Herman's Log...

Had these wheels laying around for years...

The idea was to refresh them so that they look like these...

Off with the tires...

True running check...

Unfortunately all four rims had radial and lateral run outs that could be fixed by a pro only... :?

Took the rims to the repair shop (Aluklinik) that did a great job on my current Cookie Cutters back in 2008.
However due to the bad condition of the rims their cost estimate was devastating this time.
Way more expensive than a set of four new Cookie Cutters (633,- EUR each @ Porsche Classic Parts). :shock:
I 'm not willing to pay almost 3.5 grand for silver rims with just a polished bed compared to the all silver
Cookies that are currently mounted on the Bug. :evil:
So that marks the end of the polished Cookie Cutter project - the old rims are already sold.

While still grumbling about that letdown another idea crossed my mind...

Current Cookie Cutter setup...

Porsche steel rims with hub caps...

There's something to that... :roll:
What do you think?

i think you should paint them "gun metal grey" and pull the hubcaps, roll outlaw 356 style 8-) it's always a good look. you also need to lower your car about 2 inches :D

I can't say Randy is wrong at all :)

Super_Randy wrote:

... roll outlaw 356 style it's always a good look...

:shock:
Well... Really??
I mean we're talking about a 1971 candy red fat chick plastered with chrome gimmickry...
Hilarious! :lol:

ok so here's what you do.
paint the side trim and maybe window trim gun metal grey to match the wheels. leave turn signals, door handles, and headlight rings alone there fine in chrome. although painting the turn signals and headlight rings body color would also look good in this application.
remove the impact strip from the bumpers and paint the indent body color (actually thinking of doing that on mine) or paint the bumpers body color and in the indent where the rubber impact strip was, paint that gum metal grey (i like the first idea better)
the chrome do-dads on the vents can be left alone. 356's have vents on the decklid that the outlaw guys leave chromed.
remove the fender guards.
id roll the hell out of that!

Short update as the driving season draws to a close.
In spite of all the troubles I manged to drive about 560 miles with the Bug.

Also replaced the fuel filter...

Tinkered with a tool box mock up...

And finally these rims arrived lately!

fuel filter mounted under the tank before the hardline in the tunnel?

Yep, moved the fuel filter from the engine bay under the tank about 12 years ago.
I like this solution better than the location in the rear near the transmission & heater box.
As for potential "debris" from the fuel hard line ...
The Pierburg fuel pump I have has a filter element which can be accessed, inspected and cleaned easily.

Wow, that's a gorgeous fuel pump!

Test fitted the steelies...

And just ordered this: https://www.ahnendorp.com/VW-Kaefer-Typ-1-Motorenteile-und-Bearbeitungen/Auspuffanlagen-51/Ahnendorp-Customsport-VW-Kaefer-Typ-1-Auspuff-1.html

Wow, that's a very nice exhaust! What's the bung for, in case someone needs an O2 sensor?

schwim wrote:

What's the bung for, in case someone needs an O2 sensor?

Yup, for an O2 sensor. Its position on the muffler is a question in dispute however...

New tires arrived and the rims are back from sandblasting.
Now on with powder coating...

Ever since I can remember the Bug's horn sounded weak and low-key. :cry:
After some testing I found the weak spot in the horn's ground circuit: the steering column.
To fix the problem I added a relay to operate the horn. Works like a charm! :)

i probably need to do that. when i hit the horn button there's lag, then the horn sounds but it like "comes in" is starts weak and gets stronger over about a second and a half.

At long last...
Steelies powder coated, tires mounted and wheels balanced.

Clearance adjusted using 7mm spacers (front and rear)...

Test ride went well - I can't complain.
Uh... Wait a minute... Hub cabs not yet fitted... :(

need to lower the car now, that fender gap is atrocious. other than that its now starting to give "German look" meets "outlaw Porsche" vibes. :o

Agree regarding the stance... :?
"German look" meets "outlaw Porsche" meets "highboy"... :D

Will tackle this during winter break probably.
Most likely I have to swap the struts... $$$ :(

https://www.kerscher-tuning.de/kaefer/index.php?gruppe1=Fahrwerksteile&gruppe2=Gewindefahrwerke

those look like the "MaXX strut" kit from Topline Parts.

Back from another test run...

Testing how several shock and spacer combos affect stance and handling.

This time 7mm spacers all around. This is the most "narrow" setup possible with these rims.
Shocks are Bilstein gas in front and Koni oil in the rear.

Will also try 7/10mm & 10/15mm (front/rear) spacer combos and Bilstein gas shocks in the rear.

I ran the latter setup for a while with the cookie cutter rims.
Handling was outstanding although the Bilsteins lift rear for another 0.4 inches.

Regarding the stance I'll leave front end alone for the time being.
Form follows function - this is why the slammed look isn't my cup of tea.
Most likely I'll end up in lowering the rear end for about 0.7 to 1.0 inches to gain an equally spaced fender gap.

However without much doubt I'll not be able to test all possible spacer/shock combinations before winter break... :(

well la de da, look at you with a running driving car. rub it in why don't ya. :lol: