The Cal-look Lounge

I read that this morning...
A famous Scottish guy would have bought it few weeks ago...
You know who is it ?  ;)
Right or wrong ?

If SVW say it,I guess it should be true......or maybe I'm naiv :)
But it would be nice to see it at EBI2 with the other project the same person put together.....as said in SVW :)

Who gives a Fxxk what Super VW is telling you....they only say what You want to Hear or Read!!!

If Tarbabe is in Europe it is certainly not because of SVW...!!!

Frank

Damn it! I wish some cars would stay over here!!  >:(

It's the reason of this post.
Know the truth.....

Well I guess I'm naiv then.
By the way I never wanted to hear or read that from them! 
And I don't understand why I should believe they have something to do with the fact that it is MAYBE in europe.
Anyway lucky him if it's true and sorry if I made you angry. Didn't meant to.

Why are you so agressive, guy ? Keep cool, brother, it's THE Lounge here !
You never had your BlackBomber's report on SVW and you're angry against it ?  ;D ;D ;D
So, we always wait the truth about this mythic gasser ......  ;)

Nothing to do with the Blackbomber not having been featured in SVW... ::) ::) ::)

Sorry to disapoint you GUY... :P

Thanxs,

Frank

 ::)

Bad news...
It was a wonderful opportunitie to see this mythic gasser in Europe....
But Russel don't have an office in Texas too ?

YES its in Europe well Scotland to be exact, its official.

Sorry Guys time to come clean, its a long story....

Last Year while sitting in Norway with Kobus we started looking into the lighting bug car but the current owner has promised to sell the car back to the Schley brothers, we dropped out.... after a  few more beers it was decided that we would try and chase down Tar Babe as it was owned by the mexicans I got a friend (a mexican) to call them (i dont speak mexican) and ask if it was for sale, and they said yes and named a price, we agreed... they never asked where it was going so we never told them..... well as you may have read before I paid the deposit and the car never came ? so many people got involved with stories but really didnt know the truth well the mexicans got wind of this and up'ed the price.... what do you do ? pay more and get it or walk away, it was agreed that there would be some engine parts to come with the car, well eventually around 5 weeks latter and more money the car was delivered to Houston, the remaining money handed over and the babe trailer back to a lock up.... 3 days latter it was containerised and shipped to england then collected and taken its new home in scotland, where it feels at home !

This car is a true icon of our hobby and requires to be put back to the way it was, no cheap paint job no fibreglass doors and bonnet, no fake BRM's, etc.

A couple of my friends (Keith S and kobus) helped me strip the car and keith has been working behind the scenes helping me confirm the way it was, Ron Fleming is a great help and is even building the period engine for it..... I have many months of hard work ahead of my little team to get this worthy of going down the strip again, but trust me it will and fast !

EBI2 is unlikely as we want to get it right.

I know i have posted about the car near the end of last year but this was only to try and kill the topic, as things were getting out of hand and worrying with the deal, im sure you all can understand, this is almost the holy grail of race cars bar IP1. (yes im looking for that too)

I know SVW and now HVW have mentioned it so I decided than rather than keep you in suspense, it was time to share.

I hope Im worthy of this car and hopefully we all will be able to witness it thundering down the strip once again.

Too all that know, thank you for keeping in on the QT.

I will post some pictures of the strip down as it is almost ready for paint, after that there will be no more pictures untill it is completed and ready to run again.

Thanks and if Ive upset or offended anyone sorry  ;D

 ;D

awesome russel! you're bringing back all the good gassers of that era "single-handedly"  :)

p.s. they speak spanish in mehico ;)

Good Job Russell Cant Wait to see it Finished  ;D ;D

Hate to see it go overseas but I know it couldn't be in better hands.

