitchin, but man do you put the work into them

Wow Randy!!  When will it be ready for Becka to race?  Post up more pics : )

Becca turns 16 on may 13th, next race is bugorama in sacramento. Hopefully it will be done, then I need to figure out how to get her car and mine up there so Kathleen and her can dice it out on the 1/4 mile :o

First you need to figure out your driveway!!  ;) :D ;D

I heard a rumor that Dan was on his way over to help you with the ghia and the driveway  ;)

Gabbard?  ::)

Randy......................one word.   AMAZING

You dah man........

Randy's Speed and Chrome hard at work

Started painting yesterday, Regatta Blue. Looks pretty good. Maybe start sanding the body this weekend.
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few more shots.
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Great to see the progress Randy!!  Love the color Becca selected.  Keep the pics flowing : )

sorry for the blurry cell phone pics :(

What, no digital camer in every room?  :D

If I had one my daughter would still have to show me how to use it ;)

wish I had your motivation.  ghia's looking good!

More pics????????

Masking it off.
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Paint sealer sprayed
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I think you know what's coming up next

Ooh Yea!
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Couple more..
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that's it for now.. next is color sanding.

Your doughter is so lucky!!!  :o :o :o

Keep up the good work!

gr
Wout

Great color

Looks great Randy!   ;)

Verrrrry nice..............

Color sanded with 1000g yesterday, working on my website today, 1500-2000g Thursday, then my buddy Brent is coming over Friday to show me how to polish it. Then we hang the doors and decklids and start reassembly. Should be done by Monday, no problem :D :D :D

Finished sanding with 2000g. Brent Kooiman came over today and helped me hang the doors, hood, and deck lid. Then showed me how to buff the panels. more pictures tomorrow.
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hopefully it will be back on wheels soon and can be rolled into the sun for some decent pics

Finished polishing the car.
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My supervisor reflecting my work.
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Nice Randy!!   8)

wow, paint job turned out nice!. 

Can't wait to see it with the chrome bits and wheels installed!

Great job Randy!

a set of 2.0L fuchs or empi spyder mag will  works great on that car  ;)

great job randy

I had 2.L on my last ghia, my daughter picked rivieras so Ive located 7 original wheels, 4- 5 1/2" and 3- 4 1/2"s. two 51/2 for street, two 51/2"s for the firestone drag slicks(she will be racing powder puff), two 41/2" for the front and one for the spare. Plans are fully polished and then paint detailed in mag color

nice paintjob! that is one lucky daughter ;)
Kristof

Looks good randy. Hows the back? Now that you got the first rub out, is out of the way. Gets some 3M finesse and go around the car one more time, It will get rid of that slight haz. Use it very spareingly it really loads the sponge pad up quick. Use it with a combo water bottle and work on small areas till its bitchen. Get some of this rocker spray and some satin black for them wheel wells, GOOD job for #1 daughter. Again great job!!

That's a cool tip!

Hey randy, I have some original chrome strips for doors and rear 1/4s if you need them and if you need some front splash panels take a set that I left in your garage.

So do I use the polisher? Yellow or black pad? Or should I just use a towel and go by hand? I don't like black wheel wells so Im leaving those painted. Is that rocker spray clear or tan? That means repainting

The Rocker  Spray is a yellow/tan color it is like undercoat but paintable  the paint dose not soak in like it dose when you paint over undercoating I am With you leave the Wheel Well Painted Body Color the reason everyone undercoats them is to cover up bad body work,wrinkled metal,and rust patches plus it looks way better then using a Rattle Can Cover Up ;D

Well, thank you Shubee.  I am certain Randy is very pleased to hear your advice.  It's always nice to have your 2 cents in the oh so subtle way you express your opinions.... and of course your creative way of spelling......

Love and kisses.....

Worm

Hi randy, The pad I use is a 3M and its maroon, But Use the soft one of the ones you have. And Again Use the stuff very spareingly. Its hard to get off when it dry's. And use your polisher. Take your time!!!!! The undercoating is good for hideing any ruff prep work and make everything real uniform looking. And do you have side moldings ??

yes i have the stainless ones as im sure her friends will hook something on them and id rather they rip their clothes than bend my molding. i know, im an ass, but teenage girls are STUPID

Most do not change, Even when they get older!!! Take those prototype splash pans if you do not have any. Ghias look better with satin black wheel wells !!

i'll put together and see what I think, i can always do that later if i dont like the painted wells

Love and kisses..... :-* :-* Back at ya!!   ;D ;D

Any more pics with the shiny stuff on it?

