Woohoo! I'm so excited....I've been searching the papers and finally found a great deal on a classic '74 VW Super Beetle (In my never to be humble PERFECT clown car). I wanted something different because I have seen too many PT Cruisers, Mini Coopers, new VW Beetles and even now the new Chevy HHRs to even think about getting one of those...

Just a few things needed on this baby to make her perfect. Royal blue brand new paint job, new front end , newly rebuilt engine with brand new distributor cap and plugs came with the car, as well as new black paneling already installed on the doors and panels for the back seat. Original upholstery, headliner and shag floorboard carpeting in mint condition. Tinted windows too...

The previous owner before the guy I bought it from had it painted pink with a "HOT" sticker for his daughter and then sold it, so the blue paint job covered the pink and the sticker was removed but the outline of the word hot still shows under certain lighting conditions...

The battery konked out on me right after I got it home, and it has some wiring issues with the wipers and blinkers, so most of my time over the next few weeks will probably be spent working those kinks out so it will be road legal...

I'm gonna try and post a pic in the next few days. I'm changing the resolution setting on it in the hopes that will make it easier...

BIPS and his Bug.....no words convey my level of excitement!!!!!

That sounds great Bips



I can't wait for the pictures

Congrats on your clown car purchase! Can't wait to see the pics!


GiGi :D

That's fantastic Bips! I have created a Clown Car album in the gallery in anticipation! :)

Awesome Princess, thanks...

After tinkering with it last night I found out the wiring is fine with the wipers, just that the charge was so low on the battery that it was unable to move them! I'm going tonight to pick up some wiper blades, battery, and some lights to replace in the hopes that its the bulbs and not the wiring I need to address. Once it's done, I'll take a snapshot of it and upload for everyone to see...

I am SOOOOooooo Jealous, Bips..... I want a clown car SOooo bad!
But I want a model Roadster that looks like it spend the last 7 decades as a chicken coop. SOmeday though :lol:
Good luck with it. I wouldn't mind a VW Beetle, They always seem so uncomfortable to ride i, But the one I tried the seat wouldn't go far enoughback to be comfy :roll:

Sounds like a blast. I would love to help you work on it.

Way cool. Once it's working right, spin by the board with it and we'll all hop in!

Get your motor runnin'... 8)

born to be a child, born to be a child

Cool

That's great, Bips!


Here's my daily-driver car, but it IS the perfect clown car:

http://www.laughingj.com/WebAlbums/20060111_Mini_Cooper/index.html


Ashes

Thats is pretty sweet, Ashes, I really like the mini coopers...maybe in the future my finances will allow me to get that as an alternate one.

Scruff, work is what is holding this baby off the road for now, so I'd be happy with some help!. The engine is great, interior in good shape, and a new battery, but my problem right now is wiring for the blinkers. I checked the fuses last night in the hopes it was just that, a busted fuse to be replaced, but it looks like its a loose wire, or worse yet, a fuse block problem. I'm checking the wires tomorrow and hopefully a little electrical tape will solve the problem (fingers crossed)

Saw pic, great bug. I've always wanted on too. We Play punch bug all the time, changed the points though 3 for an old one 1 for new and 5 for convertables, but we've added X-bugs [nissan exteria] very unique, and that's what I have. Can't do anything permenant to it but I do have some ideas.

Ashes love the mini, but even though I clown, they're two small for me. [shoe box size] :D

I do not have a clown car as of yet.

I saw this on ebay if anyone is looking.

http://i2.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/be/3c/23_12.JPG

Here is the link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-VW-Beetle-Convertible-Movie-Promo-Car-Runs-Great_W0QQitemZ4627284474QQcategoryZ6019QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

In mint shape. I bet it will go for over $8,000.

Ooh, nice! I hope it goes to a clown or someone who will keep the paint job.

Excellent Bips...go for your dreams! Too many of us wish and want, but never follow thru for various reasons, whether it be finances, or maybe family conflict, etc

I almost had in my possession the IDEAL Red Clown Fred Clown Car! Was all ready to buy it, but Mrs RCF nixed the idea because we had no place to keep the vehicle. I'm still smearing my face paint with tears to this day! Anyway, "almost" got the perfect RCF mobile! i will try to send a picture!

You could always make up a giant wind-up key out of foam and spray-paint it silver :)

Im looking for a good Cheep automatic Small Street leagle car to drive around to where i need to go

Poor Gertie had a bit of trouble with starting the other day...it appears to be alternator trouble so its in the shop as we speak hopefully ready to go either tomorrow or first of next week. Then I've got to take her to get the inspection done (taillight issue they are also fixing) and then Phase II of my master plan will begin....mwhahahahahaha!

Now the real fun starts cant wait to see the Gerti in all her glory

I got her back from the shop yesterday, and they ended up not replacing the alternator, but redoing all the charging component wiring, as apparently 30 years of driving had taken toll....who knew? I also got her inspected yesterday since the blinkers work.