I must just say that it has been hard keeping quiet about this! However, I will also say that I feel deeply honoured to be part of this project and can't wait to see the Babe back on the strip. We are doing everything in our power to make this 100 per cent accurate, which means having to track down hard-to-find old parts - and even trying to identify certain details on the car. Stripping it was like going on an archaeological dig. As we peeled away the layers, more and more history revealed itself.

For any doubters out there, the car could not be in better hands. Be patient and cut Russell some slack, As he says, this isn't going to be rushed. Like Rome, Tar Babe wasn't built in a day!

KS in SoCal

well, i guess for some this may be yet another good reason to come and visit for the european bug-in, be it #2 or #3 :)

and it's awesome that it's gonna sport an engine by ron fleming!!

Now will you sell that decklid????????????

cheers richie,uk

Russell , keep this kind of old "gassers" from the past, coming to live is great!!, then that you have the spirit and £ to keep them alive..I Like that a lot, thank you!!..
Michael Berg... ;)

 ;D

Congratulations Russel! This car is one of the thre big gassers for me, you already have number three on my list, and number one is still missing in Mexico... for the time beeing.
I'm very glad to hear that it will become a thoroughbred race car once again with periode correct part, I can sertainly see how difficult it would be to get it ready for EBI#2.

Thank you for bringing them closer to me, and I guess the Scottish tourist industry will also thank you in the future!

Just please don't keep all these eggs in one basket...  one little fire and ALL the gasser history would be lost  :-\

8) Well done guys!!!
Best looking racecar ever!
It definately deserves another chance!
I can only imagine how hard it must've been not beeing able to tell anybody about this! ;D

My sentiments exactly :)

Way to go!!!!

Congrats! Sounds like it will be in good hands. Can't wait to see the finished product.

--louis

Good job Russell! It is to bad that some people hear your name and raise the price. I do think that car is worth almost any price. Also the "Inch Pincher Too" is the coolest ever and I hope you can find that one and bring it back.

Guys, Thanks

To the US guys, sorry but it was needing saved and trust me it will be and all going to plan you will see it again.

Gary, as richie said what about the decklid the missing link ????? HELP

Everyone: I need an original Empi Decklid for it as well, you too could be part of the restoration, give/sell me your decklid please.

Thats truly incredible. I too wish it was here in the US but only so I could see it in person one day. That car has been a favorite of mine for many years. I just hop you haven`t given up on the Lightning Bug.

heres the photos.....
 be prepared to be shocked !!!

shocking ?

Oh  :o ;) :)

and more

 :o :o :o ;) :)

FU** !!  :o :o :o :o

Congrat's Russel !  ::) ::)

 ;)

you'r looking tired on the picture did you need help ;)

Looks like a lot of work.... ;)

But i think you got the rigth helpers for this little project.

Btw. who`s the wizzard with the grey beard? ;D

No problem Russell for the suspense....
It's an amazing surprise that you make us and a wonderful opportunity for us, Europeans, to see these legendary cars !
But i'm sure of one thing : You're in business with Kobus to do everything for
EBI become a mythic meeting with car like that   ;D ;D ;D
Thanks to all the team (Keith, Kob, Ron, you Ritchie and your nice Scottish team)

tired no.  fu%$ed more like it.

Another Chapter for this bit of History, top stuff dude. You make it look easy but i am sure lots of blood swet and tears have gone into this so far.

it's sure in good hands... congratulations russell!

hey Russell keep up the good work
and to all sometimes it is worth while to keep quiet on a project
for sure with this legendary background
did our parts make it on TarBabe Russell ? I see Mr Ritchie brought them home okay
let me know if you need more specific resto German parts for it ?
see you soon

Gunter

it could be argued that you have too many cars  ;D

BUT nobody can argue with the fact that you are one of the few who will go to great lenghts to make this car like the original. this one is for all off us cal-look fans a special car and bringing it back to it's original state.
good luck with this project as well. and i know a lot of people are willing to contribute to the resurection of this car. so must be possible.

cheers

nicolas

SWEET! RUSSELL HAS GONE PUBLIC!!!


aaah a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

hehe, finally we can talk in the open about the BABE!


what a great moment in history that was up there in Aberdeen Stripping the car! it is for sure the real deal :-) we had soo much fun discovering all these cool things about it... and the Chop.. what a piece of work! just one weld on the roof! SoCal Quality!

