Treasure hunting

Sippo did some treasure hunting and found a stash of original fenders from different years. I got a set of original 1952's in need of some tlc for the tube frame. All in all they are not so bad and definitely doable. Maybe I could live with repro fenders but as there are originals available, I'd better use them.

OK, I finally decided what to do with the new body. As it was so rotten I figured that I do not have the energy to even try to save it. After all, both heater channels, front- and rear valances, rear quarters etc needs replacement. For a real homegrown tube chassis it doesn't need to be perfect, just well made. And now I can avoid using NOS panels.

Even the cross panel was so rusty it needed replacement. This way everything is easier.

Front beam is 5" higher than standard, no need for dropped spindles.



A bit better picture of how the rear end should look like. Chassis dimensions are based on RLR back half (or full tube chassis) so this can be used to convert them to IRS.

Sneak peek about what is to come. Improved rear suspension using off the shelf components like hubs, calipers, discs, 930 stub axles. Fully adjustable and virtually no change in toe-in and minimal change in camber througout the suspension travel.

Paradise Motorsport makes similar system and at least one of their built cars has managed  to run faster than norwegian pan car with Vw suspension so it can't be bad...

Friday night barn find

Well, not exactly, but thanks to Tero I was able to get another 1952 beetle. Of course it had to be closer to -20C and dark but I just had to get the car under work so no excuses there. Although still not sure what to do with it I decided to take it completely apart for closer inspection.

 After a few hours we got the car to warmer and well-lighted place, Pekka's newly finished old barn soon to be filled with steel cows.

This is how it looked when we pulled it out. Not bad.

The car came with most of the steel parts, only fenders are missing.

Not bad at all.

 After spending most of saturday the car was finally dismantled. Most of the bolts came off easy but some needed a little welding and persuasion. Thanks again Pekka for all the help! That's all, I ran out of time and had to head back home.

Building kit, probably waiting for soda blasting. Let's see what Pekka can arrange.

No rust here.

This is the worst place, probably rotted due to earlier fix to the quarter panel.

Some rust here also but all in all there's maximum of two days for metal works. Not bad at all for a Finnish barn find.

Original nonwelded chassis. Needs two little patches but can't remember seeing better pan in ages. And the fact that no one has ever had to weld or fix it in any other way really adds value to it.

This winter I've been mostly buying tubes and pipes and such for the car. So something new for the engine also.

JPM aluminium pushrods and tubes.

More tubes

I just got more 4130 tubes for the chassis, these will be the floor. RLR bach half is also on the way so there's still a slight chance the chassis is welded before summer.