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Veronica the Vanagon - Bonita - Erika the Viking - Vicky the Wurstbude - Jeangenie
1974 Jeans Beetle LHD
Make: VW Volkswagen Model: Jeans Beetle Colour: Brilliant Yellow L11C Brilliant Gelb Year of Manufacture: 1974 Engine: 1600 cc (Origanally 1148 cc) Original Jeans Denim Seats & Livery
Well as someone, who shall remain nameless!! (John..oops did I say the name) Forgot to back up the old server, the whole buglog was lost, so here is a new and revised edition without much datable info as can`t remember the dates of the resto.
Special thanks go out to John for all his help and info and Laura for her help and understanding
PROLOGUE
She ain`t perfect but she is mine
I decided that after a few years of not having another beetle (after I wrote off my previous beetle, causing me to loose my faith!!), my GF found a tired looking bug on Car & Classic, after several days of trying to decide if I wanted to get another and wondering if it was worth the hassle.
So if I was to get her I would have to do the work myself for a change, as I have never welded or done any sort of body repair this was very scary!!
To learn welding I borrowed John`s welder and after about 15 minutes of practice I started!!!! FOOL!! No garage or proper equipment, during the winter I made a cover from tarp and secured it with bricks!!
As you can see from the following logs it wasn`t easy and it ain`t perfect in many peoples eyes, but as this was my first ever full resto without paying for welding, I think I have done a good enough job.
Anyway read on for more detailed info............
She is a 1974 European Market Jeans Beetle, they differ from standard Jeans seen by the colour of paintwork and the demin colour. She also has a few original optional extras which are the Padded Dash, Golf Ball Gear Knob, Rear Screen Heater, High Back Seats and the GT Wheels. From what i can find out she is the ONLY one of its kind in the UK and I think only 1 of 2 with the extras left in Mainland Europe, there are 5 in total that I know of but only 1 with all the options that she has, so she is a bit rare and special, one day I will afford a proper paintjob and interior and then show her on the seen............
5th May 2008
After a visit to Stanford Hall VW Show and a bit of badgering from Laura, I decided to go and have a look at a rather interesting beetle for sale. John & Jenn decided that they would come as well, so we went over to Warwick in convoy with “Vicky”. I think the owner was surprised to see a big orange bus turn up outside his house!!
Sometime in June 2008
The price was sorted and the time was right to collect “Genie” from Warwick. We collected her on the back of a transporter as she was totally unroadworthy, she arrived back at her temporary home on my Nan`s drive.
It didn`t take long to find out what was wrong with her, initial investigation should have set off the usual VW alarm bells.
So the bodywork bits that need to be done are?
Both Heater Channels, LH Front Qtr Floor Pan, Front Bulkhead Inner & Outer, Wheel Well, Rear Closing Plates for Heater Channels, Both Front Inner Wings, Replace both Doors, Respray.
Other works included.
Sorting out wipers, all lights not working, engine running routhly, brake pipes and shoes (maybe) all round.
New Interior!! Or Seat Covers for now!!
Sometime in July
First cut with the angle grinder!!
All parts where sorced and work started, then as normal with the British Weather, down came the rain......
A temp cover was setup using some tarp and the carport. Lots of welding and panels where fixed in place.
For all up to date pics then click this link - http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l38/pgb2022c/Genie/
In the mean time, I got in touch with Autohaus Feser in Germany to see what info I could get and some freebies..
Thanks to Tibor as I recieved a parcel a few days later with some new window stickers and some number plate surrounds, you got to love those Germans. http://www.vw-feser.de/
All original documentation came with her as well?
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All work was completed by Mid September 2008, I had a week of work and decided to grab some spray cans and get “Genie” sprayed. I know its not ideal using cans but the price has dictated this bit. Anyway not that a bad job done??
Halfway?
Almost done?
Complete??
November 2008
Visit to Germany to see relatives and grabbed a few itmes to finish off “Genie”
ADAC Map for area she came from and an ADAC Brass car badge for the bumper to go along with the original ADAC 1st Aid Kit.
