The Cal-look Lounge

Will I never learn  ::)
This is my wife's old 67 goldie rag top , which in my rose tinted glasses stupidity Ive just bought back for a big birthday of hers later this month .
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6518.jpg)
I originally built the car up back in 96 then sold it on in 99 when we needed something more practical for a growing family  ;)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6515.jpg)
Well now its back  ::) and very little has changed other than its now got a different motor "1641" :-\ and a 1600GT box  8) but it comes with a bit of welding needed  :(
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6520.jpg)
Needs a new frame head , rear drivers inner wing " suspension mount etc " and the passenger heater channel has failed which I welded in 15 years ago  ::) and those horn grill really need to go  :P
But the best bit is I've got to get this all done before her B day at the end of the month  :o so its on with the skates and out with the tools .
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6514.jpg)
I'm gonna strip the motor down and slip a sneaky cam in  ;) while its out and do something about the tyre selection too  ;)
The paint is OK , actually its pretty good , but the interior got to go ! I fitted some seats outta something else and at the time it seemed like a good idea but now ? well you know .
Other than that , thats about it for the mo , i know its not a strict looker but its the Mrs ride and she like's the bumpers , trim and pop outs but who knows with time  ;) ;D
wish me luck and let the mess commence  :D

Nice car Glenn, but i have a question....did you ever have a cal look car?


Trim
Trim
Trim
Trim
Trim
Trim
Trim
Trim
Trim
Trim
Trim

 :P :P :P :P :P

We do trim  :D

it's got early wide trim too   :o

cool car glenn, never knew that was yours! i've got a photo of it lined up somewhere at the seaside because of it's ragtop, how cool!
good luck getting it done in time  ;)

Yeah I know about the wide trim on the 67 , what can i say I was young and stupid , still stupid not so young now  ;D
Would like to see a copy of the beach pick Died's , maybe one we've not got  8)

So you are not racing your own car this summer ;D ;D ;D

Michael

Hey Micheal how you doin  :) Just try and stop me  :D 
I signed up to race at EBI4 , but I'm not sure which car i'll take  ;D ;D ;D

i think you must have them, i got them off VZi if I'm not mistaken.
anyway here they are  ;)

 :D :D :D

I would come back with a witty comment on your car Mike , but having never seen it out , has anyone ever seen it ?  ;D

Only the neighbours for about 1 week last year just before i put the cover on it and let it sit outside for 14 months!!!  I dare-not see what the paint is like!  But like you i was foolish, i had it with no trim and then put it on!!!!  Always regret that decision.

Er people in glass house's , pot kettle black , need I go on  ;) ;D
But if you need to use my thread to off load you guilt , you go ahead  :D

Hi,

Have you stared yet?  ;D

Its ok, Ive seen the Hot Rod programs on Sky, you can turn these things round in a week  :D

Clocks ticking!  ;)

J

::) with friends like these who needs enemy's  ;D ;)

Quick progress report , dodgey interior's out  8) ,
engine's on the stand ( cam time )  ::)
body's up in the air off the pan
and the wheels are off stacked in the corner waiting to have thoses very suspect low profiles off and consinged to Ebay  ;)
Looks like i'm gonna get away with just replacing the sill/ closing panel on the passenger heater channel and the upper frame head looks sound , so i'll just remove and replace the lower base plate section .
But I'm less than impressed with the floor pans , not as tough as I'd hoped so these can go .
Need to get some panels ordered now , time kick the money tree again  ::)

Cutting has commenced  ;) was really shocked to see just how bad the lower frame head panel was , how the hell did this get though an MOT last time ?! you can't tell me it gets that bad in just a year !
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6524.jpg)
Inner wing don't look too bad now I've had a chance to have a real good look at it
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6527.jpg)
Think I should be able to remove most of the grot from behind the body mount and retain the original mount  8)
and sort out the odd little hole with some fresh steel  :)
Sorry Its only rusty shit at the mo , shiney stuff later  ;D

Just found the AT code on the gearbox , happy bunny now ,
 1600 1303 cab box with a 3.875 ring and pin  8)
That I'll do  :)

Cool man!

Your going great guns on that!!  :)

Well done!!

