The Cal-look Lounge

trying to get products that people need,I can make

easy, type3 panels in all sorts and forms. that will keep you busy

Danny,
Could you make an early 911 front bumper in aluminum? 
Dave Conklin

what year? is'nt like 74 and up already alum? I don't know. do you have something to copy,or pattern off of most case's yes I can make could be alot of hour's. also nice to have car to mock up while building. thank's and how ya do'ing

Some good quality repo vert decklids. Stamp the louvers in the original skin instead of welding them in.

How about a pre-shaped panel that could be used to fill the dash in by a home enthusiast who can weld but doesn't have an English wheel. Has the proper curve, etc. Sell it in sections.

Fenders and rear aprons that have had holes filled, straightened, cracks fixed etc. Maybe on an exchange bases using original German fenders.

Some quality rust repair panels. Most (all?) of the stuff out there sucks.

How about a video series on doing rust repair and basic metal work on VWs.

An nice underhood wire cover made of aluminum instead of the cheap plastic ones out there now.

Probably a limited marked for most of these, but you asked.

--louis

I need a original style COMPLETE  front bulkhead panel - you can't even get them repro'd  :-[

Oh yeah I'll PM you about my other idea  ;) :)

Some VERY VERY god ideas there dude - especially the dash  ;) :)

cold air trays for 48IDAs and decklid to feed them

when it come's to body panel's, Most compound curve stuff very time consumeing so price is the issue. I can and do repair stuff,quit often.when I get settled in nevada I will be doing some class type stuff seminar,work shop type stuff light tig welding,patch panel, body and fender stuff.lot's of metal finishing. So there might be video's,Its a great idea. please ask. and love all the idea's

fan shroud like on black KG would be cool too.

67 conv decklid ........  ;D

Here's something easy for ya. Door sill covers. All I see out there is junk. Can't find the og vw crest (probably don't have the $ for it either) I ended up going with Big Wig and the engine turned stainless ones. About .060 think and are very nice. The only thing I would add is a raised portion around the screw hole. I love Lanny Hussey's. Those are the bomb diggiddy.

Easy $ to be made there!

do ya have any picture's. one of my idea's a decent take bracket,light weight maybe carbon fiber? but something that does not have to hold a car up . the shape,if you can picture a early ghia mirror up wright and smaller kind of a bottle neck type thing,good idea on sill plates thank's

How about a nice clean tach mount that would look at home on a more traditional looker? Something that does not look like it was designed by Boyd Coddington. Offer it plain or chromed. For my car I ended up making one because I could not find one that was not billet alum.

--louis

what about some sort of breather box that matches contours and finish of orig VW fan housing, maybe something that looks like it came from Volkswagen?

It might be to big a project, but the upper part of the sills/heather channels exactly like the stock ones would sell like #¤%& in Europe.  $500 or more a piece would not be a problem. Real good bottoms are being made already by Woffeparts. So you wouldent have to make that. With the bottoms left of one can spot weld them in place like VW did to.

Danny I sent you a PM, sorry about getting off topic.

I need a new range hood in my kitchen. Maybe?

Good Idea dude  ;D

P.S pm sent danny  :)

I like the sill plate idea.

Would it make sense to take readily available repair panels that need some tweaking and work them?  I.e. - the wiring tabs that are usually missing now from replacement spare tire wells.

Even nos stuff need to be reworked some times. but if the shape's are close us repo stuff depending the part, place, quality.etc...and those tabs if were thinking about the same thing, very ez

Jim if you want,come by and take a look at hood I made for my oven,the side I made a scoop kinda like lower part of front fender of newer benz.O ya and some beer's. So to answer your question yes I could make you something

I do think they are just punched in...can't think of any other obvious examples yet. 

Radio block off plates that fit correct and flush. I'm thinking your looking for stuff you can do with out "riding the wheel" for hours.

Gates for Single & Double Cabs.... Made from Aluminum ;)

wow I was just talking to a buddy today about the gate's there do'able but manufactureing henge and latch's small issue but great idea.

I can cnc the hinges and latches. Then you can do the easy part  :D

How much do you think somebody would pay for complete tailgate?