Russell, YOU ARE THE MAN!!! take your time, like you said, this car deserves to be done right!!!

And Russ, Like that other Yellow Chop you have... if you ever sell this one (even that i am too tall to fit inside..) you got my number!  ;D ;D

Russell,

Any chance for some pics on how they did the chop? I can see a couple of seams in the c pillar in one of the photos.

Thanks,

--louis

wow. can't think of anything else to say.........WOW

Biiichiiiin...Now the list begins for rare parts!

Congrats Russ,

Speechless, but total quality dude, awesome piece of history  ;D :o

They leaned the entire rear section and window forward. For a race car its fine, but for a street car I woudnt recommend it.... but it does keep the proportions very nice :)

Couldn't have found a better home! Congrats mate

wow, cool! congratulations!

What can I say that hasn't been said already - your my HERO Russ  ;) :)

me too

awesome russ you're DAMAN my favorite gasser with iguana , and you own each one i'm hurry to see the car in flesh  ;D ;D

Congrats, what a score!!!
The pic`s brought me immediatly an gooseflesh. ;)
As said before on of the best old gassers ever build !
Keep us involved, with pic`s and tales...

Best greetings !

;D ;D ;D

No they didn't. It's chopped the same way as my old Goss chop-top and my Flashback race car. I'll try and explain how it's done when I get home in a few days. ;)

Well,discovering the  tare babe restoration,the only word to say is...CONGRATULATION Ritchie!!!
You keep those piece of history alive,and make me still dreaming!!!
Awesome!!!

Congrats Russel !

nice one!!! i love it, just how me and my mates work, together!!! get in!!!!
(http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h11/autobarnhauler/europeangetin.jpg)

"when I get home in a few days"

Does that mean I'm gonna be getting a little visit  ??? ;) :)

Hello Russell, we're very pleased to know that Tar babe is in good hands, maybe i could help with the restoration, when we delivered the car the decklid was included, why are you looking for a new one??, i duplicated some of the parts, ive got decklids that are duplicated from the original one (fiberglass ones, like the original), do you need this part??

www.grillosracing.com.mx

Mario Gamboa

Mario

Pleased that Tar Babe is in good hands ? Pity you didnt feel like that when the deal was made ?

Im looking for a new one as i want to restore the car correctly. The deck lid is broken and from what we can see its not the original empi one that was fitted and the decklid was also installed by a different means and I intend to put this back to the way it was.

Do you still have the original steel doors and steel hood and the drivers seat ?

I have also been told you may have the gold leaf from the original supplier, if so would you let me know, please ?

I was also been told that you have the original engine in your street car brasilia ? I thought that for the extra money the engine was also being delivered, not 2 pistons, 1 barrel, a dyno stand with an empi badge stuck on and a broken mag ! ???

Please do! Because those welds I can see from the inside of the C pillar beg to differ ;)

Hmmm, having been part of the tear down...  ::) Do you also have the original fenders, hood, doors, deck lid, seat, correct floorpan, steering wheel, gauges etc etc...??? The decklid is definitely not correct. I'm with Ron Fleming and Mike Hunsaker today...

The original doors are long gone, long before Mario found the car.  As well as all the original steel removeable panels.
I am curious, what makes you think the floor pan is not original?  When I checked the car, I noticed one roll bar tube was welded onto the tunnel right at the location of the original VIN, completely obliterating it.  You can still see the stump of this tube in the pic you posted.

