Wasn't keen to run the 56' for a few reasons;
1. Motor is tired; one oily cylinder, lowish oil pressure and no power. Even with a Judson 40hp 1200.
2. Has no camber compensator; didn't want to stick on it's lid. It's a solid car, original paint and stacks of real patina.
3. Handbrake is pretty ordinary; like I couldn't even get it to do a handbrake turn on grass late last year.
Took the 56' out to leave the good car for my wife and kids. Glad I did now.
![Image](http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/1956%20Oval%20window%20beetle/mk121401_zps9099ecd4.jpg)
Gt3
The plan was to steal a seat in a mates khana car. Datsun 510, L18 + Weber 45s + locked diff = Great car and lots of fun. I got most of the way through the first test, but it stalled, wouldn't restart and was having clutch issues too. Because of that, I missed one test and there was a lot of mucking around. Truly, it's a good car, but a challenge to drive. I also think the owner has a knack for (brutally) holding the car all together, but every time I drove it (with mechanical sypathy I might add), it seemed to get more fragile.
I usually place well in the motorkhanas, but it was all going to hell in a handbag. Which meant I had nothing to lose. So half way through the day, I approached the event coordinator and asked could I swap cars and drive... the beetle. Got the thumbs up and it was time to go.
![Image](http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/1956%20Oval%20window%20beetle/mk121403_zps86524515.jpg)
All numbered up and ready to race.
The first test in the beetle was a pretty pedestrian. Understeer. Handbrake not working. Asked a mate if it was rolling around much and he told me, "nah, you weren't even trying". The other thing was, VW seats are SHOCKING. I spent half the test falling out of the seat belt. :crazy:
Right. time to try again.
![Image](http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/1956%20Oval%20window%20beetle/mk121404_zpscf878882.jpg)
This time, it was a little better. Tighted the lapsash so tight I could barely breath and that helped a lot. Threw the car a little and got the back wheels to lock and slide about and 2 inchs, but something was better than nothing. All the while I was watching the oil light to make sure I didn't end up with oil surge... no dramas there.
Then I headed for the pitts to check the pressures and check the handbrake... Cables were almost loose. Right, fixed that up. Pressures; 20psi front/30psi rear. Ok, so that explained the understeer too. Pump both ends up 10psi to 30/40psi. The next test was a wide open test with lots of big circles and I could feel the back end just beginning to let go. The test after, I got the rear end to slide about a foot.
I was beginning to get the feel for the car and having no dramas. People were egging me on and enjoying watching an old car being driven properly.
![Image](http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/1956%20Oval%20window%20beetle/mk121402_zpsa9bc73cb.jpg)
Some other competition. The lambo spend most of the day point the wrong way, but he had a great time.
The last run of the day was a shootout slalom. 2 cars line up side by side, do the same slalom and race for the stop garage. I made it through the first round against a falcon ute that spun out. I was creamed by a Mazda 121 that had it all over me power wise. The car was turning well, but didn't have enough juice to take off again properly in 2nd gear. Still a great day I reckon.
It's also given me a better idea of the order in which I need to do upgrades on the car. I'm planning to do more khanas and some lapdashs with our club, but the car needs some upgrades.
1. Camber compensator - to keep me upright and stiffen the rear end.
2. Better seat - the stock seat is crap (putting it politely)
3. More power - specifically, more torque. I've got plans for that this year. This means better front brakes too for rego.
So who wants to come do a khana with me?
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)