Classic Beetle question

[Sam]

Oh.

I had a 1966 swing axle UK car and a 1969 IRS US car. Both 1300 manuals. Both 20+ years ago.

I stand corrected.

[jwhillracer]

Winston, you might know my friend Alan Selwood who is a regular trialler. He is building 2 or 3 beetles for trials at the moment, and I'm sure he would be happy to chat.
PM me if you want his contact number.

Cheers
JW

[Ollie]

Use VW 181/Trekker/Thing front spindles for extra lift and IRS conversion on the rear to keep the wheels upright.

I think VW Country Buggies came with swing axle reduction boxes but good luck finding some as rare as the proverbial.

[Winston Teague]

Winston, you might know my friend Alan Selwood who is a regular trialler. He is building 2 or 3 beetles for trials at the moment, and I'm sure he would be happy to chat.
PM me if you want his contact number.

Cheers
JW

Thanks JW, we really are just dreaming at the moment, and trying to understand the options, should we decide to have a go. I might come back to you if we go further with the idea. W

[impmad2000]

For trials, the Imp is very good

[Winston Teague]

For trials, the Imp is very good

I know that, but Jnr is less convinced, and it has to double as 'practical classic'.....

[KS]

Tis true - you can use reduction boxes on a Beetle. It used to be a common conversion in the USofA back in the day. Lowers the overall gear ratio, which may or may not be beneficial, but gives an instant lift without screwing up geometry. At the front, use the spindles off a Type 181 (Trekker, or Thing) which have so-called raised spindles, lifting the front end by a few inches... Instant lift kit using factory parts!

[KS]

For trials, the Imp is very good

I know that, but Jnr is less convinced, and it has to double as 'practical classic'.....

Don't listen to him – check his DDK name. He's not called 'impMAD' without reason...

[impmad2000]

The Imp is far more practical than the 875cc suggests, also has a strong youth following taking the Imp into all sorts of aspects of motorsport, hill climbs, sprints, racing and rallying. And then the modded cars are impressive too, including BMW bike engined cars. Worth a second look, but then I am biased.

[KS]

I was jesting - been a longtime fan of Imps and their variants. Always wanted a Sunbeam Stiletto or Imp Californian and was keen on building one with a big hot VW motor in the back.

[Winston Teague]

Don't get me wrong, were very much into Imps, and all things Climax powered, and it should not be overlooked that this current train of thought my well never become reality (along with other similar beeories, theories fuelled by beer). W

[Winston Teague]

OOh,thx KS, I like the raised spindles, reduction box idea. That would be a likeable solution to a 3" lift on a swing axle car. Would those rear axles fit the standard Beetle gearbox? And as an old car person it fits my ethos.....W

[Ollie]

OOh,thx KS, I like the raised spindles, reduction box idea. That would be a likeable solution to a 3" lift on a swing axle car. Would those rear axles fit the standard Beetle gearbox? And as an old car person it fits my ethos.....W

From memory you'd need a 1" spacer on the rear between the reduction box and spring plate as the bus axles are longer, you'll also need to reverse the ring and pinion otherwise you'll end up with 4 reverse gears... or just use a complete bus gearbox and reduction box setup and swap the nosecone for a beetle one.

[Winston Teague]

Hahaha, I like that too! I have a friend who rebuilt an early Aston Martin International, which has an undershot worm drive rear axle. He commissioned a new worm and wheel for it, expensive, and difficult to source. The restoration complete, he fired it up, pulled away and reversed into the shelves at the back of his garage, all watched by the customer......the engineers had assumed it to be overshot.....

This train of thought leads to (internal) questions about stronger/weaker VW swing axle gearboxes and thence ratios......

[KS]

Ssshhhh, I wasn't going to tell Winston about the four reverse gears...