Bruce, Its a latter floor pan and a 61 shell, this we can tell by the body id plate which is still intact and we can date the chassis by the heater controls levers ? Maybe this was the way it was built but we arent convinced.... when the fuel tank was mounted at the front it was in the centre of the fuel tank area, the only way this would fit was if the frame head had been modified, which its not ? Also the front bulhead is cut away to fit the hydraulic pedal cluster that was used, which would have meant removing the vw pedal assembly, this looks likes its been there since day 1. And the every bolt between thw chassi and the body came out no problem and the only area with a problem was where the floor pan and body were welded together when the addional roll cage had been installed !!! excellent work  ??? not.

Bruce, Did you also see the revised roll cage and the way it had been installed (butchered) into the car, and also the addional cuts in the rear panneling for the extra supports.....

Keith im with you thanks.

Mario, Why did you copy the parts ? and which parts were they ?

well done and good luck Russell....

looks like you're gonna be very busy.......

If you get really stuck for a lid Russell , let me know . Ive got a man that can do miracles with GRP and we will be able to make a pretty authentic replica of the lid using what you have as a starting point

Congratulation Russell!
It's such good news that you got Tar Babe! Really can't wait to see it the first time for real!
Good luck with the restauration and let me know if I can help finding parts for the project!
Cheers,

Georg

Fuel tank was in the rear.
Decklid had the Empi logo grund off and was modified for Hinges.

awesome stuff, I cant wait to see it! I would love to see a list of any rare bits needed, so that we can either sell/ donate, or keep an eye out for any bits that are needed.

Russell is the man!

Si.

holy meck!
what an awesome butt ;D

but only one T-bar? just for towing purposes or what? ???

Push start bar i think  ???

No, the gas tank was only at the rear for a short time and then moved to the front. Talked about this with Ron and Mike Hunsaker last night. The framehead was notched to clear the fitting for the gas line - more proof that the chassis has been changed. In the photo you show of the trunk area, the gas cap can be seen poking through the aluminum panel by the bulkhead.This is confirmed by Ron and Mike, too.

Russell, have confirmation of a number of other details, too... Also I am bringing home the original Jere Alhadeff interior photos AND the negatives of his colour photo shoot of the car. It gets better...  :)

Ya.  When I first saw the car, you could see the holes in the original Al panels where the original roll cage was.

I have seen pics taken as late as 1978 with the original black paint.  Mario found the car in the mid 90s.  By that time, all the "modifications" had been done.

Wow, such great detective work guys! Those pictures from the original shoot should really tell the true story. I hope you can put them together so we all can see them at some time. As with all race cars things progress and changes are made. When restoring it you need to pick a point in time and restore it to that. I would say that when the photos were taken for Hot VWs would be the best, as that is when it was most seen and remembered, also the most documented. Russell you are so lucky to have so many friends(Keith, Ron, etc.) that want to help get this car restored. It is such a great piece of VW history and to bring it back for all to see is so important. Good Luck! 

Congratulation Russel,
Its was good news from you.
See you Vowo show.

Mags
See pm

Russell,
I might have an ORIGINAL fiberglass EMPI decklid from that era. I will check to see if I do. Glad YOU were able to buy the car. Amazing when I tried the owner apparently couldn't speak a word of English? After reading this post it doesn't sound like theirs not much of the original car left;but the body.
Steve N.

Sounds like it's had a few alterations.  Not :o ! To put things into perspective, think about the amount of racing cars, in the circuit racing world for example, which have been smashed and rebuilt with a new body, chassis and had more than one engine and are still sold as the genuine thing with racing provenance.

Some of those cars are a bit like the builder's shovel which he has had for 30 years and has had 25 heads and 15 handles, but is still the same old shovel...

I heard a story about a '73 911 RS which had been re-shelled when virtually new and the old shell was used to make another 911 RS - so there were two cars out there which were basically the same 911RS - the question is which was actually original? Try neither! But then neither one of the owners would agree with you, I'm sure. And then there's the reconstructions such as the Auto-Union racers made from more new parts than originals by Crossthwaite and Gardener. Are they still Auto Unions? Depends on your perspective.