Paint those wheel wells ! Trust me !!

It had rubberized undercoat on the seams and paint everywhere else, that's how it is now, that's how I like it. But once the wheels are back on it and it's back on the ground, I will take a look and see what I think. It's the same amount of masking now as later, so for now it stays as it is, end of story. If you guy want to debate it for 4-5 more pages, go for it. As for shiny stuff, I will pick up the rubber kits on Monday from KGP&R in Ventura, if anybody wants to go for a drive mid-morning, come on over. I should get my wire harness Monday or tuesday, headliner and doorpanels are 2 weeks out. Im going to por-15 the pan today, then brake lines, then put the front beam back in and install the lowered spindles.

Until it drips on you, then it's " what the FUCK is up this  shit!!!! >:( >:(

Easy with the laguage there, Bruno!

This is a family website! :)

Mr. Mazur, there's a spell check button at the bottom right of the post reply page

No mistake here pal, laguage is how I roll!!!!  ;D :D

Whats going on with this car Randy?  Any new pics?

Waiting on the headliner, meanwhile I started to put the wire harness in, dropped the wheels off at the polisher this morning. I ran the brake lines and installed the front beam on Easter. I just didn't think it was picture worthy

  Yeah but have you painted the wheelwells Satin Black Yet????  HMMMMM

NO

oh yeah, i dropped the trans off at Dave Folts Trans on saturday.  ;D

Learned an important lesson about hood hinges today. Fast as lightning and Mike Tyson power! My left eye is black and blue now. 8)
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Damn, Randy you could've lost an eye!!!

yeah, no doubt, i was putting the rubber seals on the fresh-air/heat mixing chambers, didn't notice the hinge was down(sprung), bumped it with my arm, and POW, nearly broke my nose and gave me a black eye. i've NEVER been hit that hard in my life and never saw it coming. but i had my daughter get a pic so i could post it here as a warning/look how stupid i am. dont try this at home kiddies

Collecting stamps doesnt sound like a bad idea now does it ? Man your lucky it didnt hit ya in the eye. I told ya VWs where going to kill us !

Hows the knock out shot doing ? Hopefully nothing broken! I was thinking about that after your last punch I mean post. That must have been _ucking hard hit !!!!!

Update photos of the car and your face??

OMG Randy, are you OK?  Wow... I bet you saw stars  :o

You might want to shave a little before your next injury...... ;D ;D

especially if you have to have stiches.

The same method I used to remove my two front teeth while working on my first Bug aged 16. :o

Heres the nose.. not mine
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Side moldings are on
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The steering wheel looks bitchin next to the wood dash
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My black eyes are going away and the cuts are scabbed up.. Nothing broken!

Dropping the bumpers and window chrome off at the chromer tomorrow

Looks bitchen randy, Shit ! Looks better than most guys who have been painting for years, Hey Want to paint my car ? HELL ! want a job !!!!!!!!!!!

Looks Great Randy!

The commute to Carson City would be a haul!

Beautiful Randy... your daughter must be so excited!  You still are going to let her drive it, right?  ???

Hey randy, Let eddy take for a drive and knock all the sharp edges off.

Nice work!

Well, today is her 16th birthday :), but the car is not finished. :-[. But yesterday when she got home from school she said it looks "SICK". Which is a good thing nowadays  and she cant wait to drive it

Now you've got it!  ;) ;D

Randy , I vote you father of the year in my book, Again looks great and tell Becka Happy birthday.

You just want me to sand for you ;)

looks awesome!
is that a new flat 4 speedwell wheel?

is the colour regatta blue aswell?  :D

Yes it's the flat four, but mine doesn't have the stamp. It's an ISP west adapter, flat 4's is ugly, to big of a gap between wheel and adapter. Yes it's regatta blue

You told me Randy only paints blue cars.   ???

Well, today at 8:30 this morning, Becca had her appointment to take her driving test at the DMV. Everything was going as planned right up until the test person said " go ahead and start the car and we can begin the test." Wouldn't you know it, the battery in my truck decided it was done, no warning, nothing. UNFUCKINGBELEIVABLE!!!!!!! Needless to say she was crushed, asked if we could come back after I got a new battery, they said make a new appointment, in 2 weeks, not their fault I understand, but show a little sympathy >:(

Poor Becca... that just sucks!!   :(

Nice Ghia ! Seems that the Deeks will have a new car in their line up soon.

