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581DBP
21st September 2007, 17:31
Some of you may have seen my new post in the introduction thread... those that did would have seen i have just acquired a New Bug...which i am very pleased with..

Then i noticed you even have a special little place for Aircooled rides, which makes this forum even cooler..so here is my old ride !!

I hang out on the RestoWagen Forum and scene a fair bit, so you may know me or my Bug from there, or you may have seen me or the car at one of the many shows over the years...

To keep a long story short, the 61 is my 5th Aircooled, i bought it in 1989 when i was 17, i used it for a few years, then the engine went pop, so i put it away in storage, and got into Watercooled cars...then 10 years later, i pulled it out of storage and got it back on the road...

Here is a short photo history of the last 17 years or so...the ones on the end were 'arty shots' last summer, which i have had made into canvasses and framed pics...there is about 200 in total, so i wont bore you !!


This was the car in 1988, its the Ruby Red one in the right hand corner
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357289.jpg

This is the car in 1990, with Cal look rubbers and a sill high stance...
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357291.jpg

The car during the build in 88/89
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357295.jpg
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357294.jpg

The car in its decade of hibernation, under wraps in a lockup...
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357296.jpg

Coming out of Hibernation, the first time its seen daylight in 10 years....
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357297.jpg

Stage 3 of the revamp, old pattern wings binned in favour or Genuine Turkis blue wings that just so happen to match the sied...Retrocal !
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357311.jpg

Wings off, bonnet off and decklid off, to the painters ! and yes i did drive the car back like this !!!
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357305.jpg

Nice Double cab T25 firetruck in the background !!!
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357302.jpg

Wingless, with my MK4 in front !
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357300.jpg

Wings on, Air ride fitted and inflated...
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357308.jpg

and Deflated !!!!
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357306.jpg

Bug Jam 2006, Nostalgia 'back 2 89' display...
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/279357299.jpg

As the car looks today.....transformed from the 89 look of cal look rubbers and no accessories...
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/14985147/238191369.jpg

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/14985147/238191368.jpg

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/14985147/226188391.jpg

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/14985147/238191367.jpg

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/14985147/238191366.jpg
Shamrockez
21st September 2007, 19:50
Cool history - I didn't realise you'd had it quite that long!!! It's beautiful tho - you must be really proud!
581DBP
22nd September 2007, 01:00
sure am ....its part of the family now...never gonna be sold...
Shamrockez
22nd September 2007, 10:28
Know that feeling - we've got a few we'd never sell. :)
Duggy
22nd September 2007, 19:11
nice :D
1958 Harry
22nd September 2007, 20:25
Awesome!!! Simply awesome!!! :D

Is this the car that was in Volksworld a few months back?
581DBP
23rd September 2007, 14:25
Awesome!!! Simply awesome!!! :D

Is this the car that was in Volksworld a few months back?

Yes my good friend....thank you...
Shamrockez
23rd September 2007, 14:54
What is the air ride like to drive on? Do you put it up to a practical height and just dump it when you park or do you drive it quite low on smooth roads (wherever they might be!)?
581DBP
23rd September 2007, 20:56
What is the air ride like to drive on? Do you put it up to a practical height and just dump it when you park or do you drive it quite low on smooth roads (wherever they might be!)?

The air gives a great ride quality and does away with that teeth shattering lowered bug feel...

I usually have it set a bit higher for road use, so i dont rip the exhaust off or keep hitting the framehead...but if the road is flat enough, the i can drive it completely down...and that is ultra cool..
Shamrockez
23rd September 2007, 21:01
Cool, might have to be something I invest in sometime in the future :)

Never been in a teeth shattering lowered Bug feel (unless you count my New Bug).... I've never driven mine since she was lowered :(
Kowalski
23rd September 2007, 21:32
never gonna be sold...

I know that feeling also, I have been neglecting my aircooled recently (been travelling) but now getting back into it.

That looks quite amazing, really nice colour combo and some serious negative camber!

