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

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murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-12 18:36:41 +0500 #321

I had bought these a long time ago, now as the engine would be going on within a few days we need to manage the fuel system as well.

Will do a DIY on the fuel tank hopefully within a few days. The initial plan is to put a handful of screw, nuts and bolts into the fuel tank with about half a liter of petrol or so and shake the fuel tank so that the rust and/or other small bits and pieces come out.

Now after that's done, will scrap of fthe old paint on the fuel tank. Primer the fuel tank if possible and spray it with 2-3 coats of matte black paint will clearcoat it if possible. Any suggests or advice? I hope this DIY will go as planned.

In the meantime here are some pictures of the fuel filler & ventilation pipe

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-13 07:38:32 +0500 #322

So, I just got back from the workshop. Uncle Fredrick was cleaning up the pressure plate as it was jammed up a bit, he said he would try his best to put the engine onto the car by today. Will call him in a while and ask for updates.

I also got the samples for the material that will be fitted onto the seats, headliner and the surrounding areas.

Here are some pictures of the different materials

Headliner, off-white perforated vinyl material. The perforation will give that 'classic' look to the headliner.

Seat material (middle), this material will go in the middle so I don't burn my a$$ in the Karachi summer lol. It'll go in the middle of the backrest and the seat same thing goes for the back seats.

Seat material (sides), it's black leatherite now this will go on the sides on all four backrests and seats.

AsadIshaque (AsadIshaque) 2012-02-13 18:06:26 +0500 #323

Great to see things are finally moving ahead on your bug.

This project must be wound up really quick now as there have been delays, delays and more delays.

Its great to note the perforated white vinyl located for the roof lining. Very hard to come by. 

Just a thought from my side at this point though......I dont think you should go for black upholstery on this bug.....the color is already a dark shade so the overall effect is going to be very dull and claustrophobic. If I were you, Id have gone for some light or at the most medium shade. Black also gets very hot in summers.

Then again, at the end of the day, its YOUR car and you should do what you like and think looks good.

Best regards.

zeeqedwai (zeeqedwai) 2012-02-14 14:35:33 +0500 #324

@murtaza_murti congrats man you are nearly there! bdw how much you end up spending on upholstery and carpeting? also if you are happy with the job? if so am i ok to borrow the contact details of the upholstery guy?

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-14 17:19:29 +0500 #325

Thanks, yes I know the delays were caused by me.

Yup, I'm glad uncle Harry sourced out the perforated roof vinyl.

I really like black, and plus the door panels I have sourced out are black as well. You're right about a lighter interior looking good but I had my mind set on black from the very start.

Thanks for the comments :), can't wait to see the ragtop get ready.

Thank you! Well, upholstery as in seats, headliner, and surrounding areas are costing me 8,500rs. The material will be supplied by the guy not me.

The cost above excludes the cost of the carpet and the door panels.

I hope he makes them accordingly, if he does and I am satisfied then only I'll give you his number. I don't want to get blamed for anything if he doesn't satisfy your requirements

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-14 17:47:20 +0500 #326

I got my hands on a pair of towel rail bumpers! The upper metal rods are missing will source them out eventually, I am just glad I got my hands on them. Will clean them up soon and post more pictures.

Here are a few pictures of the towel rail bumpers

lazeez (lazeez) 2012-02-15 08:59:36 +0500 #327

You're not putting towel rails on your bug are you? Naveedrizvi has been looking for one these days.

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-15 09:42:45 +0500 #328

Not now, but I will.

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-16 13:19:21 +0500 #329

The engine according as planned should have been on Blue on Tuesday. But due to the engine bay rubber seal the plan got postponed.

Here's the story, I bought a brand new (local) engine bay rubber seal from Cheap Autos (Iqbal bahi) for 500rs back in August 2011. I gave it to uncle Fredrick when I bought it. Now, when he opened it (it was packed) and stretched it out it started to rip apart from various parts and the rubber was crumbling as if was made up of clay.

It could be due to the fact that it was kept in storage for the past 6-7 months or it could be a defected piece. I couldn't go to the workshop on Tuesday or Wednesday as I had a biography assignment due today. So, right after getting free from my classes today I headed towards the workshop. Uncle Harry was working on Blue, getting some final preparations done before the last coats of paint go on.

I called Syed bahi (VW part shop owner located in Aalu Khaat), and asked if he had the Brazilian engine bay rubber seal in stock. He said yes I do, I told him I would drop-by tomorrow before or after Juma prayer and pick a piece up.

Now with that matter being settled. I gave the door handles today for key making to a well-known locksmith in Clifton he goes by the name Shahid he can make any key you can think of. He also programs OEM smart keys, great guy. I have only one blank VW key, he told me to bring the steering column tomorrow so he can make the key for the ignition as well. He also said that he can arrange locally made VW blank keys, that was pretty interesting will get a couple and let you guys know how good/bad they are.

Here are some pictures I took, the brake fluid reservoir has been fitted with a personally fabricated mounting bracket. I think it's ok for the time being, I know I'll have to fabricate a OEM replica but I just want to get Blue on the road ASAP. It was fitted a few weeks back but, I forgot to take pictures of it before. The steel brake line going from the reservoir to the brake master cylinder has also been fitted. The brake fluid reservoir by the way is an OEM one I guess you guys (VW experts) figured that out within what, a milli second

reezvaan (reezvaan) 2012-02-16 13:37:06 +0500 #330

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murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-16 13:46:48 +0500 #331

Beaded blue hoses? Yes, I still need those. @Nmshaikh told me to wait, but I couldn't but till then I think it'll do

sawan345 (sawan345) 2012-02-16 15:38:04 +0500 #332

Any intention to make it like this.I thought to share this because your beetle is quiet similar to this beetle color scheme .

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-16 15:45:59 +0500 #333

No, it's going to be colored matte dark blue. It was previously like that, not anymore. I personally don't like the twin-tone color scheme.

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-16 15:53:29 +0500 #334

@sawan345, here is what the color is going to look like. It's the color on the bottom of the fender.

reezvaan (reezvaan) 2012-02-16 15:55:45 +0500 #335

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murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-16 16:03:45 +0500 #336

At the pace the work is at now, it should be fweeming on the roads of Karachi by the first 10 days of March inshAllah

tyrone_40 (tyrone_40) 2012-02-17 01:46:33 +0500 #337

All the best to you, man. Been following this thread eagerly for quite some time

Xulfiqar (Xulfiqar) 2012-02-17 01:50:42 +0500 #338

aalu khaat?? you mean lalukhet? - btw your worksman/mechanic seems a little shabby at his work.

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-17 06:28:59 +0500 #339

Sorry, yes Lalukhet I couldn't spell it properly. He is, he's pretty old too that could be a reason why.

murtaza_murti (murtaza_murti) 2012-02-17 11:07:34 +0500 #340

I went to go and get the engine bay rubber seal and guess what? The rubber seal that the guy was talking about was actually the main engine oil seal. I called him twice before coming and asked if you have the Brazilian engine bay rubber seal, he said yes. But anyways, I still had to get an engine bay rubber seal as I came all the way from Clifton to Lalukhet just for it.

I bought one, it's local :@. As soon as we brung it to the workshop and tried a test fit, one end of the seal starting to rip a little. Now when I asked the mechanic when would be put the engine on he said on Monday, I asked why? He said my kids are going to Dubai and I won't be able to come to the workshop.

I was so pissed at that time, but I had to control my anger. The engine fitting has been postponed since four days.

Stuff like this makes me loose interested.