Autostyl

Volksworld Top 20 for the Notch...

2011-03-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

The notch we painted last year for Alan Jewel came home with a Top 20 from Volksworld show this weekend!!!

Disaster Bus getting stripped out...

2011-03-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

Rolled panels TIG'd in...

2011-03-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

We be rolling...

2011-03-09T15:57:00.001-08:00

New English wheel at Autostyl - perfect for making up compound curve repairs, certainly getting run in on Craig's Montreal!!

Autostyl Brasilia - sold on German ebay

2010-09-08T02:25:00.000-07:00

After owning our Brasilia for the last year, looks like Sidney has sold it on ebay.de... reaching a respectable 14,050 euros, which is a testament to the work we put into this insane build. If the new owner is out there reading this, get in touch, be great to know where its off too....

Caddy 4-link

2010-08-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

The Caddy's been on the ramp this week, and in goes the 4 link....

should be back on the floor tonight!!!!

Flowcoat....

2010-07-26T23:44:00.000-07:00

So after all the kandy and clear from Saturday had gone off nice, I flatted back the clear coat, re-masked for a super clean flow coat of clear.... I'll run it like this for a week or so to allow for product shrinkage etc. before it comes back in the booth for more....

Some parts for Martin's '55 Vert also got the treatment...

Based, flaked, laced, kandied and cleared...

2010-07-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Long day in the booth - 16 coats of various different House of Kolor Products, and laying of lace in amongst and we have the background for the signwriting on the new shop truck...

A3 S-line gets flake'd...

2010-06-07T13:26:00.000-07:00

This week we got Nicole's Audi S-line roof flow coated. This weekend it saw a flake session, red over black base, and after knocking back the clear, we got the final clear shot... black mirror with red flake!!!

V8 Alfa???

2010-05-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

Craig's Montreal getting stripped this week... out comes the V8...

Air Shocks in stock...

2010-03-30T15:19:00.001-07:00

We now have Monroe Max Air Shocks in stock. The first model we are holding is the shortest in the range - 9.5inch compressed to 14inch extended... others available to order...

these are £120 per pair, and come with air lines and fittings.

As fitted to Evil Ben's Early Bay, our Brasilia, Mike Attewel's Lowlight Ghia and many more...

Please call 01872 561140 or email anthony@autostyl.co.uk for more details...

Retro Rides day at Autostyl

2010-02-28T10:21:00.001-08:00

Great turn out for the first Cornish Retro Rides meet hosted by us...

Thanks to all who came out to support, see you all again next time.

More pics on the forum, follow the link - top of the list on the right...

Ant.

Notch in colour!!!

2010-02-18T00:08:00.000-08:00

Alan's notch got the first shoot of colour, and it looks great, the Gulf Blue looks great! Next up, reverse masking and finish the shell...

Air Suspension at Autostyl

2010-01-18T15:24:00.000-08:00

We are proud to let you know, that we now supply and fit Air Lift air suspension products.
The range covers all the components and mangement you may ever need, and also includes both bolt on kits, and crafter kits where bolt on isn't yet available. We also offer a fitting service, and challenge you to bring us a ride we can't drop with an Air set up....

Bolt on kit for Mk 5 Golf now available...

We used Air Lift's fantastic products on our Brasilia... and would recommend it to anyone... ride and performance, and loooowwwwww!!!!!!!!

Call for prices, or check the forum for latest offers www.autostyl.co.uk/phpBB3

Autostyl Forum

2010-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

Its early days, but we're just getting our forum up and running. This should provide a way for people to follow progress of what we're doing in the shop, both customer builds, and our own - plus a section for the home builders to share their projects.

We also have a products section, where latest offers, new products and fitting guides etc. can be found.

Feedback appreciated... although be kind, its a steep learning curve!!!

Follow the link on the right, in the list...

Sahara Gold

2009-12-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

Ron's GT sporting its new Sahara Gold colour scheme - great looking colour...

Also seeing some paint - front valance had been painted at least 4 times - and all that paint was starting to crack. Basecoat'd up....

then the full Autostyl beauty treatment.... masking up ready to mop...

Also a quick snap of Sidney of 5 Star Performance picking up the Brasilia - he drove it home to Dortmund, Germany in one hit.... and he said i was crazy for building such a mental car....

Ultra VW Brasilia feature...out now...

