Blog: DrClock's Project #33

Admit it, Alan.  No 12 step program will ever help you...

Alan, any idea how the driver and/or passenger made out in the wreck? Speedster safety is a topic that comes up fairly regularly.

I thought ???, the mechanic suffered a broken leg? 

Not sure but one of his shop employees said he is on crutches ...from the looks of things, his left leg probably was damaged against the hood pull cable area, the Nardi steering wheel has a hell of a waffle and twist toward the driver's door that could indicate ribs ...But the car DID hold up extremely well and the overall damage it's not all that bad.

Can you say "crumple zone" with FG?

This is the first speedster wreck but have done quite a few Beetles, Toyota etc. back in the day. It is somewhat the same drill.....

Disassembled the car, found the 2 x 4 frame rail along the bottom of the driver's kick panel has a slight 1/4" inward bend but can be straightened with a Porta'Power that should return proper door gap. Also made it steerable again.

I'm not sure I am having fun again, need to think about that ........

Gene was the Porsche mechanic driving--he suffered a gash is his left leg-torn ligaments and tendons I believe--it was hit by a jeep commander teenage driver on a permit, no licensed driver with him and only $25K insurance on liability--its been a month already and my insurance hasn't paid me yet---they will subrogate against Geico---and MAYBE ill get my deductible back

Talked today with my friend Larry in NJ whom I did a good number of VW Beetle wrecks with, we came up with a simple and feasible plan. 

I've decided to do the frame head and chassis straightening myself this weekend saving $500-$700 plus that a frame shop would want.

Kirk is having the 3/4 fiberglass nose made up next and the rest of the parts order is ready to ship so I'll have it here by 2/15...... Pics this weekend of progress.

I love the no nonsense get it done attitude.

Looking forward to seeing the photos.

Ted

a pull on a frame machine with laser measuring capability is more likely to get you to the correct specs and handling characteristics---I guess you will use the measuring tape method

Two different frame shops had little clue as to how to pull a Beetle frame head so like back in the day,  I am doing the job myself.

The plan...Apply some heat to the frame head and utlizing a 3 - 4 -5 triangulation measurement in milimeters moving the top right side 5/16th to achieve correct axle beam position. Heat and Porta'Power the left bottom 2 x 4 horizontal frame rail to back it out to return the vertical door gap. New axle beam, tie rods and steering damper are in my shop ready to go in. Photos as I do this on the weekend.

Gremlinx:

If I have this right, you drive it like a motorcycle and you're paranoid. I think your paranoid that we might not get your message. 

A lotta hiccups?