Manx Club

I picked up my new Berrien body this week-end from the awsome guys (and girls) at John's Bug shop. My winter project is set! That's all.

Awesome! Love the color.

That's really nice! That will keep you busy over the winter months.

Looking Good!! ,,,,,,Are you using the Berrian chassis with it??? I just got offered a new Berrian chassis with the GRP floor in UK,, the guy had it shipped over a few years back & never used it,,,,, he lives on other side of the country to me so I've not seen it in the flesh. Any opinions as to how good they are???,, and if they are stronger than a shortened VW pan.

I've seen 3 here on the west coast, all three had questionable rear torsion housing, lots of rust one was actually rusted thru, might be an area to check out looked strongly built. just my 2 cents worth.

I can't comment on the Berrien frame, this body is going on my current shorten frame. I might consider a frame at a later date to build a second buggy with all the extra parts I now have - lol.

I love my berrien chassis. Super rigid, everthing is new, easy access to cables underneath, etc. I would need a very good reason to go back to an old VW pan if building another buggy.

Guys,,,Thanks for your comments on the Berrian frames,,, they seem a good idea to me having the GRP floor. Anyone got close up pics of the frames rear torsion housing??? rust could be a problem here too with all the rain we get. I guess if you know the problem areas first maybe something could be done about it before the build up. Im told they sell for around $800 in USA,, the one in UK has been offered to me for ?500,,, but then I don't have to ship it,,,,, its very tempting.

Let me know if you need any high resolution and if you are looking for a particular area. I have a bunch of pictures.

Thanks Dave,, im looking for the rust area that Dennis said about,,, Im no expert on chassis fabrication but I do like things to be strong & safe. Your chassis looks real nice, and I can understand the need for easy access to cables etc after fitting clutch cables on RHDs I hate that job :help:

Personally, I can't understand were the rust would be. Mine was delivered better then a new vw chassis........ I guess if it was delivered and neglected for a few years it could rust but mine was beautiful. Dennis do you have pictures?

I would like to echo Dave's observation about possible rust on a Berrien frame. Obviously, I can't speak for every Berrien frame out there, only for the one I purchased. I picked it up from their booth at a Bug Jam in Dade City, Fl. and the frame was completely rust free; both the tubular steel frame and the sandblasted rear end. Once back in NC, I had made plans to add a few things before chassis painting (battery bracket and holder, tie down tabs, threaded bolts for the wiring harness and brake lines, etc) and I did notice light surface rust forming (which would be expected from bare steel). Before the frame was dropped off for painting, I took some time and gave the frame a good rubdown with steel wool. If the frame went unpainted for an extended amount of time there is no doubt that the rust would get worse, but that's not the product's fault. Photo attached of the rear torsion area with Berrien Nostalgia body attached, taken a few days after returning to NC.

sorry no pictures looked at one at Fiberjet that they recieved a couple of years ago and was rusted thur the torsion housing, and i know Ken T had a problem in the same area when he built 4 play, this was in the past maybe they have gotten a better supplier for the housings. Not saying they put out all bad frames but one should be aware of what is possible. The excuse Tim got was that was all they had available at the time. Hope that helps. :help:

Berrien also offer the tube chassis with a new torsion housing and tubular frame horns so you don't have to use an old torsion cut from a rusty donor.

Just my 2 cents worth but I would store the body flat instead of leaning it against the wall,this could tend to distort the body making it harder to mount to the frame.Maybe Mel or others could add more info on this.It seems there was a post on this several years ago.