[Zippy D]

Laurence,
A most interesting use and repurposing of bank card.

I only hope your Mrs. Grumpy doesn't partake in SFI perusing or sooner or later SWMBO (and worshipped) will happen upon your Beetle thread and finally realise what happened to her "lost"/misplaced spending weapon, taking revenge by spending double in the coming weeks to make up for "lost time", once replaced.

It may have been wiser to post these recent additions under a pseudonym for anonymity and ultimately safety.

PS: could you please make some recommendations based upon your knowledge and experience on likely kits for conversion (Airfix?) as I would be interested in giving one (or more) a go.

Cheers,
Martin

 

[Zippy D]

Martin

Having wiped blood away and applied bandages after building Mrs Grumpy's new wood store (the latest fad) I'll try to answer your question. Airfix/Revell kits are all excellent quality so please buy one that appeals to you.

For a further £15 Pendle do a complete PCS chassis kit, which couldn't be easier to build. I'm shortly to start a new Porsche and, if it's any help, I can easily post a step-by-step guide to construction. Please shout. This thread has a Beetle building guide from page 56.

Having acquired all the bits, the next stage is to buy your wife a new pair of shoes. It softens the blow when you get glue on the dining table, and paint on walls in the kitchen...

Incidentally, if Mrs Grumpy starts reading this Forum, I'll probably ring for two ambulances. I'll be off to A&E with severe bruising in one, and Mrs Grumpy will be conveyed to the local Nonsense Palace for a spell of residential healing in the other...

More anon.

Laurence,
Many thanks for the kit and chassis guidance and your excellent Beetle build guide, which I have read previously but will no doubt return to again for reference. I will keep a watchful eye for upcoming deals on said items from the usual (or even unusual) sources.
I, as I am sure others, will be most interested to read/watch any new constructions you have planned and especially your proposed new Porsche build.

I no longer have to please anyone other than myself as the last one left in a "huff".

A combination of things brought everything to a head, the "final straw" being, me buying and wrapping a brand new set of wiper blades for her car as a Christmas present (one of many), as every time we took her car she always complained the screen was dirty and wouldn't clear (not surprising as half the blades were missing and used to drive me mad), but she didn't have time to get them replaced. I thought said "gift" would be well recieved, instead it went down like the proverbial Lead balloon.
There's just no pleasing some people. So much for thinking I was being practical and helpful!

Back to sq rt one. Bit of a catastrophe - again. Paint drying well in bright sunshine. Mrs Grumpy's cat jumps up with friendly greeting, and swishes her tail along the Beetle's left flank...

"Why has the cat got grey paint on her tail?" barked Mrs Grumpy with an accusatorial baritone in her voice.

"It's this autumn's fashion along the catwalks of Paris," I replied. "All very Jean-Paul Gaultier, apparently, dear lady."

."You total bl**dy stupid imbecile..." she proffered in retort.

I smiled, seraphically, and wondered how many words there are in English beginning with 'eff'...

Ah well, start again. View attachment 282002

You better make sure you clean paint stripe from Mrs Grumpy's feline friend as, if memory serves, French Skunks can easily mistake accidentally identified cats, leading to unwanted amorous advances and ultimately all kinds of mayhem!!

Pepe Le Pew is Odor-able

 

[Zippy D]

Plastic fools assemble for release of a new VW. Pity they've got nothing better to do. Too early to celebrate so Captain Haddock stands a small chance of sobriety for a short while.

Will wait for transfers to dry before maiden laps around the Mess.

My grateful thanks for your interest. View attachment 282270 View attachment 282271 View attachment 282272 View attachment 282273

Nice job(s) Laurence.

I hope Captain H doesn't mistake either freshly finished bonnet for the bow of a ship awaiting launch and crack that bottle he's holding across either, otherwise you will have some serious bodywork repairs to perform even before you set a tyre on track.

 

[Zippy D]

Oh dear. A day of potential terror ahead. Mrs Grumpy stood upon her hind legs earlier and announced that, after her 8am appointment at the local lard-ar*e club, she will be at home all day for gardening duty.

I just know that her plans include yours sincerely. "And you'll be getting a haircut later," she barked in the manner of a sergeant-major who's slightly off his rocking chair.

My plan is to grab my bicycle and return with great stealth to the Mess for a spot of prolonged slotting. A tricky one, but I've survived worse. View attachment 282858

I feel for you Laurence.
When it comes to haircuts I will only allow a professional to cut my hair now, especially after several previous disasters inflicted upon my bonce by either mother or other half of the time (I'm pretty sure it was a conspiracy to ensure I didn't attract anyone else).

I hope its not the case that Mrs Grumpy performs said grooming duty, and if so she has more styles to offer then either "The Curly", "The Larry", or "The Mo"!

 

[Zippy D]

Thanks to Pendle I now have all the bits and pieces to modify this Pink-Kar Beetle, which I hope to start next week. Want to try it with a PCS chassis and 13in wheels. If it's a success, and I can't see a reason why it shouldn't be, I'll swap the 18k Mabuchi for something daft. View attachment 300737

I'm enjoying all of your Beetle related builds Laurence, all very "Beettleishous".

