Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

[Second Air Force]

Here's a project I have had in storage since the early 1990s. Back then we drove mostly air-cooled VWs for daily transportation and I began to research the fascinating early days of the Volkswagen family. With that in mind I bought a couple of 1/16 scale Kafer kits and later on picked up two Kubels from Tamiya to supplement my plans.

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

Originally I started to back-date the early fifties sedan in the Revell kit to the wartime configuration, and the Tamiya drivetrain parts were later added in to sweeten the brew:

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

Here are a few of the resin parts I cast twenty years ago and also the upgraded wheelsets that I modified from the Tamiya pieces with my own machined hubs. Also you can see the mostly scratchbuilt front trunk and body interior sections:

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

And a quick photo of the body after most of the conversion back to a 1942 Typ 82 configuration:

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

[draken35]

Great!

[No.1]

This is great and popular

[Second Air Force]

Thanks, my friends!

Recently I've become very interested in finding another old VW (1:1 scale) to restore before I grow too old to enjoy a project. I'm actively looking for something between late 1940s and 1957......So, I've gotten all my old Volkswagen history and reference books out of storage and felt it was the right time to work on this model while I search for a real Beetle!

This evening the inner rims were finally fabricated. The Revell kit has some rather poor parts for the "back" halves of the wheels so I took the front halves and machined the centers out of them. By doing this the proper dish of the wheels will be visible under the car and the brake drums and backing plate will have the proper offset:

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

[Second Air Force]

Have you ever started up a project that has been on hold for a while? Each time I study this one I remember what I was thinking during the earlier attempt, even though the first time was twenty years ago.......! Tonight I worked on the seat frames a little, using the metal framework I scratchbuilt long ago. The rear seat and "luggage" tray were already in basic form and only required some extra fitting:

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

[No.1]

Hahaha- have I ever start project and keep it on hold? I can feel entire big web site with such projects 

[draken35]

Hahaha- have I ever start project and keep it on hold? I can feel entire big web site with such projects 

Me too...

[Second Air Force]

Ha! We three are among many, I reckon!!!!!

The really bad thing about this build coming back from the closet is that it will probably become expensive--I've found a real sedan that I would dearly like to buy and start working on........I have come to the conclusion that physically I only have time enough for one restoration project left to me and the time to enjoy it when it is completed, so it's time to find a Beetle soon. I wanted a Split-window, but it looks like an Oval (1956) is more in my affordability range.

[Second Air Force]

A small bit of work on the Beetle, firstly I was able to roughly start the seat frames and begin fitting the backs to the lowers, then a fit-check into the car:

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

Next was time to start working on the engine and transaxle from the Tamiya Kubelwagen. These parts are excellent and really represent the real thing well. Best part was that I don't have to get my hands as dirty working on this plastic one, unlike the 1/1 scale item! The first photo shows that some adapting has to be done to change the cooling fan shroud to the shape of the sedan shroud.

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

Then, some paint to get started!

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

[draken35]

[Second Air Force]

Thanks, my friend!

This project has really "lit my fire" to find another real Beetle to restore--know of any late forties or early fifties VWs for sale? (I missed out on a nice project not far from my home two weeks ago.....)

[Second Air Force]

I'll bet you all thought that I had stopped altogether, but I haven't...... here is the primary assembly of the VW powerplant that will eventually go into this Kafer:

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

[Second Air Force]

Well, I've done it now--I'm moving on to a 1/1 scale VW project to go along with this smaller one.......we've finally found a very early 1956 sedan and the best part of it is that it is a stripped-down Standard version. It'll be a month or so until we actually take possession, and then the restoration can begin!

Something New (and Old) VW Sedan

[No.1]

Restorer in blood

[Second Air Force]

Yes. We drove air cooled VWs for many years but eventually had to sell everything. Only now, 14 years later, I have been bitten by the "Bug" once again. This will take a while to restore, but it has one great feature--no rust! Most of the old VWs around here are all rusted out and beaten up from years of use but this one is very, very solid and will be easy to get back to good condition. An added plus is that it still has the original engine in it. I don't know of its condition, but hope I can rebuild it.