From the Static Files... Factory Single Cab

7-29-11 - week in review - 24 bullets and the '56 bug gets in gear

Because of the results of the haiku contest last week, I did not post this awesome photo from BodesWell.org:

July is always the best month to get sweaty working on cars. And since I haven't done much since Oak came along 8 months ago, my "to do" list is getting long. I spent last weekend working on getting space to work.

An attempt to get all 3 VWs into one photo...

And.... The Green Hornet rolls out into daylight on his own set of new wheels!

It still needs a really good cleaning as I just sort of packed it away last fall to get ready for the arrival of Oak in November. It's good to finally get it out and start tinkering...

Right now, I am doing small stuff on the engine, like cleaning everything and rebuilding the fuel pump. Eventually, I'll take it to a shop to have them check for a rebuild.

On Sunday, Paul of Valley Wagonworks stopped by to deliver the transaxle out of a '57 bug. It was odd not seeing him in his normal blue overalls that he wears at the shop. His wife, Barbara, stopped by with him (driving a Volvo no less) and they got to meet Oak. When Paul shook Oak's hand I thought to myself, that's the coolest dude in Marin County meeting the coolest dude in Sonoma County. How cool!

Here's what he dropped by:

It turns out that the transaxle (actually transaxles, as there were 2) that came with the Green Hornet were both crap (according to Ron in the East Bay). So Paul had one from a '57 that he gave me. I now have everything I need to put this in (under?) Green Hornet. I hope to do that in the next few days.

While cleaning, I found some bullets in the door. It's been a long time since I've shot a 22, but I think that's what size they are. I found 24 of them, and took them down to the Petaluma Police Station so they could get rid of them (that process took 1 minute of interacting with an officer and 50 minutes of waiting).

Don't forget to vote for your favorite haiku of the 3 finalists on Facebook.com/BigBlueVW. The winning haiku will be featured on the first-ever available Big Blue VW t-shirt!

Little Blue's Daily Shuffle. Part One: The morning commute...

Some photos and notes from the morning commute:

Approx 24 miles that takes me from Sonoma County to Napa County...

Starts in our over-packed garage...

Door opener goes in the glove box, never on the sun visor...

It's a fantastic commute. You hit hills than come into the bottom of Sonoma Valley., where you are almost at sea level and San Francisco bay is just to the south of you...

It is an area of mostly farms and vineyards.

Perfect for Little Blue's cruising speed.

Vineyards.

Nick and Jessica stayed here on their honeymoon (I am told).

Above is a picture of the worse railroad crossing in Sonoma county. Little Blue slams into it every morning...

The Fremont Diner (above) is awesome. But most of the time it is closed when I pass.

Recognize above? It is "Bliss", made famous by the Windows desktop background. Most people would never know.

The only two-lane, or passing lane, in the entire trip is pictured below. The bug can easily go 65 up the grade in the 55 mph zone, but someone will always pass, no matter how fast the bug is going.

Below is just inside the Napa County line...

As we come into south Napa (the city of) we veer south very shorty and Little Blue and I are at work...

To be continued...

1965 JC Whitney catalog

My introduction to the JC Whitney catalog was back when I owned a 1971 Toyota Landcruiser named Caesar. I was amazed at all the great things it offered at great prices a college kid could afford. What I didn't realized is that a bimini top advertised to fit a Jeep, a Bronco and a Landcruiser ends up fitting none of them.

I'm assuming it wasn't much different in 1965. Still, I'd love to run into some of these VW items...

Vintage Tuesday - Tail dragger

vintage VW photos generously borrowed from online sources...

From the Static Files... Ready for paint

The 2011 VW Camper Haiku Winners!

Thanks to all who took the time to post or send in a haiku about your VW. There were 70 haikus submitted. Most even followed the accepted rules of haiku (of 5-7-5). We will post the whole collection sometime next week, but 3 haikus were picked by 3 judges to win a custom-made Big Blue t-shirt. The judges were:


Bus Buddha from My 1967 VW Camper

Ludwig's Driver from Ludwig & Gertie's Adventures

Minnie from A VW For Everybody


And, without further jibber jabber, the winning haikus are:




Get Your Hands Dirty
Clear Your Mind of Distractions
Take Your Bus Camping

- by Jeremy Nix, Driver of "The Pig"


An angry gesture
As you accelerate past
This bus forgives you

- by Jeremy Nix, Driver of "The Pig"

A cool starry night
Snug as a bug in my bus
What should I make for Breakfast

- by Gary Marrs


Now - you'll see an interesting event has taken place. Semi-pro Haiku-expert Jeremy Nix has place 2 haikus in the final race to win the custom-made Big Blue Seat Wallet (which was the 2nd part of this contest).

So here's the deal. Both Gary and Jeremy get a wallet. Bam! I'm like Oprah! Call me soft in my old age, but I dig all 3 of these and think they both deserve the hand screened t-shirt and the wallet.


Now, here's the other deal. With the authors' permission, I would like to post all 3 of these to Facebook next week. The haiku with the most "likes" by 5:00, Friday the 29th, will be featured on a t-shirt that everyone can order. We'll make 50 or so and that's it. Assuming the winner let's me do it. I'll let you all know when that happens. So, be ready to start voting on Monday!

64 Sunroof Bug with 67,000 Original Miles Price: $6300.00 - courtesy listing for a friend

from post: I have a super original 67,000 mile 1964 sunroof Bug. 40hp motor runs strong, 6 volt and everything works. As you can see from the pictures the drivers rear has been hit. Original bahama blue paint. The trunk picture really shows how super original this Bug is with the wax pencil marks under the mat.
4" narrowed beam.
New brakes and master cylinder
New Wolfsberg West throttle and clutch cable
Motor resealed
Pop at side windows with new rubber
The pans look like new
The pans look like new, even in the battery area.
The headliner is perfect minus the area under the back window
Motor and trans work great
6 volt and everything works very well including the stock radio
The drivers rear fender was hit and so was the passenger front and it kissed the apron.
New tires

$6900.00 with the BRM's

D Plate, rear rack, driving light and headlight grills not included

Contact Chris through TheSamba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1164580

May 1959 Small Car Parade - Why VW Won Sperry Award