The Cal-look Lounge

Hello,

I have a UK spec 1200 model standard Beetle which is my first car. When I got it I lowered it at the front and fitted some repro Rivieras
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/Bess%20Old/bess2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/Bess%20Old/bess1.jpg)

It was rotten so I took it off the road to repair it. I bought a 67 1500, raised the back, fitted a 1776 then 1955cc engine and fitted 4 stud Mahle Baby Burners
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/67/new_engine005.jpg)

I drove that daily for quite a few years while I repaired my 68. I eventually sold the 67, kept the engine and fitted it to the 68 with Megasquirt and a turbo.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/turbosetup.jpg)

I sold the turbo and injection stuff and ran it like this for a while
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/30062010039.jpg

I then build a mild 2276. CB crank, CB Unitec plus rods, Std lightened flywheel, Stg 1 Kennedy, Engle FK8, Manton pushrods, Mahle 94mm B+P, Scat D port heads, 45 DRLAs
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0038.jpg)

Then I decided to restore it properly as I want to keep it... so the proper work begins:

Removing the previous paint jobs
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7853215104_a42bd24b53_z.jpg)

Some accident damage to repair
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7853211632_0e1de52dd4_z.jpg)

Got the body off:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7866413990_7c9c383992_z.jpg)

Started stripping it all down:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/Bess%20Resto/IMAG0279.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/Bess%20Resto/IMAG0292.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0297.jpg)

Had replaced the pans before but not very well, so cut them out
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0311.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0324.jpg)

Repairing framehead bottom plate and section of the tunnel
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0325.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0326.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0333_zpsad533c3a.jpg)

New bottom plate and top hat
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0416.jpg)

Ready for the pans
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0418.jpg)

Started on the body:

Rear tubs and luggage tray out
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0448.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0449.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0453.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0451.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0457.jpg)

Some rust to repair under the back window
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0465.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0485.jpg)

Lining the new panels up
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0490.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0492.jpg)

Welding them in
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0514.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0515.jpg)

Putting the back end back together
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0523.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0527.jpg)

Checking the door gaps with new doors before replacing the channels
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0640-1.jpg)

Bracing the body up
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0642.jpg)

Removing the front end
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0643.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0644.jpg)

Trial fit of new bulkhead
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0651_zps39e295a2.jpg)

Welding the heater holes up in genuine channels
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0655_zpsaa91509e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0658_zps92d6fa7e.jpg)

Front quarter and channel out
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20121221_134749_zps5461702a.jpg)

Tacking panels in place and replacing A post
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20121221_155001_zps6b4afa51.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20121221_160122_zps61f3b5a0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20121221_165748_zps3a73478a.jpg)

Remains of the quarters off - guttering unpicked
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0671_zpsf999463a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0672_zps8adedf28.jpg)

Genuine front quarter in place and original bonnet lined up
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0669_zpse9f738b2.jpg)

Welding in
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0675_zps58629dd9.jpg)

Donor sections to repair body
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0673_zpsd35e4583.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20121224_152738_zps84e94e94.jpg)

Thats it so far

FUCK that's a big restoration  :o , i wish you good luk with it  ;)

What a job!! So nice.

This All looks very familiar ;) Good job.

No, that's pretty standard for a UK car!  ;D

Neil, it's looking good, and using genuine parts makes it so much easier! On my car, when it was restored for my brother back in the late 90's, we used one genuine and one repro quarter. We ended up cutting off the repro one and using another genuine one when they became available.

Cheers for the comments :)

Moved the car around in the unit and made a start on the drivers side A post. Got the old one cut out and the new one trimmed to fit, ready to weld in:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130104_183403_zps0172cbe0.jpg)

I got a couple of bits back from the blasters, quite pleased. No holes but a couple of small areas to sort.

