'65 Beetle progress

[VW Dave]

If all goes according to my plans, this little guy should be wrapped up this weekend. His name is Schultz, he is a replica of my friends' unrestored '65, and he is the second replica I've done for them.

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And here's a look at the real car(with my Manx lurking in the background):

I started with a Tamiya '66 Beetle kit, and had to change a small number of things for the sake of accuracy: The wheels and hubcaps were pirated from a Gunze-Sangyo '56 Beetle. The steering wheel had to los its horn rim, as '66 was the first year for it. I also filled the radio in, as the real Schultz was a factory 'radio delete' car. My friends are huge collectors of 50s-60s plaid items and use them in their car show displays, so I made a plaid cooler for little Schultz's back seat(along with my 'trademark' photoreduced box of the base kit I used):

In anticipation of the project's end, and because my friends are away on a trip, I borrowed the other replica back from them for photos with his new brother. Here's 'little Rudy,' which I did for them back in May of 1996. This was a Gunze kit with a lot of Tamiya parts added for authenticity:

Here's the real Rudy and Schultz, along with three of their other toys(and my Manx):

[Randy Kern]

Dave, as a VW Bug fan, I think it's looking pretty good. I'll have to get that Tamiya kit sometime, it's a good one. I like your avatar. We just got a male Pug pup last month, 'Chumley'!

[VW Dave]

Dave, as a VW Bug fan, I think it's looking pretty good. I'll have to get that Tamiya kit sometime, it's a good one. I like your avatar. We just got a male Pug pup last month, 'Chumley'!

Randy - You've got the right idea: Pugs rule. We've got 2 of them, and my mom has one. From left to right: Phoebe & Ralphie(ours), and Pixie(my mom's).

Back to the model.....

Schultz now has plates, thanks to a little photoreduction and the kindness of a stranger.

I had a useable pic of the actual rear plate in my PC, but not of the plenty rare '64-64 NY World's Fair souvenir front plate.....and they were away for a show when I discovered that fact, so no pics could be shot. I Googled a little and found my new buddy Mitch, a fellow New Yorker, who has an impressive NYWF memorabilia collection. I emailed him the details of my project, as well as pics so he wouldn't think I was totally nuts, and he graciously sent me some nice photos of his plate to use. His plate is a lot less faded than Schultz' real one, so the model is doing a bit flattering for the old guy.

Edited August 14, 2007 by VW Dave

[empinut]

nice!!

Love those sharpies!

so I can expect an update on the barn door soon?

[Smart-Resins]

Hey Dave, nice Metro!! Is that a Unimog as well?? My grandfather has two Metro's. One black n white.....Black Bart and the other is yellow n white.... Dolly. Dolly has won him several plaques. He just went to a big VW show up there what, last week?? I dont know if he took the super beetle, the "Grape Ape" or the bradley GT kit car though.Anyways, nice job on the bug!! Keep it up. Love your Buggy too!!

[Dag]

I sure like them both Dave. Nice work, I have always had a soft spot for v-Dubs. I have owned several 67's and quite a few Rabbitt/Golfs.

[VW Dave]

Hey Dave, nice Metro!! Is that a Unimog as well?? My grandfather has two Metro's. One black n white.....Black Bart and the other is yellow n white.... Dolly. Dolly has won him several plaques. He just went to a big VW show up there what, last week?? I dont know if he took the super beetle, the "Grape Ape" or the bradley GT kit car though.Anyways, nice job on the bug!! Keep it up. Love your Buggy too!!

Jody - Thanks very much for the kudos. The Met is called 'Dudley,' and he's a cool little car for sure. The yellow truck is a '59 Willys FC-150, appropriately named 'Stubby'....a strange duck indeed, and I can see it being mistaken for a 'Mog:

If your grandfather went to a big VW show up here this past weekend, it had to be Terryville(CT)....I was too broke to go, but I like driving the Manx there(I'm usually one of the rare few that actually drive our buggies there ). Pam & Doug had the black '56 Beetle there this year; if you're looking through any photos your grandfather took while there, just look for the sea of plaid. interesting note: the plaid fiberglass waterskis they display with the car are original 1950's skis, and they did indeed come in plaid; they were my mom's, and she learned to ski on them as a teenager at my grandparents' summer cottage in the Adirondacks.

Edited August 15, 2007 by VW Dave

[Smart-Resins]

Dave, I have never jeen a jeepster like that before. That must be one rare bird indeed!! I dont think in my grandfathers condition he would have gone that far as he rarley even ever gets out of the house. I will have to ask my parents and find out if they know for sure. As far as plaid goes, I have seen where ford did that pattern on some valve covers on a old Pickup truck for some reason!! Anyways...........

[Smart-Resins]

Dave, they said that he and a friend went to one in Fairport, then to a regular show in Geneseo. They bought some parts in Fairport, but took no cars.Guess he has the jugs out of the bradly, wire problems with the great ape and the super beetle is getting restored.LOL. Anyways, a large show for him must be getting smaller since he broke his hip a couple of years back and then grandma died.Oh well.