AirSpeed VW Community Forums

General Forums => Air Speed Lounge => Topic started by: bwaz on July 23, 2012, 08:22:06 AM

Title: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: bwaz on July 23, 2012, 08:22:06 AM: I know it's not so much of a secret, but after wanting to post assorted progress reports.... but just too damn busy (and a request from VW that I keep it under wraps), here's a quick rundown of what's happened and where I'm at with my beetle. With the amazing help and support of Geoff Peterson... the car is on the road.. at least to get onto the trailer.

Lots of long days and late nights in May to get it done for delivery to VW Canada on June 4th. My car is one of the first on the boatload arriving in Toronto in December 52, and I had asked VW last summer if they might want to use it for th 60th anniversary. They replied saying they weren't sure what they were goint to do, so I let it go.

Then on May 4th, the discussion started with an email from VW Canada... was it done, if not, could I get it finished in a month? So calling in the only person I knew who could tackle the car in such a short timeframe, Geoff and I discussed if and how we could do it. We agreed it was possbile, but all the pieces of what had to be done had to come together just right to get it done.

With the help of Marc at Wolfsburg West, a few large boxes arrived two days after I made the mutli page order of Vintage parts. Special thanks too to Russ at Frances Andrew Site Furnishing for the fantastic powder coating work and help along the way to push things through. (www.francesandrew.com)

The guys at Jaspers Auto Body in Langley were amazing in getting some body and paint work finished, Bruce T. for lock help, and Stefan for wheel assitance! Also, Jeff Slater in Seattle for semaphore work and Rick Herity in Edmonton for 25hp parts and motor services... John henry at Zarwerks for wires and a manifold, and Steveo and Josh on the island for bits and pieces along the way.

The car was at Pacific Auto Trim when a previous photto was posted last month. . and was just near the end of getting things done. Lots of little delays on the journey, some illness and tough situations trying to meet our self imposed deadlines... (along with Sacramento and the Classic) but we planned for it all and it came together.

As the VW Canada facebook page shows this lovely November 1st built 1952 Deluxe Beetle, I thought I'd borrow a few photos of it in Montreal.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151123076000953.487453.26024405952&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=10151123205060953&set=a.10151123076000953.487453.26024405952&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151123076000953.487453.26024405952&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=10151127579785953&set=a.10151123076000953.487453.26024405952&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151123076000953.487453.26024405952&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=10151125180760953&set=a.10151123076000953.487453.26024405952&type=3&theater

As they've officially got the car until Mid-September, I don't don't know if it will be here in time for the Great Canadian, got my fingers crossed. If I've missed anyone in my thanks... I appologize... it was a long haul.

thanks again for the support of the community! More pics to come.
Brian Waz
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: jason_hamilton on July 23, 2012, 09:57:25 AM: Nice! You know you've done a good job when the company that built the cars borrows it back for promotion.
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Russ on July 23, 2012, 12:04:29 PM: Quote from: jason_hamilton on July 23, 2012, 09:57:25 AM
Nice! You know you've done a good job when the company that built the cars borrows it back for promotion.
no kidding great job
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Meisterman on July 23, 2012, 12:24:39 PM: What great news Bri! Congratulations on it being included in the VW Canada tour...what a great addition to it's already long history. You got help from lots of great people...kudos to everyone involved.

Can't wait to see it back here on the wet coast!

-Kev
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: silas on July 23, 2012, 01:26:57 PM: right on brian!! big congrats to you and everyone involved in getting the car finished for the 60 year celebration.

it sure would be cool to see your car at the GCVWS!!! imho, it would be some good positive publicity for VWOA to have it displayed at the biggest and best vw car show in canada...whether they see it that way or not or if it's going to work schedule wise...i guess we'll have to wait and see.

regardless...you must be so stoked, and congrats again on some great work to a cool car!
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: DarrenE on July 23, 2012, 01:36:32 PM: SO happy for you Brian! I can't wait to see it, and do hope it makes it to the GCVWS at the end of August. Kudos to those that contributed in getting her done for you. Cheers.
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: josh on July 23, 2012, 02:50:34 PM: Right on Brian! I told you I could keep a secret! Now all that is over I can help you with parts for the 2 liter :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: buddy boy on July 23, 2012, 03:09:39 PM: way cool !!!
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: bwaz on July 23, 2012, 04:39:02 PM: thanks guys, collector plates are waiting already at the local autoplan when it gets back.
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg72.imageshack.us%2Fimg72%2F6443%2Fimg3359w.jpg&hash=bbd5a8cec3b7a819a6e40723b65f1a7a279ccbc6)
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: 72vwtype2 on July 23, 2012, 05:12:25 PM: Awesome job!!! Fantastic looking car!!!

Any chance on getting some background/history on the car? like where you found the car, its condition when purchased, how original or correct is the car, etc...