Check with Randy's Speed 'n Chrome! They might have a new battery in stock...... :P

That does suck. Make sure that Becca is very familiar with the area around the DMV and also where all the switches etc. are in your truck. Allison got dinged for not being able to find the emergency flashers and the headlight switch and for some small violations for not knowing the roads where she was at. No one thing was enough to fail her but the total was. She never had a chance to use the headlight switch 'cuz the car had auto headlights... they just came on when it was dark.

that's too bad, it would be nice if dmv would show some compassion everyonce in a while.  had a similar experience with my daughter. 

Installed TMI carpet kit. Not really thrilled with the fit
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Polished Riviera's, just waiting for the tires and center caps
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Now "that's" a very kool set up......!!!!!  I have always wanted the same set .... !!!!   4 1/2's in the front ...!!! 5 1/2's in the rear ....!...Very Nice ..I saw someone on the samba sell a set for $300.00..I soooo wanted them ....!..... 8)

I got a chance to see the Ghia up close this weekend and it's a very nice piece. Randy you've out done yourself!

 8) 8) 8)

I still have a pair of 5 1/2's if youneed some

You need to warn people about wearing sun glass's when posting pictures of wheels  that shiney ! Looks great.

Picked up the trans today. The reciept said, "Swing axle, built for girl to abuse in powder puff" Two side plates, 388 ring and pinion, superbeetle first gear, welded third and fourth, should be fun!
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Hang on before useing that mount, I will post pictures of the ones you will be selling for me. Give me a day or two. You will likey !!!

That's funny!!  Did she take her driver's test yet?

Damn Danny... am I gonna have to spend even more money with you?  :)

ok

next tuesday

back on all fours...finally
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165s on the back.. and they still dont tuck under. Guess I am going to have to put short axles.. Fingers don't even fit underneath
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Are IRS cars narrower? How do 5.5 rivieras fit on IRS ghias. Since this is a swing axle with long axles I am guessing it has to be narrower.

Say Randy, that is a sweet car! You gotta remember, with the motor in with weight and all, may be an opposite affect, meaning that the tires may just tuck in just fine. I've seen IRS Ghia's with Revy's and they fit ok. But, if anything, short axles will fix that. Try the motor first and see what happens.

Ted

It looks good with the wheels.

Short axles! I assume you're using stock t1 drums?

no i am using disc brakes.. the off set on the wheels is nearly the center of the wheel, so i have to run short axles..

i pulled the motor out of my bug to fix the main seal.. damn thing only lasted 10 years!.. and the push rod tube seals since they were cracked and leaking also. While it was out, I stuck it in the ghia for weight and confirmed that I will be putting in short axles.
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F-N VWs!!! I will will bring your mount down classic week-end

took the trans back to dave folts yesterday. Had short axles put in it
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installed it today. Here are the before and after shots
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Perfect !

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you guys, she PASSED her driving test. she said her examiner was totally cool and they got on the subject of VW's and now she is looking for a beetle for her husband

Geez randy, Just get someone with skinny hands and they will fit ! Looks good, I will try and finish mount and post some pictures.

Congrat's Becca!!  She must be so excited.  8)
Car looks great Randy, but what happened to your garage?
You may want to call Danny for some tips.  His is a bit cleaner than yours  ;)

Lisa, Randy has a life! I dont!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just figured he was having the same challenges with A.D.O.S. like you.
....with his new Randy's Speed & Chrome  business efforts, there must be lots of shiny stuff sitting around  ;) 

Randy has better sun glass's, Everythings not as shiney !!

Very cool! Congratulations Becca!

Picked up the bumpers from the chrome shop today, COOL!!!!!!!!
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pop the doorpanels on while i was waiting on the chromer
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will probably start putting bumpers together monday, I need a couple of brackets that I hope to find at pomona

what do you need ???

Why didn't you re-paint the parking brake & heater controls?  ???

X2
I have some Ghia bumper parts too.