Depends on how much you would charge. ;)

Not aluminum, but the website from the guys that make the green panels say they do both early and late gates

that's great. any info,picture.

more fan housings, get creative with the facias, ;D

'67 valances

decent 60's heater channels, don't care about the tube or the bottom plate, just the actual upper channel ;D

Just set up a production line for those fanhousings like the one you made for the Ghia. They rock!

Why not use a stock one?

Woffe at Wolfparts in Sweden allready does this.. On original lids though.
He has some nice bits..
http://www.wolfparts.com/shop/


A part I really miss is the crossmember section under the rear seat for early cars (bug)...

Yeah I have seen those and they are really nice.

--louis

boot floors are now obsolete too :)

It would be worthwhile looking at wolfparts, hookys panel shop and autocraft engineering (not the engine people!) and seeing what repair panels are already available. Then look at what parts are needed that none of the above companies makes and make them. It would be really good to see the small companies like you guys working together rather than competing with each other. It also gives us a more complete range of repair panels instead of lots of comanies all making the same!

On a personal level though, I'd like to see Split Bug rear light pods, glovebox liners and lids, and smooth (no slots) speaker grilles for later bugs!

Speaking of speaker grilles...I'd love to see speaker grilles that are "stamped" for the grille part, but not actually open.  If'n ya know what I'm saying.

Oh I need one of those too  ;) :)

Guy's do you mean grill insert's that are flat no slot's If so very do'able. I like doing small stuff so if the trend's die, Im not setting on alot of time and inventory, About 8-10 years ago I did some bowaka repo roof racks all tig welded tube's all fish mouthed , well now I'm setting on the mother load of roof rack bit's and piece's. any body need roof rack clamp's

I remember those at Topline.

What there needs to be a good metal fab shop around the Miraloma/Blakes BBQ location.

only in spirt, what's new on the 67? deano,show some pictures,need a camera.gab jab.hope everything is good

How about some inserts that are blank so you can drill your own gauge pattern.

--louis

ya kind'a what I was thinkin make it more universil

I Like This Look  its Clean and has a Stock look

It's kinda funny you brought those up,grumpy's metal or john or gary he goes by both I did not know he was makeing them. He was a student of mine at cerritos college, I was teaching welding and fab stuff a few year's back

I bought a set from John  Real Nice Work and they fit Great You Tought him Well ;D

I can't put finger on it shubee, but I think somebody else use to make them a long time ago, like kymco?

danny, PM sent yesterday.
and go for those fan shrouds, they look awesome!

How about a 4 legged engine stand that is reasonably priced. Could probably just make a base for the table top ones with casters.

--louis

Post a pic of those fan housings please - i'm not sure which ones everyone is on about  ::) :)



Superb indea dude - put me down for 2

here's two.
what you reckon?

RE: Fan Shrouds

I'll take one in Savanah Beige.  ;)

You better quit wasting money on the eye candy and get that front end fixed.  ;)  :D

--louis

LOL too true!

ether way there's money to be made, rick lets get the front end on

You gonna be at nicks tomorrow?

Hmmmmm interesting - not totally convinced though  ;) :)

Danny, I scanned all through these posts. Not one has asked you "Where in Nevada you will be relocating to?"
With your skills, I'd be there for classes, if you would offer them.
Steve
North Las Vegas

 hey rick, WHAT! and leave the computor. After superbowl, told girlfriend I'd watch it with here and here Boy ,what a role change,she tell's me what happening.

carson city,near reno/tahoe area I'd like maybe this summer,try for about 10 people. I will have some project's started, so you could have stuff anywhere from start to finish.

Step AWAY from the keyboard! ;)

Hey Danny, I thought of an idea for you, though not exactly sheet metal. I was reading Deano's article in the latest HVWs about pedal rebuilding and he mentions some chromoly clutch hooks that Fumio Fukaya used to make. Bet you could make up a batch and sell them to the racers through the Samba. I would buy one. Just a thought.

--louis

very good idea did the same thing on my car but 5/16 longer for more leverage haven use it yet, I hope it work's. thank's for the idea

Can someone post a link for The Samba ad on those dash grilles? I might be needing a set.

