Description
Passed IVA 2023
Over 3000 Hour Home Build
Mango Green
Ferrari Tan interior along with German Box Weave carpets and hood, Supplied by S. J Bowles coach Trimmers (the original Trimmers for Chesil Speedsters).
Immobiliser.
1641cc Tuned Engine supplied by Heritage VW, Shoreham-on-Sea.
Twin refurbished Kadron Carburetors.
Flame Thrower Pertronix Distributor and Coil.
Disc Bakes At the Front + Adjustable Balance Valve Fitted.
Adjustable Suspension Front and Rear.
Quick release Wooden Steering Wheel.
Adjustable Heated Seats with Detachable Head Rests.
Wind up Windows
Heated Screen.
USB/ cigarette lighter charging Points, Front and in the storage compartment in the Rear. I started this Project shortly after Covid. I needed a hobby, something to tax my mind. I'd built and restored mainly E-types in the USA back in the late 80's.
I watched a repeat of Vintage Voltage, they where electrifying a Chesil Speedster.
That will do for me.
I've loved building this over the past 4 years. 75% of the time anyway.
It's taken this long because I kept going back and changing things. I'd completely cut the donor beetle down to the center spine, then welded in the modified floors along with a Beam front Axle, previously a McPherson strut set up.
The previous owner of the axle had striped it down and welded in adjustable lowering blocks. The suspension and Steering gear was fitted with all new bushes and Joints.
Unfortunately, when I built the car up to a rolling Chassis, I found the lowering blocks had been welded in 90 degree out of position. Off came the Axle, I made a Jig to allow me to cut and re-weld the blocks into the correct position.
The build moved on and the brake pipes where made up along with all new Master cylinder, Disc's to the front and drum and assembly to the rear.
A Freeway flyer gearbox was sourced and checked for wear. New gaskets and seals fitted.
I found a new engine still in it's crate. A chap in Oxford was going to Import Classic VW's from Colombia and restore them here.
He'd bought a couple of tuned 1641cc engines from Heritage VW in Shoreham. He changed his plans and I ended up with one of his engines.
So now the Engine and box where fitted, it was time for the Body to go on. A couple of months after it was fitted, I was working under the car trying to come up with a way I could get the speedo to work from the rear wheels (IVA speed calibration check is done with the vehicle's rear wheels on a roller and Beetle speedo works off the Front wheels). Anyway, Whilst under there I something was bothering me. It was the Beetle floorpans. I hated the look of them.
Off came the body and I made my own flat floorpans.
Back to the car on the floor and I decided to square off the center tunnel and run the Wiring loom and Front to Rear Brake pipe along with a Brake Balance Valve thru the tunnel.
After finishing the Steering, I had a chat with a Fella who had a racing MX5. He showed me his quick release Steering. I had to have one. I bought my self a TIG welder and Taught myself how to weld Aluminium. Off came the column and i modified it with the release coupling added.
Most of interior was fitted and the car was nearing the IVA. I fitted the MX5 seats and a couple of weeks later I trailered the car to Gillingham for it's Test.
It failed on a few things including the Front indicators being 10mm too close to the floor and shape edges on the Headlamp securing tab. Well at least the seats passed.
2nd Test 6 weeks later: Seats Failed! I'd sent the black leather seats to S. J. Bowles coachworks in Bridport, Steve put new foam and re-covered them in a beautiful soft Ferrari Tan Leather.
Well in the IVA Test, a weighted block is placed on the Driver's seat and a measurement is taken to the top of the steering wheel. The new Leather is softer than the original MX5 leather so now the seat was 5mm to low in relation to the steering wheel.
The advise from the Inspector was " you'll have to take the steering column of and re-work it". What a numpty.
I made a couple of different sets of spacers for both seats.
3rd Test: Pass.
I was quite surprised how rough the Chesil Tub was when it first arrived. It took weeks and weeks to get it to a condition that I though good enough to paint. The gaps on doors, bonnet, engine cover and the modified Petrol cap (finger swage) took another couple of weeks. I used a CR2032 lithium battery to gap every thing.
The paint and clear went on and the interior finished.
I've taken it to 4 or 5 shows and almost all comments received have been about beautiful and unusual the colour of the body and interior. It's an old VW colour, Porsche didn't use it but they should have.
It comes with a removable Tan Hood and I have the painted bumpers but not fitted. I think the car looks better without them.
I've also had a couple of articles published in the Speedster & Spyder magazine.
Walk around Video on request and Happy to answer any questions.