Rear valance has a crease in it but overall shape is good and no rot:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0717_zps4b694ef3.jpg)

Back side of valance, they are not holes that you can see, just dots of surface rust:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0718_zps4df5f000.jpg)

Rear cross members, need to repair the ends but no rot:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0719_zpsf977b4c6.jpg)

The underneath, nice and smooth
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0720_zpsb351ef05.jpg)

I forgot to get this section tidied up and sent to the blasters, so will do what I can with it, need to finish getting the old panels off it, started cleaning it up today... the back was plastered in underseal. Needs a bit of love...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0715_zps99fdd089.jpg)

Got a bit of work done on the body cut to repair the rear drivers side window, drilled out a load of spot welds around the frame and cleaned it up a little. There is quite a bit of rot at the back around the swage line but it should just be ok to repair the body:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0716_zpse5848cbd.jpg)

Got both front quarters and front valance in place to see how everything lines up. Looks pretty good so far but the repro valance needs a bit of work. Starting to look a bit more like a car again:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0710_zpsa6cd06b8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0711_zps10ce50e0.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0712_zpsddb2fabe.jpg)

Getting there slowly...

Nice job :)

Nice one HPMB  ;D :)

Martin.

Cheers Cedric / Martin

Rich did a bit of work on the donor section for my rear side window frame today while I cleaned up the washer bottle area. He cleaned the back of the panel up and welded up the half moon vent and repaired a little section just below:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130118_120359_zps3ab42166.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130118_123155_zps2d38c731.jpg)

This shows some of the damage that needs to be replaced:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130118_123236_zps01025a47.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130118_123224_zps441faa53.jpg)

Roughly in place:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130118_123308_zps37e2981f.jpg)

I spent ages cleaning up underseal and the old wheel well repair panel ready for welding the front quarters on:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0721_zpsc3bea28c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0722_zps8a59bc8b.jpg)

I decided to carry on with the rear side window repair today. Pleased with how it went.

Decided to trim the donor section down a little more:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0725_zps33338654.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0726_zps956e67e0.jpg)

Cut out the old, cleaned up the surface rust, bit of rust killer, bit of paint:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0728_zpsb8840f71.jpg)

Panel in place:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0729_zps95c12630.jpg)

Tacked in place:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0730_zps044452d1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0732_zpsacac5a07.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0733_zps6f339482.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0736_zpsc6cf4571.jpg)

Will get it seamed up on Monday, and hopefully get the channels and front quarters finished :)

wow, you've build a brand new one! nice job..  ;D

Spent a while on my car today, dont look much different to how it did at the start of the day, but we got quite a bit done.

Trial fit of the new WW pans, line up well. We drilled holes to plug weld to the Napolians hat and the rear cross member section.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0754.jpg)

Fitted the body and made sure everything lined up well, and welded the rear sections in.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0755.jpg)

Found some old floor pan bolts and washers, lined up the genuine heater channel bottom plates with the holes in the pans. All line up well.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0757.jpg)

Got the body back onto the floor and placed lined the top half of the channels up with the bottom plate and got the spot welder out.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0759.jpg)

Got some more done...

Napolians hat and floor pans welded:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0766.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0764.jpg)

Lots of plug welds later:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0770.jpg)

My donor rear valance was pretty good but not perfect. Came back from blasting with no rot to sort out, which was nice. It does have a couple of dents that need sorting and it was cut off the car on one side instead of drilling out the spot welds. I started repairing that.

What I started with:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0773_zps649cb963.jpg)

Copied the profile off the good side of the valance and cut a section out and welded it to the other side:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0774_zps6eda7fe7.jpg)

Will drill a few holes to plug weld when I fit it :)

My bodywork just above where the heater channel meets the rear quarter had been patched in the past.

Started with this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0777_zps2395477a.jpg)

Got it tacked in ready for final welding:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0779_zps22a4d8d5.jpg)

My dash had been cut for a modern stereo. I got hold of a donor section to repair it.

Cut the dash section out:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0782_zpsf1793845.jpg)

Donor section in place:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0784_zps71aa5f9e.jpg)

Welded in and ground down ready for a skim of filler:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0785_zpsd1821cc8.jpg)

We got some work done on the quarters today... got them cleaned up and held in place with some panel pins and clamps:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0802_zps789e9e84.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0806_zps52daefb6.jpg)

Got both sides welded in, still got to weld the inside:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0811_zpsba0341ed.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0815_zps1c043f66.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0809_zpscc2c8f38.jpg)

Not happy with the fuel filler recess on the new front quarter panel. The shape is different to the original. Its more rounded on the front corners, and the recess at the back of the flap looks wrong.