2009-11-22T10:43:00.000-08:00

Its here, perfect timing, the Autostyl Brasilia has an awesome 6-page feature in Ultra VW, thanks to KS and the Ultra Team....

Just in time for its new owner to grab a copy the same time as picking the car up, to live over in Germany.

Shock drop fitting...

2009-11-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

For all the peeps who've just bought a set of our Shock Drop's - here's a quick walkthrough of how to fit them correctly. I use an air powered high speed sander/grinder , but you could use an angle grinder with a flap wheel, a power file, even a hand file i guess.

So first up here's how your arm should look...

In order to fit the plates, you need to remove material from the flared lip where the shock usually bolts up to...

remove only the material top and bottom to allow the plates to push on. It is important to take it slow, to ensure that only the required amount is removed, no more...

Ensure that the top and bottom 'flat' that you create are parallel, and offer up the plate, grinding a small amount off the arm each time until a snug fit is achieved.

When fitting the plates ensure that the tube sits up against the casting on the arm.
The best fit requires a very light tap with a rubber mallet or similar to achieve a good play free fit with the tube hard up against the casting.

Under no circumstance hammer the plates on to get them to fit, or run the shock drops if there is any play in the mounting once bolted up. Use your original nut and washer to secure the shock drops to the original mounting. Torque to factory settings.

The final picture below shows the new shock fixing arrangement. Use washers inside the 'u-shape' to shim the shock to centre.

Once refitted to the car - great care must be taken to ensure clearance's are correct, there is no interaction with steering arms, bodywork, brake lines or the shock itself. It is crucial to ensure correct operation throughout the full range of travel of the suspension. The kit is designed to improve the operation of airshocks on show vehicles, and should only be fitted by qualified and/or competent fitters. In no way is this designed to be run on a vehicle with no other means of bumpstop, or failsafe in the event of failure of any part of the suspension.

Any problems fitting give us a call on 01872 561140 or email anthony@autostyl.co.uk

Opel GT ready for paint

2009-11-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

Ron's Opel GT has had the door shuts etc coloured, and is now ready for topcoat - Great looking cars these, early ones came with an 1100cc motor - all show no go, although a 2.0 red top with a 5 speed box is more common place in resto'd ones.

last week we finished off Ash's mini - lots of reconstruction replacing a shit old flip front with steel fixed panels, then full repaint. Not bad for a first car, especially once the metalflaked banded steels go on!!!

and also through the paint booth this week... Keith Seume's T25 for a quick freshen up....

more paint to come by the weekend - Keith's ain't finished yet....

Dragging

2009-10-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

Luckily today the Cops spotted that our suspension had dropped on the Brasilia, but just before that happened a passing driver managed to capture this footage and got in touch...

Thanks to the Traffic Dept. for their understanding...

Ulta VW photoshoot...

2009-09-27T05:12:00.001-07:00

Keith kindly spent the day with us last week taking photos for a feature in Ultra VW mag. Should be in the November issue, but in the meantime here's a teaser or two...

The Brasilia is for sale - if you are interested please email me at anthony@autostyl.co.uk

Sunshine shenanigans...

2009-09-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

Out in Keith's Cal Looker....

Notch progress

2009-09-15T12:57:00.001-07:00

After a week off in Spain, the rest must have done us good... as we're flying this week....

off with the waxoyl...

roof got bare metalled... and filled...

more tomorrow...

Out one door in the next....

2009-09-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

Team playas Evil Ben's and Autostyl - hooking up some more collaboration on this Notch...

Out of Benny's metal work all done....

and into Autostyl for paint...

Brasilia and Jamboree....

2009-08-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

Been a very busy couple of weeks at Autostyl...

first off with our local show approaching - The Cornwall VW Jamboree, the Brasilia got a makeover... and looks all the better for it!

First, some hours flatting and masking up to lay in some panelpaint.

silver sealed...

gold base and gold metalflake laid down, then off with the masking...

House of Kolor Tangerine Kandy applied over the lot - and cleared...

after a couple of days - the clear was flatted back to lose the edges of the artwork, then masked up for more detail...

On with some black base - and then the GREEEEN Flake...

Then off again with the masking - uber carefully... and on with a nice flowing few coats of clear....

With the car back together and the marquee packed up - it was off to the Jamboree...

a great weekend, great people and some more silverware for the Brasilia, this time in the Aircooled Sedan Modified class - up against some super clean bugs.