J

I went out this afternoon and switched the tyre's over , so gone are the dodgy modern low profile's

(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6528.jpg)

And in with the more of our taste 165 80 Vedestien's and my local part worn tyre guy came up trumps with some 145 Michelin's  8)
Not too sure about one being a snow tyre  ::) but it'll do for the mo till I find another ZX  ;)

Busy busy busy  ::)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6534.jpg)
Proper knackerd now ! I'm off to bed  ;D

Body's back on , using the genuine sill was a real bonus if not a little pricy  :o
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6541.jpg)
wound the front end down as low as it would go for a laugh  8)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6540.jpg)
The 165's sit in nice so I don't think I'll worry too much about some short axle's for the mo , as they'll be fine with the 1641 .
Typical beetle thow ,once you start cutting out the rot it don't stop , thought I'd get the welding done in a few day's , 6 day's later  ;)
Now its engine time , got an head off at at the mo after I tracked a nasty little noise to an errant electrode .
Lots still to do , birthdays on Thursday  :o

Oh doe's anyone know who can covert the VW knob Blaupunkt for an MP3 player ? seen this done some place and I cant remember where  ::)
Its just that she love's her tune's  :)

I want to run buggy bar's on this and ditch the bumper's , not seen any for sale for age's , anyone got any leads ?
 I may just have a pop at making my own  :)

Good progress! Any pic's of the genuine sills?

Its pretty much the same as a copy , only thicker and the right shape  :)

WOW!!!!

I just got back from a week and a bit in the states and its looking almost done!!!!!! Amazing stuff!!! Well done!

Im sure there are LOTS of little bits to sort out but your doing an awesome job there matey!

Engine in , just need to fuel it and oil . Electric's almost sorted think I need a new flasher relay .
Mot thurs fingers crossed  ::)

Todays the big day! Im guessing your running about like a loon trying to get everything sorted, but let us know how you got on when you have a moment ;-)

GOOD LUCK MATEY!!!

J

Had to work today so re scheduled the MOT for sat , just as well really as I've not had a chance to get some of the bits sorted yet ,
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6577.jpg)
Like a catch for the seat belt's  ::)
I really not a big fan of ceramic coated muffler's  :-\ So i sliced and diced my old merged one to fit snug to the shape of the 67
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6575.jpg)
But I'm loosing the battle of the Bling as she who is seldom obeyed likes the shiny tat  ::) well at least the tin ware's cool  :)
I'm really very happy with the finished ride height / stance  8)
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6578.jpg)
But i may just need to remove an Inch from either side of the front beam with the dropped spindles pushing the wheels a little to close to the wing lip's  ;)
Rear sit just right IMO
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_6579.jpg)
I hope to get some time tomorrow afternoon to get it running etc , or sat might be pushing it a bit for a MOT

Oh yeah , he strike's he score's  :) :) :)
Straight though the MOT without a hitch  8) 8)
Ride height has settled down a bit lower than I'd like , so it looks like I'll have to break out the spanners again  ::)
Now back to my 49  ;)

Do you ever wonder some time's why do I bother   :'(
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/49-rag/IMG_7154.jpg)
Some dick splash rammed the Mrs while she was waiting to pull into our drive  >:(
Spent the whole of fathers day in A&E with my wife and daughter suffering a suspected cracked beast bone and whip lash .
and now there's the insurance to fight , great eh
Car's proper buggered to the extent of inner front wings and doors otta alignment .
Oh well just as well I get my kicks fixing up old bugs  ::)

Only one word Glenn, FUCK.  Sorry to hear this hope they are both ok.

On a positive note you can stick some earlies on it and post on the restowagen forum ;)

Hope to still see you at EBI, be good to catch up.

 :-\........ :'(

Holy crap, Glenn! Sorry to hear, glad no one got hurt badly...

Hi Glen,

Sorry to see what happened. So glad the ladies are ok, that's the most important thing. When we left your place
last Wednesday Nicola and I thought the 67 looked great.

Good luck with the rebuild, definately time for upright wings and dechrome.

See you soon,

Lee

Man that does suck.

Thanks guy's , the girls are fine thats the main thing , thought I'd never say this but its just a car and you can fix them .
On the plus side I'm already watching a possible donor car on flea bay for the inner wing's tank etc and the bonnet's already been de-chromed   ;)
I think buggy bar's may be the way forward and yes i can see some upright wings with lucas amber lenses thrown in for good measure  :)

I will just add this guy's
If you don't carry a spare wheel your a fool ,
just take a close look at pic , that fully inflated wheel in there took one hell of a kickin , you can make out the imprint of the hub cap fitted to spare on the bonnet .
The guy must have been motoring when he hit the 67 full in the face and most of the impact was absorbed by the spare IMO
Say what you will about our bugs , but they really are Little Tanks  ;)

X2... if my '67 had the spare in it, it wouldn't have been near as messed up as it was.

i believe that yeah! thanks for reminding me to source a 5x130 steelie!! anyone?  ;)

Sorry to see that Glenn, glad to hear your wife and daughter escape without serious injury. Hope their whiplash & chest injury heals quickly.

