VW Tee Buggy - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

chevymike · May 23rd, 2017, 12:34 PM

Hi all,

Well, I can't believe I had joined this site on 4/2006, back when I was thinking of building a Volksrod. Never got to it and have had a ton of over Chevy projects over those years. Well a couple of Friday's ago I picked up a new ride, a VW Tee or Vee Tee as I have heard it called. This is a shortened pan (14") T-bucket type car and my research shows it's a Action Roadster. It's got a Type 3, 1600 single port, "pancake" engine with dual Solex carbs. This thing is kick a$$ to drive around, like a go-kart.

Well hopefully this ride fits the Volksrod world and is welcomed here. As always, everyone loves pics so here are what I have currently.

Plans are to clean things up some. I am thinking of redoing the interior with silver metal flake Zodiac material. Think that will really pop. Also some pin stripping.

**Unkl Ian** · May 23rd, 2017, 01:12 PM

Very nice.

**V8Transporter** · May 23rd, 2017, 02:03 PM

I just had a thought.

It's missing.... Flames.

chevymike · May 23rd, 2017, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

I just had a thought.

It's missing.... Flames.

Definitely on my idea list.

cretin · May 24th, 2017, 09:13 AM

My favorite buggy body.

Sent from my SM-G930T1 using Tapatalk

**V8Transporter** · May 31st, 2017, 08:45 PM

I was making a fast run to the local hardware today, when a bright yellow Bucket T went by me going in the opposite direction. It had a front straight axle, was fenderless, had a full hood and...a VW engine hanging out from under the shorty P U bed.

I probably wouldn't have checked out the back as it went by, but it made me think of your cool ride.

Oh yeah, no flames on his either.

DrHax · June 4th, 2017, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

I was making a fast run to the local hardware today, when a bright yellow Bucket T went by me going in the opposite direction. It had a front straight axle, was fenderless, had a full hood and...a VW engine hanging out from under the shorty P U bed.

I probably wouldn't have checked out the back as it went by, but it made me think of your cool ride.

Oh yeah, no flames on his either.

Did it have a black top on it? There was a yellow t bucket thing on the samba a few years ago... wonder if that's the same car.

**V8Transporter** · June 4th, 2017, 09:24 AM

Nope. She was running topless.

The 'T' I mean....

Locally, there's also an old two tone MG roadster kit car running around. I spoke with the owner at the local gas station a while back and he told me the car was the most reliable MG he'd ever owned.

SCOTTRODS · June 5th, 2017, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

I spoke with the owner at the local gas station a while back and he told me the car was the most reliable MG he'd ever owned.

No Doubt! Makes perfect sense to me.

chevymike · June 5th, 2017, 09:12 AM

Funny thing, I was pursuing CL last week and found two more Action Roadsters for sale. Given these were only made for a couple years, hard to think they would still be found easily.

**V8Transporter** · June 5th, 2017, 10:02 AM

I have found that when you have something unusual like your 'T', others turn up.

Did your's come with a top, how is she running, and how are the FLAMES progressing??

SCOTTRODS · June 5th, 2017, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

I have found that when you have something unusual like your 'T', others turn up.

I have noticed that a lot in most cases... However... I have one of 3 Dune Buggy bodies I have ever seen like the one I have... It's not that unusual in it's appearance from the average Manx Knock-off either... A good looking body... It's just different enough I can tell there aren't any other ones out there, except 2 others... I found both others in Texas, so it may just be something that was only sold locally, hence the fairly local findings.

I do notice a lot of the "T" bodies like the one above, on the Facebook Manx Dune Buggy Classifieds page though... Along with some other pretty brilliant rides... but since the word MANX is involved... you can bet everyone is off their rockers on prices most times.

SCOTTRODS · June 5th, 2017, 04:04 PM

Also a mention for the Yellow T-Bucket with the VW engine... Didn't (Walt) the dude that built the Rat Patrol Volksrod, build a really nice T as well? Look at his Profile here... I see it on there... Just look up "walt" and or Rat Patrol Volksrod on Google His cars are all out there somewhere... he's built a few...

chevymike · June 6th, 2017, 06:50 AM

Yeah, I recall Walt's Vee Tee build from way back. Loved that thing.