Original:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0808_zps211f8e79.jpg)

Mexican:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0810_zpsdd6a4d6d.jpg)

I think I'll end up chopping out the whole section and welding the original in because it dont look as good as the original, and the flap dont fit properly. Its too square at the front corners and catches the quarter panel.

Its getting there
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0813_zps06d53a08.jpg)

 :o
Bloody hell.......
 :o

And I was sooking to myself a bit because I had a front inner and both pan halves to do.........

what make are the floor pans?

nice job here! should last decades for you!

Wolfsburg West pans

Cheers dude

Bloody Hell!!.......My hats off to you on this Project!!  Great work being done here to resurrect your car. Coming out great! Keep going....you're almost there!
Cheers!!

Cheers Jeff...

Got a bit more done today. Was 2 steps forward and 1 step back really, but glad I decided to do it.

I found a cut from a genuine rear quarter for sale. I had already fitted a pair of repro tubs, and some Hookeys rear bumper hangers. The plan was to drill out the spot welds of the early bumper hangers and fit a pair of genuine bumper brackets that I sourced. I was going to re use the repro body mounts I removed before. So fitting this panel saved me a bit of work, and Iv not got a genuine tub, and body mount. The fit is great.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0823_zpscf2069f5.jpg)

The fit inside:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0824_zps4f8b281a.jpg)

Will get a bit more work done tomorrow.

Lucky one with youre orginal part... For me its bad repro stuf but it go to.....you do a verry good job! :D

Cheers Cedric :)

Small update. I got the tubs and luggage tray welded in:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0834_zpsdde79d9b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0835_zps82d1b2dd.jpg)

I fitted a Hookeys bumper hanger, and removed the early bracket and tidied it up ready for the genuine late bracket I picked up:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0833_zps6ff6de21.jpg)

Lining up the rear valance ready to be fitted (again!). Put the wings on loose to check it all looked OK:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0829_zpsa195ee70.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0831_zps4263000c.jpg)

I bought a front body cut from a 1969 model, but not a 1200 style. I originally only intended to use the washer bottle recess and surrounding area but decided Im going to modify the valance and use that as its a much nicer shape compared to the repro panel.

Before:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMG_0806_zpsd06809e9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMG_0814_zps20402e19.jpg)

I drilled out the spot welds and cut all the parts out i didnt need and tidied up the lips, removed most of the underseal then we blasted the two sections that I wanted to use.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130216_175447_zps92d4cdaa.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130216_175432_zps34b3e20f.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130216_175459_zps81d3ea7f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130216_175506_zps44bcb4b7.jpg)

They came up well with the valance needing a little bit of work, as well as the two bumper slots adding. Worth the extra work though I think :)

Got the fuel tank supports, washer recess section, wheel well, and valance all fitted and held in place with panel pins
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0852_zpsddf3b359.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0854_zpsb5f6217d.jpg)

I wanted to spot weld as much of it as possible to make it look factory:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0857_zpsbe622939.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0861_zps9c180f2b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0862_zpsb2835954.jpg)

As my bug is a 1200, it only came with a mirror on the drivers door. The passenger side door had no threaded section for the mirror, so I welded my new door up. Needs a skim of filler:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130216_175518_zps5a9d369b.jpg)

Got the rear valance welded in, needs a little bit of tidying. Look how well the corners of the valance meet with the bodywork. Loads better than repro:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130216_175528_zpsd61b8d27.jpg)

Lined up the Hookeys engine side trays.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0855_zps3fe6c033.jpg)

I done a little work on the rear crossmembers. This is what I started with:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0842_zps79a11847.jpg)

Cut out a couple of sections to fill the holes for the heating. (My heater channels have also had the heating holes welded up):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0847_zps102b0008.jpg)

Welded up:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0848_zpsd0252551.jpg)

Ground down:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0849_zpsbb28e633.jpg)

Got the rear crossmembers on:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0864_zpsf9e0eab2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0865_zpsd2e16dfc.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0866_zpsc79948c6.jpg)

Then I cut out the fuel filler recess:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0868_zps65bf7180.jpg)

Old and new to compare:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0869_zps138be23c.jpg)

Lining the old section up:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0870_zps7e01aaac.jpg)

Tacked in to place;
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0873_zps07084030.jpg)