Mike and Glenda's westy also took first in the Bay class, hopefully first of many...

Over the weekend George striped up an award we'd flaked and kandied the week before - and the Autostyl Car of the Weekend award was born....

The first lucky recipient(s) were Mark and Paul with their Airbus- nice car guys... had the type of stance we like..... on the floooorr! Pictured here - Ant and Mark outside the official prize giving...

Country buggy madness...

2009-08-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

Been ragging the country buggy round the yard this morning terrorising some ants....

52 Barndoor samba...

2009-08-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

The motor has come out of the Country buggy and now resides in Chews '52 Barndoor Samba, Chewies been busy getting the brakes all sorted...i think he's gonna need them...

As anyone who's seen the country buggy under steam will tell you, the 912 motor sounds nuts with its straight thro exhaust. Its certainly has plenty of grunt to push this old shed about too...

The brasilia has had a bit of detail work this weekend too....sneak pics to follow.

Be sure to come check it out at the Cornwall VW Jamboree this coming weekend, pop by to the Autostyl, and Evil Ben's 'lounge' where you can also stock up on all you aircooled parts from Justin at Retrodubs.

Collection day!

2009-08-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

After a full Autostyl remanufacture, where we remove every nut and bolt, paint inside and out, then rebuild as new, Mike and Glenda collected their '73 Westy this weekend.

Always mixed emotions when a long term project leaves the shop - after so much time and effort invested in the vehicle, its always hard to see someone else drive it away, but equally great to move onto the next project - this time a super sweet early notch... pics to follow this week...

Also the Brasilia is getting a re-vamp for the Cornwall VW Jamboree! Come check it out.... mad plans....

Westy waxin...

2009-08-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

weighing it down with some cavity wax....nearly there now....

Brasilia for sale...

2009-07-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Well sporting a fresh MOT with no advisories, and only positive comments about the heavy modification.... the Autostyl Brasilia is up for sale... check out the pictures back through the blog.... and see the ad on vzi

Autostyl brasilia advert

Sunday sunshine and showers...

2009-06-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

The first Sunday Dubs meet went really well today, lots of peeps, some sunshine, and some showers - thanks to everyone who came, and hope to see you all at the next.

Keith getting his car ready for the trip to EBI, we got the wings painted for him last week, and he's got the engine all up and running, sounding great!

Nice sunny day for the first Sunday Dubs meet...

Loving the look of this golf....

Pinstriping by Georg went down well, and the autostyl audi went home sporting some fine lines.... looking forward to the next meet!

Brasilia's...the next fridolin?

2009-06-24T07:02:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Keith Seume for spotting ours and Paul's bras on oldbug.com, and thanks to Randy Carlson for the kind words....

Autostyl brasilia on oldbug.com

Just a reminder that this Sunday we've got an open day here, along with Retrodubs and Evil Ben's, so if you fancy a trip out feel free to call in.... 11am - 3pm.

Laters....

Bolt On Shock Drop

2009-06-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

Got the first prototype run of the Bolt On Shock Drop plates back from the Lasermaster. (Image above does not show completed units/kit - pics of that to follow!)

These bolt on brackets drop the bottom mount down, so you can gain more lift, and by dropping the mounting back from the beam, the pressure needed to lift is reduced too! A Winner all round.... and the best bit - no welding required and all fixings required are included!!!! £37.50 per pair.

Taking orders now....

Sunshiiiiine!

2009-06-02T00:40:00.000-07:00

Since RTTS the sun seems to have been out non stop, and we've been pretty non-stop too...

Damien's bus box all raised, height tweaked down... happy customer...

Notch body off...

Evil Ben's tubs are done, really neat fab work as always, and new seats to suit!

Friday fun - country buggy photoshoot - ice creams and sunburn were order of the day!!!

and Jay's been narrowing like a mofo on his new project the burnberry!!!!

Run to the Sun

2009-05-25T01:38:00.001-07:00

This year, it has actually been a run to some sun! Great weather, a real mix of vehicles - made for a good day out!

Even better when you catch up with friends - not seen Colin and Elizabeth for a while, but they've been busy, with help from Dennis Terry, they've got the 'Drugs bus' on the road, and it looks great! A pharmacy drugs delivery vehicle - original sign writing has been brought out really carefully by Elizabeth, and with its O.G. faded paint looks spot on!

