Restoration Project: '68 VW Beetle (o\ _!_ /o)

[nmshaikh]

[QUOTE=murtaza_murti;3125375]Work done:

-

• Front brake lines fitted, need to buy a wide brake line for the connection between the brake fluid reservoir to the brake master cylinder

-

/QUOTE]

I have the correct German blue brake hose for connecting the brake fluid reservoir to the metal pipe leading to the master cylinder.

[murtaza_murti]

[QUOTE=murtaza_murti;3125375]Work done:

-

- Front brake lines fitted, need to buy a wide brake line for the connection between the brake fluid reservoir to the brake master cylinder

-

/QUOTE]

I have the correct German blue brake hose for connecting the brake fluid reservoir to the metal pipe leading to the master cylinder.

I've sent you a PM.

[NashTrooper]

Updates????

[murtaza_murti]

Updates????

None at the moment, I have been busy with other important stuff. Haven't gone to the workshop the whole week. Will go to the workshop on Monday and then update the thread then.

[NashTrooper]

Good.. Will be waiting...
Hope you'll find finish work.

[lazeez]

Updates?

[murtaza_murti]

Updates?

None, haven't been to that side of the city in about two weeks. The mechanic told me that he'd arrange the brake fluid reservoir to brake master cylinder hose and the brake fluid reservoir bracket but he still hasn't.

I am seriously tired of these lying, money eating mechanics and painters. I am really slowly loosing interest. I have had a very bad experience with all the mechanics, denters and painters I have came across.

I'll go to the workshop tomorrow if I can squeeze some time in my schedule.

[reezvaan]

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[lazeez]

I have learned that it is in one's best interest to trust none of the people who work on your car. When my project was going on i used to go to the workshop everyday after my university. The people who were preparing her for paint used to get irritated by me because i pestered them about all the things they were doing wrong. And believe me, these self proclaimed 'professionals' don't like it.
Your project is almost at the end, put some pressure on the mechanics and get it done. Pressure is essential, else the project will just keep lingering on.

[murtaza_murti]

You only loose interest when the project lingers on...but the key is to hang in there and even if its done bit by bit, to stay on it. You have examples to relate to, look at thread like @Storm's Super Beetle and THING. Look at Patina's thread...things have been kept moving slowly but surely. At times it even takes years to complete a resto (for instance @AsadIshaque's 1959, which is years into the process but is far from over but I know its going to be complete someday).

Try getting in touch with @nmshaikh immediately. I am sure he has got everything you need in connection with brakes and all. Stop relying on ppl who are proven money mongers. If its too distant for you to reach @nmshaikh, I have collected a foot or so length of original thread breaded brake reservoir blue hose for Patina. I can send that to you immediately to get you back on track. Just let me know.

Exactly, restoration does really take time. I did PM @nmshaikh but I haven't gotten a reply from him. I'll try to go to and get the hose tomorrow. Thank you very much for the offer Reezvaan bahi but I think I need more than a feet more like 3-3.5ft. The distance between the brake fluid reservoir and the master cylinder is more than 3 feet, from what I see.

Let's hope for the best, I'll go tomorrow morning and see what they painter and mechanic have to say.

The sad thing is I have paid the mechanic 3/4's of his labour already, and 2/4's of the painters labour. They have yet made me happy, looks like I'll have to stop being Mr.Nice Guy now and get things back on track enough is enough.

I have learned that it is in one's best interest to trust none of the people who work on your car. When my project was going on i used to go to the workshop everyday after my university. The people who were preparing her for paint used to get irritated by me because i pestered them about all the things they were doing wrong. And believe me, these self proclaimed 'professionals' don't like it.
Your project is almost at the end, put some pressure on the mechanics and get it done. Pressure is essential, else the project will just keep lingering on.

That's one of the things that bothers me the MOST. I don't why they don't want you asking them too many questions and correcting them all the time. I mean the car is your not theirs and your paying them they aren't paying you and yet they want to take everything into their own hands.

Oh, I'll put some pressure on them alright. I'll update the thread as soon as I get back from the workshop.

