Hi
My 56 judson oval is a joy to drive as it is, but should i refit the stock suspension. I have been thinking about it for a while. What do you think?
[IMG]https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/2009-04-12_12-47-06_120420091163.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/2009-04-02_13-23-14_020420091139.jpg[/IMG]
Posted by: pre67vw - 19 June 2009 16:27:30
Welcome to the forum, if you're serious about raising it back up then you've come to the right place 8) :lol:
Lowered Beetles are a pain to live with, they scrape when you hit pot holes sometimes giving you and your passengers a real jolt. Then there are mult-story car parks, speed bumps etc. This is from experience [-x Your VW will be so much easier to live with if you raise it back to stock.
Do it, do it now :beer:
Very cool car by the way :d
Posted by: Hawker - 19 June 2009 19:09:34
VW built the Beetle in Europe for the best part of 40 years. If they were better lowered, then VW would have done it. Lowered Beetles are horrendous to drive. Put it back to standard and enjoy a real Beetle.
Posted by: 55Kab - 19 June 2009 19:35:27
[quote=vwhelmot]should i refit the stock suspension. I have been thinking about it for a while. What do you think?[/quote]
Joining this forum and asking that is a silly question... :wink:
As Rob says, cool car, and if you've been thinking about it for a while then I think you know you want to! To the garage then... :lol:
Posted by: 55Kab - 19 June 2009 19:37:35
[quote=Hawker]VW built the Beetle in Europe for the best part of 40 years. If they were better lowered, then VW would have done it[/quote]
While that is true, like it or not, the State of California has also been refining them for the best part of 40 years...!!! :wink: :lol: :lol:
Posted by: GKL 7 - 19 June 2009 20:15:39
[quote=pre67vw]
Lowered beetles
This is from experience[/quote]
Yes i'd noticed.
Still not beyond a little modification these days either:wink:
Posted by: pre67vw - 19 June 2009 20:42:23
[quote='50 Karmann]
Yes i'd noticed.
Still not beyond a little modification these days either:wink: [/quote]
I still find it odd when people make comments like this about me, I'm still a hot-rodder at heart. 8) I guess the forum has grown into something much stricter than I am...
Posted by: GKL 7 - 19 June 2009 20:58:20
Pulling 'yer leg Rob.
WELDED ON roof rack:wink: Still makes me laugh months later.
Posted by: pre67vw - 19 June 2009 21:05:44
I thought you were referring to my cabrio.. 12V, dual circuit brakes, wrong wheel colours, incorrect licence light - the list goes on and on :p
Posted by: GKL 7 - 19 June 2009 21:28:41
[quote=pre67vw]I thought you were referring to my cabrio.. 12V, dual circuit brakes, wrong wheel colours, incorrect licence light - the list goes on and on :p [/quote]
NO.:roll:
I ignore that, it was built after 1953:lol: :lol: :lol:
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 19 June 2009 22:02:09
[quote=pre67vw]dual circuit brakes[/quote]
That is one mod that does make sense! Unless your underneath looking at the master cylinder it will look stock! 8)
The brake fluid reservoir will be mainly for show but hey ho'! :lol:
Posted by: 55Kab - 19 June 2009 22:09:20
[quote=pre67vw]I'm still a hot-rodder at heart. 8) [/quote]
And good to hear it! :wink: :beer:
Everyone's got a modified bone in their body, even George :lol: and dare I say it...Anna too...Shhhhhhhhhh :lol: :lol:
Posted by: 55Kab - 19 June 2009 22:12:04
[quote=54 Gertie]The brake fluid reservoir will be mainly for show[/quote]
Now that idea sounds familiar :lol:
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 19 June 2009 22:16:37
[quote=55Kab]
and dare I say it...Anna too...Shhhhhhhhhh :lol: :lol:
[/quote]
Runs for cover..........[-x :lol:
Posted by: pre67vw - 19 June 2009 22:28:03
[quote=54 Gertie]
That is one mod that does make sense! Unless your underneath looking at the master cylinder it will look stock! 8)
The brake fluid reservoir will be mainly for show but hey ho'! :lol: [/quote]
I actually got a '67 only reservoir that sits in the front where the old one was 8)
Posted by: GKL 7 - 19 June 2009 22:36:20
[quote=55Kab]
Everyone's got a modified bone in their body, even George.
[/quote]
Yeah!but when i vent it, Rob bans me.
You just can't win.