They also didn't charge me for it but cleaned and tightened the fanbelt that operates both the fan and alternator, and they greased up or loosened the clutch because when I drove her home yesterday, it was smooth sailing!

Phase II is in effect....I put the seatcovers in yesterday, and boy were they easy to see in the dark this morning when I hooked it to work...after I get my visor dressed up I'll take a picture of them both, and email it to Princess so she can post...

Glad Gertie is feeling much better now... and now she's gonna get a makeover too, can't wait to see the results :)

Thanks, yeah, she was a smooth ride home yesterday...no long arm of the law to worry since shes street legal now.

It's too late this year since we have a working plan up coming for the Alley, but I think for the 2007 4th of July I'm going to ask about entering her into the parade...

The lettering is finally done! YEAH!!

I am now in the process of preparing the styrofoam nose and eyes and figuring out a way to attach them to the front. The nose should be easy to do, as I can attach it to the front hood handle. Now the glasses.....this may be a bit more difficult to do....

Can't wait to see the finished product.

BIPS IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE COULD YOU POST SOME PICTURES OF GERTIE IN PROGRESS I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE TRANSFORMATION FROM BUG TO CLOWN CAR

I'll take a pic tonight of what she looks like so far after I finish painting her nose.

I'm doing that first because I know that will work, and then once I've figured out the glasses I'll take another photo.

I'm also trying to figure out a way to put some kind of hat or ornament on the roof that is aerodynamically sound...

Ooh! That would make a terrific article! ;)

Ooh! That would make a terrific article! ;)



BIPS GUIDE TO AUTO REPAIR



I WILL BE CHECKING MY LOCAL BOOK STORE SOON

Bips, What are you making the glasses out of? Temporarily, You might be able to cut a big pair out of plywood and then use heavy nylon "Zip ties" to anchor it to the bumper. Then, run a couple of earpieces back to the door hinges and ancor them through using the same ties.
I would try to figure out a way to make them fold, so you can fit the pieces into the back seat for transport. For something more permanant, you could go to a good metal shop that does decorative work (think wrought iron from the 70's) and have a pair made out of metal. Large rings could be rolled to make the eyes and then one inch square tubing could be formed into the ear pieces. They might also be able to come up with a bracket to attach them to the Vee Dub on a permanent basis. I would also have them fabricate a way to hold the nose. This way it is street legal and you can access the trunk.
Good Luck. I look forward to seeing it.
Scruffy

Scooter, we had a heck of a hail storm move through last night so I didn't get a chance to paint the nose or take any pics, hopefully this Sunday.

Scruff, the metal is a great idea, and one that I would like to try and do soon.

In the meantime, this nose and eyepiece is being made out of styrofoam.
I do not yet have the nose bridge for the eyeglasses, so the plywood may work in the meantime, not so sure yet about that.

My first task is the nose. It's small, the dimensions only about a 1 ft sphere I am cutting in half and then painjting with special red paint that adheres to styrofoam. I am going to paint it at the latest by tomorrow and let dry over 2 days, then try and mount it on Sunday. I'll let everyone know how it goes, and I will try to get pics of what has happened thus far...

Better late than never, I always say....

I finally got the 1st coat of paint done on Gertie's nose, also took a couple of closeup photos of Gertie wearing her clown best.

Princess has assisted with the photos (thank you!) so they are in the gallery under Clown Cars, along with Gertie's detached nose.

Next, it's time for a 2nd coat, and figuring out how to advere that sucker to Gertie's trunk handle or front grill....

MORE TO COME!

LOOKS GOOD SO FAR CANT WAIT FOR THE FINISHED PEODUCT IT WILL BE A GREAT ADVERTISING TOOL WITH THAT BIG RED NOSE ON THE FRONT IT WILL BE HARD TO MISS

Looking good. Bips

Thanks for the show of confidence guys, I really appreciate it...

The nose is on now, and has passed the initial "testing"...

Hopefully in the next week or so I can send in photos of how I attached it.

Well, these last few days have been so busy, so I haven't had time to do any additions, like the noodle grin I was hoping for. I am also looking into a red turnkey to adhere to the back part of the Beetle maybe near the license plate....

I have had a couple of automotive setbacks I'm addressing as well. After visiting with our local Autozone it turns out that what I thought was a charging issue is a fuel issue as she stops when running idle at lights when the engine is hot. I am working on replacing the fuel filter as that seems to be the culprit.

The Autozone employee saw the advertisments and told me he was nervous of clowns, but not totally scared. We both agreed it was a good choice of car for a clown! :)

Anyway, as soon as I get the fuel filter changed out and the oil changed (Another challenge on this vehicle) I'll update with more news of Gertie's progress...

Fuel filter.....done....

problems with stalling at lights....still occasionally happening...