Late November 2008
After a visit from John, we found the problem with the brakes and the strange liquid from the rear wheels, “Genie” needs shoes, cylinders and a general clean on the rear brakes. She also needs rear axle seals replacing. Work should recommence over Christmas week.
Thats it for now!!
21st February 2009
Genie is on her way to BugBarn (http://www.the-bugbarn.co.uk), speak to Ray or Richard... Thats the advert over. She is hopefully going to be on the road at start of March, work and time have taken over so no chance for me to finish her off so she going to get last bits done and a nice MOT - 1st one in 18 Years!!!
Hopefully next log will be her all done and on road 
28th February 2009
Update:
New fuel tank required and sender, brakes being done, should be back by Saturday 7th March 2009!!
4th March 2009
Update
Genie has PASSED her M.O.T.!!!!!!!!
Ok she failed but only on a wheel bearing so as far as concerned she passed, all the welding I completed was good enough, so not bad for a 1st timer!!
5th March 2009
Update
Had her retest today, all ok then on way back to garage the master cylinder went!! Will be completed tomorrow so with insurance cert in hand and V5 plus the MOT i can tax the old girl and drive her properly, pics to follow
6th March 2009
She is on the road, picked her up at 5pm today. Got Tax and M.O.T. Went for a drive to get used to a Bug again and driving a LHD car!! Idle went on way home but a quick call to John and he sorted it for me...
Final Fix
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR HELPING WITH THIS PROJECT. IT HAS BEEN A JOURNEY TO GET IT FINISHED AND ITS ONLY JUST BEGUN!!
Next thing is a shake down and iron out any problems with her and then start in April to get the rest of the paint finished and a few bits and bobs and then onto Stanford Hall for her first show and hopefully will be entered as a daily drive bug.
Oh and for Laura to take her for a drive as well!! EEEK!
14th March 2009
Update
Well shakedown is going ok, she broke down twice day after got back from garage, all to do with old fuel lines and rust from the old tank, several strip downs of carb and idle jet and she was kinda working, still kept cutting out when low revs.
Fixed this by taking off all the new cheap ass China/Brazilian rubbish and fitted some old bits left over from my old 69 Bug, works a treat no more running problems.
Gear change sorted out as well, very babdly damaged gearshift plate, several hits with a hammer cured this as well.
All running ok and soon to have a proper run out.
Took Genie to see her old owner the other day and I hope he was as pleased as he looked when he spied her sat outside his house, he even took her for a drive which I know he enjoyed, although couldnt get on with the gear change but then he hadnt driven her since 1994 ish I think.
3rd May 2009
Stanford Hall VW Show
Genie made her show debut at the Stanford Hall Show, although only parked in car park and not on disply just yet!! All was well with the drive and she did her owners proud
28th June 2009
30 Degrees in the shade!!
Fixed the heating in Genie, she is now being called “Toaster!!”. However still need to sort out the heater cables so I can turn the damn things off!! Far too HOT!!
5th July 2009
BVF Show
Went for day out to BVF Show at Malvern, spent a bit of time walking round and then decided to go and join VWOCGB (Been meaning to do this for ages but never got round to it!!)
After speaking to the very nice people in the club and telling them about Genie, they very kindly said I could bring her in to go on the stand for a bit. I was very apprehensive about this as she is not fully fit yet and still gets a few comments about being a late beetle.
I`m so glad I did cause she had a few visitors taking pictures and wanting to know her history.... Very proud daddy
Thanks to the VWOCGB and Clare for all your help and I look forward to showing her at VW Action in September
2nd August 2009
Original Grundig Emden Radio taken to John for repair, I hope he can fix
8th August 2009
More paintwork completed on Genie, “Jeans” logo removed from decklid as European didn`t have this??
23rd August 2009
Genie a bit sick, doesnt idle and oil leak.
Problem with idle solved as carb nut had come away so air was getting into the intake housing!!