WATCH THIS and see:lol: [ATTACH]3202[/Attach]
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 19 June 2009 22:57:58
[quote='50 Karmann]
Yeah!but when i vent it, Rob bans me.
You just can't win.
WATCH THIS and see:lol: [/quote]
Can we have a sort of "confessional" section where we can post cars that we like but really shouldnt? :wink:
Posted by: 55Kab - 20 June 2009 00:08:31
[quote=54 Gertie]Can we have a sort of "confessional" section where we can post cars that we like but really shouldnt? :wink: [/quote]
I think that's a cool idea Will. Whadya think Rob?
Although many don't like the lowered, negative cambered and narrowed beam cars, one thing you have to commend is the fastigious approach the real pros take to getting period details correct. 20 years ago you still got the lowered and negative camber etc but all the period stuff was ripped off and thrown over the nearest hedge! :lol: That said I still love that b289 period as it played a huge, huge part in how the quality of ALL cars are turned out today.
Posted by: 64rotbox - 20 June 2009 03:36:51
Get it up, L... That front beam would be much more useful on my '64, anyway.
Posted by: Hebster52 - 20 June 2009 14:02:24
Hmm. Doesn't look like you have that much negative chamber on the rear. I think it looks like the engine and transmission is raised too in that case?
Posted by: vwhelmot - 22 June 2009 08:44:39
The trouble is that it rides and handles so well!
Posted by: GKL 7 - 22 June 2009 20:13:07
[quote=vwhelmot]The trouble is that it rides and handles so well![/quote]
Have you decided to keep the car now?
Bring it back to stock,i suspect you'd like to or why ask the question.
Posted by: vwhelmot - 22 June 2009 22:39:21
you could say that?!
Posted by: Hawker - 06 July 2009 19:41:41
Well if California state improvements include: Baja, Cal-look etc. then god help us!
The USA is still producing brand new vehicles with live rear axles like the old Moggie Minor.. That's why there Motor Industry is on its knees and the top selling vehicle in the US over the last 5 years has been from Japan.
Beetles are good cars to drive considering their age and better kept standard. However, the "Standard" didn't have a steering damper. Interesting after running over a pot-hole.
Posted by: JD - 07 July 2009 09:33:17
[quote=Hawker]
The USA is still producing brand new vehicles with live rear axles like the old Moggie Minor.. That's why there Motor Industry is on its knees and the top selling vehicle in the US over the last 5 years has been from Japan.
[/quote]
There´s nothing wrong with live rear axles. Lotus sevens seem to do alright with them.
Posted by: mpherbie - 15 July 2009 14:49:55
yes definitely raise this great car back to original height as vw intented great dub:d
Posted by: Buggirl - 03 August 2009 20:20:52
I remember seeing the artical on this car in Volks World and I thought she had been in a bump after the shoot, so real glad to see her back on the road!!! I think that it looks cool as it is, but I have to say I agree that if they were better lowered, surely VW would have done it! Kind if makes sense to have them back as they left the factory!:wink: Ultimately, you have got to make the decision.:shock:
Posted by: bish - 05 August 2009 02:12:32
Have you reached that position with your car where its just as you want it but still feel the need to tinker?
Leave well alone i say as it looks just right to me!
Maybe buy a nice accessory to fit and you will banish those tinkering thoughts for a while! :d
Posted by: Moto Linetti - 05 August 2009 19:53:30
If your not sure,always sell it too me!!!!!!
Posted by: auntieaubrey - 12 August 2009 18:07:18
saw your car at tatton and it looks perfect as is
heres a picture i took too
[IMG]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/jdgravestones/101_0955.jpg[/IMG]
i say raise it.
Posted by: vwhelmot - 01 September 2009 14:19:05
Thanks for your replies, to be honest im still thinking about raising it and adding a new set of crossplies and a repro abarth exhaust. It was involved in a smash (not my fault, got hit from behind), this is how it looked
[IMG]https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/Picture031.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/Picture031.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/Picture040.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/Picture040.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/Picture033.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l242/vwhelmot/Picture033.jpg[/IMG]
Posted by: pre67vw - 01 September 2009 14:37:31
Ouch! :(
Posted by: 54 Gertie - 13 March 2011 21:05:50
Just found this thread again in a (completely unrelated) search, any news on the damage? :thumbup:
Posted by: vwhelmot - 13 March 2011 22:02:17
Rebuilt and been back on the road for years. MOT time , so need to check the rear brakes as there is a hub seal oil leak issue! Its been in hibernation for winter.
