The Cal-look Lounge

i've just received the latest hot vws  , and saw the report with the schley bros and dean at puerto rico

I can imagine the happiness that paul & mark had when they saw again them former race car the lightning bug II , the car is owned now by diego febles

and cool to see the old parts like the engine and original auto meter  from the original LG II still there   :o :o

great stroy deano
 more to share with us ??

Just been reading that too, very cool.
I wonder how many times Mr Richie has enquired about Diego's garage contents? ;D

I will expand on that story next week, when I return from flying east..... Glad you guys liked that one, it was beyond a total blast!

It is now official, the Lightning Bug II is on its way back to California.... The Schley Brothers are, once again, the proud owners of a most famous VW gasser. The car came complete with most of its original 2180cc engine that ran the first ever, ten second pass....., and get this, the original Porsche transaxle has NEVER been removed from the car, since it was delivered to Diego Febles, back in February 1973. This gasser will sit along side Schley's restored dragster, which is currently being lettered at McPeak's shop in Riverside...

Absolutely awesome! Thread is, of course, worthless without pics… ;)

PS – Deano, how come Hot VWs never makes it to Cornwall! Not had a copy delivered for a year. I think the Post Office (UK or US) has it in for me! ??? :'( :'(

I have been missing some Hot VWs too, but been suspecting that the local mail in Helsinki man must be into VWs..

i had the same problem some years ago but now everything is ok(i hope :D)

Very cool !
Congratulations to the Schley Brothers !
 :)

Great read... I really enjoyed reading through that article yesterday. Very cool to see the Lightning Bug II survivng nearly 40 years later!

Thats awesome.  Cant wait to see it when they are done.

They make it to North East England ok, must be our carrier Pigeons :D
Excellent news about Lightening Bug II, looking forward to seeing some progress updates...

Here is an up date. The Schleys loaded up the Lightning Bug and extra parts into a container yesterday in San Juan. That container is headed for Jacksonville, Florida, where it will be off-loaded onto either a truck, or freight train, and shipped to Costa Mesa. Just about everything was found, except the original wheelie bars, they appear to be MIA.

The plan is to have this car completely done, painted (and running), along with the Lightning Bug dragster for next year's Bug-In, late April/early May 2011. Photos to come next week....

 ;)

Nice to hear that the car is still complete after all those years,and back with the orginal owners.Can't wait to see the pics.

Here's a few photos taken back a few months ago, in Diego's garage. This is the original 2180cc used to run the first 10-second run in H/Gas.....

 :o :o :o maybe not the same valve springs.....

a real legend....

Very cool !
 :o

Oh....my part of town, maybe I should pay a visit :o

Another part of History will be admired by modern times ...

Great story !

Like (as they say on Facebook)  :)

facebook? where can i find them???

can someone help?

my name on facebook: dirk zeyen

Looks like someone is trolling for friend requests!  ;D

 ;D thx!!!

i'm back in cal-look....... after a very hard and long year!!!

http://www.autosclasicosehistoricos.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=396:los-schley-brothers-visitan-puerto-rico-con-motivo-de-homenaje-a-diego-febles-en-el-flower-power&catid=19:racing&Itemid=48

I wonder if the original blue paint is under that yellow...

It still has the trim on it ............is it cal look

I think there's still blue inside the car, but I might be mistaken... I could have sworn I read somewhere that the car still has its original blue in the interior, but don't recall where I heard/read that.

You're right, it does.

A few pictures I've had on the computer from cal-look.com I believe (a few years back)....

Fabs put something on his blog  ;)

http://speedwell55.skynetblogs.be/archive/2010/10/29/gassertime1.html

You gotta love the internet. I took those photos, yet someone else puts their water mark on them... Figures.

Looks like the original drag motor also had aluminum finned 92s's. I think Mike Fischer has a set of those on the turbo motor in his squareback panel.

Rick M

They look like NPR's to me! ::)

I think when Paul and Mark built the Lightning Bug, Greg hadn't invented Cal Look yet  ;)


Of course I have been known to be wrong  ;D

 ;D ;D ;D

How did the Thunderbug motor find its way in there??? 

 ;) :D :P

Deano,

I have seen a couple of VW fans and even VW photographers (non magazine photographers) take a lot of early photos taken by others and put their water marks on them, including a few I had posted years back.  At least El Dub on the historical part of the Cal Look forum does not do that with photos we all shared with him.  There is a lot of stuff ripped off on the internet.  I have a bunch of shots I took of cars in the staging lanes at many of our early events that have been captured and recycled by other VW photographers who have put their water marks on them.

I guess that is what we get for sharing.

RM

I feel I should maybe clarify something regarding the pictures I put up.
muchos.co.uk was an image hosting site that I along with others used before photobucket and the like were on the scene.
Those pictures have obviously been posted by someone else other than you Dean and hosted on muchos.... I have simply right clicked, and saved as....

 ::)

Agreed, Deano. I've been seeing that for many years. If photos are going to be poached, then give the original photographer the due credit. It's not that hard to show that respect.

Simple answer is don't post any images on the Internet. It's the only way you can stop it happening. Sad but true…

Anyway, back to a bitchin' story! So, when's the car due to arrive in Schleysville?