 

Im pretty much looking for all 4 brackets to attach bumper to the car, mine areall pretty wavy and splitting in two. Anybody paint the inside of their bumpers to match the car? Someone mentioned this to me and it didn't soundlike a bad idea, thought I'd throw it out there for discussion

Paint the inside silver or black. Get some maddog adhesion promotor and spray on first. Do you need the little metal tubes that connect to the bumper then to the body on rear. I have 1or2 nos ones you can have

Paint the insides silver.

Hey randy, Here is lorens email address MR. GHIA has tons of parts and I just talked to him for you  ghia45nol.com

Silver it is, sounds like a good plan. i will hit bob downey paints in the morning for adhesion promoter. what color are the over-rider supports supposed to be, black? i have good ones of those, but thanks for offering Danny, save them for my vert, I'm probably gonna need them for that. Danny, do you build your bumper then install or start with the backets and build the bumper as you install it? the latter sounds like less chance of scratching the paint, or am I wrong?

I always went for black!  :P

once you go black.... did I type that? :o

 ;D ;D ;D

Build complete, Then you and eddy on each corner, Slide them in. And If theres a problem pull them out and losen the three main blade peices so there a bit more flexable and then try again.

I'll check my parts stash Saturday morning and get back at ya.

 

No luck on brackets Randy.. sorry.
I did find a set of towel bars and bumper guards from a '65 KG though (not that you need 'em)

   

Thanks for looking

Bought the bulldog adhesion this morning, and some bumper paint(silver) for the backs. Masked them off and painted them, they look much better with the back side painted, not that anybody will look, but it makes me happier. what color are the over-rider suppurts suppose to be, black or silver, or car color? Help me out here, cause once I paint them, I dont want to take it apart again

I would say black, just like the bug's.

Ted

Wow!!! I found all four brackets at pomona, perfect shape, and for only $20 for all four. Yes I'm very happy :) :) :)

If I'm not mistaken, the bugs are supposed to be silver.  ???

Early models are silver.

That's what I thought, but Im not sure either. I will be primering this morning and painting the little sheet metal parts this afternoon, if any body else wants to weigh in, today's the day

Just post up on the "Classic" thread if you plan to drive one of your VW's to attend. Lisa's been waiting. Thanks

You are not the boss of me! Besides that, everyone knows how I feel about the classic

And now without further adieu.....    It's neither black nor silver. I stripped them down to bare metal, and there was no sign of either, they were ruby red just like the color of the car. So now they will be regatta blue

Paint them what ever colour you think looks best. Car looks great!

Thanks Zack, I just wish you were in town when I did the headliner. No matter how hard I pulled and stretched, I still have wrinkles in the velour, any tips to get them out? Or do I just live with it?

Steam it!

 Bummers are on. No scratches. I dont recommend this to anyone with a short fuse. These are tough to do!
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0362.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0359.jpg)

Oooooooooooooooo - Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny!!  8)

A.D.O.S. Lisa?

Oh Yeah.... and you're one to talk Rick   :D

nice job, last I saw they were apart in front of the car.  and congradulations on no scratches.

First time in the sun since Thanksgiving 2009
I was worried it wasnt going to look as good in the sun as in the flourescent light of the garage. I wasn't disappointed. Looks bitchin'
Finally got all the windows in so I could wash the dust off.
What do you think?
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0376.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0369.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0367.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0372.jpg)

I have been saying that MINI cooper is stealing all the old vw colors, pretty close huh.
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0379.jpg)

Looks great Randy!

Beautiful Randy!  Can't wait to see it in person  ;)

  Stupendous even...

Now if I could just get around to pouring the concrete for the driveway :). I will start grading it next week and building the retaining wall, then my 6 year house project/nightmare will be over. but I've managed to buld 2 cars in the process, man I need a job to take up some of my free time

Perfect ! They even steal the Rivieras design on the Mini. ;D

I think you've got a very lucky daughter!

Next is the 84x92 motor, should be able to keep up with traffic :)

Really nice!
Your daughter is so lucky!!!!

gr
Wout

very nice! if only my dad would give me such a nice car ;D

ghia looks bitchin Randy.  You should be very proud.  I thought you have a job with the speed shack.
and yes, get that driveway finished.  I'm tired of having to wash my car after coming over to your mansion.

