UncleBob - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

UncleBob · July 8th, 2003, 03:59 PM

Hi Yall. I never got around to doing this intro thing and thought nows a good a time as ever.
My name is Eric. I've been into VW's off and on for about 15 years now. I'm a NorthEast Florida native. Work for the phone company as a network analyst.

Let's see. Mostly, I like Fiberglass Dune Buggies. I built an Empi Imp from a basket case about 3 years ago, and it really got me fired up for VW's again.

UncleBob · July 8th, 2003, 04:04 PM

Well, I picked up another buggy to build, so I thought I'd sell the Empi Imp. Here's what this one looks like. So far, it's a U.F.O. (Unidentified Fiberglass Object). Ever seen one like it? Looks like early Manx, but hood scoops say 'not quite'. Body is about 1/2 thick, very sturdy. Motor will be 2180cc, C-95 cam, dual 44 Webers, that came out of the Empi.

UncleBob · July 8th, 2003, 04:12 PM

About this time, wife informs me that she's pregnant. Yikes! So, Buggy get's put on hold, Wife quits work, and I sell my new Toyota to get out from under truck payments. Buy an old Bronco to drive back and forth to work. Gas is killing me, so I decide to use the money I got from selling my Empi to get a daily driver bug to drive back and forth to work, just in case the Bronco explodes. Enter 1960 bug.

UncleBob · July 8th, 2003, 04:15 PM

A relative spots a single seat rail behind a Fred Sanford type house out in the woods. I offer the guy $100 for it, he says 'whatever'. It gets dragged home. What a beauty.

UncleBob · July 8th, 2003, 04:17 PM

A bunch of spare parts later, it looks a lot better.

UncleBob · July 8th, 2003, 04:23 PM

Okay, so maybe buying a 44 year old bug that's still 6 volt/40 horse with no radio wasn't the best idea for a daily driver for work. I thought this bug was too nice to convert to 12V and stuff a big motor in, so it goes up for sale. I get offered a panel in trade, plus cash. I bite. Enter 64 Panel.

UncleBob · July 8th, 2003, 04:33 PM

Don't get me wrong. The Panel was cool. But it just didn't feel right. It felt like driving a lowered school bus. Maybe I can sell the bus, and buy a decent, newer, 12V bug that will be okay in Traffic.

Sold the Panel, and found the bug of my dreams living in Texas. This was a 'once-in-a-lifetime deal', and is the nicest bug I have ever had. The previous owner really did a nice job restoring it. It is sweet. Hard to tell from the picture, but paint has a hint of Blue Pearl in it. I'm in love. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif[/img]

UncleBob · July 8th, 2003, 04:36 PM

The interior is just as nice. It drives like a new car. I drove it to work for the first time today. Life is good. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/stoned.gif[/img]

UncleBob · August 4th, 2003, 06:21 PM

Yellow buggy is stripped and has an appointment with the beauty parlor this Saturday. Getting some big-ass flakes squirted on it.

UncleBob · December 1st, 2003, 09:25 AM

Well, finally got the buggy back from the paint shop. It was well worth the wait. After 17 coats of paint (including primer and 7 clears) here's the finished product. It is REALLY sparkly, exactly what I was looking for. Now to put it all back together.

UncleBob · December 1st, 2003, 09:26 AM

The Flakes really come alive in the sun, and don't show very well in my garage.

UncleBob · January 18th, 2004, 03:19 PM

Hood mounted, turn signals, windshield, etc. Slowly getting there.
Next is wiring harness.

UncleBob · February 24th, 2004, 02:21 PM

Engine fits. Yay.

UncleBob · March 13th, 2004, 05:46 PM

Seats in, and roll-bar added.

UncleBob · March 13th, 2004, 06:02 PM

Here's the dash panel my friend spun for me. Not bad for his first try! Auto-meter Phantom Tach, oil pressure, side-ways fuel gauge (don't ask), and a stock speedo does the rest. The shift-lite will mount on the steering column. You can also make out the square tubing windshield brace I made behind the speaker holes. Should have painted that, huh? :angry: Old Scat Drag-Fast shifter for the gears. Still need to trim the rubber tunnel-cover, finish up that fender welting, and some other small things here. I could sit in those Corbeaus all day.

UncleBob · March 13th, 2004, 06:12 PM

It won't be long now.

UncleBob · March 20th, 2004, 05:35 PM

Relocated roll bar up to where it's supposed to be, 'cause I wasn't happy with mounting it to the channels. It's now tied into the rear torsion like it should be, a bit sturdier.

Mounted front and rear bumpers. A good day!

UncleBob · March 20th, 2004, 05:39 PM

The rear. It's a nice fit. Hard to tell in the picture, but the 'mirror-silver' powdercoat almost matches the ceramic header.

UncleBob · April 19th, 2004, 03:10 PM

Well, with a weekends worth of work, I was able to bring the buggy out to the annual Beaches VW show yesterday. I found a red metalflaked steering wheel at the swap booth next to mine and bolted it up right then. She placed second in the buggy class. I think the steering wheel helped, as there were several buggies much nicer than mine. It's almost a perfect match with the paint.

First time I've ever built anything that won an award. It was a good day. My '67 also placed in the Daily Driver class. Woop-Woop.