I need to pull my finger out.

If uprating the motor and possibly adding a driver, although maybe not, would you need to add some glue to the drivers' head so he doesnt lose his syrup due to the higher speeds?

 

[Zippy D]

Dear Toto

Despite initial misgivings about fitting the turbo Flat-6, and a revised spec rear wing, my latest Beetle shows no early signs of porpoising. I can only suggest, therefore, that you follow my lead, and invest £17.50 in a PCS chassis kit from Pendle for Lewis, and if it works, buy another to shove under George as well.

I know, I know, you're burdened by a budget cap, and £35 is a bit steep, but you can get around this financial burden by getting Suzie a Mothering Sunday prezzie from the bargain basement selection in ALDI's 'middle
row'. Fluffy trinkets this week starting at £3.99. We all have to make sacrifices nowadays, so no point in moaning. And maybe a new set of headphones for yourself after smashing that last pair in Abu Dhabi.

Incidentally, any luck in teaching Mark Webber how to pronounce Porsche properly yet, or is he still struggling with duosyllabic vocab?

Anyhow, please let me know how you get on. Always interested in porpoises.

Yours for a blast through the desert sands

Rev Reg Fernihough-Fernihough-Featherstonehaugh (VD, DSO and scar) View attachment 300765

Now that was funny Laurence.

However I think Toto will have more luck finding a large "Dorothy" in a pair of ruby slippers, large enough to tuck our Toto under her arm, close her eyes, click her heels 3 times and say "theres no place like home" so he can wake up back in 2014 at the start of the 8 year successive run.
You never know, stranger things have happened!

 

[Zippy D]

Notwithstanding missing parts from two PCS chassis kits, I'll do what I can to press ahead with the Pink-Kar Beetle's chassis conversion. Both front and rear body mounts are intrusive, in the wrong place and have been snipped off. A pity but it wasn't an option to keep 'em.

View attachment 300837 View attachment 300838 View attachment 300839 View attachment 300840

Getting what you ordered and paid for should be expected as a minimum, no matter how big or small the item(s) or how cheap or expensive. I agree, unacceptable.
Receiving more than ordered is unusual but does also occur.
Maybe a review of the picking and handling process is in order by said supplier to maybe include a picking tray so it would be easy for the picker to identify any missing parts before placing in the kit bag and sealing (fool proofing or mistake proofing the process). Ok maybe overkill, but at least the customer would be happy.

I am really impressed with the finish you achieved on the black bodied beetle Laurence. As commented by others, like glass/mirror. To confirm, you don't use a clear topcoat? If not, even more impressive!

 

[Zippy D]

Had this newly-finished car apart again today because, completely unaided, Dr Sodt ensured that the bl**dy windscreen had dropped out again so, I've binned it and made a new one. View attachment 300998

Fustrating I'm sure Laurence.

I had an issue with a windscreen in an old Vauxhall Viva GLS many years ago while overtaking another vehicle on a fairly quiet "A" road. Just as I was almost level with the other vehicle the screen not so much fell out, but accompanied by a seriously loud bang shattered completely, totally obscuring frontal vision. I managed to bash a small hole in it with the back of my hand in order to see where I was, returning to the correct side of the road (for the UK) and eventually back home almost in one piece.
After repairs to both hand and windscreen (and a change of underwear!!) I concluded the cause of breakage to be the strong smelling windscreen cleaning product (advertised as such) I had applied both inside and out a few weeks earlier (summer months).

Is your issue that of fitment/clearance of the windscreen to the body or a suitable method of adhesion of the windscreen to the body Laurence?
The mould (Airfix?) for the windscreen/body could be modified (metal on or metal off the mould cavities) in the affected areas but as their production batch runs are likely to be relativley small in comparison to what I was used to (batch/production quantities weekly/monthly in the millions of parts 24/7/365), the mould modification costs would likely prove prohibitive.
Hopefully one day your problem will be solved and detachable windscreens (when you least expect it) will become a thing of the past.

 

[Zippy D]

Amazing and interesting Beetle Laurence, which would be equally amazing and interesting in 1/32 nd form. I hope you give it a go and would keenly follow the build.

Scary to look at in full size when considering occupant safety today due to the limited "A" pillar, no "B" pillar and little or no "C" pillar. A front impact would likely fold it into a "V" shape. I wonder what NCAP rating it would receive today, if even considered!
Do any examples exist today in full size?

 

[Zippy D]

A modern concession to passenger safety. View attachment 301050

No use at a USA drive-in as there would be no place to hang the tray with your food and drinks on it.

 

[Zippy D]

A Sunday family outing to visit granny can lead to frayed tempers. Not so good for road safety. View attachment 301052

Imagening getting pulled over by the Law.

Alright who's in control of this vehicle?

Well I'm steering, she's operating the brake and clutch, she's operating the accelerator theyre doing the hand signals and them up front are shouting directions!

You're ALL nicked!

 

[Zippy D]

A lap of the Nurburgring is usually enough to teach people about road safety. Perhaps a day out in the Eifel should be a compulsory part of the driving test. View attachment 301058

Yes please!
My driving lessons included driving on a duel carriageway a few times, supposedly to get me used to speed.
Put your foot down said the instructor,,,,Go...Go.....