IF the container was actually picked up in San Juan and loaded into the boat, then 4-weeks, maybe. If they didn't load it last week, add another week until the next "gasser barge" leaves for Jacksonville/FL.....Costa Mesa/California. Truck will off-load it at Dee Engineering (since they have a loading dock), and then trailered over to Schley's house. My guess is sometime in December.... Party time for sure! Rick Sadler and Dominick Luppino will have front row seats. Now, that will be one hell of a Christmas present!

Well Firstly this is the best news all year and next too, I also read the story in Hot VW's "Great feature Deano". I wasl also very lucky to see Paul and Mark peronnel photos from the trip whilst in LA earlier this year.

I am truly delighted for Mark and Paul and the whole VW Racing Scene this car should go back to its original owners they are two of the best guys in the whole VW world and im sure we will all gain from them getting this car back and probaly back in the 10's after seeing Paul Drive at EBI.....

I truly look forward to seeing the 3 Schley cars back together next year  ;D

GREAT NEWS.

Is it on its way! This photo was taken last week, while the Schleys loaded up the Lightning Bug into its container, headed for Jacksonville, FL, and then onto Costa Mesa......

Here is a photo of the Deano Dyno-Soar axle that is still in place. The extra chain and hardware belongs to the towing rig and is not a part of the racecar....

Checkout the mega lightened brake drums!!!!

This is just too cool!

fantastic news, great to have the car back with Mark & Paul, and it will be great for the "scene " to see another old gasser back out there, can't wait to see the progress on this one ;o)

This is super cool!

PS
where the UK guys take hotvws??

they look the same as the stuttbee

So glad that car is finally going home !
Merry Christmas Everyone !
 :)

More photos from Diego Febles' garage....

This just gets better and better..... keep them coming Deano.

Had a good talk with Paul on Sunday and today and his excitement is reaching all new levels, i cant believe I'm wishing my life away but i wish it was April 2011  ;D

Si, will call you tomorrow.

This is great news for sure. I'm sure Diego is happy to see it go back to them too. What a fairy tale!
It's so complete, it should be an easy restore compared to the Stutt Bee or the Tar Babe, huh Russell?

Awesome thread.  But it's killing me....... what does El Quineo mean?  I cant figure it out.

What a cool project.

You gotta read the hotVW's article to know! It's a must have issue for that article alone. Hint, Chiquita sells a lot of them ;)

First of all, a BIG congratulations to the Schley brothers!!
And a big thank you to Diego Febles, can you imagine a better care taker for a racer? I mean having owned this car for so so many years and not changing more than this?
Any normal "racer" would upgrade with no thoughts concerning history... going turbo or worse...
Congratulations again.... first back in the ten's?  :) ;D

What an excellent thread and read, I'm going to have to get my hands on a copy of the mag.

Does the 'Coop' still exist? I'm guessing not?! How about a recreation to tow it with?! That would be awesome!!!

Great work guys...
 :)

Did Diego Febles still race that car in Puerto Rico?
Or was it locked up in a garage,collecting dust?

Looks like he was racing it... and many other things:
http://thevolkyland.com/news/248-diego-febles-lifetime-achievement-on-or-off-the-track.html (http://thevolkyland.com/news/248-diego-febles-lifetime-achievement-on-or-off-the-track.html)

(http://thevolkyland.com/images/stories/drag_racing_nostalgia/Drag_5.jpg)

As far as I know, the last time the Lightning Bug ran was 2003. Diego's son Tony, drove it, but I am not sure which engine was used. The Schley "Coop" was disassembled after it was sold years ago. So, if they could locate the basic truck, no telling what condition or appearance it would now have. 






But I am SURE the Schleys will be looking for it shortly. These guys are ate-up on early VW drag racing!

Thanks for that info guys.  ;)

Great

That would be cool that the "coop" would be find and can again transport lightning bug on meetings

It's nice to see the California license plate number in those Coop photos.... There is a chance it could be located by using that number (if it is still on the books)...

Talked to Paul Schley today (like that is unusual......), and we came up with a game plan that instead of getting the Lightning Bug body media blasted right away, a better idea would be to sand off the yellow paint carefully, to see exactly where all the old graphics were. Paper templates would then be made to set the exact position and size for future reference. That way, McPeak would know where and how to place the new graphics, based on the real deal, instead of guessing from old photos. Kinda like an archaeology dig, but only VW-gasser style. Man, I am all over this phase of the project, when it happens! (Can you imagine sanding to expose the real Lightning Bug's paint!)... Holy crap.

Where have I seen those pants before??

[attachment=1]

 ;D ;D ;D

Great story, can't wait to see this one done, and most of all, nice pants!!

On a semi-related subject.... The Dyno-Soar Chronicles, Part One, begins in the February 2011 issue of Hot VWs...

The "CALLOOK"-issue is just around the corner.I'll be on the lookout.  ;)

thx for the news  ;)

Lightning Bug reported to be landing in So Cal on Monday...

waouww back at home  8)

Well it's here, Rick, Paul and I took lots of pictures, even took pictures of Paul, Rick and I behind the wheel!