Metal can be fixed  :)

Thanks again guy's for your words of support for the girls , little chick is fine and Her indoors is on the mend .
Had a very positive conversation with the insurance , their happy to go with my preferred vehicle repair center , so I've started shopping for parts  ;)
If anyone's got any OEM panels you think I may need for the 67 drop me a line .

Glenn, I'd go and get a pair of genuine late front quarters from VW Heritage and modify them to suit the earlier features. On my car there is one genuine and one repro - the genuine fell into place but the repro needed extending and all sorts of modifications. Better quality metal too!
If you want to put slopers back on it, I've got a pair of genuine '62-67 wings in pretty decent shape?
Most importantly, everyone is ok!

Cool Neil , send me some pic's and stick em to one side for me will ya ,
Looks like I'm loosing the upright lamp's and buggy bar idea  ::)
May have got a compromise by loosing the wide trim and going back to standard 67 as i know of a 67 bonnet trim in need of a new home  ;)
as she want's to keep the quarter lights and i think no side trim with quarter lights looks bobbins
Gonna loose the berlin mirror too , cant see a thing out of it  ::) need to find a original RHD hinge mount jobbie

Not if the quarter light are black and i have a new pair here. ;D

I repeat , total Bobin's  ;D especially If you cant open them coz of your cage  ;) :D

Wrong because you can knob jockey. :P

Watch it birthday boy , 39 my arse  ;D

Not till tomorrow. ;D

Happy Birthday ole git!, Oh & lets have some prices on the parts asap to fix guys so to get it off b4 i go to EBI

I bet you're gutted dude.Like you say though,it is only a car.
I've got a NOS genuine front apron I could part with,pm me if you are interested.

Heard about this at the weekend matey, gutted for you :o
As long as the girls are ok thats the main thing.

Look on the bright side - your not going to be bored over the winter ;) :D
Cheers
Kev

Breaking for spare's  :'( :'( :'( :'(
Let me know what you want , shipping not a problem

Nightmare :(
Is it worse than you thought?

Hay Blacksheep!!!, Not shore if Her indoors would like being called Her indoors,, Nice to see all thats not going on. And now ive got a pic of the Garage to go with Peggy. Still on the look out, not to much about, and if i find somthing nice its over priced, looks like i might beer calling your mate up the coast, to see what he has, that or just start putting a donk together, with a matching drivetrain and just waiting for the right car to turn up.... well will leave you alone to get bizzy, talk soon my friend. ;D

Just one more thing, Thanks 4 getting me on this site, The Lounge is fantastic, Haven`t been sckooled like this for a loooong time. love you Brother....always stay cool. Your room`s  here always. ;)

Yeah I've just got too may pots boiling at the mo something's gotta give .

Glenn, if you've got the space, just stick it under a cover and come back to it later. You know how good the rest of the car is, so just leave it for a while. DKK Rick did! ;D

I know what you mean about too many projects - I've got the '51, Emma's cab, and most of a race car, plus my Audi A6 with a broken engine and a Passat estate that needs MOT to replace the Audi. This all means that my daily driver is my Beetle, which needs a new motor as the mains and big ends are clattering away but as long as it runs I can get to work... On top of that I've got to change the carb on Emm's Golf cab! I need to prioritise, but they'll all get done! ;)

Insurance company's , written it off now still arguing the point with them but it looks like I'd have to re-register it once work was done anyway with a VOSA check etc .
My way of thinking at the moment is to loose the motor , GT box , 4 stud Mahle wheels , dropped spindle's , basically all the running gear .
Then find another 67 rhd pan with log book to save me the VOSA hassle and the rebuild it for my daughter's 17th with a single port 1300 /box 205 pcd running gear , bbt sprints day moulding's wings  , king/link frame head empi dropped spindles / discs , loose all the trim bumpers , fit buggy bars and paint it .
Phew , up for air now , it my daughters 15th today so I've 2 years to get this all sorted out  ::)

And just what will Her Indoors have????, or is she all up for airbags now!!!.. But the plan sound cool Brother, wish i was around for the build... just one more thing, with all these cars theres going to be a lot of shipping to do when you come over!!!!!! ;D

Just don't leave it for 25 years!  ;D

I think you can keep the reg number after a VOSA check, it just becomes non-transferable. One of the guys on a water-cooled forum I go on every now and again had one recently after replacing the front end on his car after a smash. About £45 to get it checked I think.