My 1954 build thread "Beatrix"

[TheLadyBug]

[TheLadyBug]

Made a little progress.
Got the heater boxes back from being cleaned and to my brother to hammer some of the dents out.

Got my window sashes back and are plated. Got more hardware and stuff back that is plated.

Can you believe these are zinc? They are so shiny! These are the headlight clips.

I met with the engine and transmission guy today. We have a solid plan for return dates and I gave him some parts to complete the transmission at his shop. I'm feeling much better having met him in person and we had a lengthy much needed chat about what to expect. Here's to hoping my transmission is delivered in a couple weeks as promised.

I gave him my fuel pump and carb as well to be rebuilt.
I just need to get my heater boxes to him once my brother is done with them, so the j-tubes can be attached, and then the tube and half the shoe will get ceramic coated along with my muffler and intake manifold. I plan to get him more parts when the transmission arrives.
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Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

[TheLadyBug]

Yesterday, I got some plated parts back. I was told that my bulb holders couldn't be plated with the aluminum rivets in place so I had to drill them out. One of the bulb mounts was broken anyway and needing replacement. I drilled them out, now ready to go back for plating.

So now my question.. I would prefer to put in new bulb contact points and wire connectors. Mine are old, appear unreliable and fragile. Since one was toast I was needing to replace anyway. I looked at WW to see if any of their repro holders had parts I could use but no dice. Any pointers on what to replace the old contacts with? Something more sturdy? Where to buy?

The hood catch turned out well

And since I've been following the 54/55 engine correctness thread I realize I have the wrong fuel pump tin and clamps for the plug wires. So I'd really appreciate if anyone has extra if they'd be willing to sell. I need the fuel pump tin to be smooth without the channel, and the clamps to have the weldnut attached.

I dropped off my regulator yesterday to be tested with my generator. So hoping to have that back and ready to go by the time the transmission is here.
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Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

[Joshua B]

Wow that hood latch looks really nice! It looks like the 3 bolt later style though. I believe your car should have the 4 bolt style. Your cars apron does look correct on the picture after blasting.

[TheLadyBug]

[txoval]

I was going to post the same thing last night, but wanted to make sure you slept through the night!

The original apron would have 4 slotted holes, not 3 or 6 like some repros. The six allow for both versions to be used...

Looking through your pics, it appears at one point someone changed the latch and drilled a middle hole to allow the use of this latch

Picture:

[TheLadyBug]

[txoval]

There are a few for sale in the classifieds...I think their asking prices are BS, but that's just me.

WW sells them for $24...either way you'll need to re-plate them to match your other zinc parts

[Blue Baron]

Before plating another one, make sure it wasn't painted.
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We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.

Heinz Nordhoff

[TheLadyBug]

[splitjunkie]

They were painted.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[TheLadyBug]

[sunroof]

Somewhere in this pile of junk which we keep meaning to haul to the shredder there must be a shock bolt.

Don
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Better and better mistakes!

[txoval]

I bet there is a hood latch too...

[TheLadyBug]

[dmuis]

You sir, are a hoarder of the first order! Keep up the good work!

[txoval]

I think th black one next to it has hearts as well

[sunroof]

I'm a shit disturber. This is someone else's stash. Except for the blue car. That is my 1959 Canadian custom sunroof. A very rare car that took me 25 years to find.

Don
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Better and better mistakes!

[TheLadyBug]

Just wanted to post a quick update.

Dropped off a piece of glass at a local decal shop to see if stencils for etching the glass can be made.

Picked up all my new glass on Wednesday, tucked it away safely.

Got some parts in the mail (thanks Don!!) and I'll send them for cleaning next week.

Got my m6 weldnuts in the mail for the heater box and the spark plug tube clamps, lol. So I'll have those welded on as the weldnut was correct for early cars.

My brother brought back my shoes yesterday as he tried his best to straighten them out/remove dents. The guy who is doing my engine will finish prefecting them and then they'll be ready for coating.

Transmission should be here in about a week, pretty excited.
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Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

[schwartzkafer]

Any luck on the stencils for etching? I was hoping to get some made out of self adhesive vinyl, so I can use the etching solution from craft stores. Used it on some wine glasses, and it works great.