Its arrived.....

Picked this up on Sunday...500 mile round trip.

Started off in the sleet and snow, through torrential rain, sunshine, cold, more rain and finished off in thunder and lightening and yet more sleet... Almost dropped off the trailer in first 20 miles... 14hrs later tucked up in my (tiny) garage :)

http://i38.tinypic.com/15yt88x.jpg

Looking through the boxes, I think I have most fittings to complete....


Cheers
Gerry

"The Madness" has already taken hold....Welcome and enjoy.....

You'll never be sane again. Welcome aboard!

Cheers folks, given the weather this week, I'm wondering if a convertible is such agreat idea here in Glasgow, Scotland ....!

Its an unbuilt CMC kit, came from Florida....All the hardware seems to be there, right down to the interior kit and softtop

Been there a few times and more... 6 or so years ago, I towed a similar looking project back from Indiana on a single axle wood deck brakeless trailer that was part of the deal, almost lost it after running 14 hours in freezing rain and snow coming down a mountain 30 miles from home.

Welcome to the madness, there is a wealth on good information here just for the asking...you'll probably toss a good number of the boxed "factory" parts on eBay in favor of upgrades as the build continues it's just part of speedster madness. Let us know where you reside, there are probably other owners nearby that can guide you. BTW, we expect this to be done for Carlisle '09 !
~ Alan

Alan - Even I hope to beat Ger to Carlisle! He's in Scotland so he might get award for longest drive! Keep us posted on progress -- I need the motivation!

Good luck, Gerry!

Gerry - 'Welcome to the Madness'! Please keep us posted with pics as you progress with your project. Hopefully, it won't become 'Stop the Insanity'! Hope you are soon on the road with your Speedster.

Peace - Out!

Gerry:

I picked up about the same kit just last Summer (Mine's Guard's Red) so I know exactly what you're going through. Mine was short the interior vinyl, but everything else seems to be there. My son and I will be going the water-cooled route this time with an Audi 1.8L but the rest should be the same as yours.

Keep us posted with progress and don't be afraid to ask any and all questions. We'll also be a source of parts and suggestions on here for you, as there probably aren't a lot of CMC kits on your side of the pond.

Gordon
The "Speedstah Guy" from Beaufort

Aye, 'tis a right smart proooject ya got there, laddie. [OK, I know: a lame attempt. But a guy w/ a name like Frazer has got to try . . .] It's sure to be very rare indeed in your neighborhood. So welcome to the madness and keep a few pictures flying our way as it goes along. As stated, we'll help any way we can: tech tips, a few build secrets, and plenty of jokes. You could take about a month or two using the Search option here and still not touch on all the things you might need/want to know. Good luck!

What a welcome !

Thanks folks and please bear with me....I'm new to the VW world.....

Just finished off a little Fiat 500, (2cly aircooled ), and previously messed around in the Hotrod world. Touch wood, the VW platform will not hold any surprises !

Cheers
Gerry

PS. My job takes me all over the place, including the US....Hopefully I can drop in on some of you in the future !

If you travel some, then connive a way to get to the Carlisle Kit Car Show in Carlisle, Pennsylvania next May 20'th or so.

Shouldn't be missed....

gn

Well.........Our US office is in Exton, PA, ain't that just handy !

Google says 1hr 38mins :)

Excellent!!! We'll expect you there.

Well I built my in a 11 x 16 bay but i did do as much with her out the door as the weather would allow.. at least your on wheels. pre fit as much of the outer trim as soon as you can especailly the windsheild first the hole for the lower forward trim will be testy .. Then try to get the body water blocked and proofed be fore very cold weather hits. If your very lucky you'll be in paint by christmas. thenhen you wil have time to finish the assembly with time to spare..

I know that sound like a lot but asking the guys here at every turn from their experiances. You'll do fine the brakes and drive line can come later, but the steering needs to be in pretty early be fore paint so you and manuver it around easy.

My garage is pretty small and the 500 is still in there.....

Plan is to get the body off of the chassis, up on a platform built from scaffold. That way I can slide the chassis underneath, (its on wheel dollys).

I don't have a driveway so everything has to happen inside. Figuring I can move the 500, slide out the chassis, do what I have to do then slide it back and get my 500 back under cover !

Gave it a quick look over last night, pan looks pretty good, new brakelines, shocks already in place, passenger side pan is a little bashed around, I'm gonna replace that. Rear shocks seem to be hitting the rear body subframe, thats strange.....Engine turns over by hand.

Has what looks like some kind of adjustable rear end, (see pic)

If I can get the chassis prepped, painted and ready for the body over the next couple of months I'll be happy !

Gonna need a few pieces, LH heat exchanger, UK spec tail lights and headlights......Are the headlights stock Beetle units??? Not looked closley yet but it looks like a sealed beam inside a sloping casing. Pattern is on the sealed beam, not the outside cover, (its plain)..

Not found a column bracket yet, but I'm still going thro boxes.


CHeers
GErry

Gerry - Full speed ahead!! Good luck!

Yup, Headlights are '54-66 T1 units. (real 356 ones don't have the parking light in them). Can't you just replace the sealed beam with a European H4 unit? I used Austin Healy (3000 or Bugeye) front Lucas 594 clear glass turn signal units on mine - if you have to replace them.

Hey Gerry.... if you ever fly to/from the States on Continental (which means flying to/from Newark, NJ), see if I'm one of your Flt attendants. I'm usually in a galley burning the meals so you wouldn't see me in the aisle. But you never know ~ I pick up Glasgow every now and again ~ & it'd be good for a free drink if I'm onboard!... Susie

Hi Susie,

I few Continental to Newark 2 weeks ago ! Managed to blag an upgrade to business, ended up sitting beside a Celeb...Billy Connelly, pretty well known over here and a really funny guy :)

Next time, I'll check your schedule !

Cheers
Gerry

Did someone say FREE drinx? I have no need to go to Glasgee except maybe to help a bruthah with his Speedster but....

I'll bet that flight was fun... I think Billy Connelly is a riot!