I’ll play. I’m new here, oddly… though I’ve been aware of HAMB for a very long time. I’ve been steadily looking at 55 Chevys lately. I see a few people here I know, some only by reputation. When I was 14, in 1980 there was a Hot Rod magazine article (my dad was/is a corvette guy, still has a couple 67s, one a 435 horse coupe. A Hot Rod subscription was available pretty much my whole life) on the cal look VW. As I was at the point of thinking about what my first car would be I showed the article to my dad. His response? “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen”.(he’s not known for his open mindedness). Anyways I was hooked… must be a good idea if he hates it. I feel that in a weird way a hot rod VW is the ultimate hot rod, such a drastic change from stock to fast. I found motorcycles a couple years later, and still have an affair going there… but about 20 years ago I bought this 67 from California, and played with it A LOT. I’m a career machinist/CNC programmer and built my own engines. My best pass in it was a 6.89 1/8, which is like a 10.80 1/4. 11.13 however has been the best I’ve been able to post on one of the few occasions I’ve run it to the 1/4. A few years back I had carpal tunnel surgery which made it so I can ride motorcycles again without my hands going numb. I’ve since done some road racing , trackdays, licensing and competing. At 59, I figure I have a short time to settle whatever business I have with fast motorcycles. But the 67 is waiting (engine less) for me to be done…
I’m in the process of recommissioning this car after it was crashed a few years ago. It has my street car engine in it now(it did when it was crashed also). Sign painter Michael Hall’s Muscle Bug.
Had an ice cream run to the local DQ the other night, a bunch of local cars showed up. This '65 convert was there and a buddy caught this pic. I'd never seen it. The owner is a younger guy, he and his buddies put it together. So, I guess this car hobby thing ain't just about the old geezers...
Got the Fuchs wheels fitted to the Ghia, finally. This was way more involved than I was expecting, given how many people fit these wheels to early VWs. I cheated and used Porsche 356C discs on the front, which are factory king/link disc brakes, but to run VW drums on the rear, you need just the right combination of parts. Namely, 1968 and later drums, backing plates and shoes, (I tried three sets of backing plates, before getting the right ones) but you have to find 1965-66-67 only bearing caps, to get rid of the oil flinger. Although you can buy drums with the right stud pattern, I still had to find someone with a big enough lathe to turn down the snout on the drums.
I remember it when Wayne owned it in Arizona. Same color, but much less quick. It sold for what was big money back then. I owned this Oriole Yellow ghia in ‘21-‘22 and it was super original except for the drivetrain. 13.70’s right off the street with a 2180 and 44idf’s. Pulled out of a garage after sitting for decades. 48k on the odometer, and I still regret selling it.
Calling all VW gurus, I need to find where my sending unit is on my dune buggy. The body is one piece and I need a new sending unit. Judging from my fuel filler, I think I have a 61-67 tank. like this I found on-line If you have a better idea, I'm listening. But this is the best match I have for this shot of my dune buggy deck I need the measurement from the filler over to the sending unit. Over, and up. Can someone provide that please? My plan is to drill a pilot, sight the sending unit with an inspection camera, cut a hole, replace the sender and fill the hole with a marine inspection cover. Measure twice, cut once. I need the initial measurement.
The the sending unit sits in the hole in the middle of the tank, it’s a mechanical unit. Aftermarket ones tend to leak, I don’t know what the modern solution is.
I know it goes in the center hole, but I need one of you VW boys with a 61-67 tank to tell me where that is in relation to that filler neck.
If you had a stock tank (or filler) it would come out like this, behind the headlight. I'm not sure which is the filler in your photo.
Rats. That looks correct for that early 60's tank filler locale. I have a skinny buddy that might be able to slither into the car with a dremel and poke a hole through from the inside. I don't see how that is possible, just wishful thinking. I appreciate your response but I think I am back to the drawing board.
Billy, I hope you got it worked out. Saw this Transporter in the airport when I flew back from Jamaica this spring.
First 2 pictures are of Jim Kurlinski’s ‘67. The next is my good friend Gary Clifford’s stroker Okrasa powered ‘54. Then, there is Mike Preston’s notchback with a Berg 5 speed and big type 3 engine. Last is Dino Mendoza’s street killer.
The Jalopy Journal