Today I got the front valance repaired and fitted. I cut the slots in the front valance and cut out the bit of rust out and let in a new section.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0883_zps41701097.jpg)

Finished welding the fuel filler recess:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0879_zps08ac9670.jpg)

Fitted the passenger rear body mount:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0880_zpsa3667298.jpg)

All the welding around the front end is finished other than a few plug welds to do on the bottom of the fuel tank supports. Ill do that once the body is back off the floor:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0885_zps0412b96e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130219_204532_zps94214ecc.jpg)

My wheels arrived. Rears are 15x5 thin lip Formula Vee wheels, the fronts are original 15x4.5 Rivieras:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0887_zps7a91f67f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0888_zps22919bac.jpg)

The wheels are exactly the same other than the raised squares on the spokes on the Rivieras... I will machine this off and detail them to match the Formula Vees, so I will have a set of 4.5 and 5" thin lips.

My seats are stripped down and the frames has been blasted ready for paint, then off to Trimming Tonic in Lancashire.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0889_zps66f9916d.jpg)

Not too much welding left to do  ;D

I took my seats to the trimmers last week.

I finished off bits of welding and grinding welds down etc. Almost there:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130223_195802_zpsafb3f422.jpg)

You can see the pan leaning up the wall awaiting the framehead bottom plate. I had already started fitting a Klokkenholm panel, but it was shit, so I cut it back off. Iv ordered one from Machine 7. Should arrive Tuesday, hopefully its a bit better, we will see... then hopefully I can finish the floor :)

We got my HiPacs fitted:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130223_195707_zps7b8a38db.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130223_195700_zps0aebbfd0.jpg)

Made a start on the prep the other day.

Smoothing the rear cross members:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0910_zps4cc55bc1.jpg)

After some filling and sanding to the rear quarters, the shape is getting there:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0914_zps09661545.jpg)

Bit more to do to the rear valance:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0919_zpsbe938350.jpg)

Got some high build on the rear quarters and valance last night. This morning I put some guide coat on and rubbed it down... it showin they needed a bit more work. I sorted the rear quarters and spent some time on the dash, front 1/4s, A posts and B posts.

Got a bit more high build on tonight:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0930_zps49571ec9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0931_zpsbf55ca83.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0932_zps668d3627.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0935_zps3172185f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0936_zps0d1bc22f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0937_zps0614e024.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0938_zpsedb8213d.jpg)

I need to do a bit more prep on the front inner arches and rear inner tubs as they are not as smooth as Id like.

blimey mate!

you keeping this one after all this work? putting a 1200 in it or...?

Hello Andy. Yeah mate, definately keeping it. It was my first Beetle / first car... I wont be selling it :)

I have done a fair bit since the last update so the following is not in order or anything. Just a selection of pictures of some of the work.

We spot welded the bottom plate on and replaced the repro brake line brackets with the genuine ones, and repaired the spine section:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1039_zpsc555b662.jpg)

After blasting, we seam sealed the joints and painted it 2k gloss black:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1046_zps18ca165e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1049_zps70894081.jpg)

Some pics of the colour sanding and mopping:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1053_zps8a48e1d2.jpg)

Paint finish:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/25351215/20130318_160626.jpg)

Fitting the interior:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/SDC12255_zpsba7b1f6f.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20130318_160249_zps5af8a9ec.jpg)

One of the engine:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/SDC12259_zps60744561.jpg)

Building the car back up:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/SDC12258_zpsf51e36b4.jpg)

The car was supposed to be on display at the Volksworld show, but we got stuck in the snow and couldnt make it. I was gutted, was looking forward to seeing it on display.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1057_zps001c7aa8.jpg)

Gutted for you mate :( would had loved to have seen it!

Shame the snow spoilt plans but car looks great mate,like the interior choice  8)

Sorry to here that dude , car looks cool as !!

Uhmmm........fuck me!
 :o :o :o

Oh, sorry. DAMN that's straight man!

Cheers for the comments guys. Im pretty pleased with it. Theres a few bits that I want to re-do at some point, but overall Im happy.

A small update...