There my life is complete... Too bad I'm an idiot and still can't figure out how to post them, I'm sure Deano has a copy of them on there way to him.

Loved to have been there to see that moment! 8) 8) 8)

A bedtime story....

Two old Volkswagen Bugs eventually die, and meet up in Heaven and while waiting to talk to St. Peter, they begin to talk about their life as a Beetle. One begins by saying he was a driver's education car and was constantly in fender benders, gears ground, and finally totalled in some parking lot mess. The other one looks over and says, he was leading a rather boring life until these two crazy guys from Costa Mesa raped me, was then beheaded, and his roof put back on lower, and then was put through a living hell on these short strips of asphalt. He was then sentences to some island in the Caribbean, which was fun, and was already to retire when those two crazy guys from Costa Mesa came back and started this crap all over again. He though, will it ever stop!!!!?

Huh?

never mind the text, wheres the pictures....................

Keith, its about time you shared the story of our digging under old paint and what we found....... may open a few eyes, just to know its not at St peters gates....... YET !

x5  ;D

Yeah, I heard about you guys sanding the Mexican door paint off. One door was lettered underneath, "Please refer to other door."

I don't think you will find any lettering under the yellow paint, If I can remember right the name was done in gold leaf, Rick & I  was looking at the door real close and there is some real rough sanding marks about where the name was, I don't think as thick as gold leaf is that there is anything left.

Hey Dom, Russell and Deano are referring to a certain car with the initials 'IP', not 'LB'! ;)

It must be one of Russells cars, but the name EMPI is molded into the doors.

Russel, I think it's time to post a pic  ;D

x2

Patience, grasshopper… 8)

I get that all the time and it is amazing how the masses don't understand how rude that is, besides copyright infringement!!

But no matter what you do they seem to crop out my name etc which always pisses me off.

But no way to fight them so I am very limited on what I post and what I don't now.

And if I post it will be a very small file

I support your copyright rights Dean of course!

Here's a Lightning Bug update. The Schley Brothers have completely disassembled the car, and it is about to go to the media blasters. They have decided not to remove the body from the pan, as they are affraid that it will be damaged by lifting it off. Both 741 Porsche transaxles are headed for Rancho for rebuilding (the first, since they were shipped to PR in '73). The car will be headed for the paint shop soon....

thx for the update deano  ;)

Keeping the original interior paint?

Here's the latest from the Schley Bros.....  the Lightning Bug is now completely stripped down to nothing. The body and pan will be dipped sometime this week, and basic body works begins. Pete Santini will paint the car, and already came over the checked out the old paint that retains in the door jams, for color match.

Don't leave it in too long this time ;)

Yes, no watching football until the car is out of the tank !
 ;D

LOL!

Deano

No No No, what are they doing dipping the body...... thats wrong is it not, why not just repaint the outside...... did they not find any original paint under the yellow......

This is a saveable car not a resto like Tar Babe

Yours very devastated
Russell  :(

Agreed :-\

Not enough original paint to make it worthwhile saving. Diego's body guys sanded it to death long ago...

Can't wait to see that sweet aluminum reanodized in yellow and reinstalled.  That looks killer with the blue body.  Will this car be at the Classic and/or the May Drag Day, or maybe at Bug In if there is one this year?  Thinking about planning a trip to Socal...

 :'( :'( :'(

This is what if first thought when this car was found, how amazingly intact it was...
Imagine what we had written if Diego had acid dipped it and painted it in Lightning Bug colors... there would be no end to the complaints...
Thankfully he never did...

But how much did that help in the end...

Can just the outside be sanded then? I don't think the car should be restored as fully as perhaps planned. I'd like to see the inside kept as is, faded anodising and all, with just an exterior repaint.  Even though Tar Babe needed so much work, I love the little touches like the original panelling inside, with blanking plugs to cover up where it had been modified later. Surely LB is in much better condition?

What you guys are saying is, somehow, at this point in documenting the history of the Lightning Bug, by removing all the traces of the old paint underneath, you are destroying its heritage? Even with Paul's photographic scrap books, detailing every step from finding the car on Puerto Rico, shipping it here, and taking it apart? I think that is a stretch. There is NO question that is car is the real deal, with only two owners in 37 years. Now I could buy into this if the old paint underneath was still intact and more importantly, had the famous lettering still intact, but there is nothing left under that yellow, other than some small patches of blue.. While the car has remained in great shape, don't forget Puerto Rico is a very damp place, and the car does have some rusted issues underneath that must be repaired, some of it, out of sight. I just don't see where saving bits and pieces of the old paint, and then covering it all up with new blue, makes sense.

I agree with Deano if the original can't be saved or is unpresentable it should be repainted. However, the old parts themselves should be reused otherwise a "George washington's axe" situation might develop. I think the original paint thing is taken to extremes in the VW world, as a result of all the Samba og paint threads and the frugalness of vw people in general.

I agree if the outside paint is done, redo no problem, but the inside, this has the smell, the feel of the car it was/is look at stutt bee and lee leightons cars, a roof paint on stutt bee and an outside only job on lees, none of which stopped Paul S and keith S trying for a 10 at ebi3 !!!