Oil leak either appears to be leaking oil filler (oil leaking out and running along the fan housing in the gap) and hopefully with a good clean with brake cleaner I have removed any deposits and should show signs of improvement or it does more likely look like oil cooler as oil is coming out of fan housing on the distributor side of engine, so a run over next couple of days should prove which is which!!
Spoke to John about Radio and he has fixed it for me and put new LED into so it lights up again.... 5 Star again thanks John
29th August 2009
GOOD NEWS!!
Dont have an oil leak, does appear to have built up over some time from a leaking breather pipe and made its way under the fan housing, when I sprayed engine cleaner it diluted it and started running out like water....
BAD NEWS!!!
Oops!! Its does have an oil leak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6th September 2009
BEETLE DRIVE - CRICH TRAMWAY MUSEUM
Been looking forward to this show for ages, set off at 6am to meet up with John (Vicky) and drove up to Crich in convoy along the A610.
We met up the the guys from the VWOCGB and found our spot and parked up. All cars were set up and ready for the show.
Great show had by all and loads of pics taken, best of all was being entertained by Brendon (Tigger!!) and his Accordion!!!!!!
Thanks again go out to the VWOCGB for thier hospitality
17th October 2009
After much deliberation, I decided that the oil leak needs to be looked at!! I haven`t taken a bug engine out for about 10 years so was feeling a bit nervous. All went to plan, engine out and tineware removed.
Little problems!! One engine bolt missing so Genie been running with 3! And when fan housing removed I noticed that the thermostat and flaps have been removed at some point in the past, probably when the engine was changed in Germany!!
New seals fitted to oil cooler and engine refitted, just a few things to put back tomorrow, then will run up and see if problem solved??
Engine Dropped!!
Oil Cooler
Culprits!!!!!!
Then someting strange, when removed tinware, I found a switch with chopped wire!! Apparently its a sensor for Fuel Injection!!! (Thanks to John for info)
Sensor
18th October 2009
Oil Leak now officailly cured!!!!!!!!!!! Although another problem is a wobble on front drivers wheel, the hub nut doesnt appear to be tightened properly!! The only problem is the garage that replaced the brakes had tightened the wheel bolts up too much so now I`ve got to get a flame on them to heat them up to undo them!! This should be done in the next few days hopefully...
18th October 2009 PART 2
Wheel wobble sorted, found a better wrench and took wheel off, hub nut was loose!!!! Tightened up, now all ok. Busy weekend but hopefully all problems solved!!
6th January 2010
SNOW!!!!!!!
No work for a while me thinks as she is snowed in, shame the bloody hills are miles away so cant even walk and enjoy the snow with my bodyboard, times like this when wish still lived in my old village!!
17th May 2010
M.O.T.!!
After hibernating for the winter in the garage, it was time now the sun was out, to get her back on the road.
Sorted out the earth on the horn and she was ready, took her at 9 this morning an waited like an expentant father for the bad news!! I didn’t need to worry, she passed, couple advisories but nothing major, just tyres (they are 30 years old ish) and the door hinge bit loose.
On the road again ready for the shows!!
19th May 2010
BREAKDOWN!!!!!!
On way back from work in the evening, Genie coughed and then lost all power just as I was approaching A46 and dived into the service station!! She just would not start again, just turned over and not firing, carb was leaking as well! In the end after trying for about half hour, I phoned the AA, the nice man came to her rescue after only 20 mins of waiting. I told him she would not start and that needed a tow back to Evesham, he said dont worry I can fix her, I said do you have a carb kit for a solex 34 pict 3?? He said hold on a minute while I get the tow bar out!! Conversation over, why dont they just listen in the first place, some of us do know what we are talking about!!
20th May 2010
THE FIX
Stripped down carb, cleaned all injectors, took out plugs and cleaned (Although oil on plugs - rebuild in the near future), all electrics cleaned, rotor arm, points etc.
She fired up and has worked so far, all ok for now
