Friday 8 November 2019

Picking up Bits and Pieces

Following on from getting Myrtle back from LVH Engine and Restos and being contacted by Leanne from Limebug as she saw some of the pictures I had posted up on social media. It soon became apparent that something was not quite right with my little bug.
Classic 1965 VW Beetle Myrtle
Washed, dried then put under a cover
I sent a few pictures of the underneath of Myrtle to Leanne and she reliably informed me that the "relocators" I had not only had to be bolted in place but also welded to the arms. Apparently, there are some new Limebug versions that just bolt in place. Leanne also went on to say fitting the "relocators" it was an easy mistake to fit them around the wrong way. I'm no mechanic and as far as I am aware there were no instructions so I couldn't say if this was the case when I looked

I immediately contacted Paul over at LVH and he informed me not to worry he would sort it. In fact, now that the new trailing arms have arrived from Cage66 fabrications I know once they are fitted to Myrtle she will be sitting pretty, and I will not require the other damper relocators.


Extended Arms from Cage66fabriactions, all painted gloss black
So after getting Mrytle back all I have done is wash her, dried her off and put her under a cover, awaiting a time Paul can fit her in to get some more work done on her. The short break gives me a little time to save up some more cash, man this is proving to be quite an expensive hobby. I have just spent yet another £800 or so quid on various bits and bobs for her this last week.

This includes a new Powerlite 75 amp alternator. The old dynamo just couldn't cut it when coming to power the dual compressors for the Air Ride system. I kept getting a low voltage warning on my mobile when activating the ride height. I have also had to buy a new fan shroud to take the alternator. Whilst I was on I thought I may as well "Bling" Myrtle up a little in the engine bay so purchased an MST Black billet Serpentine pulley, "Dizzy" stand and fuel pump block off, all from Limebug. Also after getting some good advice from Max Edwards over at Eva Resto, I opted for a Facet electric fuel pump and a Filter King. I got a complete setup, including fittings and line from Machine7. Max had informed me that the pump was best fitted under the tank and upon visiting his website I discovered he had a ready-made bracket, that looks spot on, so I invested in one of those, powder-coated of course.

A few bits and bobs
Facet Fuel Pump and Filter King Ooh and a grab handle and sun visors
Powerlite 75 amp alternator and some MST Billet Kit
Since purchasing Mrytle I have had an idea of how I would like her to be, she will be by no means a "purists" car, however, she will remain classic looking. I think her Mango Green colour adds to this. Slowly I have been buying the odd bits and bobs, quite a bit of it for when she is in the final stages of completion. So things like replica Porsche 456 headlight guards, or the Limebug parcel rail. Stuff for the car is quite expensive for instance £38 just for genuine interior light and as yet I still have to find a hole to put it in without wrecking my headlining, saying which long term I will probably have all of the interior done. I already have ideas and a plan in my mind for this, so have been thinking of colours. Somewhere it will involve red, so I have purchased a full set of seatbelts, 3 points for the front where Paul welded the extra mounts in my lower B-pillars and 2 points in the rear, not very often I have people in the back anyhoo.

Red belts and the Eva Resto Fuel Pump Bracket + a rather expensive interior light
The DWP has been in touch just yesterday asking me to provide quotes and a driving assessment report. I have tried explaining I cannot go for an assessment as there are no vehicles currently in the UK employing this type of semi-auto Syncro clutch. I do have one quote and I am awaiting another, so fingers crossed when it comes and they take a look at it they will be willing to offer help support me with my Access to Work application. I will let you know how I get on with that.