  How about... let the Schley Bros. do what they want with THEIR car and we just sit back and wait.......  For GODS sake these guys know whats up!!!!!    Everything will be right and correct in the end.

True true Jason, that is what will happen and they definitely know what is up!  Nothing wrong with expressing opinions though...

Jason I do agree with you too a point, it is there car and should be up too them....... I think that any negative views are based on some of us are nervous of what may happen, this is nearly a period correct car and the first VW to get a 10, this has significant appeal to warrent protection form being over restored, when preservation and rectification are required IMHO.

Modern restos tent to be shinny here and there and the Schelys car was never like that, as a Gasser fan I'm delighted they have it back, but want it to be as it was and not a modern day detailed car.

If you look at all the American car resto/custom TV programmes they are all over the top, all be it to a very high standard and for a show car or museum car this may be fine, but the LB2 is a RACE car and i want to see it race

So, I wonder if it is possible to detune a Pete Santini paint job?

I understand the exterior is in need of a repaint, but personally, I would love to see the interior remain original. I think Russell said it best.

Preservation > Restoration

People are worried about the history of the car being lost, somehow, in a complete restoration. These are the two guys that built the car to begin with. Had they kept the car all this time, they would have done this anyway, probably more than once.

I agree with Deano and John. For crying out loud...it is THEIR car and they make the call...not this group.  Any car that has been on an island has rust where it cannot be seen. A painter like Santini is not going to put his mark over rust or other issues.  The Lightning Bug did look pretty nice in it's day, just like many others.  For those of you who did not see it first hand,  it was always cleaner and nicer than the Stutt Bee's interior or Leighton's interior. I saw both of them.  There were a handful of cars like the Empi Inch Pincher, the chopped Lightning Bug, the chopped version of the Super Bug (red one with gold annodized interior) and even the Anderson Bros. clean car with their annodized interior. Not all the drag cars were as rough as the Stutt Bee inside.

So let Paul and Mark do their thing. I am certain they will restore it to a period correct piece as they built it to begin with. 

Rick Mortensen

Agreed 100%

We are only asking for as much as possible to be preserved, I also understand that when you strip the car sometimes its worse than it looked, god knows ive had my fair share of that. I wish i was standing their right next too LB2 with Mark and Paul pondering what is best, these guys are two of best guys in the whole VW world and i totally repsect them and their advisors, but as Frank would say " I did it my way" well I would do it my way and im sure they will do it their way. As long as we see it run and see the smile on their faces when we all drool over this car regardless of how good it is. I wish them the best of luck on their dream.

See new topic on History !!!

Richie,

No irritation intended by my post.  I think all of us are grateful for your passion and enthusiasm for the early days.  I think we all ultimately have ideas in common.  I also agree that the cars that can be kept close to original have great value as having survived the last 40 years.  Since I've not restored anything...only built new projects, I can see all perspectives shared.

Thanks for what you continue to do keeping a very special time in the VW drag racing history alive.

Rick Mortensen

Here is a recent photo of the Lightning Bug, as body work begins....

Wow... looks like it was a quick chop job! :o

Looks like some professional body filler products will be needed to smooth out all those welds. Also looks like the pan is actually welded/part of the body?

Here is a photo taken on Friday afternoon (2/18/11).. Work continues on the Lightning Bug...

Thanks for the update, Deano.
It will be awesome to see them together and back home once again.

The question about how to restore an old car is very interesting...

Has I learned architecture a few years ago, I think we all could think in the "Venice Charter" way
when restoring rare and historical cars.

The Venice Charter explained: Conservation, restoration, articles... >
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice_Charter
 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice_Charter)

My opinion:

- It is impossible to reproduce patina and smell of the past.
- Do that car make my hard beating as much after restoration than before?
- Patina and traces of time/history are an added value
- Once restored and all shiny, what could make it visually more attractive than a perfect replica?
- Keep the most original parts and traces of past you can without making a patchwork/puzzle of it

From http://vintage-autohaus.skynetblogs.be/

(http://static.skynetblogs.be/media/48367/3892914018.jpg)

Yep, come to find out that Diego crashed the car (slightly?), taking out the original apron. Once the Schleys got into the project, it was discovered, through photos, that things were now different. So, a quick trip up to Chris', and an OEM apron was located. That is why the front apron is missing in the above photo. Time is ticking away for a Bug-In debut....

I'd say!!

I understand it won't be allowed to go down the track at Bug-In. Needs to come over to EBI – anything goes there! ;D

Looks like time is/has runout for a Bug-In debut as a finished/done gasser. With metal and lead working taking more time than planned, the Lightning Bug will not be visiting the paint shop 'til after the Bug-In on May 1. I believe the plan is now to show the car as a roller, in bare metal. Could be a VW Classic debut in June.

Deano, they should have taken my offer of doing in the UK,, it would have been finished and running by now  ;D

My offer of shipping it to EBI still stands and will return it with the Lightening Bug replica for a playmate........ Don't understand why they went off the idea in the first place someone must have spooked them big time as they were up for it in the beginning, and the home of the gassers (European bugin) would be the perfect place for a debut.

waouww that's an offer thx for us russell  that would be cool if the car can make is debut at ebi#4

Fabs, it won't be w ith us now as we need 6 weeks to ship, which means it needs to be leaving mid may and from deans post it won't be completed by then either....... Like a good wine you can't rush a job like this, it just takes time to do correct same story as Tar Babe.