Engine turned headlight buckets for my single cab !

hey danny, how bout those ragtop peices, theyre selling on ebay and the samba for goob money, not the holes, just the mechanicals, $450+. and you already have a pattern. so hurry the fuck up

Hey Danny,
Could you send me some pics of the clamps? I might be interested in them.

Thanks,
tw

Hey Danny - How about doin a repair section for this area  ??? It would sell like hot cakes over here in europe ;) :)

hey danny, still can't fiind your shop, I know it right across the street from all the cat houses... oops, I mean adult relaxation venues...hmmm... Get ready for lots of " How bought i just bring my car to you and drop it off""....Call me , I want to make rear my apron removable... bill

Here is something I've been makeing for wolfsburg west for about 8-9 years. I make some everymonth if you guys know anybody, Thanks

+1

Hey any thoughts on this one Danny ??? :)

highlighted in red for Lee:

Thanks Lids :)

They're sweet. I too would like to know where to get them. Who's got the link??

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f346/57hotrodvw/VW/asst/gauge_panels.jpg)

The answer to your queation lies in your avatar pic...

ANYTHING Ghia is better than most of what is available today...

Wolf does some nice sections, but mostly lo-light,for ezcample the nostril sectoins are a pain to repair

I would like to see solid dash grille inserts with two 2 1/6" gauge holes side by side, or perhaps no holes at all.

Try Bill and Steves in Downey for those grilles.   562 -923-3251.
 Far as I know they have them or at least can get them they have them usually.

how about an support bar like this or the one you did on that white 67
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/rocketron_photos/40920080.jpg)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/rocketron_photos/40920072.jpg)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/rocketron_photos/40920069.jpg)
(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/rocketron_photos/40920068.jpg)

I have a fellow club member that is now repopping "W" decklids. Sedan and convertibles, with and without rainguards. 50-52, 53-55 and 56-57. Check out the ad on the Samba.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=640835 (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=640835)

Real nice quality.

Let me know if anyone has any questions.

-jeffrey

heres a link to the guy that makes the dash grills Ask For John Alba at  info@grumpysmetal.com

Those would be nice if they didn't have the vertical grilles!! I know AssHull would buy a pair ;)

The guy will make you one any way you want them Zach. When I talked to him it was $100 each for a custom one.

--louis

here you go zach - this is the section I mean  ;) :)

Danny, still want to talk to you about some type of cold air trays to surround intake stacks on Webers, and would "seal" against scoops in Bug decklid. If you've seen a 356A Carrera GT with Webers, you'll know what I mean. A Ghia would be even easier, I bet. The Bug decklid would need some type of hump grafted in, maybe with a rearward facing air inlet? Something subtle. Body color or stain black trays that would utilize the 5mm jet stack mounts and intake stack mounts to hold to carbs, light rubber muff to seal against inside of deck. I can fab it in my head, if that helps...  ::) ;D

That would be the business.

Dragged back to the top for Lee!
I should have this section from the back end of a 74 that I'm using as a donor for the cab. It isn't used in the Cabrio, so I'll try to get it out by drilling the spot welds out. If it comes out ok you can have it! ;D

An idea for Danny too, how about the section of A-post behind the top hinge? The last couple of cars I've changed doors on have rotted out here, because the shells were painted at the factory with the doors on! It's an arse of a piece for an amateur like me but I'm sure a man of your talents could know something up quick enough! :)

I'd love a set of repro 51 Porsche front brakes, not the big alloy ones we all know. But the Porsche modified VW brakes, with dual wheel cyls
 and cast alloy cooling fins pressed onto VW drums. Food for thought? Stamping out new backing plates would present a challenge (China ?) but the drums might be something a small operation could handle.

We(VW Heritage) have just had these boot floor repairs made ;D

(http://www.vwheritage.com/diagrams/Boot-panels.jpg)

DUDE give me a call some time SOON  ;D

Will do buddy, but it'll be a few weeks. I've got to get the '74 back end sandblasted, then get it welded onto the '68. Once it's in place the Karmann-ising will take place, and that's the first bit to get out! ;D