Finally hit a milestone

Carltons · Post by **Carltons** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:55 pm

Well for the first time in almost 40 years my buggy moved under its own power. I wired up the battery, ignition and alternator circuits and after realizing that it is totally possible to incorrectly wire every combination of four wires wrong. I fired it up. A minute and a half later a lifter loosened up and I had to perform a slight repair. Fired it up on Friday evening. and moved it out of the garage under its own power. Then came the bad judgment call. I cranked the steering wheel around and drove it to the end of the driveway (about 1/4 mile). Ohhhhh yea!!!. Mind you I dont have the hood, windshield on, and all the tools and battery and a rats nest of other wires are floating around in the tub.... I guess I forgot to tighten the lug nuts on the front left wheel so I had to take it for a second run after I tightened them up.... Had a bit of a problem keeping it straight. it want to get up and go... 1955 cc and no weight. Wow! Makes me think that I never want to drive my 69 stock bug again. Sure most of you have been there, but it was really a good feeling to get it actually moving with out pushing.

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:33 pm

Sounds great. Congrats! I've done the same thing before, with the loose lug nuts. So have a few other people, from what I've heard.

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:39 am

Yup,, I forgot to tighten up the gearbox to frame-horn mounts once. Good luck with it Carlton,,, 40 years is a VERY long time to be pushing a buggy around,,, any pics?? :hello:

Carltons · Post by **Carltons** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:57 pm

These are a little dated, but here is about where Im at. I should take the as driven configuration.... These were taken last summer this was my initial assembly and the motor shot was around x-mas

markmark · Post by **markmark** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:59 pm

It's looking great! I think you have the most fun actually building the buggy.

fubar · Post by **fubar** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:28 pm

Is the purple powder or lyquid? It looks nice!!

mel hubbard · Post by **mel hubbard** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:22 am

[QUOTE="markmark"]It's looking great! I think you have the most fun actually building the buggy.

[/QUOTE] Maybe thats why Carltons taken 40 years,,, he's just having a whole lotta fun

I like the build up part myself,, many guys in UK are having their buggies built for them now days,, I just don't see the point

Thanks for the pics Carlton,, keep up the good work,,, and keep those nuts n bolts tight!! :rock:

flaboyjim · Post by **flaboyjim** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 2:07 pm

OK guys, keep it up.... I am at the three year mark and counting. I started with a trashed clone body and a 65 beater for a parts car.... Now I have a 68 Original Manx Body, Berrrien Chassis, 1835 in full powder coat tin and every other part is either new or re-built. It rolls, but only from my garage to the workshop and back. Is the fun in the build, or is it in the expectations of what we will have when finished? My house is finally getting fixed from the hurricanes two years ago. When that is finished (SOON I HOPE), the manx will go back to the garage to install the seats, the this, the that, and the dream continues..

Carltons · Post by **Carltons** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:22 pm

The lighter is a simple dupont enamel. (Easy to fix over powder) The darker is house of color Shimerin Passion Purple.

Gary1719 · Post by **Gary1719** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:28 am

What year is yours, looks just like my 68 i havent started on. gary 1719# IT IS LOOKINGGG GGOOODD!!!!!!!!!!

Carltons · Post by **Carltons** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:30 pm

As far as the DMV is concerned, its a 1963 model 113 VW Sedan de Luxe.... Good eye. It has a 68 long swing axle. big 12 volter...

Manx Club

Finally hit a milestone

Finally hit a milestone

Year