If I had last november that would be a different story, anyway I digress.

Deano, I wish Paul and mark all the best in getting this back to the way it was, we will all have to wait, my advice, if it's not finished for bug in don't show it until it is 100% complete and ready to go.

Cheers Russell

Agree 100%

Can me for my patriotism, but Born in the USA, shown first in the USA, that's what I would do ... And I can't wait!

Patience comes with age....I can't believe I just said that!

Mmmm, born in Germany ! Chopped in the USA , wrecked in Puerto Rico........... Needs a new life in Scotland !!!

if the true be known I sort of agree, that was why tar babe was sent to it's home first, good old cali, note it has still never been seen in Europe yet, but in July almost the 4th of July it will have been seen by all who are interested.............

[/quote]
but in July almost the 4th of July it will have been seen by all who are interested.............
[/quote]

Excellent!

RR,
Did y'all have to make any safety 'updates' to the cars to be able to 'run' them @ Bug-In 35?
I guess that's the only downer here, that the sanctioning bodies won't allow it to run HARD down the track without changes ... BUT, on the other hand, very understandable!
If the car is anywhere NEAR the quality of the restoration done to the dragster ... and we know it will ..., it will be OUTSTANDING!
TxT

 

RR,
Did y'all have to make any safety 'updates' to the cars to be able to 'run' them @ Bug-In 35?
I guess that's the only downer here, that the sanctioning bodies won't allow it to run HARD down the track without changes ... BUT, on the other hand, very understandable!
If the car is anywhere NEAR the quality of the restoration done to the dragster ... and we know it will ..., it will be OUTSTANDING!
TxT
[/quote]

TxT

No we were able to run them as demo runs at bug in 35 without any modern updates (nobody stated that we couldn't demo run them HARD!!! )
It was just a pity the the gear box in tar babe suffered a slight problem and underdog 2 had the spacer ring next to the timing gear give up, which caused the timing gear to move making a decent run impossible as the dog should have run a mid to high 11........

TxT



No we were able to run them as demo runs at bug in 35 without any modern updates (nobody stated that we couldn't demo run them HARD!!! )
It was just a pity the the gear box in tar babe suffered a slight problem and underdog 2 had the spacer ring next to the timing gear give up, which caused the timing gear to move making a decent run impossible as the dog should have run a mid to high 11........
[/quote]

RR,
Demo/Exhibition ... cool.
Yeah, those other things were downers, but still cool to see them where they belong ... on the track and running!
Thanks for your efforts.
TxT

  I am a johnny come latley to this topic , but I was lucky enough to see U DOG,1&2 T BABE ,D Vittones various incarnations of InPins and Fiats ,Paul&Marks Lightning bugs and most of the cars in this, the VW hobby, being collected or repoped, run hard fast & loud, in real time!!, in real life.!!!  Fast forword to now, today we have good people who love this hobby,do truly faithful & accurate repros and restorations no easy task ,research ,time ,$$$ patience etc. etc.THANK YOU for your very successful efforts.New memories made ,old memories and feelings rekindled  ,again  ,THANK YOU!
  I am a bit suprized and dissapointed at the way some people think they could do a better job with LB than Paul & Mark .Sit back and think , OG builders , owners, drivers, OG hearts , minds, hands, Brothers, and OG racecar .The Schleys, I believe , are the last people on this earth who need to be told how to build a racecar ,thier racecar,seeings how they did it before,whatever" THEY" do with"THAT" car should be considered the 100% natural evolution of a histoic racecar and the men ,the brothers responsible for it in the first place . To Paul and Mark ,THANK YOU from a kid that jumped the fence at OCIR and the memories from those days ,THANK YOU in advance from the fiftyfive year old kid for the memories still to come ,and if at some point I get to see it run hard fast & loud in real time , in real life! on this second time around and it "smells" like a burnout & racegas  then Im good.          KEITH GOSS

Welcome Keith!

See you at Bug-In, I hope!

Keith (the other one!)  :D

Here HERE!
Welcome to The Lounge KG!
& Thanks for saying it JUST RIGHT.
TxT

Welcome to The Lounge  8)

Hey KG,

Bill Rodgers was telling me the other night he was helping you get set up for the WEB.  Good to see you participate here.  I drooled all over your chop top when you brought it to one of the early Bug-INs.  Also weened on the original cars you mentioned, this hobby bit me hard and long.  Going on 42 years participating.  I'm in the midst of finishing up the chop street car I will bring over for the CLASSIC.  While we never met back in the day, I will have to hook up with you and discuss the early Bug-In days.  I am trying to talk Bill Rodgers into being at the CLASSIC too. 

Good to see you post here.  Your sentiment about the Schley's is exactly what I posted when I first saw the comments about the LB restoration start.  Hope to meet up with you soon. Here are a couple progress shots on the chop I'm doing updates on.  I am working on tucking the dual BERG mufflers a little more under the rear apron today.  Thought seeing pix of a chop might bring back some memories for you.  Your's set the standard for a killer looking street car. The one I am working on is a 66 body.

