Some care, some don't

I am one of those people who can't stand looking at something on my car that is blatently "wrong". One of those little things has been, or was, the headlight and wiper switch knobs and bezels. I bought two medium size black knobs at NLA for like $17 each and painted them ivory then countered the base and glued in a nut with the proper thread for my switche stems. Then I bought two chrome flat washers online for $2 each. I used some of the Mothers Billet polish and shined up the VW switch nuts that are used and VIOLA, "Porsche looking" knobs and bezels for less than $50! The smaller knobs are just for show and were like $15-$20 each.
So for those that want that extra little touch - there ya go.

Real nice, your whole Carrera project has been very nicely done, and I have enjoyed your work. Now this idea has got me on track to copy your idea and make my car just that much more original looking. Thanks for the idea and the inspiration. Looooooking GOOD!

I agree, Will. Mickey, you have done a lot of work on your car and it looks great, no; FANTASTIC!!

Just curious; what do those two small switches do that are astride of the tach?

gn

Thanks Gents. For very little effort and a minimal price, I just don't see why more folks don't make these little enhancements. Why use VW Bug knobs if you can have something nicer?

Gordon,
Those are the "ignition switches" for the Carrera's dual ignitions. ;>)
And thanks for the info on the brake steer. I'll get at it tomorrow.

Mickey went to a lot of trouble to alter his knobs to fit VW switches.

This guy: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=105631 made knobs for me threaded for VW switches. While this is much easier, I don't know how the price compares and there was a long wait.

Mike it wasn't any work at all. I simply drilled into the base of the knob about 1/8" (if that) and crazy glued a nut in there. I can't remember the thread size but it's whatever fits the threads of the switches. That's all there is to it. I ordered the knobs from NLA and had them in 4-5 days. No wait. No hassle. And a little less $$$ than the guy on the samba. I got the chrome washers on Boltdepot.com (part#9490) SAE flat washer, grade 2 chrome 9/16" ID. They're $1.03 a piece.

For some reason, VW Bus switches from 1971 accept the genuine 356 and repro 356 knobs without any alteration to anything. The interior light switches accept those small 356 knobs like they were made for 'em and they're simple two pole accessory-style switched to boot, so you can use them for fogs or fans or whatever just fine.

No drilling or superglue required.

The knobs and switched from the old Mercedes have the same letter makings on them as the choke (and heater) knobs on the 356A Cabrios(?)

NOTHING cooler than making the dash look correct ! ! ! ! ! Sweet job thus far!

I'm afraid that the time has come to do something about that ribbed steering wheel adapter next . . . looks a bit too much like you swiped it out of your son's 5.0 Mustang and hit it with gloss Krylon.

Good job Mickey. I am still waiting to get my car back to the painter for some touch up. Soon as that is done, I will start on these fun little things.

TC,
What do you recommend for an adapter hub? Got any of those fancy tricks that can make that thing look a little more "period correct"?
The one I had on there before was a piece of metal with a rubber boot that slid over it. It looked horrible. I'd someday like one of those riveted Darrington style wheels but I like to diameter of the one I have.

I can answer that one, Mickey. For the JPS I bought a NOS OG bus turn signal switch (the one with the dimmer switch in the stalk) after I had the car (this has been discussed before- I think somebody is making repro switches for about 25% of what I paid). The hole for the steering tube was too small in diameter, but I enlarged it to fit the bug column. I'm not sure of the year now, but it looked very original.... except for the adapter.

I contacted Henry from Intermeccanica. He makes a shorter adapter that looks "spot-on", and had the advantage of moving the wheel closer to the dash (which put the wheel closer to the straight-stalk switch). The whole thing looked totally original when I was done.

The piece was SO cool, and Henry was SO easy to work with that I starting considering one of his coaches (car less running gear), and bought one about a year and a half later.

Give him a call- he's got the part you are after.

Stan,

I looked through your pictures section . . . WHOA ! ! What a SWEET Speedster ! ! !

You're SO right. That wheel and what shows of the switch and all looks period perfect, as does your steering column support. What did you use for that? Home fabricated or store bought? Do you remember where you bought it?

Thanks in advance. Just a sensational car!

TC

Thanks Stan. I'll shoot Henry an email and see what he says. I agree with TC, your car is perfect! I REALLY like your steering wheel. It's exactly what I'd loike in my car someday. If you can, would you mind taking a pic of the hub/column so I can see the set up? Thanks.

Damn, Mickey. NICE work!