Elizabeth also has, by complete contrast, a shiney black convertible beetle almost ready to hit the streets - really looking forward to seeing that one!!!

As always there were a few yanks and rods at the show and shine - with the usual good turn out from the Surf Coast Cruisers - despite the cornish salt air - these guys do a great job of keeping these cars looking good year after year!

been about a while, but this chevy still flicks many buttons!!! Especially on the rim front....

Some big ol' boys...

Fintastic...

gotta love the buick style.....

cool car park ratter - in true RTTS style...

good times....

Shooting...

2009-05-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Shot Matt Keane's race car chassis in base and lacquer today...

After several tests, and changes in direction with the interior colour - must say, its come out looking ace... the colour is gonna look the shizzniss against the diamond green body!

Meanwhile, Mike and Glenda's westy interior is all getting fitted back in - gauges etc. all cleaned out, indicator stalk all getting the treatment too! Pop top shot in colour the other day too...

ttfn

tubes, tubes, tubes

2009-05-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

No tubes of the surfing variety this week unfortunately, but that means lots been goin down in the shop....

Back has come down to give it the look... steering box has been lifted too...

And in an attempt to get lower, Evil Ben has been butchering his bus - i think he's hoping for dry days, and some leathers too - at last, he's found a genuine excuse to wear some! Dirty boy...back in yer box!

Also in - Matt Keane's race car chassis fresh from blasting - in for prep and paint - the amount of tubing to prep is staggering!!!

Martins axle tubes also got some liquid black - sent off to a remote Scottish island now for fitting up...

till next time.........

Rear end surgery...

2009-05-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Mike's westy getting some reconstruction, skim of filler and paint...

Mike and Glenda's westy is coming on well too - pop top now primed up and good to go with the wet flat and top coat....

Reconstructive surgery... on a sexy Italian...

2009-04-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

Alfa gets some reconstructive surgery...

Then some beauty therapy...

This is how its done at Autostyl and Evil Ben's... done right, like it should be...

Variety show - of the car variety!! Not strictly come singing badly...

2009-04-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

It ain't just Volkswagens that gets us going.... Fergus's Fiat left last week, all tip top again, and in came this real smart Alfa - the one used in the Malteasers advert where the driver keeps taking sharp turns to roll some outta the pack and accross the dash.... Its in for some Evil Ben's metal replacement and some Autostyl paint...

A faded, but familiar face from days gone is in for a brake spruce and general out of storage go-over....

while a very familiar face of late, Mike and Glenda's Westy, gets its shoes back on, comes off the dolly and back on solid ground - shiny shoes yet to come!!!!!

Post Volksworld...

2009-04-05T11:18:00.000-07:00

We're back, and with some sunny weather, a bit of sleep at last, we're gearing up for an awesome summer show season!

In this last week, amongst others, Fergus's Fiat 600 for a brake overhaul and new screen seal...

Also - up for sale is Al's super cool fendered notch. Email us for more info...

Volksworld show 2009 and the lead up to....

2009-03-31T03:15:00.001-07:00

Well, its been a long few weeks - here's a quick timeline of the lead up to the show...

2 weeks till showtime!!!!

lacetime.... 14days to go....

remask for door shuts - 14 days and counting...

paint the body - 11days to go...

modify the pan - trim framehead down and plate up. Section down centre tunnel pressing to go LOWER!!!!!!

9 days to go - pan back from the sandblasters...

8 days - pan painted...

lift country buggys shell onto the pan, then back onto building up the Brasilia... 7 days....

5 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!

4...

body on!!!!!

so with two days to go - not even time to take a picture... until loading up...

Then.... Volksworld show'tastic.....

buggy and brasilia.... very different but both getting lotsa love....

Both are for sale, so call us up if you fancy a truly unique creation to stand out this season, whether shiny or shitty looking....

Or if you want a car building to design - please get in touch.

videos to come.....

Massive thanks to everyone who helped make this mission possible.

Start your engines...

2009-03-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

So this week, Tim's engun got started. Tim spends a lot of time in Portugal, the home of our Brasilia, so has gone for a new VW unit to provide reliable transport there and back. Ben got it all fired up - sounding smoooooth...

After wet flatting off the shuts and shadow coat of colour on Mike and Glenda's westy, Ant shot the final coats this week too, looking sweet... flating and polishing this week to really glass it up!

