Abandoned, Retired and Rusty Relics.

[Gnomey]

Certain things definitely did have more style back then...

 

[Capt. Vick]

Yeah...definitely...

 

[Lucky13]

Probably not as much as an earlier model would be worth ('64 or earlier)

This one looks to be a '65 or '66 (maybe even a '64)...hard to tell unless I could see the front turn signals.

It has the thick trim, but it's missing the typical "1300" seen on the deck lid (boot or engine cowl cover) of most '66 models.

Seem to have the smaller taillights though, when did they change to the larger ones?

 

[GrauGeist]

Seem to have the smaller taillights though, when did they change to the larger ones?

Those tail light assemblies were found on the bug from '63 through '66. The '67 Bug's tail lights were a mixed bag of earlier style and a type that had a reverse lamp lens, the '68 were larger and all had a reverse lamp lens.

Before 1964, the Bug's decklid (engine cover) had the "Pope's nose" style license plate lamp housing and the decklid had a taper at the base for those early years, changing with the '67.

So seeing the front turn lamps would help narrow it down some, since they were white in a small housing until 1964, amber in a small housing for 1965/66 and amber in a larger housing for 1967.

I still think it's a '65, possibly a '66

 

[Lucky13]

I used to own a '62....

 

[GrauGeist]

I had an imported 1966 (made for Europe, not North America) and a 1968. The '68 was customized to look like a 2 seat bathtub speedster style, circa 1959...

I miss having a Bug, they were alot of fun to own drive.

 

[Lucky13]

Would definitely get another one, always liked the early callooker style...with a split window or the smaller one...

 

[bobbysocks]

I miss having a Bug, they were alot of fun to own drive.

except driving one in the winter!! those heater boxes really didnt do much and forget defrosting the windshield! we used a 12 volt hair dryer for doing that....lol.

 

[GrauGeist]

My '66 was fully tricked out in true "Cal-Bug" fashion and even though I had the 36 horse shroud and headers on my pumped up 1300, I didn't replace the heater boxes with "J" tubes, which allowed me heat during the winter (only when I was in motion, of course) but in Southern California, harsh winter conditions like ice, snow and low temps weren't a problem. Well, unless we drove up to the nearby mountains...lol

 

[parsifal]

My money pit was a '65 Austin Healey Sprite Mark III. Spoked and chromed wheels, with 1275CC Cooper engine and Scott Blower. Flat drop forged Pistons, large valves, double strength valve springs, blueprinted crankshaft. I put in a stroker crank, but needed to strengthen the crank assembly with four bolt mains. straight through exhaust with extractors. Then i needed to to put extra heavy duty sway bars on the thing to make it a bit safe going around corners. Needed to put in a power booster and oversized brake discs (Mk IIIs had front discs at least). It needed a new, oversize radiator and a water pump to improve cooling. From memory i ran it at 5-6 lbs boost

Acelaration was pretty good, at about 0 to 60mph in about 6.8 seconds. Top speed was initially disappointing,, but them I put in the fifth gear overdrive kit, which did improve things a little. I think i mamanged to get 103mph on a straight level section of the highway once or twice. Most Sprites are only good to cruise at around 6-65 mph, but mine could comfortably cruise at 75mph all day with the strengthened lower engine.

I bought the thing in 1985, spent $15K and many hours doing it up, crashed it, rebuilt it, another 7K. It rusted the floor, put a new floor pan kit in, new harness, and carpet kit. Went on a 2500 trip to Perth and back....not comfortable. Used it as my daily drive until 1998, got married, had my son, no room for three in a two place car. sold it for $22000 and still miss it.

 

[vikingBerserker]

What a sweet ride!

 

[Njaco]

I have had 2 money pits - one I loved and one I...well. It was a 1973 Fiat 850 Spyder. Enough said.

The love was a 1978 Ford F-250 4X4 with a 351 M and a New Process 435 tranny with a granny gear. Dana 44 front and Dana 70 rear with Detroit Lockers. No lift. Truck would go through anything. Finally sold it when the marriage went south. I should have joined it.

 

[parsifal]

Loved those Spyders, but like nearly all the italian women ive known, was usually trouble to its significant other....

 

[YakFlyer]

Made my mind up that was an Avenger, then scrolled down, airframes bet me to it.

 

[javlin]

Yes, it is....

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/soplata-airplane-sanctuary-35873.html

Chris my father was a radio operator on a B-17 in WWII and had told me that right after the war P-51's flew from the plant to the scrap yard and could be had 5K though alot of money back then what an investment could of that been ?The article written by the son over at Air&Space was intriguing at the sight you listed

 

[Capt. Vick]

A buddy at work sent me this e-mail. (I asked for more information)

Derelict British DeHavilland Dove Mk 5. I found it at the fence line of a private property. There were a lot of other old airplane wrecks in the property. Have to go back one day for a pick around the place. (See below)

Westland Wessex /Sikorsky S58 ex Australian Navy.

 

[GrauGeist]

Saw this seaplane in Sozopol (south of Burgas) on the Black Sea coast.

Doesn't look rusty and it doesn't really look abandoned.

But it sure looks retired...

 

[Wildcat]

Interesting stuff guys. I happened upon this Leopard tank on the weekend

 

[Capt. Vick]

Cool tank. Looks small though.

 

[Njaco]

Well, if we're gonna do tanks......

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