After unloading the car off the trailer and the snow melted, it has sat in the unit looking dirty and unloved.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1065_zps41b93c37.jpg)

I have a better pic of the interior now its fitted:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1062_zpsc4477ea1.jpg)

I cant decide if I should fit a carpet set. I like having the idea of having the floor and inner arches etc on display as they look nice... but I think it makes the interior look a bit incomplete.


The finish of the paint was nice, but I wanted it better. My mate came over to the unit today and we spent some time sanding and mopping my car... seems like a bit of a backwards step but I wasnt totally happy with it.

We colour sanded both front wings, the valance and bonnet. One wing started:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1068_zpse07572e4.jpg)

Finished sanding and Damo sterted mopping:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1067_zps350f64f7.jpg)

Front end finished :D :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1071_zpsced3ae15.jpg)


Going to spend some more time sanding and mopping the rest of the body, then Im going to build a custom loom and do a few more odds and sods before I think about getting it on the road.

whats that style of interior? saw a brown oval on display at volksworld like it and i love the puffy look!

paint looks nice on that wing, nice shine to it, top work, very jealous!

Alright mate, the style of the interior is 'fat biscuit'. I had them done at Trimming Tonic in Lancashire. A bit of a drive for me but well worth it - http://www.trimmingtonic.co.uk/

After working on customers cars all day, and the dissapointment of not making the Volksworld show, Iv struggled to get motivated to work on my car... but this week iv stayed late a few nights and spent some more time stripping my car down and doing some more colour sanding as I dont want any peel in the paint. Today my mate Damo came over and mopped my car while I did some prep work on a customers Bay.

Both valances still need mopping, as does the decklid, and the bonnet isnt quite finished. Theres a couple of areas I want to touch up but Im pleased overall :)

We pushed the car outside while the sun was still almost out to get some pics.

Reflection in roof:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1132_zps95c952e3.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/themabbo/media/IMAG1132_zps95c952e3.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1122_zpsf54c949a.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/themabbo/media/IMAG1122_zpsf54c949a.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1126_zps09d91a35.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/themabbo/media/IMAG1126_zps09d91a35.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1128_zps9a121cab.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/themabbo/media/IMAG1128_zps9a121cab.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1130_zps1d3a680f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/themabbo/media/IMAG1130_zps1d3a680f.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1120_zps064a206d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/themabbo/media/IMAG1120_zps064a206d.jpg.html)

Im going to lower the rear a little, its too high at the moment. Im not in a rush to put it back together. Going to re-detail my engine bay and wiring loom. Iv been colour sanding under the bonnet ready for the loom to go in. Going to strip the interior out and sand the paintwork inside and get that mopped up too.

Lots on at work at the moment so Im going to take my time getting it finished... Hopefully done for Bug Jam

Im getting a bit carried away with the colour sanding and mopping. I ended up stripping some of the interior out today to colour sand the inside. Feels a bit like 1 step forward 2 steps back, but I dont want to end up getting the car fully built up and then wish Id have spent longer detailing it, so Iv decided to strip the interior back out and take my time with it. Target is Bug Jam... We will see.

I wont bore you with too many pics of the colour sanding but heres a couple:

Starting to colour sand under the bonnet:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1185_zpsf9d9d288.jpg)

After mopping the main bits. You cant really see how shiny it is with my phone camera and poor lighting. Need to finish off some areas by hand that i couldnt get the mop to:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1189_zpse8332250.jpg)

Iv also sanded the passenger inner door frame, heater channel top, A post and B post... Then I started on the dash. Got about 1/3rd of the dash done. Need to finish the dash and sand all the drivers side and around the top of the windscreen and around the inner roof sections. Sanded through in a couple of places which is a bit of a pisser, but Ill touch them up when Iv finished doing all the sanding.

You make me badly want Rivieras to put on my 68  :D

Very nice car! Nicely done to a high level  ;)

Its been about a month since I done any work on my Bug due to being pretty busy at the unit... Managed to spend a bit of time on mine over the last couple of weeks though trying to get it sorted for Bug Jam.

I blended in the couple of areas that I sanded through while colour sanding and the bodywork is almost finished, finally. Few bits Im not happy with though, but overall Im pleased.

The rear end was too high and needed resetting. Sorted this out today. I wanted the back slightly lower than stock height, but not as low as one spline. After a mixture of some inner and outer splines, it sits like this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1359_zps137afeea.jpg)

Im going to have to lower the front a bit more though now as it isnt nose down enough for me.