Then after hours the Brasilia got all fab work finished - about bloody time, as the clock is ticking - Volksworld show in 28days!!!!

28 days....gotta get back on it....

Dip dab dash...

2009-02-21T01:29:00.000-08:00

What a week. Evil Ben has been putting in some serious hours to meet the deadline to get Martin's sick '55 vert finished to get up to SPL for dipping. Martin came down Thursday and after a long day of fettling, got the car in the luton and away!

The Brasilia got more than one step closer too this week, the gearbox raise has caused some knock on mods to be required, as everything is 4 inch higher than designed, so some entertaining clearancing and exhaust experimenting was needed.

Body off...and of to blasters soon.

secrets, lies and espionage...

2009-02-16T02:49:00.000-08:00

Well with two Volksworld show deadline builds, that were meant to be under-wraps to a certain degree, the updates have been a bit few and far between as we've been ploughing into getting them underway. However, as someone has let the preverbial cat out of the whatsit.... here's some teasers...

here's the kerb crawler...

Not the most recent shots, cos we wouldn't want to reveal too much!!!!

Also got Tims engine in his 71 deluxe bay.

Conveniently sandwiched - ooo,err- between Retrodubs, and Evil Ben's - Non of us claim to be the largest VW specialist, but through working together, with combined skills and experience, and a can-do attitude - we build high end quality vehicles
whilst still offering friendly day to day services from lowering to MOT work.

a shot of Justin's shop - Retrodubs

Evil Ben's

and some of his panel work on Martin's '55 vert

his not so detailed Voksworld project....

Laters!

dust anybody...dust....

2009-01-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

Last week was one of those long monotonous and dusty, but essential filler and primer sanding weeks.

Dexters bus got some long panel work, looked like it had snowed after first filler fix...

Mike and Glenda's westy got flatted, and any areas in need, got some more attention... gotta be straaaaaiiiiight!!!!

Volksworld project 1 - air system arrived today

so Ant got friendly with the grinder and the TIG and hey presto - bottom mounting brackets!

Volksworld project 2 - Ben's pan is almost done.... nice...

Laters....

Specialist tools...

2009-01-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

This week has seen some varied activities....

Tims engine for his '71 Deluxe early bay is being built up...

Whilst Dexters long panel has had some specialist action - Ant's been making loadsa noise panel beating it into shape. The trusty Unispotter has been invaluable this week, with the shrinking facility getting a work out keeping all that flat metal from oil-canning and stretching beyond all recognition....

After what seems like forever getting the metal straight, some filler went on to get this mutha arrow straight. So out with the long sanding boards... and getting real dusty... the only way to get that glass flat panel... we love it!

Trimtastic!!!!!!!!

2009-01-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

With the New Year now well under way, at Autostyl we're all looking forward to clocks changing, hotter weather... and the coming show season.

One area often overlooked is interior and trim... at Autostyl we offer in house trim for all vehicles, in a range of materials, and specialising in full leather retrims, whether it be stock or aftermarket seats, headliners or carpets, we got it all...

Here's some pics to give some ideas, feel free to call us on 01872 561140 and speak to our Trimmer to see what we can do to personalise your car, and spec it up for the coming year.

25% off House of Kolor....

2009-01-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

As a bit of New Year crazynesssssss.........

We are offering 25% off House of Kolor Materials used for any jobs booked in during the whole of January!!!!!! So, use your imagination - whether it a deep kandy or a full on custom scheme - this offer represents some serious saving.... or opens up the potential for even more layering!!!!

Here's some food for thought....

New Year Sun...

2009-01-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

After a well earned break, we're back, and looking forward to another roller coaster year - with three Volksworld show build deadlines the first couple of months of the year are set to be manic!!!! So, graced with some beautiful Cornish sun, Ben and Ant spent a bit of time outside - as its bound to rain again before long!

Project X - Ben's working the spine for his VolksWorld show jaw dropper.... not much chance of guessing what it is at this stage, trust me.....

Ant also got the body of the brasilia separated from the pan, before diving indoors to get some heavy anti stonechip on Mike and Glenda's bay, as its gotta look great for Volksworld, but also weather another 30yrs of use!

Seam sealed ready for anti stonechip...

bingo....

More progress on Martin's cab too... Ben's got the engine side trays in, and is set to get the valance on early this week....