Geez randy , will you be my daddy ? Looks great and I will start giving ya my over flow of paint work. Great stuff for first paint job.

only if ya call me daddy ;D ;D ;D

Yeah you could adopt some of us guys and build a few cars for us ! ;D

A little sumthin I put together over the weekend, a 2234cc with a fk8 cam, Steve Tims stage 1 heads, 5.5" chevy jounal rods, 84x92, you know, just the basics
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/P6200016.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/P6210019.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/P6210021.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/P6210020.jpg)

Here it is at home in the car
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0384.jpg)

Looks like more fun that a teenager should have!  ;) ;D

center caps came in this week, very nice
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0001.jpg)

Sounds like that motor will scream Randy. Ghia's looking good. Daughter is very lucky.

Ted

Randy,
very nice! just wanted to remind you that you are at the bottom of page 7. ;D

Nice ! The centercaps are from ISP ?

YA! DADDY!!!, OK , Now that being said, Randy I mean DADDY lets start on my car

the car is at the muffler shop now having the flanges welded on. I'm calling Greg tomorrow to hopefully do the initial start-up sunday morning if he's not busy, then , if all goes well, you never know where I might cruise it to, maybe a couple of miles from my house to have lunch with a bunch of guys I used to hang out with nearly 30 years ago, who knows. ;) ;) ;). Becca cant wait to show up in it

Perfect day for a debut!  Can't wait to see it Randy  8)

 :(Well, the debut is not gonna happen, had greg come over to help with engine/cam break-in, and as we were going thru the checklist, we got the idiot lights on, but when cranking the engine, the lights would go out. I have a crossed wire somewhere and dont have time to mess with it this weekend. And until I have proof oil pressure, I'm not even start to put gas in the tank and jumping the coil. I have way to much time and effort in this thing to rush it into a trash can, I have enough patience to wait until next week to do it when I have more time

I had 3 original caps and took them down to my buddies at ISP West, Anthony and Alex both said they should remake them with a nice center emblem, so I left them with them and last week they where finished. So if you need a set of really nice caps for your rivieras, I can't say enough about how nice these caps came out, top notch work over there at ISP. Made right here in so. Cal, USA

That sounds good for mines.  8)

Grasshopper, your wisdom has grown with age, There is always tomorrow !

aahhhh, the student has become the master

Going fishing ?

electrical issues all sorted out, everything works, nothing fried that wasn't already. a new flasher relay, a new horn relay, and a few crossed wires uncrossed and now everything works, like its supposed to. THANK YOU ALEX AND CARLOS. Tomorrow is the big day, hopefully get to fire it up around 3:30 or so :)

Yes!

looks like they made a few more copies of your center caps ;)

(http://images.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/3304070.jpg)

Greg came over yesterday, we got oil pressure, then we put fuel in, realized the fuel pump rod was to short, changed that out with the longer one. Got fuel to carbs, checked coil for power, then cranked it..... Fired on the first crank and ran like a champ, broke the cam in, then got the timing close as well as the main jets. Then we noticed a small oil leak and decided it was time to call it a day. I'm picking up more jets to dial it in tonite and fix the leak.

Getting close Randy!!   8)
Have you found Becca researching the Powder Puff schedule yet?  I betcha she's getting excited!!

Good news !

Found the oil leak, it was the main seal. I used one of those seal install tools the first time and it didn't press it in past the chamfer in the case, I assumed it was good and didn't check how far it was in, the flywheel just rubbed the seal until it wore out. Took about 5 minutes to start leaking.  I know check everything 2-3 times, but I didn't on this and had to spend a day redoing what i should have done the first time. Live and learn

The master !

  Never Assume  = makes an ASS-U-ME ;D

yep

Well, we drove the car last night, ran great. Plenty of power, but with the 40's it's not rocket ship fast. Should be a nice driver, just have a few bugs to work out and put seatbelts in and she will be driving it. Yesterday she was just a passenger and she had an ear to ear grin :)

Post new pics of her driving it with that great big smile : )  So very cool Randy!!  So when is she joining the gals with Powder Puff?

Took the car for it's maiden voyage. One of my costumers is in a club called "Straight Buggin". They are out of Pico Rivera and they invited me to check out their weekly meeting. Pretty cool guys, no attitudes and into cruisin. They let us park in the front
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0067.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0065.jpg)

Cruisin home from their meeting, DKK Fred might recognize this Wiener Schnitzel on the corner of Whittier and Painter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4EFMgvS6jk

Couple of lights down we were front row, so we let her loose.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj6Mq45bZnY

Randy, was that in front of the Whittwood Mall? Between Scott and Santa Gertrudes? Surprise I didn't hear you guy's. LOL I live behind the mall a couple of blocks or so back. I run that stretch when tuning my car. ::)

Ted

By the way, Ghia is nice! That makes two NICE Ghia's near me that are very cool, yours (your daughter's) and Ed's.