It sounds as though the most important part of Tar Babe is there, and hopefully the price wasn't so high that you feel duped. Although it sounds like you already feel you were getting more than you got - as you've mentioned the engine you didn't get.
 

Ivan

The price was fair as far as i was concerned but when it was increased after the deposit was sent and the deal agreed I was rather pissed off !

Understandably i think.

However this is in the past and should remain there, the big point now is the rebuilding (or rebirth) of the Holy Grail.

Amen to that!

Best rgs
BB

Legend, Glad there is someone out there like you Russell, If I had the cash I would be exactly the same, good on you. Its great that the European VW scene has such dedicated guys, well done to al envolved, Russell, Keith, Kobus etc. Whatch out So Cal Europe is coming up fast!!!! LOL :D

Yeah I've got more than a few stories like that from my days "Restoring" old Ferrari Race Cars  ::) ::) ::)

But anyway back to the "Re-Birth" ;) :)

Congratulations on finally getting the car Russell :-)
I hope we get continous updates on the progress!
SO glad to hear you are planning on a proper rebuild

I hope you get around to VOWO show, see you soon

good luck russel i am with you

I have to disagree with the Holy Grail part. I believe Inch Pincher 1 would be classified as the Holiest of Holy ;) Either way nice Score  :)

I agree too slingshot but as its dead you cant score whats not there, therefore nexr in line in IMHO is Tar Babe, they are slightly different in that Tar babe was a built looker/racer, IP1 developed over time from a stock car.

Agree with you on that one bro!  ;)

Knowing that one of the doors currently on Tar Babe is a genuine Empi fiberglass unit, chopped to fit the roof line.... wouldn't it be interesting if once the black paint was removed, it turned out to be from the Inch Pincher II?

I doubt Russell would be too happy - he was told the car was Tar Babe!  :D

Ivan, I only meant the driver's door could be from IPII, not the entire car....

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

Frank

Deano

Yes we wondered the same, but have the door hanging in anticipation, we will be removing the paint very slowly.....

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

so this door

 :o

Wow, Russell you are hardcore.  Very admirable what you are doing.  History is very important and must be preserved, great to see you have stepped up to this challenge.   Many, many people will be so appreciative of what you have done when the car is restored to it's former glory.

Don't worry Dean, I knew what you were getting at - I was being ironic, hence the laughing face at the end of the post.
As the floorpan is not the one from Tar Babe and from the sound of things most other parts have been changed or are missing - I was humorously viewing it as an ironic last straw situation; "Oh great, the door isn't even from tar Babe, it's off the bloody Inch Pincher"
In reality  I'm sure he'd be happy if the door came off Inch Pincher -  I know I would be.

Following this with great interest.

Well done indeed on the progress so far, to all involved. Especially getting it to Europe and back on the path to resurection. After seeing Kobus' blog a little while back I had wondered what he might be doing up in Scotland! :D

Good luck everyone.

Also curious to hear Ole's comment, as for a few years now he had been trying to work on the mexicans with a view to getting the car.

What comment are you talking about  ???

To put things right: I know Mario Gamboa, I got in contact with him when I was researching the Pink Panther's history. He was very helpful and gave me a lot of old pictures and information. But I never tried to acquire Tar Babe.

I know there's been some trouble regarding the deal, I'm not part of this in any way. So let's stick to the facts.

Personally I think there's no one better than Russell to keep the Tar Babe's Keys. He has the know how, the contacts and the funds to bring the car back to it's glory.

Can't wait to see the Babe with my own eyes...

Saludos,
Ole

Ole
Thanks, you are correct and have been no part of this deal. however cant wait to see tar babe and pink panther heading down the strip together.....

Hi Fonz.

Hi Ole,

I wasn't referring to any comment. I meant I was just waiting to hear your thoughts. I guessed you had no part in the deal. Though I was mistaken, as I thought that whilst trying to find out info about Pink Panther you also had an eye on buying the babe.

