things I noticed about my bug (Page 1 of 3)

I THINK.........There is at least 100 ways to mess up an engine overhaul......with out even TRYING.........lol....cause ive seen MOST of them.....
                                                                                            Yancey

The tail pipes are a designed part of the muffler system, not an add-on for looks.  You can get proper, and quiet, operation only with thme in place.

There are many ways to go wrong on a rebuild without trying hard.  How about not sealing the case halves?  Or installing the wrong cylinder spacers?  Or not properly alternating the ring gaps?  Or...?

The side crescents don't double for anything; they ARE part of the ventilation system.  They're not stylistic add-ons.

My cheapo JCW bumpers have lasted longer than the triple-chrome show bumpers I got from WW.  This is not to say that JCW has quality parts, it's just my experience that what is described as quality is not always so.  If you want quality, long lasting show bumpers, get an original set rechromed.

With running boards you can either get an expensive $50 set that will last 5-10 years, or a cheap $10 set that you can replace every couple of years.  The important part is the rubber covering and the chrome trim.   

You're right, you did post before about seat covers and side panels.  I gave you a fairly complete description on how to do it and where to get the material.  Re-read it.

There are manufacturers who make cassette radios (and probably CD capable too, by now) that will fit the Beetle.  Do a Google search.  Or you can get any brand/size and mount it in the glove box.

ALL VW Beetle radios were aftermarket units, usually installed by the dealer.  Almost all were Motorola or Bendix branded as Sapphire.  Others were Grundig or BlauPunkt.  They were not installed at the factory.  All of these radios were supplied with a 4" speaker that mounted in the left side of the dash.

If you want to mount your own sepakers you'll have to be creative.  There are enclosers that fit in the footwell.  You can mount speakers in the doors or rear side panels but there isn't much room and you'll need flat magnet models.  The most reasonable place to mount speakers is in the rear luggage well, behind the rear seat.  You cna pretty much fit anything at all there.

The only car I see in the link you provided is a '68 Dart.  Do you intend to paint your VW somehow to look like that??? 

Kind of hard to go to your website if even you don't know what it is.

Finally, your idea of making your car a show car AND a backup car doesn't quite add up.  It can be either one or the other, but not both.  You need to more closely define your goals before you spend a lot of money needlessly.

well here's my thought process:

the link is for the basic idea using rustoleum paint to repaint it

The door speakers idea is for right now I see where somebody in the past had some door speakers in it b/c of the circle holes in the door panels but the idae of having kick panel enclosures

I'd get the oridgnal re-plated but the back one is really busted up and problaby be a better idea to get a new one either a brand new or a "new" one from a swap meet

the running boards I want something that;s gonna last for a little bit(I out them on today and tommorrow they'll still be good)until I (hevan help me) sell it.

the radio I saw on I think on horspower tv or car crazy that classic audio or somthing like that make direct replacment head units I mite for with since I don't listen to AM and I need my music when I drive.

I thought about a Rampage system(head unit and speakers) but I had one of their cd units and when through two of them then got a diferent one.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2220752  <<<<<there's the site I was talking about

So, we talking about rustoleum spray-paint or the can stuff?

I saw a link about this on another message board.  I rolled my eyes at first but then noticed how much attention the thread got so I took a closer look.  After reading through some of the posts I kind of warmed up to the idea.  It seems that with some experimenting, a very pleasing result can be had.  The orignal poster put up pics (this is a mopar message board but he had painted two Beetles) that looked pretty clean.  I have been interested in trying it myself (keeping an open mind) 

71, I hope you take my next few words as constructive as they are not meant to be insulting.  Reading through your posts it seems you kind of harbor the old stigma of Beetles being the "throw-together" car.  In comparison to other models, this can indeed be true but I think that through the years, that creedo has gone a little overboard.  First off, you would serve yourself well to throw away the JCW catalogue when looking for parts for your VW.  I'm NOT saying you can't buy anythign quality in there, but you can buy an awful lot of junk and for me personlly, I don't have the time (or money) to figure out which is which.  There are numerous online parts houses that deal with nothing but the VWs, and believe it or not many oare not really any more expensive than JCW if you consider that by and large, you get what you pay for.  The bumpers, find originals and have them redone.  If you watch the samba, you may even find some perfect ones.  When it comes to bumpers, remember that these cars don't have the modern safety features.  Bumpers do more that just look good, and repros just don't compare to the weight of the originals.  Also, I looked at your cardomain and let me suggest this to you.  The resto processes have been thought and re-thought millions of times.  As a result, EVERYTHING you could possibly need to redo your interior is available through a lot fo different companies. You mentioned you had boutht headliner material. It wasn't clear, but if you want original look, you would be better off gettting a kit from TMI or the like.  This kits are pre-measured and cut.  Installing a headliner is somewhat tricky enough without having to pattern it yourself.  Oh yeah, less than $75 for the kit.  As well, foam replacement pads are avialable for the seat padding.  I know many people feel like the original design doesn't hold the shape but that is really a fault of the springs and foam will not fix this.  Pay attention to the springs. Replacements are available, and that sisal is there for a reason (which if you are paying attention to the springs, will be apparent)   I mention these things because you mentioned showing your car as well as driving it.  I am concerned that your expectations may be exceeding your thinking. (evident by your comment about not being able to mess up a rebuild;  "just 'cause it runs, don't mean it's done"--ask any GEX owner!)  Just trying to give you some cc to eliminate some of the frustration that you seemed destined for.  I hope and suggest you investigate and consider your options before committing.

Last edited by 66vwowner (2006-08-20 11:25:36)

Well said 66vwowner. Just seems to me your tring to cut way to many corners for a show car(best of the best), which you wouldn't be the first and they just turn out horrible. It's easy to go to a car show and see what cars where loved and put together correctly and just as easy to spot the ones with cheap paint, bondo, misc ideas that just don't fit or work out. I think your plan would work out alot better on just building a car to have fun with and save the show car till you have the money for it. Just my 2 cents