1303S - The Project Begins - VZi, Europe's largest VW forum, community and sales

Scotty_B · 31-10-2007, 06:17 PM

Recently purchased this Beetle this weekend.

'74 1303s in Red. Previous onwer had it 7 years, has now given up on the project due to lack of interest and other commitments, so here's where i take over.

All the welding has been done and it's had a recon engine fitted (sadly a 1300 in place on the orignal 1600 but it will do the job fine for a while) so it's just a case of mot'ing it to see what little bits need doing.

The plans: will eventually have a respray, same colour just needs doing again as the current job was attempted at home, the paint didn't take very well in places.
Will replace bits of the chrome.
Maybe some sprinstars or brm's eventually, however i'm liking the GT wheels a lot at the moment.
Clear indicators, new fresh tail lights.
Also interior re-trim in red & cream with door cards to match, new carpets.
So here she is when i went to view it:

Was a tight fit but got it in eventually, borrowed the trailer free off a mate so wasn't complaining, just about to be unloaded

Sourced a tail light from a local vw restorers/breakers 'Dead Dubs' near Ilkeston

And the recon'd 1300

Think that's about it for now. Glad to have an aircooled dub again, it's been 5 years since the last one!

Scotty_B · 22-11-2007, 10:52 PM

Quick update, she's now on the road. Had it just over 3 weeks. Went in for the M.O.T. last week and....

....failed, hardly surprising seeing as it had been off the road for 3 years!
Had to drain the tank after it went for the mot as it started spluttering and smoking when we got home - as there was a gallon of diesel in the system, put in by mistake by the previous owner.
So up on the ramps it went

Trickled out for ages, eventually all came out so put 2 gallon of unleaded in, chucked out a cloud of smoke, spluttered for a minute, then began to run smoothly and tick over properly

Then later that night came a dusting of snow!

So took a few snaps

Monday - it went down to the mechanic for the M.O.T. repairs. On the upside - all it failed on were the brakes and 2 bolts on the front suspension needed tightening. Not bad really, new pads up front, new shoes on rear, bolts tightened.
Went for the retest today and it passed!

So off i went this afternoon on its maiden voyage with a fresh M.O.T. and tax