Ted

It was just east of the quad, I think the start was Laurel ave. The car gets seatbelts tomorrow

So when does becca get to drive it DAD ? Basterd another one that run's

shes been driving it every night this week to get used to it

When I should had such a beautiful car at that age, I would slept in it  ;)

Great looking ghia!!!

gr
Wout

Ted, I stand corrected. After driving that same stretch yesterday, I realized thT it was indeed starting at Scott going towards Santa Gertrudes.

More pics Randy!  How bout some motor, interior....  Lets get on it!   I bet she is SO stoked.

Hey Randy, Ya that stretch is pretty cool, I take my car to stretch it's legs in the area if I make jet changes, suprised I haven't seen any black & whites.  ::)  ;D

Ted

well, bad news. Yesterday as she was driving home from school, the rear wheel came off the car, I've been meaning to check and make sure they were tight, but have just been crazy busy lately, totally my fault. bent the rear bumper, dented the left rear quarter, and broke a big chunk out of the inside of the wheel. needless to say she was in tears :'( :'( :'(. It's all fixable, and hopefully get the majority of it done this weekend, but what a bummer. Ill post some pics later

Hey Randy, that is bad news, but the good thing that nothing worse happen and that your daughter is ok. Besides in a weekend or two, you'll have it all back together again. Just double check everything thats all. But I am glad she is ok.

Ted

At least you know a good body guy ;)

If the guy zack is talking about is not around I will be in town hopefully thursday, Send me some close ups and will bring some tools.

Poor Becca...  I'm glad to hear that she's OK.  And I know between you and Gabbard, it will be fixed up like brand new! 
Tell her "Welcome to the Club" from me!  8) 

WOW, BUMMER --- let's all go check our LUG NUTS now !!!!  Double bummer , I was hoping to see
it at NICK's on Sunday night.  Hey DWEEB we're going to be in your neighborhood tomorrow morning
at 8:30 --- NORM's Famous Burgers //// SCOTTY's on Whittier & Ocean View join us for Breakfast.
Any others in the area come on down.....Bugs for Breakfast this month in Whittier !!!

cool dad.. thanks for telling the whole world!!!  ;)
Becca

It's a shame, but it's one of those things and at least Becca is ok. I remember being really excited when I had my first set of decent wheels for my first bug (polished Empi 5's - oh the shame...) - my brother and I rushed to get the wheels fitted and each of us thought that the other had checked the bolts. ::) My brother went off down the road at 70mph, pulled into the next village and the front wheel fell off as he slowed to a halt. One ripped front wing, several pulled inner wing captive nuts, and one scuffed wheel! Lucky it happened when it did and not 30 seconds earlier! :o

Okay... I just COULD'NT resist.  Here's some Ron White for yah....  It's all I could think about when I read your post Randy.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sHT84A5t418?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed

Here it is!
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0078.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0080.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0083.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0084.jpg)

Ouch ouch ouch....  Mark is right that paint should blend really well being so fresh.  How about the Rivi?  Do you have another at the polishers now?  My guess is shes rollin next week.  And you did an awesome job on that bumper hole.  Wow.  You are a great Dad Randy.

I smell a new nick name.......

Lug Nut Long

I bought to sets when I started, 4- 4.5" & 4- 5.5". Sold a 4.5" to Danny's girlfriend, kept 1 for a spare. And have 2 extra 5.5" already polished, had all 8 done at the same time. I will drop the bumper off at the chromer after work to get straightened and rechromed.

thanks for the laughs Scott ;D

I know what he is getting for his birthday, LUG WRENCH  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are those for?

Well, I have some sad news to share. While my daughter was sitting at a red light patiently waiting the green and for the intersection to clear of all the straglers. The dumbass behind her sees the green and floor boards it, right into the back of her car. Thankfully she's allright, but it completely buckled the rear fenders, decklid and bumper. I'm afraid it's a total loss as far as insurance goes, but we will see in the coming week as I have to get an estimate to clip the rear half. I will post pics later :'( :'( :'( all that work and money :'( :'( :'(

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.................................!