What year was your sedan? The earlier bodies had the added advantage of the front and side windows being smaller to begin with than the 65 and later bodies.

Rick M

Welcome Mr Goss, good to meet at the DKP reunion last year, hope you enjoy the lounge.

Rick, it was and is a 63.

Thanks Russell.  Could not remember what the body year was. 

RM

welcome on board keith , enjoy the place like we enjoy it  ;)
rgd
fabs

Rick!
Looking good there ... really excellent.
You'll have to get a photo of it and the Lightning Bug side-by-side ... dual CHOPS!
The only thing better would be burnouts ...
Keep up the good work and hope to see it and the LB when they're done in person some day ...
TxT

FIRST.. Rick, Your car rocks. Like the color, heads, 6x7's, most of all , besides chopped, the decklid. Let's start an "eyebrow" decklid club. It's " QUALITY not quanity ", oops, sorry, allready taken...SECOND, kieth goss tell the GREAT story about you racing a guy in a vette by disneyland, and kicking his ass light to light with his girlfriend trying not giggle and THEE ensuing  "encounter" ...welcome, spill... bill

oops, kieth answer on your own new "post" (buzzword..) you'll be all over this soon with your attitude.. dam it..

Dang right! What we need here is a little more ATTITUDE!
LOL
TxT

    THANK ALL OF YOU for the welcome, first off , my typing skills are a cruel joke on me. Bill I will post" vette boy "story on the choptop stories thread soon ,not D land ,took place coming home from fullerton courthouse ,traffic court my second home during those years ,was in the same car PRE chop.  Russel ,chopped is a 1962,you have so many,it is all a blurr LOL. Thank you for being the caretaker of all these cars you are blessed. Keith,hope you are doing well ,I know I sold my car to the right guy ,for the reasons we disscussed ,my word on that period !!.Now, after not being in a" real car"for nearly 16 years, the ride with YOU in YOUR car was to cool . Rick , your car is proof that later post cars can look factory correct ,with dual muffs fit is everything , if I did it all over again I would have properly bobbed my fenders & apron for looks & clearance , in any case ,Rick you got the top right you will get the muffs right too.I hope to see for real sometime. whatever you do dont get all flusterd & buy some" ILL FITTING OFF THE RACK LOPSIDED SINGLE MUFF " that once you get it home you find out you have to grab the "CANOPENER, SAWSALL, CHAINSAW ,ETC.and basterdize a center peashooter notch in a perfectly good apron!!!   LIKE KEITH SEUME DID. ALL IN FUN  LOLOLOLOL                                  HEY KEITH , DID I BRING IT YOU GOTTA LOVE IT                     KEITH GOSS

Why you....!!! hahahahahahaha!  :D :D :D :D

I feel truly blessed that I ran into you at FAT last year, on the very day I drove my car for the very first time in SoCal. It was meant to be, my friend. The look on your face as we cruised down to the gas station said it all: "I will be back!". So, along with everyone else, I'm hoping you're now inspired to build another car someday. Tell you what, I'll have a spare seat in my car going out to the European Bug-In this year – wanna ride?  ;)

Hey Tom.  The chop is really a 20ft car.  You know, the ones that look great from a distance.  It is not terrible but compared to my last 67, not near as pristine.  Still, having bought the roller from someone with EMPI five spokes, a white interior and junk 1776, I have tried hard to convert it to more of a traditional looker, with the exception of the moldings.  I chose to have them all black powder coated for now until i get the energy to redo the whole car in the future.  It is turning out pretty nice for something I am just trying to give a face lift.

Your blue car is killer too.  One of these days I may need to make a Texas road trip.  Or, you could come out west and we could hang at one of the events.  Stay in touch. Still need to equip the chop with a line lock for version two of the street burnout wars!  :-)

Rick M

K Goss,

Thanks for the nice words on the late model body style.  It has pretty good lines for a late model.  Will definitely have to hook up with you when I am over for the classic.

Rick M

      HEY FASTBRIT  proper "thread' rules to continue on" welcome KG"thread ? Ligit question, I dont know , but I dont want to be a "thread whore" at PAUL  & MARKS  expence .  I'll go to KG tread to reply.

So ive just read the latest Hot VWs and read the feature (all be it a very good one) on lead loading, however to my surprise it would appear that this is happening on the LB2........ now Im pretty sure that wasnt done back in the day.......

Gents, please do not think im being rude but please please dont over restore this car, we want to see the original Lightening Bug all be it rust free and safe to drive, please.

Russell

YES!!

I'm of the opinion that if the Schleys want to go full chassis and turn it into a PRO STOCK, it will still be The Lightning Bug.

They spent a good part of their younger lives creating, developing, tuning, fine tuning, then creating again this entity that is The Lightening Bug. They built and made the parts, designed the cams, built and rebuilt the trannies, designed the paint schemes, placed the decals ... then hauled it all over the US and raced it.
As far as I'm concerned if they wanted to paint it purple ... It is what It IS: The Schley Brothers Racecar.
After seeing the STELLAR restoration performed on the Dragster, it is obvious to me that NO ONE is better or more HIGHLY qualified to restore this car than it's Creators.

