TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:59 pm

Hi everyone, I'm Monte. A 67 Squareback, owned by vwfanatic67 became available as my candidate. I’ve lurked on the site for months, looking at pics, researching topics and searching for a car that met what I was looking for. From shells to completed cars, running, or not, engine, engine problems and no engines. I was faced with some challenges in choices. I’ll be upfront, I have limited knowledge on these cars but I’ve learned a great deal from reading this sites rich knowledge-based threads. A big thanks to everyone for sharing.

So with a call placed from Kuwait, vwfanatic67 of East Coast Resto and I came to an agreement to get the square ready for a trip to Rapid City, South Dakota where it'll live. I suspect I may be one of a few if any prairie-dub Type III guys there. Frankly I think I'm going to be the only one. Should be interesting....

This square underwent a restoration roughly 10 years ago by it's owner, vwfanatic67. Some things done included a replaced pan, new rotors upfront with standard drums on a converted IRS rear. the transmission is a stock 4spd. Kumhos will wrap Mahle gasburners which tuck up nicely.

I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to correspond with you, ask “Newbie” questions on topics, get beat up by old heads and former newbs and possibly link up at meets should I have the time. Since I’ve been overseas for a while, I’ve amassed a sizeable “honey-do” list and I’m delinquent on it.

I’ve attached some pics courtesy of vwfanatic67 who’s been pushing hard to get the square ready, putting the finishing touches on a new 1641cc sporting an Engle 110 cam with lightweight lifters along with 87mm pistons and cylinders. All else, including the heads, are stock but new. The exhaust is a Kymco over the top with stock heater boxes. We’ve secured one of Retrovans new dashes earlier which will go in as the windshield gets replaced.

Old Pic. Retrovan dash replacing existing as well as new windshield to replace the cracked one. Steering wheel chosen was a model from Grant Formula Series

TMI interior

Rebuilt Solex 32s

Regards,
Montehm

Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:19 pm

Good intro Monte. Ill try to post up progress on this thread.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:00 pm

Yeah, should have done this while ago but it's cool

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:02 pm

Hi I was back there last fall.We spent a week in Keystone. Had a great time.
I think I only saw 6 aircool VW's the whole week. Welcome home

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:09 pm

Hi DFasty, I don't see too many up there myself. Mainly bugs though. Made the BlackHills area my home. Grew up in Salinas,CA. Thanks for having on board.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:40 pm

That is going to be a really nice ride when VWfanatic67 is done. It doesn't look like it will need much...

Enjoy!

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:46 pm

roverjosh wrote: That is going to be a really nice ride when VWfanatic67 is done. It doesn't look like it will need much...

Enjoy!

Thanks roverjosh. I'm really looking forward to it.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:47 am

Hey Monte. Got old fuel drained and fuel lines changed. Replaced front brake hose and checked out everything up front. New tires installed. Windshield and dash pad out. Having morning cup of joe and get motivated to get started. I thought I had a replacement windshield seal in stock but I dont. So I will have to get one coming. I should have the dash back in and most of everythind else buttoned up for the engine to go back in.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:15 am

Good looking car. Like the wheels too. :)

Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:41 am

I LOVE those door panels! Any idea where they came from?

Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:44 am

vwfanatic67 wrote: Hey Monte. Got old fuel drained and fuel lines changed. Replaced front brake hose and checked out everything up front. New tires installed. Windshield and dash pad out. Having morning cup of joe and get motivated to get started. I thought I had a replacement windshield seal in stock but I dont. So I will have to get one coming. I should have the dash back in and most of everythind else buttoned up for the engine to go back in.

That's awesome. Had three cups myself so far as I've drug my butt in to start my day. :? Phenominal progress with the tank, fuel lines, brake hoses, wheels, etc. man, getting close!!! Looking forward to that engine being mated up and some pics as the anticipation is killing!

Kirk wrote: Good looking car. Like the wheels too. :)
Hi Kirk, Thanks but the credit needs to go to vwfanatic67. He's been prepping the car as I'm overseas. I initially was looking to change the wheels out but they began to grow on me and after looking at alot of squareback pics, I noticed very very few sport them. I'm content :D

Your recent find is too cool. Congrats and thanks for sharing your story and the cars history and hope you can get a pic to place a face to Mr and Mrs Oppenhiem with the squareback for everyone. What would be icing is a short vid of them telling all why they chose the squareback for their trip versus another model.

FergU wrote: I LOVE those door panels! Any idea where they came from?
Hi FergU, In my conversations with vwfanatic67, he chose the TMI interior. My understanding is that you can create color combinations from their options with either vertical or horizontal patterns such as the one black and off-white he chose.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:04 am

Got the dash in. Here's some play by play.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:59 am

vwfanatic67 wrote: Got the dash in. Here's some play by play.

That dash looks sweet! Is that a tac next to the steering column facing downward? Thought that was another drink holder! :lol:

Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:43 pm

yeah thats a tach. I lost the tach bracket when I moved it from my old beetle to the square so I had autometer send me one. The one they sent was a pile of crap. I thought about just taking it out. Its up to you. About to post another pic of the dash in just a minute.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:59 pm

Calling it a day. Gotta get bumpers reinstalled. Install rear brake hoses. Mount carbs and exhuast. Install engine. Another weekend worth and it should be running.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:07 pm

vwfanatic67 wrote:

Calling it a day. Gotta get bumpers reinstalled. Install rear brake hoses. Mount carbs and exhuast. Install engine. Another weekend worth and it should be running.
Oh shit! Totally digging it!!! Thanks for the pics man, made the day for
me.

Woudln't mind having one in there but having it a place where it can be viewed and securing it of course is the challenge. Can you forward some model info to see if I can contact the vendor (if still around) and see if they can send a replacement bracket out if possible? Or maybe new housing for it? Let me know your thoughts. Worth a try.

Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:26 am

montehm wrote: Your recent find is too cool. Congrats and thanks for sharing your story and the cars history and hope you can get a pic to place a face to Mr and Mrs Oppenhiem with the squareback for everyone. What would be icing is a short vid of them telling all why they chose the squareback for their trip versus another model.

Hey thanks! I'm working on those pictures steadily. I'd like to see them myself. :) If you're overseas doin what I think you're doing, stay safe and thank you for your service.

Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:04 pm

Kirk wrote: montehm wrote: Your recent find is too cool. Congrats and thanks for sharing your story and the cars history and hope you can get a pic to place a face to Mr and Mrs Oppenhiem with the squareback for everyone. What would be icing is a short vid of them telling all why they chose the squareback for their trip versus another model.

Hey thanks! I'm working on those pictures steadily. I'd like to see them myself. :) If you're overseas doin what I think you're doing, stay safe and thank you for your service.

Looking forward to the next installment. Thanks for the comment, happy to have served. Retired AF in 06. Left the IZ in Dec and closing a loop on a project in KWT before I return back to the US next month, pick up the square and make my way to SD for some decompression time. :P

Sun May 13, 2012 7:27 pm

Hey Monte know you dying at work to see this so maybe you can open it here. http://youtu.be/73ZY_dKWQWw

Sun May 13, 2012 9:23 pm

Ray,

Sounds and looks great! That's a big step closer. You're right with the air cleaners too as they looks better. Can't wait to see the next piece!!

Thanks man, awesome!