I agree....I think the car is in great hands.... and I look forward (patiently) to seeing the final results. It'll be great to see Pink Panther and Tar Babe line up side by side again.

Hi Russ. Hope all is well up there.

Hey Fonz,

I read your post again and you're right, I got you wrong :-[ Sorry 'bout that ;)  It's sometimes difficult for me to get the point in a foreign language...

Just wanted to avoid any speculation.

Russell, I'll be there! :D

Saludos,

Ole

I get goose bumps just from reading it... wonder how it will be seeing the two cars side by side in reality  :o

you wont see them side by side for very long.... tar babe will be the one out in front  ;D

I'll wait at the end of the track...  ;D :D

I'll wait at the end of the track...   FOR A TOW ?

No, for the photographers, so they can take a shot of the cars passing the lights side by side... :)

Ah, so you want us to wait in Tar Babe to give you chance to catch up and pull alongside? OK, that's fine by us! ;D :-*

 :D :D :D

That's a race that promise.  ;)

And thanks Russel to preserve these pieces of history. I wonder sometime if the enthusiasm for old VW aircooled will continue in the futur, but with guys like you, I think it will continue for long  :D :D

Does that mean there will be two seats in da Babe  ??? I was hoping the car will be restored to it's original condition... ::) ;)

I'm sticking Russell in the front to act as ballast... ;D

As you can now see Mr S will be the driver or so he thinks......

He actually needs to sit on my knee to see out the windscreen  ;D

As long as you don't wear a kilt again... :o :-* :-* :-*

that could be one uncomfortable ride  :o :o

hello russel,

new pictures?
ready for EBI2 ?

dirk zeyen

No not EBI 2 but hopefullly EBI3

found this picture today of the Tar Babe in the Staging Lanes at O.C.I.R.

nice picture!!!
i love this car!!!

thanks shubbee

dirk zeyen

So... isnt it finished yet? :)

nope  8)

Take your sweet time with that car Russell. If it takes 10 years to do it right, then that's all right by me :)

Agreed

the door it is of IP II ???

To have seen your racer during the EBI 1 and 2, I congratulate you on making me dream with racer that I would never have seen without you..

I remember when Super VW featured a fake 'German Folks' car... man, the REAL club was NOT happy about that (and rightfully so).

Back on topic, I wonder how many gasser cars still remain in existence in the U.S. or elsewhere, either complete or awaiting restoration?

Congrats Russell ;D
Be sure to misspell "Engle" ;)

~DR.

HAHA! I was just thinking that!  This is one of the great Gassers for sure.   Congrats and Godspeed on the restoration.

Hope thegassergarage.com is up running soon also.Keep us updated.  Now I will have to start saving for a trip to the european bug-in!   All the european shows look way layed back to me.   8)

progress ???

Yes its coming along, all be it slowly but Im sure as you will have seen or judged by the underdog replica it wont disappoint many !

Yep,the Underdog is superb,saw it at EBI.It'll be worth to wait. :o :D

I am great fan of your collection Russell, he is hollowing out that your project will be brilliant. ;)
Deeply ebi 3!!

Well Guys at the risk of this post back firing please find the latest update on Tar Babe !

As you know when we got the shell stripped we needed a few parts to say the least, well for the last year we have been looking at more 61's than i care to count but finally we have one (the credit crunch is not all bad), so you are looking at the new but correct year pan, the steel wings, the correct bonnet and the doors that will be chopped to fit the original Tar Babe shell plus numerous other nick nacks sich as the front beam, some wiring, etc.

The spare and hopefully perfect shell will be kept for a future project, it will be acid dipped and treated and kept.... no waste here !

Anyway i know its a good car but we wanted only the best steel for Tar Babe, so its like this car will give up its heart for the saviour of another........ blah blah blah. You know what i mean.

PS Big thanks to Larry Mck. again for collecting the car for me.