Thanks for posting!
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: bwaz on July 23, 2012, 06:00:13 PM: sure Phil, I'm trying to get it together to post. I bought the car in California. I saw it on the samba, tried to buy it but it got sold quickly. It came up again 6 months later with the new owner wanting to sell it. I checked into it's history before buying it and knew it was an early VW Canada delivered car. It came with some parts, original engine, but a bare shell inside. Correct... I'd say 95% at the moment. Original... hard to guess on that. Original pan, front end, transmission, hood, doors, generator, starter, distributor, carb, fuel pump, gas tank. The interior was totally redone with a german reproduction of the original material, which is almost identical. I was running short of material at the end, and used original material from the door panels to make the grab handle. They look identical. Wolfsburg West headliner and orignal style carpet
more to come.
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Randy on July 23, 2012, 10:31:10 PM: An awesome car with an awesome history! :08:
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: steveo_32 on July 24, 2012, 09:10:50 AM: Phil, there is no back ground, I think all brian did was bolt a fender on!
and buffed it hehehe....
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: billybob57 on July 24, 2012, 12:03:53 PM: Great Job to put this together Brian!!! cant wait to see it!!!! :)
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: bwaz on July 24, 2012, 03:46:59 PM: thanks for the fender bolts Steve! ;)

before
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg39.imageshack.us%2Fimg39%2F741%2Fimg2914yv.jpg&hash=ea3ffd522e49572f947b5eace956459afc79f912)

during
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F306%2Fimg2988u.jpg&hash=b64d7ddd73f0f658be1776937ec079f17b2923b7)

after
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg339.imageshack.us%2Fimg339%2F2448%2Fimg2999f.jpg&hash=2ad596f5c81565478d449ad60d3ecc5c748a2a12)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg542.imageshack.us%2Fimg542%2F6704%2Fimg3011l.jpg&hash=783b33849902494bf0e1e5ed737f6124693a6488)

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg232.imageshack.us%2Fimg232%2F7947%2Fimg2997m.jpg&hash=2834c989cc1061b0079520623cebccfc0508df49)
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: vwboop on July 24, 2012, 05:36:30 PM: Congrats Brian! Beautiful looking car with great history! Looks great!
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: steveo_32 on July 25, 2012, 01:56:19 PM: Fender bolts and the taillights!! (and he got stephan to buff it)......(i think geoff put the lights on)
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Geoff on July 25, 2012, 05:34:10 PM: Quote from: steveo_32 on July 25, 2012, 01:56:19 PM
Fender bolts and the taillights!! (and he got stephan to buff it)......(i think geoff put the lights on)

Wrong again Steveo............................. We had it repainted.................in no less than 48 hrs :13:
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: bwaz on July 25, 2012, 05:53:38 PM: (https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg585.imageshack.us%2Fimg585%2F1393%2Fimg3184p.jpg&hash=e6f22f0129f67fbe5efeb986dccabd259844d256)

Was this fenders Geoff? ;)
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: steveo_32 on July 25, 2012, 06:24:12 PM: haha, awsome looking dude.

(i still think you ordered the parts from that 1953 all parts book)
Can't wait to see it!
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Mirko on July 26, 2012, 09:14:23 AM: Right on Brian!!
Cant wait to see it in person

Mirko
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Geoff on July 26, 2012, 09:37:58 AM: That's one mighty fine looking stud right there!
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: bwaz on July 27, 2012, 03:24:26 AM: (https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F3232%2F37675610151125180760953.jpg&hash=ce6a647bc6529d119ece588dac6f72eea49376c4)
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Mike Scott on July 27, 2012, 08:55:25 AM: Awesome Brian!!!! Cant wait to check it out, great work boys!
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: vwboop on July 27, 2012, 09:02:16 AM: Quote from: bwaz on July 25, 2012, 05:53:38 PM
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg585.imageshack.us%2Fimg585%2F1393%2Fimg3184p.jpg&hash=e6f22f0129f67fbe5efeb986dccabd259844d256)

Brian...don't drive off until Geoff gets his hands outa there
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: chickmore on August 20, 2012, 01:33:56 PM: wow. wow. wow!
beautiful. i'd love to see that in person... hoping it makes the GCVWS.
Probably the nicest bug I'll ever see.
congrats to you, and all your amazing helpers.
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: bwaz on August 31, 2012, 11:34:31 AM: So far so good, Toronto, Quebec City, Toronto, Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Toronto, Calgary, here next week!
This is from Calgary last weekend.
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg515.imageshack.us%2Fimg515%2F8889%2F31411015121031766095318.jpg&hash=c214196e41f3cc831377ca09a1d84619ce774c65)
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: DarrenE on September 01, 2012, 09:47:11 PM: WOW!!
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Krautbucket on September 01, 2012, 10:24:08 PM: That's really cool Brian ,

Congrats and
Great job on the restoration .
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: Bruce on September 01, 2012, 11:31:54 PM: Quote from: bwaz on August 31, 2012, 11:34:31 AM
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg515.imageshack.us%2Fimg515%2F8889%2F31411015121031766095318.jpg&hash=c214196e41f3cc831377ca09a1d84619ce774c65)
Damn! Look at the right bumper grommet hanging out there. What other destruction awaits it's return??
Title: Re: Brian Waz's 52 beetle
Post by: bwaz on September 02, 2012, 09:47:28 AM: it's got a lot of miles on it since it left! ;)