The Official Shalako/ Shala Thread

[biobug]

I purchased a Shalako and am in the process of redoing it for using in Arizona in January.

[biobug]

I am slowing down a little because I am waiting for parts. I have a Neal turning brake assembly I want to add but the only space is where the stock emergency brake is..I have to figure that issue out. I also have ordered a tranny solid mount kit that my engine requires . I am thinking of mounting the turn brake on the left side within the space between the inner and outer shell.

[biobug]

I added a side pod on the driver side and mounted my turn brakes there .I am now thinking of doing a side pod on the passenger side too.

[biobug]

I made a lockable storage compartment on the passenger side pod. I also fired up the motor which sounded great.

[biobug]

More..

[biobug]

I finally got her out for a quick test run! The steering is very stiff and it does not want to shift into 1st . I am hoping I don't need to pull the tranny out to get to the coupler. It seemed fine when I put in the tranny. I will check the front bushing in the morning.
Inserted thru the wiring and fixed several problems + added another fuse box for some add-ons. I ended up replacing the ball joints as they were bad so that might have an effect on the steering.
While I had the side pod cover off I took the "fish eye" Blue paint off down to the silver metalflake and will do the other side also. I like the color contrast. I won't be able to paint it until warm weather comes.

[biobug]

I pulled the shift tube and found NO nylon bushing at all. The coupler is new so waiting for parts again. There is no place within 100 miles that has VW parts like there used to be but there is Amazon and a wait....

[BL3Manx]

[biobug]

[biobug]

It does have the new style that needs the bushing luckily.

[BL3Manx]

[biobug]

Pretty much got the wiring straightened out. Some real weird connections like a direct hot wire from the + battery terminal to the flasher ground??
Anyway, I am taking it to DMV tomorrow to license and title it (hopefully..)

[Yessong]

...and another one back on the road! YEEEE HAAAAAW!
_________________
There's nothing wrong with me that a week of expensive tests can not prolong

http://www.stevemorrissilverstein.com/#!resume/c1627

[biobug]

Well, I drove her to my Insurance agent after getting the title and plates and had no luck getting coverage. My friends assistant finally came up with some limited coverage at $493.00 for six months!. I drove home and called to reach the agent who is a friend and finally got thru to him . He worked on it and finally got it covered as an "Antique Auto" at $182.30 for 6 months. That I can live with so..all is well, except there is now a foot of snow on the ground with more coming.

[biobug]

I had my wife take a couple of pics while I was under the dash. ( The extra wiring was actually from a school bus I scrapped.)

[Letterman7]

^ Ha! Know that position very well! Looking good - keep at it!

[biobug]

I took the wife for a 16 mile ride before I loaded it in the trailer for the journey to Arizona and Puerto Penasco Mexico. still a little stiff steering and shifting but much better now. Tweaking will be done in the sunshine.

[biobug]

Now all I need to do is paint and make some gull-wing doors or possibly buy some?? I will get to it in April or May next year.

[biobug]

2 months in Arizona and California are now history. The Shalako ran great! I expected to have a few issues due to lack of testing but other than a small body mount breaking on a 30 mile 4wd road in death valley she ran perfect!
The mileage was poor but I guess a 1915 stroker wasn't built for economy.I will get on the painting and top fabrication Inna couple of months. We put on over 800 miles on side roads and a 190 mile trip to Yuma. It ran at 2600 RPM at 70 mph . The Ball joints have loosened up a lot and with a little tinkering the new shifter worked well. I must say having plumbed in heat was a good idea as most mornings were in the 40's.

[biobug]

After our trip and 3months after I licensed it I received a letter from our DMV stating their request for me to send the plates back to them because the lady that filled out the title info stated it was a "Dune". There is no such listing on their computer so no plate should have been issued. ?! After going to the local DMV twice and trying to rectify the issue I sent the plates along with info on the Shalako including a 1969 magazine showing one on the street and in big print stating they were street legal in all states. That was 3 weeks ago and I am still waiting for a decision. I originally told the lady it was an assembled kit car based on a VW chassis. She said she needed receipts for the frame and all the parts including the body. I have done 3 separate kit cars but never one originally built and titled 40 years ago. I guess we will see...