Next step, cleaning out the fuel pumps filter, hoping that will solve the problem. At least Shes still running, not needing me to gun it to get acceleration any more though. And the replaced fuel hose was where the gas smell was coming from. All gone now...

Oh, and also.......sniff sniff.....I lost my nose on the highway yesterday!

I'm going to go back rethink it's design. Maybe 2 dimensional red circle for the nose?

Anyways, the fun continues as always...

Back to the drawing board... a flat nose should still look good!

Well, sniff, Gertie is garaged right now...sniff sniff...

Background:
I was driving her home Friday before last and suddenly the engine died, so I turned the ignition key, but it got stuck!

I tried to move it, and half of the key broke off inside the lock cylinder!

I had to have a cop block traffic, push it into a parking lot, and have it towed home.

I am currently putting her up on blocks to get to the starter and solenoid, as I have already replaced the lock cylinder, and also the ignition switch when she still wouldn't turn.

I hope to have her running again very soon. At least I'm learning about her. I hope to have this car for a while, so I'll know her replacements as I'm writing everything down I'm replacing.

Ah... the nickel and diming has begun....

GOod luckBips. Kepp us posted. Did the engine itself sieze or do you know yet?

Please dont be offended by this
There is a great book called how to keep your vw aliive for the complete idiot I highly reccommed this book for any one who has an older vw
Also check the fuel lines and make sure they are not too close to the engine this can cause the gas to evaporate and cause a vapor lock

Scruff, it's an electrical issue right now, and I think I've narrowed it down to the solenoid, as I ran a jumper from the positive connection on the battery to the solenoid terminal, and no clicking so it looks faulty. The guy I bought it from just replaced it and the starter engine when I got him to finish signing the title transfer paperwork, so I'm going to get the receipt as the part has a lifetime warranty and I'll do an exchange and hope for the best. There are no loose wires or faulty wires I can see remaining, so this has to be it. It also is the probably the cause of the engine stalling at lights and stopsigns because if it is working improperly it would account for the dying engine.

Jamz, I appreciate you imput, and that is another book on my list I plan to buy in the near future. My money right now is going for parts though...:)

Until next update, HONK HONK!

I got the starter solenoid out, after some effort of finding the bolt that secures the starter. It turns out its part of the engine mount!! I was able to get it out, exchange the part after some hullabulu, and I found out he put in a rebuilt starter. That would also explain some of the other trouble. None the less, I also got a rebuilt since it had a lifetime warranty, and as of today I just have to tighten the engine mount screw, connect the battery, and cross my fingers!

Can I just say that I LOVE it when somebody manages to work the word "hullabulu" into a sentence!

(I'd like to see that word used in a spelling bee sometime).

I took the ignition switch to be tested, as the oil/alt lights went out when I turned it, still no start.

The mechanic tested the switch, and said that wasn't the problem.

"I think there a problem with the lockcylinder "

This is the orginal part I replaced so long ago when I broke my key off in it. Hereplaced it, and after 20 minutes of drving home and testing.....

VROOOOOM!

Gerties back on the road ladies and gentlemen!!!!!

Now, I just need to check the carb since she is still dying at lights and stops...

Probably just gunk buildup, but at least she'll get some advertising out there and get me where I need to go now!!!!!!!!

GLAD TO HERE SHES UP AN RUNNING

In pulling into my driveway after the initial test she wouldn't turn over again. I checked this, I checked that, replaced the ignition coil fo rthe juice since it was 30 years, and I get under the car to find out.......


one of the wires was disconnected!!!!

I crimped the end because it was so loose when I reved the engine it was knocked, and as of today I have driven it to work....

Scruff, when you get that turnley idea worked out, elmme know, because thats my next project for Gertie, to make for the top of the car...

No prob Bips, As soon as I figure it out, I'll post the instructions for all to read. Trying to find a wind proof magnetic mount. Something good for about seventy miles an hour.

I think the CB magnetic idea you had is the best. Wonder if I could find something like that at a junkyard?

Gerties still running....as long as I give her gas....:)

But seriously folks...

Here's a carb issue, I'm sure of it. I spent some time Sunday adjusting the intake jet cam in the hopes would solve it, and it almost has, if I gun her. I put some fuel cleaner into the fuel tank, because now I'm thinking theres some gunk buildup somewhwere else. After 30 years, what'd expect...?

BTW, Scruff, on the note of the magnetic thing. Yesterday I was taking out some old speakers that Gertie has to make her radio sound better, and I realized. The Pioneet speakers have heavy duty magnets on them to put them in the metal panels on the Bug!!

Now, I don't know if they still do this with the new speakers since cars are not very metallic any more, but maybe if you find a set of old ones that are blown you could use the base?

I'm keeping these just in case....packrat at heart....

AS I AM READING ALL OF THIS I CANT HELP BUT THINK OF HTE MOVIE THE MONEY PIT MORE YOU FIX THE MORE GOES WRONG :cry: IT IS TRULEY A CLOWN CAR AT HEART