Yes, Lego plans to release a builder’s kit for the Type 1 VW Beetle.
Apparently, some of the VW experts went to the idea room at Billund (Lego’s headquarters in Denmark). They toiled over the bricks until they built an original VW Beetle. One of the Lego designers was so impressed that they added the car into the new production line, and the kit will be released in the summer of 2008.
Well – it happened, and just in time for summer driving.
I found a new antenna for my Type 1 VW Beetle. This had to be one of the easiest things to install on the bug.
It was so easy, I almost felt guilty for waiting so long.
Every time I open the front hood, I cringe at the spaghetti-like mess of wires.
Yes, I have the plans to upgrade the electrical. While I was at the Mid America Motorworks Funfest this summer, I bought the 6 volt to 12 volt upgrade kit. I also have new wires and a new harness sitting on the shelf. That will be the project this winter.
Anyhow, back to the issue at hand – the new antenna.
Getting to the antenna bolt was the main issue – the air hose had to be disconnected in order to have easy access.
After that, it was as simple as unscrewing the nut, pulling off the old broken antenna. Pop the new antenna on the outside, and then screw the nut onto the new bolt. Easy stuff.
Now I can enjoy the full experience of driving to single speaker AM Radio bliss.
And yes, for you VW aficionados, that is an original 1964 AM radio. Not to brag, but how cool is that?
My Beetle driving has been much more than last year. The weather has been awesome and I have been taking the bug on many errands and appointments. It’s just a blast to drive, and the kids love riding along.
Well, one trip to the store can change all of that, especially when the engine decides not to start. The bug has been starting up fine. Even after a week in the garage, but when it gets to the store, it decides that the battery doesn’t have enough juice. Fortunately, I wasn’t that far from home and someone brought the battery booster and we were able to get moving again. I think that will be a permanent part of the toolkit from now on until I get this figured out. A few hours after getting home, I started the beetle with no problems at all.
This is getting weird. The battery was recently charged, but these “ghosts in the machine” are hard to track down. I think I may have to move up my plans to upgrade the electrical system to a 12 volt system. It’s hard, as this car has all original ’64 parts and systems, but I think I would feel a lot safer.
Plus, the brake lights will be a little brighter . . .
Getting the beetle out of winter hibernation is always fun.
Amazingly, everything started up fine and the spring has been very nice for getting out and making short trips. Memorial Day was a beautiful day for a drive.
I settled into the seat to take a nice leisurely drive. It was warm, not a cloud in the sky, and perfect for a nice country drive. The engine turned over, turned over again, and again, and . . . nothing. The engine usually catches very quickly, usually within a few seconds. Even after sitting for a few weeks, it never turns over more than this.
The problem wasn’t electrical – I had plenty of juice. I’d even had it out for a drive the
week prior. It was fuel – had to be. So, I checked the engine, and sure enough, there was very little fuel in the line and the fuel filter had some crud in it.
Luckily enough, the new MidAmerica Motorworks catalog arrived, so I went through it last night. There are a few options, both of which i like, so now those options have turned into deliberation. They offer a 10-pak of fuel filters, similar to the one in the picture. However, they also offer a stainless steel one with a washable filter. The lines are also a braided stainless steel. Hmmm, pure functionality v. attractive functionality.
I’m putting together an order from MidAmerica this week, so I’ll have to figure out which option soon – especially if I want to drive a little more before the end of the summer.
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