Yeah right.....his car was a Talbot Horizon with about as much Ummph as a soggy newspaper!

 

[Zippy D]

A shame about not being able to use the interior in its current form due to clearance (Clarence!) Laurence. and I agree it would be a shame to have to "modify" it to fit. I'm intrigued to see your alternate solution in due course.

With regard to body to chassis fixing, are these the same type/location in all your beetle builds or do they vary according to model/chassis used?
I read a beetle build thread by another SFI Member and noticed the front and rear bumper fixings on that one appeared to extend a fair way into the body shell interior and wondered if the bumpers themselves were actually (or could be) used as the body to chassis fixing points or there were in fact screws used.

 

[Zippy D]

Really sorry to hear of your new, and hopefully, temporary relocation.
I hope your visit to local hospital will have you swiftly "repaired", "serviced" or otherwise overhauled and returned to more homely and pleasant surroundings, even if it comes with regular abuse and ear bashing from Mrs, Grumpy!!.
At least its home.

My Best Wishes Laurence, for a speedy recovery.

PS I hope it had nothing to do with heating of spray cans and bright grinding sparks....damn Elfs must have been asleep on the job!

Regards
Martin

 

[Zippy D]

Laurence,

To your health!

View attachment 302040

With 2 big blowers that big up top.......I wonder how fast she is upto 60.

Oi you lot!!.....I was talking about the Beetle!! (Obviously )

Hope you are well on the mend Laurence and I'm sure all these fab pics of beetles are helping immensely.
Cheers
Martin

 

[Zippy D]

My grateful thanks, Martin. Most kind of you. Life in cardio generates roughly the same sort of excitement as an Austin 7 flat out down Mulsanne* which is why I can't wait to return to the Mess.

* Or an Austin 7 anywhere else.

Below: Big enough for a slot track, but frowned upon by my consultant. View attachment 302093 View attachment 302094

If you do manage to sneak a track in Laurence, may I suggest make sure its good old analogue, as the newer fandangled wireless controller jobbies may play havoc with your monitors, sending the nursing staff scurrying with crash carts and such........False alarm!!.....False Alarm!!
You would be in serious hot water then.

PS
I think I know your Consultant.....just make sure you run when he snaps that glove on!!!

Cannonball Run Doctor

 

[Zippy D]

I spotted this a short while ago and determined it could be viewed in one of two ways:

1. Absolute sacrilege which will ultimately incur the wrath of the "VW Beetle Gods", or,

2. A novel re-design and re-purposing of an old broken item.

One thing is for sure, in my opinion there is a serious flaw in maties design.

If his chosen source of power decides at an inopportune moment to let loose and "backfire", I don't want to be sitting where he is sitting!

I go with No.1 so it may just be Karma for doing that to a beetle.

PS: I heard there is a "turbo" mod. option available.
This involves feeding the "motor" hot chillies an hour before use, but it did come with a health warning both for the "motor" as well as driver, passengers and anyone else within a 15 yard radius!

Hope you are feeling better today Laurence.

Cheers
Martin

 

[Zippy D]

Very good news to hear you are home once again Laurence.
I do hope you were released/discharged and it wasn't a case of you escaping (although I wouldn't blame you if you had of done, as anything more than 7 days medical "incarceration" would drive me potty), as you will incur the wrath of both Mrs. Grumpy as well as your Consultant.

Here's to your good health, more beetles, and unlimited/indefinite slotting.

Cheers
Martin

 

[Zippy D]

I remember having as many as 5 pairs of odd socks at one time but can not for the life of me remember either buying them or receiving them as a gift (their number also used to increase or decrease seemingly at will and usually around laundry day!).

Try a subtle hint to Mrs. Grumpy that you are in need of a replenishment of your sock drawer, due to it being full of multiple pairs of odd socks, and the only acceptable replacements are 10 pairs of the following:

vw-beetle-yellow-socks

This will "kill two birds with one stone" so to speak - solving the current odd sock issue as well as removing any future possibility of noticeable oddities occuring ever again.....mix away as no one will ever know!!

 

[Zippy D]

Another day hard at it. And a new vow has been solemnly made. When my current consignment of decaffeinated tea and coffee have been (regrettably) consumed, I will buy not another ounce because it's 'orrible. Away with you decaff, therefore, and never return. I tried but enough is quite enough.

Much the same reasoning and thinking about such things as alcohol free beer......I mean isn't that the whole point of imbibing in the first place, because of the inclusion of the alcohol, or in the case of coffee and tea, caffeine.

I think the same about meat free burgers, sausages or pasties.
A perfect occasion for the use of a WTF if ever there was one in my view.

A law should be passed to ensure original names of original products associated with prime constituents or ingredients can not continue to be used to describe newer products which are different and no longer contain said constituent/ingredient, such as alcohol free beer, wine etc, meat free burgers, sausage, pasties etc caffeine free coffee, tea etc.

I mean just imagine VW releasing a new "beetle" and it looks more akin to a Squished Audi TT than a Beetle.
Heaven forbid!