1963 Aircooled Fiberglass Buggy

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:59 am

Hey Dave, just had another look at that Veepster,, I noticed the guy has the steering wheel n pedals on the right side

I need them on the wrong side to make it authentic. Why the hell cant we all drive on the wrong side of the road like those American guys?

Im intrigued to know whats under the hood/bonnet of that Veep if the Vee Dub motor is in the rear

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:44 am

Found this tech drawing of the Mighty Mite prototype. The team that designed it was pretty much the same team that designed the original WWII Jeep. The engine in the prototype was an early 356 Porshe engine. The brakes were mounted inboard on the differentials. The front suspension was normal eliptic leaf spring, but rear suspension was trailing arm leaf spring.

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:53 am

[QUOTE="CairoManx"]Found this tech drawing of the Mighty Mite prototype. The team that designed it was pretty much the same team that designed the original WWII Jeep. The engine in the prototype was an early 356 Porshe engine. The brakes were mounted inboard on the differentials. The front suspension was normal eliptic leaf spring, but rear suspension was trailing arm leaf spring.

[/QUOTE] WOW!!! I like tough stuff,, and that sure looks tough :rock: Just spoke with the guy that has the Veepster for sale in UK,, he said its an all steel body tub & hood with GRP fenders & grill panel on a custom made (non VW) chassis,, the guy also said that Willys tried to sue the company that made them back in the 70s for copyright because it was so close to the original,,, maybe,, maybe not,, good sales pitch though. Very tempting to pop down to London & have a look,, but I cant stand London traffic :help:

buggypete · Post by **buggypete** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:29 pm

mel your going to have to renew your passport and come up north.ill take you over to a mate of my dads for a natter.he,s got a jeep,an austin champ,2 vw powered snowcats,an argocat,3 alvis stalwarts,a big 6x6 american army truck.and he,ll explain the beauty of spray elastomers as well. oh an ill make you a brew while you get over the scene that,s my back yard.

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:07 pm

Sounds good Pete :driving: Back in the 60s & early 70s I used to see a lot of Austin Champs on the roads,,, a guy once told me that you could drive one through 5' of water with the high exhaust fitted

Will he part with the Jeep? ps, Did you get Lee sorted?,, gave him your number yesterday.

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:35 pm

This is interesting. A pair of Mighty Mite projects on ebay. The auction closes 13 hours from now and the bid is still just $1007. The seller has misspelled both the name and the designation, which is a guaranteed way to get fewer bidders. Its about 2 hours up the road from me. Wish I had space for em. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160105141345&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us [url="javascript:void(null)"]

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mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:14 am

[QUOTE="CairoManx"]This is interesting. A pair of Mighty Mite projects on ebay. The auction closes 13 hours from now and the bid is still just $1007. The seller has misspelled both the name and the designation, which is a guaranteed way to get fewer bidders. Its about 2 hours up the road from me. Wish I had space for em. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160105141345&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us [url="javascript:void(null)"]

[/url][/QUOTE] WOW! that sounds a good deal,, you must try n make more room, you may never get another chance of two, just two hours away. Funny thing, I've just got back from London, after looking at that Veepster thing,,, the steel body tub suprised me, it looks good n strong as does the frame. But the rest of it was real crap,, windshield area is wrong with a big sheet of alloy riveted in & covered in filler/bondo, headlamps held in with rottern wood, wrong tailgate,wood dash, birds nest wiring, wrong rear lamps, etc etc and to top it all, the guy wants ?1500 for it

The most crazy thing is,, I want it,, but not for that price,, so will let him sweat a while before going in for the kill

My plan would be a total strip down, shot blast n rebuild using an original type windshild,, if I could get hold of one. I think the body tub on that Veepster must have been a NOS jeep part,, maybe back then (70s) the guy who produced these kits, bought a job lot, or had the equiment to press out new tubs,, as this one was as strong & thick as my old 1942 Ford GPW,, even has the original holes for the gear n high n low ratio shifters, which the VW box dont use. Just wish I knew what was lurking undr that bondo. It sure makes those Mighty Mites sound like a bargain. Hey CairoManx!! if I do ever buy that Jeep thing, and it all goes sour, at least I can blaim you for starting this thread

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:34 pm

Nelson, its been a long time, but if all goes to plan the Veep should be with me on thursday,, got original GPW windshield frame & seats for it now :drinking: cant wait to transform it to WW2 Jeep looks with bigger VW power

:driving:

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:55 pm

Post a picture when you get it. I like metal bodied street legal buggies. The Manx Club homepage says its open to all fiberglass bodied buggies but I've seen Burros and Sportsters at every MC event I've been to. I've been chatting with a guy who lives near here who just got an EMPI Sportster for $700. He's restoring it and collecting EMPI accessories like GT valve covers, steering wheel, shifter and license frames for it. He wants to get EMPI BRM or Sprint Star wheels for it eventually too.

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:38 am

GOT IT!! Veep, needs loads doing but looks a very tough little vehicle,,, cant wait to take it apart,, horror storys could follow

Need five, wide VW 5 lug 4.5'' X 16'' steel wheels for it now,, its a bit of a long shot, but, has anyone on here ever welded VW wheel centers to Landrover 16'' rims?? if so, I have a job for ya. Maybe it would be better to buy blank drums & get em drilled for Landrover stud pattern

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:19 am

Mel, Early beetle rims were 16". http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=355995

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:39 am

Here's a thread from RBC you should check out. http://p066.ezboard.com/frbcdunebuggyfrm18.showMessage?topicID=1256.topic

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:40 am

[QUOTE="CairoManx"]Mel, Early beetle rims were 16". [/QUOTE] I never knew that,, just put a wanted ad on a UK VW site for some.