As for mine, not it did not come with a top but it looks like it had one at one point. All of the mounts/snaps are in place. I might build a frame and have a shop do a top but at the same time I think it will make getting in and out much harder, especially for the wife. Might not do it.

As for running, once I can get it warmed up without flooding, it runs great. Last night I started poking around and found it has a 009 dizzy with a Compu-Fire electronic conversion. Cap and rotor have a lot of corrosion on the terminals. Plugs and wires are old, so I am going to start by replacing all of them. I think the dual Solex carbs need to be rebuilt as they are starting to leak around some of the gaskets. I ordered some new rear tires as the ones on there are so old they are dry cracking. Couldn't get the 275/50-15 that are on there now (no one makes this size anymore) so I went up to 295/50-15. Those should be in this week.

The dying when cold and then flooding has been an issue as I haven't been able to take it to two car show events I had planned to. Ended up taking our '72 El Camino instead. I'll get this thing tuned up and running right. :)

**V8Transporter** · June 6th, 2017, 07:37 AM

As carbs with containment problems around old ignition wires are not such a great idea, a good tune-up sounds like a plan.

DrHax · June 6th, 2017, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Transporter

As carbs with containment problems around old ignition wires are not such a great idea, a good tune-up sounds like a plan.

Seems like an easy way to get your flames though.

chevymike · June 7th, 2017, 07:21 AM

Last night I put new cap, rotor, plugs and plug wires on. Definitely made a difference in how it was running but doing all the work near the carbs, I could really tell how bad they were leaking.

I pulled them off and am taking them to a shop to sonic clean and rebuild. Then I am going to drop the buggy off Friday to have them check the valves, reinstall carbs and dial them in. I am not a big carb guy and just want to get these done right, otherwise I would do them myself.

chevymike · June 12th, 2017, 02:57 PM

Got the carbs rebuilt and dialed in. OMG, turn the key and it just starts. Runs smooth, carbs don't leak and my garage doesn't smell like a gas. Got new rear tires installed. Going to need to bring the rear up a little as they rub just a bit when going through bumps. Wish they still made the same size I had but oh well. Got to two car shows this past weekend with it, so I am happy. :)

**V8Transporter** · June 12th, 2017, 05:22 PM

Now just watch out for grin-generated cramps.

chevymike · June 15th, 2017, 02:35 PM

Adjusted the front brakes and man, it's like a whole different car. Pedal doesn't go to the floor and it stops much better. Still need to adjust the rears.

chevymike · July 24th, 2017, 08:27 AM

So I have been taking care of a few things, in prep for a car show in Big Bear, CA next month. Here's some pics of the stuff I have been doing.

I had an upholstery shop make a windshield cover for when I am towing. I found after the first time I towed it home, I had a stone chip from the tow vehicle. This should help prevent that.

I wanted them to redo the seat but was quoted $425. I passed on that and decided to pickup a $30 Mexican blanket and redid it myself. Didn't come out too bad and looks way better than the torn, stained old cover.

Another issue that I ran into after putting on the new rear tires was they rubbed the fender lip. I had two options, re-index the spring plates or run Empi coil overs. I decided to do the later. Definitely helped but without anyone in it, it does look high in the back.

I also changed out the swing axle boots with German made split boots instead of the cheap bellows style China ones. Also replace the transaxle fluid. Also adjusted the rear brakes.

Well, that basically does it. I think the buggy is ready for being towed up to Big Bear.

**V8Transporter** · July 24th, 2017, 11:47 AM

The seat covers look great!

Have a great time at the show!

70 Bug Mid Engine · July 27th, 2017, 01:28 PM

Whats the show in big bear called? Might have to excape this heat and stop by.

chevymike · July 28th, 2017, 06:59 AM

Big Bear Fun Run. Aug. 12th is the show day. In the main, old town part of Big Bear. They close all the streets down for it. Great show!

70 Bug Mid Engine · July 28th, 2017, 08:12 AM

Awesome, thanks. Not sure if I will bring my Bug or not. Might just bring the Jeep and go on some trails after! I will look for your buggy if I go.