... more good stuff for the next evolution step...

During my visit to the Bitburg's DAS Dragday I couldn't resist to grab a set of "Cup-Streben" - adjustable reinforcement bars for my SA / IRS hybrid  subframe!

(the upper bar doesn't look straight, but it definitely is!)

Together with the new, welded crossmember instead of the old stamped VW part, the rear axle will be very solid and will work very well!
If you want to learn more about building an IRS (independent rear suspension) / SA (swing axle)  hybrid subframe, here is a thread on "TheSamba.com" about this topic: IRS / SA hybrid subframe
or here: Brent's Subframe .The basic idea is to have the frame horns (just like on any beetle) to mount the gearbox + the brackets for the IRS arms for better handling!
Next step is to set up my own jigs to align everything perfect!

DAS Dragday #10 Bitburg Sept. 2012

Despite the grey skies we headed towards Bitburg yesterday to visit the 10th DAS Dragday. It was very crowded and we've seen a lot of new cars. The weather was better than expected and we had a great day on the Bitburg Airfield. Unfortunately the dash plaques were already sold out... Here are some pics:

... with TÜV approval???

 DFL line up:

HELL on wheels:

-  great mix of a vintage engine in a modern frame - the exact opposite we do with our cars!

 
Subaru Turbo Boxer powered:

some real vintage bugs:

some giant must have stepped on this 80'ies style convertible...

(even the fog lights are flared...)
... and some more "classic" style bugs:

- as always buses, buses,buses...

 my favorite, a T2A US-spec, pop top, slammed on detailed Fuchs wheels!

- on NSU Ro 80 rims:

- on 16" Fuchs wheels:

- on multi-piece Cup wheels:

  - or 15" Fuchs wheels

... also on the track:

burn out action:

even our "taxi" driver, Olli tested his Audi S4 on the track

 this is the result:

Now, knowing that it takes 15,4 seconds to put a 344 hp 4x4 Audi along the 1/4 mile, I can only imagine what it takes to pass a real fast run! Some water pumpers had between 230 and 261 kph on the finish line, with times under 9 seconds!

starter - continued...

This is Ralf, my Pizza Starter delivery guy, with a couple of starters:

... only minutes before we discovered that both starters were shot... - but thanks to ebay and UPS a brand new starter arrived yesterday:

What a difference! and the new one even works! It came with a new brass sleeve for the gear box housing as well. Now the Volksback is back on the road!

powerful starter - won't crank the engine -wtf?

After our visit at the small, but very nice Bug meeting in Schermbeck yesterday - here are a few pics:

I noticed an unfaithful sound during engine start. I knew from the beginning that the starter's pinion did not fully cover the flyweels's teeth - but a few people convinced me that this is no problem and they used this configuration for some times. Yesterday evening the starter worked- but didn' crank the engine over! So I removed the starter today for closer inspection:

 from the outside everything looked perfect, but...

 caries! - big time... luckily the flywheel is still intact!

no wonder the engine didn't start! - the teeth didn't mesh any more at all!

As so many times before, Ralf stepped in - with an array of starters, to help me out! He even did a Pizza Starter delivery service - right to my garage!
Once more: THANK YOU for helping me out!  

... and another Retro radio...

Retrosound USA announces their latest model, the Zuma. looks much more realistic and is available in a lot of different knob colors and bezels for all kinds of classic vehicles:

(picture from Retrosound USA website)


for more info look here: retrosoundusa Zuma Radio classic beetle style

Youngtimer Vestival Herten 09. September 2012

Today we visited the Youngtimer Vestival (no typo - it's the name!) in Herten, you could see everything from Vintage US cars, 60'ies 70'ies and 80'ies Swedish, German and British iron, all kinds of sportcars, you name it. It was soo hot - so, a cool place in the shadow was the right spot to be - here are some impressions:

Karmann Type 14 US re-import:

only one of the parking lots - under a perfect blue sky :

nice 'Yota:

Ford Sierra Cosworth triplets:

Golf Mk II 16V with cool wheels:

Opel Manta i400

definately not vintage - but one of my favorites: a Jeep JK - even if I would prefer the 4 door body:

nicely detailed Ford Capri

 Golf Mk II with 2 different wheel colors, left vs. right:

wheels: Porsche Cayenne 17" winter wheels - not bad!

the black side was more my kind of taste...

transaxle corner: 

16" Fuchs'ed 914

(notice the white Manta's number plate: BO -EY!)

strange "limo" benz with (too) big wheels:

Audi Coupé (QP)

mmmh - real CSL or - not?

this one gave the crowd a lot of chin scrappin'

VW T3 syncro bus

Ford Capri's, wild and mild:

Golf convertible with Porsche tele dials:

Golf Mk II G60 4door:

Rallye Golf-faced 2 door Jetta with nice wheels

more transaxle pics:

BMW E9 3,5 CSL in full armor:

(apparently Thorsten and Ralf liked it... at least more than Tom and Ute)

RHD Cobra Replica:

a rare sight: an unmodified, chrome bumper'ed Mk I Golf:

early Mk II, with US grille and VR6 converted, leather interior, multi piece wheels  etc - much better than before!

the Porsche corner:

Rallye Golf x 2:

very cool wheels!

clean lookin', front fenderless Harley:

I dig the CNC'ed "bead lock" style wheels!

slick silhouette!

black is (still) beautyful

old school Milwaukee iron:

this Rallye Audi was dropped, just by mounting 1.000 Rallye lights ;-)

Renault wheeled Mk II  

early Golf Mk II with nice BBS's

Transaxle again?...

a nice, color matched couple:

It was a real nice location, perfect weather, the mix of cars was spectacular and we had a lot of fun!
(Did you notice the striking number of Transaxle Porsche pics? - is this a sign?)