... Let's just 'say' someone else was doing it and questions arise as to how something should be done in a particular area that no pictures are available for, what would you do?
THEY KNOW! & No one Else!
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This is a photo of a spacer they originally made that goes between the transaxle and the engine on the dragster. There is a very good and interesting story behind this particular piece and the fact that it is STILL on the car ... Anyone else may have given up and 'remade' the piece, they found it and restored it to be a functional piece and used it because it was CORRECT to the ORIGINAL BUILD.

... And that's all I have to say about that ...
TxT

Whilst strong opinions on cars owned by others might be considered intrusive, where that car has a history that is emotional and a key part of a scene people are wrapped up in it does not seem unexpected.

Where the car is owned by others who actually designed, built and then properly raced it themselves and who are subsequently restoring it themselves; sharing those strong opinions repeatedly does seem somewhat misplaced, maybe even a little rude.

True history is being made with this car- it is not a facsimile- and I am sure it will be great no matter what they do or how they do it- you just cant "fake the funk" and you "cant buy class".....


Just my 2 cents.

Not that my opinion matters but, I would like to see the Lightning Bug that was, not the Lightning Bug the brothers wished it could have been. I fear the latter will be the end result here.

Too be honest i don't give a toss, I just wanna see it!!!!

OK then.... ;)

Sarge great photo, but wrong car, I'm sure this is LB 2

No, that is Lightning Bug 1, which sadly no longer exists.

Is that the one that got acid dipped and sat to long ? If the original people that built the car are rebuilding the car, They probably would know more details about the car than someone that got hired to restore it. I sure the car will be fine and let the boys have fun restoreing it.

Another great Sarge photo from the distant past. Paul Schley shown with hair (some....  ;D), and the front end of the famed DDS Dodge van.

Looks like LB1 to me too.  Originally it had the steel wheels in the back too.  I'm sure the Schleys added the aluminum rears once DDS introduced them. Paul and Mark, according to my best recollection, worked at DDS for a spell.

Rick M

I know I'm stupid and cant type yes it is LB1 in Sarges photo, however Lids said he just wanted to see it...... meaning LB2

And the reason I know this....... is that the replica LB1, as pictured above will be at EBI4, then NHRA, then Schleys and then Bugin 2012..........

Some back up...... when i got stutt bee it was a wreck, however we only repainted the roof, clear coated the sides to preserve and make the mechanics safe, we used another pan until we can refurbish the original one........ it would have been so easy to strip car completely and redo 100% but like an old painting its never redone only repaired, touched up, etc.

The lee Leighton car, was only repainted and then front braked added back in, everthing else was cleaned and reused oh and a repair to the rear valance that was cut out....

Tar Babe, OK it had the works to the body, but still used original interior tin work but was redone as was and not made better, more modern, etc as this is why it was in this state that it needed redone.

As Ive said before it is Mark and Paul's car and up to them, but we are allowed free speech in most of the world and i only hope they fix whats broken and dont modernise too much, it would be too easy to overdo and some of us want to see the historic LB2 and not an up to date one

They did a great job on the dragster didn`t they?

My point EXACTLY.  ::)

Coming soon...

[attachment=1]

Who did the original chop ??

Awesome.

This thread reminds me of something Finnish dragracer Jussi replied to a question about why all his racers are a bit on the dirty side...
He said " there are two ways to build a race car, fast or nice... I build fast"

x2 ;D  I like that philosophy.  My '70 project is a faded out, diamond blue heap pockmarked with surface rust, but in order to justify my lack of sufficient funds to make it "nice," I find the Mark Herbert philosophy of "less bling, more performance" to be the mantra I want to follow.  After all, it's all about fun first and foremost, right?

As long as your ultimate aim is to have your car running well AND looking good... ;)

Oh, I've got goals...;D  I've seen one too many attractive late model Cal Lookers to not have ideas in mind for the future...

same day , same dragstrip ,same car  ;D ;D different angle   ;)

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      The entire Schley Bros.- Lightning Bug story " NEEDS TO BE TOLD " to the" NON VW "world internationaly, via TV programs like CarCrazy , TopGear , MyClssicCar , etc,etc, its just way to interesting , to real , rare, its awsome!! THINK about it, when a" fantasy" story like The Love Bug can be so popular , why wouldnt a" TRUE STORY "also have widespread appeal ? I wonder if anyone reading this feels the way I do , I wonder if anyone knows any media savvy people ? Keith Sueme , Deano ,DynoDon , Rich Kimball , R.K.Smith ? anyone?  or am I just being silly by thinking outside of our" VW box" ,oh well , feel free to chime in , or dissagree , I just feel its a great story and a good opportunity for the Hot VW industry to expand its appeal . I hope someone chooses to step up.                    Keith Goss

I have always thought an "American Graffitti" type movie about VW racing in the 60's-70's would be awesome !
 :)

My thoughts exactly

FWIW, I'm pretty sure I saw a custom Notch in the new "Fast Five" movie...;D

Oh yes! Have to talk to George and Steven about that  :P ;D

I talked to Mark today, and the Lightning Bug 2 is now painted candy blue! And, it is now on four wheels and rolling...