So 1 car is going to make 2 can't grumble at that!

That's funny Russell posted the photos I sent him from when I picked it up. You can see my crappy old trailer. The car is very nice and the good thing is all the stuff he is taking off are just bolt on parts. I know this car will still live to drive again and the Tar Babe will be put back to how it originally was built. Its not two cars to make one its just borrowing parts from one. Over there a rust free body will be in high demand.

I've been reading the new Cal Look book, and seeing the photo of the Underdog 2 body without any running gear got me thinking - what happened to the floorpan? Then I remembered this thread and saw that Tar Babe isn't on the correct pan for it's shell.

Can you see what I'm thinking? Was Tar Babe built up on it's original '61 pan, or the one from the Underdog, which would be a 1965 one I believe? :o

nope

Tar Babe was on its original pan when it went to Mexico but due to the then import laws the car had to be parted out, shell one way pan the other.

Any updates on your most important purchase Mr Ritchie?

Hey Russell. These may be of some interest? Tar babes BRM's (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=863140)

FYI – the November issue of Ultra VW has a four-pager on our 'industrial archaeology' investigation of the Tar Babe...  :)

Four pages???

When will you stop boring people with this old stuff... ::)

 ;) ;D

no  >:( , i'm not boring about the old stuff  ::).................can you give me your old stuff in the garage , you know the one i'm talking ,  ;D ;D ;D

Russell, Congrats on the excellent research and a TON of continuing work of the tar babe. Will it be possible to recreate the BEST PHOTO in vw history.... The tar babe's wheelie with greg's nose in the steering wheel ? THE BEST EVER..Can anyone repost that shot?? bill

Here's one more shot of Greg's car to add to the mix. I made him a poster of this when I was a young photo engraver, probably dust by now.

Just got mine ;D very nice work

this one bill  ;)
i'have this signed last year by greg himself 

phil there's the same picture or may be yours on a wall at FAT perf  ,saw him last year during my bug in trip
but in bad shape

That's a slightly different angle, but very similar!

yes neil same picture , she was on the top of wall and i was under when i took the picture that's why there's a different angle vue  ;)

Not quite Fabs! Check out the location of the white late model!

you're right , i don't see that   ::)

Yep, that's it!  Amazing, I printed that on Velox paper and never expected it to last thirty plus years. I'm just as amazed we lasted thirty plus years!

That's a sharp eye Neil...it appears that I enlarged and printed a different exposure than the survivor in my photo album. Umm, I'll blame it on the
motor drive.... ;D ;D

Hey Russell Check this out http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=863140

I thought it might be another picture you'd taken (so Fabs was right! :-*), I couldn't imagine that two people would have been stood side by side and taken virtually the same photos, but very likely that you'd have wound the film on and clicked again! :)

ok guys, heres the one and only update for 2009, its getting painted as we speak and here is pic from last week in its 1st coat of primer, next photo will be 2010 when completed i hope.

What a superb looking chop that is...

Wow!! Looking superb. :)

I had never paid attention that the back aeration grills  were filled , it"s just a metal sheet welded or fiberglass parts put above the grills ???

It has alway been filled in Fabs see picture

yes  ::) ,i've just check my archives and some other phot i've  ,and  yes it was also filled

wow it looks mean in that primer shot, talk about coming out of a jelly mould!

it look like the paintbox garage  ;)

Was The car Always cut out under the Dash above the Pedals??? ???

yes theres a panel that pops into place there. makes it lighter....

What a beautiful chop. Hands down! The ultimate gasser.

just checking my ultra vw with the 4 pages about the tarbabe resto  :o

Was allowed a sneak yesterday- those crazy Paintbox dudes and Mr Melliard are doing their thing- amazing and quite emotional really.

its finished.....  ;D

Only thing is they have gone and called it JAR BABE by mistake. :D

Congratulations Russell,
I saw the picture in the other thread. Car looks great!