I took a few pics while it was on the ramp:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1357_zps672aeecb.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1354_zpsc5402767.jpg)

Hopefully will get the new wiring loom finished off and fitted on Saturday :)

This is how it was looking the other day:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20131018_214144_zps82631005.jpg)

Since I fitted some dropped spindles the tyres rubbed the arches, so I decided to build a 2 inch narrowed beam. Before I did this I spent a bit of time bending the new copper nickel brake lines to shape. They have since been removed and polished:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0071_zpsa9123a9c.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0086_zpsb70171a6.jpg)

I decided to take the body back off the floor as the front end was getting stripped down again, so i could colour sand and machine polish the chassis. Once I started I wanted the chassis better than it was, so I filled a few of the dents in the bottom of the centre tunnel, flatted it all back and repainted in 2k gloss black. I then colour sanded and machine polished. This is the gun finish:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0120_zps521ac517.jpg)


Colour sanding the top half:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0122_zpsba209de0.jpg)

Colour sanding the bottom half:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0144_zpsf74f0887.jpg)

Top half after mopping:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0127_zpsfc71921f.jpg)

Bottom half after mopping:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0147_zps17aec23a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG0151_zpsc4b625f3.jpg)

I also sourced a 68 only tank, which was blasted and filled, then painted in 2k black:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/1120f7f8-6d3b-4154-bfe6-4b34d2e32594_zps9cee3163.jpg)

Looking forward to putting it back together, again!

Extremely high standard, looks amazing.

What is the colour? I did look back for it, but I couldn't find it. It's intriguing, light grey in some pics then sometimes beige and sometimes a greenish tone, very different in the light you have there.

Cheers mate,

Its a VW colour - Chinchilla grey.

:)

Today Rich and Damo helped with work on my bug. Rich spent a while polishing nuts, bolts, washers, brake hose ends, and pretty much anything else he could find haha.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20131102_105200_3_zps968c7c9f.jpg)

Started building the chassis back up:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1686_zpsc6070d73.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1694_zpsea8027fe.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1695_zpsd490fb5f.jpg)

Colour sanded the inner arches and Damo mopped and waxed them:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1688_zps0cc35b77.jpg)

Done a bit more paintwork / colour sanding too. There were a few areas I wasnt happy with, one of them being the under bonnet area.  We mopped / waxed it, and also did the same with the fuel tank. Fitted the tank to see how it looked:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20131102_171002_zps813d02e4.jpg)

The body is almost done. Might run the mop over some of the inside before the body goes back on the pan... Its getting there though :)

I havent got much more done on my Bug, but I have been doing some work on it in my spare time.

Few more up to date pics:

Wiring almost done around the front. Still needs a few things changing / finishing / tidying:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1741_zpsecb62121.jpg)

Shaping the wiring to fit nice and close to the body:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1739_zps111ccc99.jpg)

I got some of this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1965_zps3273f53f.jpg)

Ended up with this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG1963_zps2c7790aa.jpg)

Thats blocked down with 2000 all over, then 3000 on the left half of the roof.

I will finish going over the whole body tomorrow with 3000 and get mopping :) So hopefully some more shiney pictures soon :D

Made a start mopping the roof. Still needs more work but Im quite pleased with it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/20131221_171238_zps9c79335b.jpg)

 :o :o :o
Now you're just showing off! HAHA!
Bloody hell........ 8)

Modnrod - haha :D

The body is FINALLY back on the floorpan :D

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/IMAG2151.jpg)

Also, the colour sanding and machine polishing is almost done. Pretty pleased with the results. The passenger side:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/IMAG2141.jpg)

Still waiting for some parts back from the powder coaters, then it can all start going back together :D

Right... I decided to take a bit of a backwards step. Basically, I was really pleased with my paintwork overall but there were a few imperfections in the paint and they bugged the hell out of me after all that work colour sanding and mopping. The car is on display at the Volksworld show, and I wouldn't have been happy with it.

I decided to take the body back off the pan, take the wiring back out, and block it back down, and I had it painted in a booth. The gun finish was great, so I haven't had to spend too long colour sanding it.