(http://cal-look.no/lounge/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif) i like  :o :o :o

 ;)

Sweet!

The attention to original details is incredible. Paul had made some solid tranny mounts of solid aluminum chunks. When Chris was cleaning them, he noticed that both of them were stamped with a tiny "deano" on them, the same stamp used on deano cam gears....


(thank you KS)...

Hey where did those pics go. :D

Just be patient. Schleys would like to wait until this car gets closer to being done before too many photos leak out....

   Dangle the carrot in front of us rabbets , I love the warm&fuzzy feeling Im experiencing .

The Schleys found the VIN for their old Chevy "Chicken Coupe" transporter, and are on the hunt... They got a very good lead (thanks to a very good friend of ours ;D), and are closing in for the kill. Stay tuned...

Holy Moly ... that would be COOL!

great news dean  :o :o

  Unbelievable !  wouldn't it be interesting to know its complete history from when they sold it till now?  WOW!!!       KG

Sod's Law if it turned out to be one of the Snake/Mongoose Hot Wheels transporters... :o :D

Or even better, they pick it up with IP2 on it... :D ;D

Well sad news to report. The famous Schley Chicken Coupe is no longer.... It was taken to the American Auto Wrecking yard in Santa Ana in 2002 and was crushed. But by then, the cool back section had been removed and it was converted to a tow truck of some type. The yard's owner keeps a book on all cars crushed, and the Schleys found their VIN, and date of departure... We will now bow our heads for a moment of silence...

RIP Chicken Coupe

Yes ... RIP.

Now's the chance to build a replica, yet with modern amenities, powerplant & drivetrain! ;)

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/2571916859.html (http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/2571916859.html)

What a story.
The schley bro are great people.
Keep the updates coming deano.

    Gone but not forgotten, hope they decide to do a replica...

I wouldn't put it past these guys to build such a repro Chicken Coupe. However, there was some talk about heading over to China and finding out where the old scrap metal went from Santa Ana in 2002, and try chasing it down...
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not really.

The Schleys need an original Hurst T-handle for their racecar. Anyone got an old used one? Thanks

If this is what they're after, let me know    :)


Cheers
Jo
 

Yes, aged (the older the better) Hurst T-handle for Hurst VW shifter. I know you can still buy "new" ones from Summit, etc., but the lettering is more square or blocky... Dean

You might have the Schleys check out http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com (http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com). They have a lot of info on the larger Chevy trucks as well as pickups and there are always a few of them for sale. Despite the name of the site, they cover all years of Chevy trucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Old-Stock-HURST-Gold-Velvet-T-Handle-1534676-/280703172711?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item415b368067

think i have an early handle, i will have a look.

I have two :) both with different thread sizes.

These have different lettering compared to the one shown on Summit Racing, mine look more stretched out.

here's a rough on on Samba for $6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1158342

i found this yesterday on FB ,

lightning bug II is back home with his new paint and lettering

awesome job


picture remove by request

WOW!!!  :o

Good job, two thumbs up for all involved!

I don't think Mark and Paul are going to be very happy when they find out these photos have been posted on the Internet... They very specifically wanted to keep things under wraps until they were ready. Oh well... ::)

ok keith i remove them  ;) i understand

Who posted pix on Facebook?  Everybody knows the car's in the works, so I can't see how it could be too terribly upsetting for some pix to be out there.  I won't be there for Bug In 37, so even having the smallest bone tossed is appreciated... lol.  ;D

The fact that somebody posted pics against the wishes of the owner doesn't make it right. The car will be unveiled at Bug-In – I won't be there, either – and when that happens, I'm sure the 'Net will be full of photos. If you're that desperate to ignore the wishes of the owners, then I'm sure it won't take you five minutes to find the photos...

Trust me, I'm by no means that "desperate" (;D) , only curious.   I guess I don't always understand the secrecy behind unveilings, especially when everyone knows the restoration has been in the works for some time, but could just be I'm not as hardcore as I used to be.  And I mean no disrespect to anyone by these thoughts, I totally respect anyone's wishes.

did your parents ever get upset when the wrapping paper on your christmas gifts was ripped off before the big day? if it was not for these two guys (and others) this website might be very boring, "social media" was not around in 71-72 during the first build lets just try and avoid it in 2012 and wait like the old days for the BUGIN itll all be worth it!  :)

My view is that unless the owner posts or gives permission it should happen, however I'm glad Fabs you have removed them even thought I was delighted to see them as it should b up to the schleys to let them go on the net (maybe they have) I would suggest Deano has a Word with then and see what they think......

It's times like this that I'm glad I'm not on Facebook, this will ruin peoples life's, I'm sure.....

Anyway talking about permission for photos, see my new post...... Under cal look.

aaron schley is soon

(https://66.media.tumblr.com/31d27119ccb4e590454002ea23132609/ec2f82a78c85974e-54/s1280x1920/0eb25e21e93355a3f79b646897975c3e2bfc9a9b.jpg)

You can't just post a photo like that with no explanation! We demand details!  ;)

neil that was the first  transporter /hauler of the schleys bros  with th 1st lightning bug