Rhubarbs ( and custard ) resto

Ken just asked for pics so i reread my resto , seems like ages ago now , it still made me smile though

 

Well what has it been like to come back dubbin?

Pretty awesome actually. Back in feb last year she hit the road again after 7 years quietly rotting on someones driveway, "They" the previous owners insisted they were restoring her of course, what they had actually been doing was throwing money at bits that never needed welding,rebuilt engine, new doors, new headliner, new steering wheel, wheels, tyres etc. in the meantime the bits below were quietly succumbing further to the FE203 " rust" so much so in fact that when the time came to actually move the rusting hulk they panicked and chucked her on Ebay toote suite. The owner donned her lowest cut top that revealed her very ample bosom and awaited my inevitable arrival.

Anyway you know the next bit, I fell for it like the dope I was/am and set about the renovation task with an heavy heart and a less than bulging wallet. The innate optimism I was born with served me well I learned the mechanical side of dubbin first hand because as I say I was doing it on a shoe string, whereas previously I had taken my bays to the garage for fixing and eventually after 18 months of pure head scratching and sweeping up wood shavings from the aforementioned head scratching I got Rhubarb through the dreaded,

The next 18 months have been well and truly rewarding, they a have also shown some slight cracks in My wife's devotion to the aircooled. On the other hand my youngest lad Will has found a real love for the camper and a bond between us that involves wild camping trips and experimental cookery has blossomed.

William and I look forward to a Saturday night out in the wilds of Worcestershire or Shropshire sampling local fayre and we are sometimes joined by other bay owners who seem to like our trips too.

This Christmas Will and I are hopefully being joined by some others on here for a quite daunting cold trip to enjoy a few nights on Nant y Moch, heavy clothing and plenty of blankets are going to be the order of the day. the track up the mountain might require a shovel and some salt but that will be part of the fun.

We have spent 18 month's trying different camping combinations, different friends and different locations. The friends have all been a pleasure the closer ones make camping familiar and relaxed. The distant ones make meeting new people a pleasure. The local camp spots are familiar and comfortable, The distant ones an adventure.

Rhubarb has surpassed expectations reliability wise, the little 1600 has served us well and the other bits that make it steer, roll, light up and go vroom have stood the 4000 miles up hill and down dale very well.

Here's to the Chrimbo trip and the next 18 month's.

 

Oops forgot to post the nostalgia pics of the last 18 month's which were the aim of the above post. D'ohh.







Thanks @sANDYbAY

 

Top nosh







A find on our travels

 

I am very undecided tbh Steve, I have a few jobs that need attention, a bit of chassis welding and the top hat above the rear beam. other than that she is pretty solid and like you say, I like the way she looks too so why paint, I would only sell when it's finished?

I think ongoing jobs are being addressed as and when, the winter is coming and I would like to sort the niggly ones!

 

Just for my reference..

Unashamedly pinched from The Samba credit must go to brandn for words & pics:-


Ok Here we go.
First the disclaimer! Im obviously no locksmith and i dare say there are people out there who can do it other ways but this has worked everytime for me and i am now on one key!


The handle i am using is a front door handle, the process is the same for all locks, but the sliding door and hatch lock have a very little phillips screw which needs to be removed to release the barrel.


OK, you will need these bits. The extra wafers are optional:




First off, insert the key. This will stop the wafers flicking out when you pull the barrel as they are on little springs. Then remove the latch from the back of the lock and remove the little retainer spring:




Now you should be able to slide the barrel out, make sure the key stays in the lock so you dont lose the wafers.






Ok, lay the barrel down on its side and you should be able to see which wafers are sticking out, and therefore stopping the barrel from spinning. I have marked 2 definates and 1 possible on this lock:




Slowly remove the key whilst holding the wafers in as the key comes out to ensure they dont pop out.




Carefully remove the offending wafers, if the lock is clean they should just pop out, if not they may need some persuasion with a little screwdriver of plyers. I ended up removing three on this lock.




Stick the key back in the lock and take another look, all the pins should sit clean against the barrel now.




If they do, slide the lock back in and see if it will turn, this one turned nicely. If not check the wafers, one must still not be flush.




If you have extra spare wafers now is the time to use them, for me its trial and error, until you find one that works. There are not many sizes so it doesnt take long. If you dont have them its not the end of the world. I removed 3 wafers here, which left plenty in the barrel to form a lock. I have never had to remove more than 3. />Now is the time to use the silicone spray to clean up the lock and then a nice dose of grease gets it all moving nicely. This lock was super clean so i didnt bother but all my other ones have been heavely clogged up and needed a good clean up.
Ok time to put the lock together. With the key in the barrel slide it back in place, replace the spring, screw the latch back on:




Bingo.... one working lock... Repeat for rest of van, now sit back and congratulate yourself on another job out of the way!

 

Just for my reference.

http://www.classiccult.com/blog/my-1965-1200-a-vw-beetle-restoration.html

 

Well done on the dedication and staying power and double well done for not mentioning " massive norks"

 

Rhubarb has a little pal.

The bug diary --

http://poptop2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-bug-diary.html?zx=c0cbf43764a08146

 

Save the link - Here she is.



Back home after 150 miles of trouble free aircooled motoring in rain of Biblical proportions.



She is a 73 1200a beetle. The wings, deck lid, bonnet and front wheel well are from a pre 67 and are original and in good nick. I bought it from Paul at bugmad customs, he swapped the 1600 to 1200 for me and did a few other bits before I handed over my hard earned. The bug is on adjustable front beam, it rides too low for me, but is rock solid and it was mot'ed on Wednesday, It has 6 month's tax but that should be free in May. she is almost ready for paint and I have a few items to source for her.

Paul reminded me of how I imagined zed would be if selling you a van, totally upfront and would probably do himself out of a sale if not happy with the vehicle. top man and very very helpful. We are pleased.

og colour - vw blood orange L21E for my reference.

 

Yes, Lou wasn't keen tbh and when I saw the ad and had just read a few nice reports about Paul I decided to have a better look. Glad I did now Ste.