Katie started on a ps mock-up of what the Beast may look like. Love the engine!

picked up another old engine and gearbox from Mum & David's

I couldn't believe it when I picked up the gearbox and the bottom fell out. The magnesium alloy had corroded from sitting on dirt for the past 10 years. Still hoping some parts are useful! The engine is a 1500N. Need to have a good look at it still, but I think the crank case will be the basis for the new 1915 rebuild.

Trying to decide if it's worth making my own checker-plate or stainless floor pans or just buy the replacements???

The Plan (till I think of something better)

• full body off restoration
• new floor pan halves
• upgrade tans-axle to IRS and solid mount
• uprated clutch ~ 1700 - 2700lbs - Kennedy
• four wheel ventilated/cross drilled diskbrakes - Kerscher
• lowered spindles
• adjustable frontend (possibly balljoint, currently king & link pin)
• urethane bushes throughout
• lowered shocks - front only
• adjustable spring plates
• HD sway bar
• castor shims - front end
• blueprinted & balanced 1915cc engine, full flow oil system, msd ignition. (built by myself)
• traction bar
• full body respray - gloss black with wasabi green inserts
• new interior - seats, carpet, gauges & sound system
• bump steer kit
• 17in 5/130 Prosche pattern wheels
• weld bigger/stronger chassis to transmission forks gussets

Aiming for somewhere between 140 - 160 HP

It's completely apart!

Removal of spring plates  

Removal of spring plates

 Lindsay's spring plate tool proved to be truly invaluable just as he described on eBay!








The old engine and trans-axle aren't going to cut the mustard for the new beast, but might hold on to then build a putt around beetle.

 The Body - (no it's not as pretty as Elle), but we'll work on it

The new gear IRS box found under Mum & David's place. Still going to need some adjustments (super diff, close ratio gear set)

The old Gear box

 It was a gold mime under Mum & David's place. Beetle parts piled high, forgot I had most of them.

Marking and measuring for the welding in of the IRS upgrade 

My girls.

thinking Beetlejuice should become Bumblebee?????

Apprentice #2

That's it mate, if you can't get it off just whack it!

Where to start??

This is going to take years with these 2 as assistants

The project begins

Doesn't look like much now but just give 6 months (or 6 years)

My 1st apprentice.

The inside is now outside!

And here are the seats

The sale of old faithful helped fund the new project

The arrival

And so it begins, the Legend of BeetleJuice! 'He' arrived at 9:30 Friday evening (the 19th Nov 2010) weighing 800 odd Kilos. A little (or a lot) of TLC is required for this little baby. I'll just let him rest tonight.