Follow the link, top right, to Martin's progress thread on Restowagen for more info on this awesome car....

Optimus Primer....

2008-12-21T12:30:00.000-08:00

Well, busy just doesn't really describe it... on top of all the pressures that this 'festive' time brings, we really wanted to get Mike and Glendas bus primed this week, but with some corrosion revealed when we sandblast some areas at the beginning of the week, it was set to be a challenge.....

But with a few late ones - Ant shot the House of Kolor epoxy primer surfacer this weekend. Whilst designed as the base for their range of custom paints, we use this primer as the base for all our paintwork. Its a dream to use, and offers great durability, stability and corrosion resistance to boot.

A few other goings on this week include - Evil Ben gettin some rear quarter repairs on Martin's '55 Cab, and also trial fitting the new slightly narrower engine side trays..

The late night brasilia elves had some fun with the rear end this week - got us some Fuchs up in there - big'uns!

Laters...

d-luxe....

2008-12-03T15:52:00.000-08:00

This week, so far we've got the disaster bus finished off, Ant shot the paint this weekend, and its come up great - right colour and everything!! Sometimes he has the odd isocyanate moment and paints everything black, so we were a bit worried....

Ben's been finishing the front valance work to the '55, and then been fitting the bonnet release tube and wiring clips etc inside the front...

meanwhile, we've also had Tim's '71 d-lux in to fit our early bay - late brake upgrade kit... available now!!!

....the late night brasilia elves have been busy too, fitting up the king and link pin beam with dropped spindles to work out just how narrow to go....

We now offer a beetle King and Link pin recon/rebuild service, rebuilding with dropped or stock spindles, all with new bushes and pins throughout. We can supply full bolt on narrowed beams etc. or you can just mail us your carriers and spindles and we'll rebuild them and send them back to you. All beams built to order to your spec. Please contact us with your requirements.....

Laters....

D-livery day....

2008-11-28T06:42:00.000-08:00

D-livery day.

After a full autostyl remanufacture - this late bay is off to its new home. We sourced the base vehicle for the customers, a totally solid shell with only 40,000mls on the clock. It has been fully stripped, straightened and repainted, before being rebuilt with new components where required. Now set to take on another 30years....

After Jef finished the metal replacement, and got onto getting the repairs painted on the Disaster bus....

Minimal filler and a good coat of 2k primer, wet flatted ready for colour...

Amongst a few other bits, Ben has been sorting out the headlight tube fixing points on Martin's '55 Cabriolet... thin and rusty, cut out and replaced with some fresh steel..... sweet, job done.

Monday Mayhem!

2008-11-24T13:25:00.000-08:00

Lots going down today in the shop, i'll let the pics do the talkin....

Jefs been TIG'n some new steeeel into John and Karen's disaster bus - more on this awesome truck soon...

While Ant got busy chopping out the corrosion in the Disaster bus cab step, and let in some new panels, while getting some panel beating and then filler time on Mike and Glenda's '72 bay....

Engine engine number 9.....11

2008-11-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

Bit of a while since the last update, but rather than cram this one full, i'll post some more up tomorrow....

Main success of the week was getting Dexter's engine hung in his '63 Split. The back mounts are in, and just require some refinement to trim the engine level. This week we'll get the front nailed down too. As far as my net trawling has found so far, nobody seems to have gone for this engine and box combo before - 911 3.0 litre SC motor mated to a T25 auto. The auto box is the bigger part of the challenge, quite literally, but with some clearancing and some smart thinking regarding a-arms, mounts, shifter mechanism etc. we should be able to post up pics of the front set up later this week.

Some stud welder and dent pulling action on the front of Mike and Glenda's bay this week, getting pretty close to a filler skim now....

Also managed to get the framehead modification on the Brasilia a step closer, TIG'd up the holes left after cutting off the pressings to allow the link pin beam to fit.

shelling bays......

2008-11-11T14:44:00.000-08:00

So far this week, Mike and Glenda's westy is now a bare shell, and the bodywork has commenced! Battery tray and issues on that corner all now repaired. Back to factory and some...

Meanwhile, Evil Ben has been making great progress on MArtin's cab, with a mix of original stuff, grafted into new panels, originality is being retained whilst getting rid of any suspect metal.

Front panels welded together off the car, should have pics of this assembly installed tomorrow.......

