Patricks '77 Standard sunroof

[vw1s]

well, i finally got some pictures together.
This one is from late last year ('07)


Under the front end, 5 gallon fuel cell and oddessy battery. Mount for 1 pc front end.



After paint, before color sanding and polishing.



I now have the roof color sanded, and have been working on building my wiring harness.

Here's a quick rundown of the specs:

Body:
1977 Standard Beetle, with sunroof.
3" wider fiberglass rear fenders
1pc. fiberglass front end
fiberglass scoops behind quarter windows, feed cool air to engine
fiberglass "quarter" scoops, in front of rear fenders to feed cool air to the rear brakes.
fiberglass running boards, modified to fit work with 3" rear fenders and 1 pc front end.
Fiberglass rear decklid with scoop
fiberglass rear apron moled to decklid.
trim holes filled
Outside door handles drilled with "lightening" holes
NOS EMPI E-Z-R shifter with hurst t-handle

Suspension/brakes:

Ball joint front end, adjustable, w/ 2 1/2" dropped spindles and disc brakes (cross drilled rotors coming)
KYB "gas-a-just" shocks on all four corners
3/4" front and rear sway-a-way sway bars
urethane rear spring plate and trailing arm bushings
adjustable rear spring plates
rear disc brakes with e-brake (cross drilled rotors coming)
solid front, center, and rear trans mounts
"kafer cup" rear brace
SS braided brake hoses
T3 Master cylinder


Engine/trans:
2054cc
AS41 case-galleys drilled and tapped
74mm DPR CW crank
94mm Mahle p+c's
Engle 125 camshaft
Scat 1.25 rockers
Chromoly pushrods
5.5" CB super race rods
CB ultralight lifters
"Mini-D" ported stock head castings with 40 X 35.5mm SS valves
Dual 44 weber carbs with CB update
6 pound Scheiffer aluminum flywheel
Full MSD ignition, dizzy, wires, coil, box, etc.
1 3/4" merged header with A-1 style muffler, ceramic coated.

I have been working on this project for about 16 years! I bought a 1973 standard when I was 16 (first VW), and started collecting parts for my "dream" VW, I purchased the front end, shocks, sway bars, and ss brake hoses, from Barret enterprises (remember them?), all the way back in 1994 (I have the reciept)
Well, that '73 was rough, and needed more than I was able to give at the time. A few VW's came and went over the years and, after a moving a couple of times, and hauling a bunch of parts around, I came upon the 77. I picked this car up in '03 and jumped back in, this time, a lot more experienced and little better funded! Since then, I have touched, bent, modified, or changed in some way, every aspect of this VW. I have done EVERYTHING on this car, with the exception of balancing the internal engine parts. It has been a LOT of work and a LOT of fun. I can't wait to finish the wiring and fire it up for the first time!

[Chris]

Looks good man, Im guessing it almost done?

[vw1s]

Thanks! It's close! When I find time, I am going to finish wet sanding, and polishing. Then, I have to install the wiring harness. When that is done, I can fire the engine for the first time. I'd say another 30-40 hours of work to be done, I just have to find the time. I'm typing this while getting ready to leave for a wedding!

[dubfreak1]

Can't wait to see this machine. Very impressive!

[Dustin]

Looking good Patrick, You need to make it to another GTG soon. We haven't seen you in a while!

[bren]

Incredible looking car! Amazing work. Looking forward to seeing it in person!

[Ruffuss]

Hey Guy if you need a hand, just give a shout. Nice to hear from you again, you old married guy you. Later Kenn
Give the bride a kiss for me and again congrats.

[vw1s]

Thanks everyone! I never thought getting married would rob me of so much time! I have put about 8 hours into the car since the last week of June! I'm looking forward to the day when I can finally make it out to another GTG, VW or no VW. It'll beat working 7:00 am until 11:00 pm! I was lucky enough to get out early today, due to rain, maybe I'll finish up the wiring harness today!

[bren]

Did you get that harness in? Are you going to have the car at the bug run?

[Dustin]

So wheres the updates? Its been a long time.

[dansam]

I always thought in the US the last year for the hardtop was 76 and for the convertable it was 79?


Sounds like one he'll of a project though! Don't let the wife talk you into getting rid of it !!!


Dan

[Dustin]

Last year for hardtops was 77 and the last year for verts was 79 but I heard there were some 1980 Verts. Patricks wife is really cool she designed our logo and Patrick came up with the name.

[dansam]

hmmmm learning every day!! It is hella cool and cant wait to see it at a show or better yet on a track


Dan

[vw1s]

I really wanted to get it done this year, but, I do't think it's going to happen. I haven't had much spare time to work on the car lately. I have been taking the overtime while I can still get it! We are also still looking for a house (supposed to have closed on one a couple of weeks ago, but, didn't, long story!)

The sticker on the door jam of my car says December 1976, but, may have been built before that, which is kinda cool as I was born in September of '76! I haven't sent the VIN in to get the history, or "Born on date" yet.

A quick update, not much to it:

The main wiring harness is done, I still need to do a seperate harness for the gauges.
I have the rear cross drilled rotors, but, have to press the studs into them before I can install.
Still waiting on the fronts.
Here's a couple more pics from June.

[Dustin]

Thanks for the update Patrick, I understand the overtime thing. Gotta get all the money you can while you can. I can't wait to see this thing in person. What type of taillights are you going to use?