Bit of a backwards step, but I'm happy I did it. I'm much happier with it now, even though I'd have preferred to paint it myself.

In the booth after paint:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2203_zpsde147bcd.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2205_zpscbe1f4e8.jpg)


Got it back to work, and back on the floorpan:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2210_zpse7da788f.jpg)

Happy with the gun finish on the inside. Not going to need much colour sanding:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2212_zps4e8f9a1f.jpg)

Been colour sanding today, this shows the difference between 3000 and 1500:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2215_zps7fcb403e.jpg)

Did a little colour sanding on the front inner arches too. And mopped up:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2222_zpse1399759.jpg)

Colour sanded the rear inner tubs because I wont be having any carpet covering them:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2225_zps7e464e03.jpg)

Mopped up:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2228_zps421e011a.jpg)

Picked my brown square weave carpet kit up from Spirit Interiors. Very happy with it. I think the 3 colours work well together:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2190_zps3cd477a3.jpg)

Onto FINAL assembly... Got some Silent Coat sound proofing fitted. I didnt want sound proofing everywhere when I started, but I wish Id have bought more now and completely covered the roof and doors etc, but even as it is, its a MASSIVE improvement:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2233_zpsa8e39de8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2234_zps53a3354e.jpg)

We started getting the new headliner fitted:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2253_zps469482e0.jpg)

Fitted:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2260_zpsbcf0b97e.jpg)

Then we made a start getting the carpet in. I wasn't sure what to go for but in the end Dave at Spirit Interiors did me a brown square weave set and Im really happy with it:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2254_zps5cf81485.jpg)

Got the back section in and started fitting the seats and belts:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2290_zps504fcf1a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2288_zpsedcc8731.jpg)

Had a load of parts back from the powdercoaters. Only done anything with the wiper motor yet... got a pic of it all built back up (Excuse the crappy phone pics):

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2193_zps5beadf19.jpg)


Wasnt happy with my tinware, so its had a coat of high build and been blocked down ready for paint. Few more things to get prepped before I paint the black parts:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2160_zpsa7264972.jpg)

Made a start on narrowing my 'new' beam:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2198_zps2cf098bf.jpg)

Started narrowing it 2 inches:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2199_zps8a3d965b.jpg)

I had it blasted.... Gave it a coat of etch and a couple of coats of high build then sanded it down ready for the 2k black:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2199_zps8a3d965b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2299_zps31fbba23.jpg)


My 45 Dellortos looked a bit grubby, so I stripped them down and sent them away to be cleaned. Before:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2248_zpsdf04ae28.jpg)

Cleaned:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2266_zpsded29926.jpg)
Got them built back up, looking loads better:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2280_zps6897e579.jpg)

Looking forward to getting the engine build back up.

Absolute great sheetmetal work, but even my 72' standard was not as much rotten  :D    We had some debate, how much to use available repair panels..

Very very nice job  8) 8) 8)

Cheers Alex / dielinde...  :D

I haven't got too much done since my last update as Iv been busy getting drunk on my stag do :)

The new windows are in though, and the new rubbers. Starting to look like a car again :) :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2310_zps759be38c.jpg)

Iv got some of the black parts in paint:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2320_zps561b4a37.jpg)

Still a few other things to go, but Iv got some bits to make a start on.

Glad I spent a while prepping my beam, it came out good:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2325_zps65555f4e.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2327_zps290f2979.jpg)

I did quite a bit of prep smoothing my cylinder shrouds, they came out good too:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2328_zps938fe7ab.jpg)

Got my fanshroud colour sanded, again, ready to mop:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2342_zps58080684.jpg)

Iv also made a start building the doors up and fitting my running board mats, but no pics of that yet...

2 weeks to go to Volksworld show :S

Got the car rolling and pushed it out side to see how it sat with the new front suspension setup.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2362_zps1cc98156.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2363_zps2a081889.jpg)

Pleased with how it sits.

One of the paintwork in daylight. The sun wasnt out though :(

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2365_zpsefe666a8.jpg)

Got the engine in. Loads left to do in the engine bay though:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2371_zps9d1dea80.jpg)

Got quite a few bits and bobs done today - Got the fuel tank colour sanded and mopped again, and fitted a bigger outlet and the sender. New wing beading cut ready to be fitted. Fitted the horn. Mopped the number plate housing etc.