Also going down - some good progress on designing the mounting configuration of the 911motor in Dexter's '63, pics to follow!! The link to his ssvc thread, top right...

Fireworks.

2008-11-05T15:11:00.000-08:00

Fair bit of welding going on today at Autostyl. Ant got down to welding in the open ends of the chassis rails in Dexter's '63 Split bus. Thus adding more rigidity to help support the porsche engine. It will also give good mounting surfaces to which the engine mounts can be attached.

Meanwhile, Ben's been throwing out some sparks whilst repairing the bottom edge of the inner wing on the cab.

Jay's got the underseal removal technique dialled in, and the results have only revealed good, factory paint arches, with no corrosion at all!!!! Love this bay - its just so damn solid!!!

Then, this evening, i managed to get a bit more strength back into the brasilia. After TIG'in the new longitudinal supports, i popped in the beam to check fit. Some adaptation to the framehead is required - as Brasilia's are balljoint from factory, but we're converting to link pin for a smooooth low ass ride......

TIG Tuesday.....

2008-11-05T01:27:00.000-08:00

Had a bit of a move around yesterday so that we can get back onto Dexters '63.

First task is to finalise the location of the Porsche IRS mounts... looks like we need to narrow the arms in order for it all to clear the automatic gearbox. Watch this space, unlike many people, we'll publish exactly how we do it....

Evil Ben Lewis has been rebuilding the front end of Martin's 55 vert. Previous damage meant that it was necessary to disassemble much of the structure in order to get it spot on before rebuilding it with as much original steel as possible.

Jef and Jay are busy working on Mike and Glenda's bay. Jef's fitting a new battery tray- the only panel required! While Jay has been steadily removing the underseal to check the condition of the underside, and to enable it to get a full gloss underside too!

In addition, when everyone's gone home and many are tucked up in bed, the Brasilia elves have been out TIG'in some new steel into the front end - With a good strong structure in the front end now, tonight the front will be reconnected to the body properly, check back for progress...

Last week update...

2008-10-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

Ben's been sorting some of the old repairs to some front end damage on Martin's '55... and brought his bus up to snap next to the late bay we've just finished....

Ant's been getting some shape back into the front panel of Mike and Glenda's bay with the faithful Unispotter stud welder and puller.

While Jef has been cleaning up and prepping the inside... as you can see this bus is A1!

Also now in is Tim's Arizona 71 deluxe. With a new gen. VW block awaiting installation, a tasteful lowering and getting this cool cruiser back on the road, Tim'll be cruising down to see his relatives in Portugal before long. Thanks to Tim's sister Judy for all her help in our search for the shop Brasilia!

And speaking of the infamous autostyl brasilia.... here's a sneaky pic of how it looked end of last week...

Till next update, take it easy....

Orange Monday!

2008-10-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Monday seemed to pan out to be a bit of an orange day! Jef has ploughed into the strip down of Mike and Glenda's Bay Westy which is going to be an awesome bus when done, the base vehicle is just so solid to start with!

Also, the shop Brasilia saw some action late into the night... lowering the back end... still plenty of inches to get it down further yet - might take some thinking....

Shop VW Brasilia

2008-10-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

New shop project X!

After a bit of a road trip back from Portugal - with 1000km of Spain best mountains roads to test it, Ant has arrived back with the new Autostyl shop project - a VW Brasilia.... made for the South American market, with only a small number exported to Portugal, Phillipines and Nigeria, its gonna make an awesome, unique vehicle after its been autostyl'd.....

Facom Dealer

2008-10-16T04:28:00.001-07:00

Autostyl are now an official Facom Tools dealership. We can supply anything from their extensive by mail order, or call in to have a look through the range. With seasonal specials offering great value high end tools, you may be surprised how reasonable the prices can be! For full catalogue online see www.facom-tools.co.uk

Engine day...

2008-10-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

Bit of an engine day today - got this Porsche 3 litre to sit up in Dexter's '63 split, not that straight forward with the Auto gearbox on the front - took some 'clearanceing'!!!! Meanwhile, Evil Ben got 'Cocoa's' engine back in and up and running!

2008-09-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

Today at Autostyl, Ant and Jef have been refitting 'Cocoa' a late bay in the final stages of a full remanufacture.

Also, Ben, has been dropping the ride height of Mike and Glenda's Bay Westy, before it comes in for a similar treatment....