I don't like using smiliey's if I can help it but :cool: :cool: :cool:
581DBP
24th September 2007, 09:46
Cool, might have to be something I invest in sometime in the future :)

Never been in a teeth shattering lowered Bug feel (unless you count my New Bug).... I've never driven mine since she was lowered :(

OH...! well look forward to it, its a nice experience !
Shamrockez
24th September 2007, 10:45
Shattering your teeth is a nice experiance? :lol:

I am looking forward to driving her again tho - last time I drove her her gearbox mount at the front was snapped so she kangarooed along and her pass side door opened when you put her in 2nd gear :lol:
581DBP
24th September 2007, 10:59
I know that feeling also, I have been neglecting my aircooled recently (been travelling) but now getting back into it.

That looks quite amazing, really nice colour combo and some serious negative camber!

I don't like using smiliey's if I can help it but :cool: :cool: :cool:

cheers....its all about the camber !:beerchug:
Jodielee54
24th September 2007, 13:14
Fair play that is a beautiful looking bug you have there!!!
Dub-Diva
25th September 2007, 15:24
Your bug is ubber cool... welcome to the aircooled division dude :)
Doodlebug
25th September 2007, 15:47
LUSH BUG mate! Stunning! Also loving the last few pics as well, bet they look ace on canvas :)
581DBP
30th September 2007, 21:48
LUSH BUG mate! Stunning! Also loving the last few pics as well, bet they look ace on canvas :)

cheers dude...and yeah they do !!

I got the two ladies together today and took some pics.. i was amazed at how small the 51 makes the 61 look..

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/14985147/280969820.jpg

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/14985147/280969813.jpg

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/14985147/280969825.jpg
Shamrockez
1st October 2007, 10:36
lol look at the difference in roof heights :lol:

When my NB and 58 were both stock height, the 58 was actually higher at the roof :eek:
amethystbelle
1st October 2007, 12:20
Gorgeous bug, love the colour combo :)
581DBP
1st October 2007, 12:28
Gorgeous bug, love the colour combo :)

Thank you...i even found the original pic of when the car was first painted back in 90`s..

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1728/7974322/17871319/280483759.jpg
Duggy
1st October 2007, 14:47
interesting photo...any idea what happened to the early panel?
581DBP
1st October 2007, 15:21
interesting photo...any idea what happened to the early panel?

I`m pretty sure it was repaired, it belongs to Phil who runs Resto Classics so i`ll ask him...
whitecab
1st October 2007, 22:36
great black and white photography did you take them
581DBP
1st October 2007, 22:43
nop...my mate Neal..

http://www.retrophoto.co.uk/archive/paulsbug06/

incidentally the car is also in this months 'amateur photographer'...
Blugg
2nd October 2007, 08:55
I saw one like this yesterday. Really wanted a picture of it, but went to take out my camera and it had turned off somewhere behind me :( But i'll get one of it soon ;)


It was white where your blue is, a very very light pink, almost cream coloured above the white and to top it off was a Cab :)

Seems to be so many Beetles about, but i really like the two tone ones :) :) Is that how they came out of the factory ??
581DBP
2nd October 2007, 10:51
I saw one like this yesterday. Really wanted a picture of it, but went to take out my camera and it had turned off somewhere behind me :( But i'll get one of it soon ;)


It was white where your blue is, a very very light pink, almost cream coloured above the white and to top it off was a Cab :)

Seems to be so many Beetles about, but i really like the two tone ones :) :) Is that how they came out of the factory ??

not as i am aware of, pretty much all bugs came out in one straight colour. Unless it was a special option, as it would have been quite expensive for two tones. I think heb`s may have come in two tone...but dont quote me...
Shamrockez
2nd October 2007, 10:56
Most of the heb's I've seen (well pics lol) have been 2 tone - but then again they weren't exactly run of the mill 'normal' Beetles.
581DBP
2nd October 2007, 11:00
Most of the heb's I've seen (well pics lol) have been 2 tone - but then again they weren't exactly run of the mill 'normal' Beetles.

courtesy of "the samba"

VW never painted Beetles in two tones from the factory. Some Hebs and early early Karmann Beetle verts were painted 2 tones, but they were coachbuilt Beetles not factory built so it still goes with my 1st statement: VW never painted Beetles in two tones from the factory
Shamrockez
2nd October 2007, 11:03
Yup, the samba is normally pretty accurate :)
Duggy
2nd October 2007, 16:42
I`m pretty sure it was repaired, it belongs to Phil who runs Resto Classics so i`ll ask him...

cool, i have a thing for Bay panels! ;)