[Xulfiqar]

as I keep on saying on PW every now and then, if you have a project either have VERY DEEP pockets if you rely on mechanics for every little bit or use your own two hands

[nmshaikh]

Exactly, restoration does really take time. I did PM @nmshaikh but I haven't gotten a reply from him. I'll try to go to and get the hose tomorrow. Thank you very much for the offer Reezvaan bahi but I think I need more than a feet more like 3-3.5ft. The distance between the brake fluid reservoir and the master cylinder is more than 3 feet, from what I see.

I am sorry I have not been able to communicate regularly on this forum due to other priorities that have placed urgent demands on my schedule.

I need to discuss the brake hose with you as you are asking for WAAAAYY too much of it then would be required. Seems like you have a metal section of the pipe missing. This pipe goes between the brake fluid reservoir and the master cylinder. I have PM'd you my cell number lets discuss sometime.

[reezvaan]

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[NashTrooper]

Get her ready before the Cholistan Desert Rally dude, you wouldn't want to miss this once.

Yes surely he should...
He already missed our VW Weekend,,

@murtaza_murti
If you want I can try to help you out from your denter/painter & mechanics...

[murtaza_murti]

@nmshaikh and I had a nice chat on the phone in the evening today, I told him about the brake line and hoses and then he explained it to me in detail. He will be sending me the blue hoses soon as well as a pair of axle boots and a set of firewall seals.

It was really great talking to him and I really appreciate him taking time out from his busy schedule and helping me solve my problem

Get her ready before the Cholistan Desert Rally dude, you wouldn't want to miss this once.

I do not want to miss that at all. Even if Blue doesn't get ready by that time, I'll be there no matter what.

Yes surely he should...
He already missed our VW Weekend,,

@murtaza_murti
If you want I can try to help you out from your denter/painter & mechanics...

Sorry for missing out on the VW weekend, I was out of Karachi on that particular weekend. From the pictures, it looked like you guys had a blast.

Thank you very much for your offer, I'll surely bother you when I need help

[reezvaan]

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[murtaza_murti]

Went to see Blue today, the brake lines are done. I have chosen off-white perforated leatherite for the headliner. Getting the seats, headliner and carpet done from one upholstery guy. I left the passenger-side seat at the old denters shop now when I when their today I saw that the denter had left and the shop had changed owners.

There goes the seat :(, I've told a few people to source one out let's see what happens.

So far, the following have been completed:

• Suspension
• Brakes (all)
• Bodywork

The car is completely rust-free at the moment. The engine would go on by the upcoming week inshAllah. The upholstery guy will be done within 10 days.

I forgot to take the camera today, I have to go to the workshop tomorrow anyways so I'll take pictures of the brake setup then.

[reezvaan]

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[murtaza_murti]

Lessen learnt the hard way then? I never ever leave even the tiniest spare at the mechanic/denter/painter of any of my cars. I prefer to stash them away safely in my own home.

Its good that Blue is completely rust free now. What are you doing to make sure that it stays rust free while its parked at the painters/mechanics?

B/w I forgot to ask, did you change the wheel bearings/seals during this resto? If not, I believe it would be better that you get the bearings replaced before putting Blue on road. Make sure tht you use 2RS designation bearings (rubber seal ones) and that they are packed with correct grease thoroughly.

Yes, lesson learnt the hard way.

It has the base coat on at the moment.

I think we did change the wheel bearings and seals. I'll have to confirm it though can't remember throughly, roger that.

[murtaza_murti]

Hi, so I went to the workshop today and went to uncle Shabo's shop in Alalu Khaat afterwards. Got the missing passenger side seat sourced out and the headliner rods, YES!

Man does uncle Shabo have stuff! The guy is loaded with VW parts, you name it he has it.

Now, the mechanic had taken the engine out the other day to fit the muffler on. It's finally on (forgot to take a picture of it). After a little bit of cleaning here is what it looks like now I need to get the pulleys painted matte black

And here are the pictures of the passenger seat and the headliner rods I sourced out today.

Headliner rods, needed six of them in total in order to fabricate the headliner.

The passenger-side seat, the railings are fine. It has the lever which the old one didn't have.