Glad to hear she's okay but Damn Randy you put 100's of hours into that sweet ride.  Get her a truck.

Thats just awful news.

That really sucks Randy, but glad your daughter is ok. Better the car than your daughter. You have alot of talent in bodywork, you'll get back on the street. Is the motor ok?

Ted

you to have some bade luck . hope you get it to gether.

I'm so glad Becca is OK.  What a bummer Randy!!  :'(

I'm afraid this is gonna get some sawzall action, after the adjuster comes out

Wow... that really sucks about the Ghia but the girl is much more important!

here's some pics or the carnage
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0156-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0157-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0158.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0159.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0160.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0161.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0162.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0163.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0164.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0165.jpg)

OMG.....That really sucks....!!! ...I'm glad to hear your daughter is ok though....But man that sucks !!...No matter how careful you drive you just can't escape the Knuckle heads...!!

Such a shame  :-[, good to hear everything is ok with your daughter!

Good luck with the repair!

gr
Wout

 :o hope it will be saved. And most important your daughter is safe.

x2

So sorry to hear that Randy, found out from Greg. Glad to hear Becca is OK though. You sure did a nice job on that car!

let me guess........He was texting I bet...!!!!

My thought at first as well, but the guy was in his late 60's, so no. Just impatient!! I got my estimate to turn into the insurance so now we wait and see

Good luck!!!!

gr
Wout

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! :) :) :) :) I just picked the ghia up from ISP West after having them stretch the back into shape for me. I really want to give a huge THANK YOU  to Alex and his crew, it looks awesome already, without them, it would've gotten the sawzall. The decklid fits better now than before it got hit, the engine compartment looks good. All I have to do is a little bodywork and blend the paint and she's as pretty as before. Only this time it's gonna have the roar of 48IDA's. I will post pics as the project progress' :) :) :) :)

what a sad but awesome storie i thought the ghia was done forever im curious to see how it came out....

Wow..very kool ta hear !...I can't wait to see some pics..!

Good news  8)

We want pic's  ;D!

Very good news indeed!

Good luck with the rebuild.

gr
Wout

Some updates since I got the car back.
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0258-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0259-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0260-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0262-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0263-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0265-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0267-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0269-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0270-1.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0273-1.jpg)

good news

That car must have been a cat in another life ! 9 lives !  Looks good, now mud her up !

Looking good!

It's already mudded up and in primer, I'll post more pics tonite

Looking good Randy, and the Meltebeke frame wasn't damaged.  whew.

A few more shots.
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0277.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0278.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0279.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0281.jpg)

Any progress?

gr
Wout

I bought a notchback that was media blasted and started getting some surface rust. So I've been focusing on shell body work and getting it in epoxy primer, then I will finish the ghia. I should have the notch in primer by the end of this week

Ok, good luck!

I have the same problem, to many different jobs  :-\

gr
Wout

What year notch?

Ted

64 I think  ;)

http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,16561.0.html

gr
Wout

Yes it's a 64, it was advertised as a 63, but a vin check determined it was built in december of 63 making it a 64. But I promise I will get back on the ghia as soon as I get the notch in primer. My daughter likes the power her 2L has more than the "wimpy" 1835 thats in the squareback. I guess my son will start driving that back in forth to college when the ghia is back on the road. His Titan is killing me in gas

Cool to see the Ghia almost ready to run again  8)

Is the car painted yet?

gr
Wout

I painted the engine bay a couple weeks ago, I'm going to try to paint the outside this week. I've just been so busy at work and working on finishing my house that there just isn't enough time in a day

Nor much daylight this time of the year  ;)

Tis the season!
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0471.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0474.jpg)
(http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad289/vdubdweeb/IMG_0472.jpg)

sorry for the crappy cell phone pics :(

good to see it back to getter.
 

Well done! What a little reply can do  ;D.

Looks really nice, makes me on to start on my KG  ::).

gr
Wout

Well, we had a small engine fire this afternoon :o  :( fuel line must have been leaking near the pump as that's where most of the damage was, blistered the paint on the decklid, and melted the wires in the compartment. Looks like she's back in the squareback for a couple weeks

Sorry to read that!
Hope there's not to much damage?

gr
Wout

bummer!  bet your getting pretty good at painting that thing by now.