Very nice  8)
Love to see this finished!

Cheers dude.

Well, we got to the Volksworld show and had a great weekend :)

I was hoping for a top 20 but there were some real nice cars there, so I wasn't really too disappointed when I didn't win anything. There were a few other cars on display that didn't win a top 20 either that I thought deserved to... but its down to personal taste I guess. I'm glad the blue Squareback Panelkraft built won, it was between that and the green square for me for best of show. I think Id have gone for the green one.

I wish Id had another few days before the show to finish putting it together properly. The passenger door needs adjusting a little. The front and rear suspension needs raising. I ran out of stainless screws for the Hi-Packs. A couple of the wires under the bonnet are too short and will need re doing... loads of little details like that I want to sort. Also thinking about fitting T bars, or finding some good original bumper irons and bumpers.

Anyway, some pics of the almost complete car.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2445_zps41c80b31.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2452_zps54f69e79.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/10169170_739329329431611_1259058012_n_zps20cc9f4e.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/10154214_739330912764786_1095442130_n_zpsa6cbc08f.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/1239674_739329486098262_1295146832_n_zps5cac8ea7.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/10156126_739329622764915_1580034851_n_zps473d924f.jpg)

The next big job to do is I want to finally get around to fitting Wilwood brakes front and rear, but I cant afford to spend on my car for a while so they will have to wait...

Cheers

It looks amazing Mabbo... trophies or not!

Haven't updated this in a while...

I raised the suspension front and rear:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/themabbo/IMAG2518_zps28504ba6.jpg)

I want a pair of genuine bumpers because the repro ones are awful. Until I find a good pair, I have fitted some hex T bars:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/10295695_737735119624247_3169057848552637361_n.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/10505465_737735126290913_4433149496315793015_n.jpg)

I took the DRLAs off and fitted some short manifolds and a pair of IDAs :D

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/10457774_737735176290908_7617498728691042595_n.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/10500489_737735302957562_8194002197104081547_n.jpg)

Lots more changes planned for the engine :D

Neil, that's turned out so well! T-bars are the right choice...

Stunning car. can you tell me what exhaust you are running in the above pics?

Cheers barry

Cheers Neil & Baz :)

The exhaust is from www.rjvolksperformance.com

Cheers

Since the last update, i took the engine out and freshened it up with new bearings and rings, and I changed the engine a bit. Still loads more changes to be made, but I will be doing it bit by bit. The engine will be back out over the winter for detailing.

I drove my car to Tatton park yesterday and had it on show. My friend took some good photos:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/tatton.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/tatton2.jpg)

My crappy pic, next to my mates 66

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/tatton3.jpg)

I won best engine, which was nice :) but I didn't get any photos...

This is the most recent one I have:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/IMAG2836.jpg)

Cheers

Having seen it in the flesh all I can say is that it's a fantastic cal looker built to a very high standard.  Great work mate and good to meet.
Lyndon.

Cheers Lyndon. You too dude... Good luck with yours :D

Don't need luck dude , just lots of money and time!
Can you recomend your place for show winning paint?
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/bfj999b%20rebuild/5BE9CCDA-7A1B-498F-B48D-C5FB2A283A54.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/vwhelmot/media/bfj999b%20rebuild/5BE9CCDA-7A1B-498F-B48D-C5FB2A283A54.jpg.html)

Yeah mate, that wouldn't be a problem...
Give us a shout if your interested :)

My friend took a few pictures, which Im really pleased with :)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/sams%20pics/10496911_755472287850530_7330304073964901082_o.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/sams%20pics/1553367_755471061183986_9008394915299472419_o.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/sams%20pics/10495587_755472241183868_5159413013850072641_o.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/sams%20pics/10496247_755471341183958_5083011844212913667_o.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25351215/Mabbo/sams%20pics/10505187_755472147850544_3617780410380091629_o.jpg)

Still, loads left I need to sort / change...

That rear view picture is awesome. An aftermarket steering wheel would work better IMO.
Lee

Cheers Lee.

I like the 1200 steering wheel, but I would prefer a Formula Vee wheel, or maybe a 912 wheel... but I've got no money left at the moment.

The money bit is all to familiar to me also ;D