50's Retro Ruffrod cab project...

[Stampede]

Hello all!

New forum member.
Tought I'd make a tread about my project that has been lurking in my garage for a while. Slowly but surely developing.... :)

The car, an '81 cabby with a 1.8 GTI engine with a carb mounted, don't ask me why, previous owner business!

Been playing around with the idea of making a 50's Bonneville ruffrod style cab for along time. So when this baby entered my garage it was time to set the plan into life.

Matte black paint, white top with no rear window, 14 inch steelies powdercoated red, with whitewall tires and Moondiscs.
Some other period pieces will also find it's way to this project. Peep-mirror, A-pillar search light, lionpaw exhaust tail, and also some "until further notice" secret parts! :cool:

The car is painted in my own garage by yours truely! Just to get that real homemade ruffrod 50's finish on the paintjob.
I've also started putting the car back together.

I'm posting som in progress shots from this winter, and also some pics of parts and other stuff I'll be mounting on the car.

Waddaya all think? :rolleyes:

Ripped, but with new doors, new brakes and adjustable coilovers mounted. I also cleaned the car totally on the underside and applied new anti-rust goo! shitty job!

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5585.jpg

Some bodywork, new front and front fenders, plus welding shut the old mirror holes.

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/AUT_0014.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/AUT_0016.jpg

All spray spackled and primered ready for the matte black paint.

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5805.jpg

The paint is on, with just the ruffrod finish I wanted.

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5827.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5831.jpg

Went overboard one day when I was working from home. Not much work that day as you can see. Masked and painted flames in true 50's custom spirit. :cool:

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5865.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5869.jpg

Original rearlamps ready for modification.

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5763.jpg

Modified and mounted! Here you can see the lionpaw and part of the restored chromebumper as well.

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5890.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5887.jpg

Whitewalls, the lionpaw (before mounting, of course) and a couple of secret trick parts! ;)

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5801.jpg

And I just had to get this, kinda blends in with the rest of the car...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5804.jpg

The front is slowly turning cool.....
I did a small trick on the lower grills by adding a chromestrip to the top and bottom of them, to kinda resemble the frontgrille.

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5879.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5880.jpg

Polished doorlock mechanisms

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5856.jpg

TMI carpet and rear seatcover arrived!!

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5857.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5858.jpg

Old style chrome handles mounted, just sitting there waiting for their little black inserts.... ;)

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5882.jpg

Matte black and chrome, kinda cool don't ya think??

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5892.jpg

Since I was temporarily short of funds this summer I mounted stuff that I've had laying around since spring.
I mounted the rear hatch, the new upholstered rear seat, new TMI carpet, the cabframe and also polished some parts and added some chrome...

Here's some pics....

Polished doorlock bolt....
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5920.jpg

Rearhatch mounted...the hatch is being modified this winter but it'll do for now!

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5982.jpg

The rearseat with the TMI upholstery...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5983.jpg

The carpet set also included new carpet for the rearshelf and sides too...nice!

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5986.jpg

Some rock'n roll stuff! :cool:

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5987.jpg

Some windowframe chrome...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5995.jpg

Hmm... I wonder what this is?? ;)

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5991.jpg

A sneak-peek of how it'll look with the Moondiscs. Smaller rubber and whitewalls will be added shortly.

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_5999.jpg

Things were moving slowly forward this summer...

Got started mounting the top, plus I also got my hands on some more Moon parts. The Grant steeringwheel in red flake will blend right in with the rest of the theme, in my opinion.
I just had to have the Moon hornbutton with the Maltese cross on it.
A Moon Brody knob and 3" Moon peep mirror just complements the look I'm going for.

Here's some pics....

Started the cab mounting...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/Bilde%20001.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/Bilde%20002.jpg

Da steeringwheel and Brody knob.....

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/Bilde%20003.jpg

3" Moon Peep....

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/Bilde%20004.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/Bilde%20005.jpg

Da wheel mounted, I just dig this :cool: ....

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/Bilde%20006.jpg

Here's some more pics, starting to look really bitchin' now, don't you think??

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6079.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6080.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6081.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6082.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6083.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6084.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6085.jpg

...more to follow!

[Bruders]

looks fucking great!!!
Love the paint!!!
keep on doing the good work!!!
greetz..Vic..

[Stampede]

Yihaaa... made my own dials! I went with a pinup babe theme and here's the result.... =)

Found an old 50's Caltex logo that I used as a sign above the gasgauge, looks better than the standard one I think... :cool:

So waddaya guys think??

Speedo...
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/pinupredapple_web.jpg

Tacho...
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/nyturteller_web.jpg

Tank...
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/tankmaler_web.jpg

Temp...
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/tempmaler_web.jpg

Well, here's the finished instrument cluster! :D

I think it turned out great, the pic doesn't do it quite justice, but you get the idea.

Painted the needles in a color called Garnet Pearl and the screws and needlebases in Silver fox.

I also applied a small text in the empty black area below the indicator lights, just to indicate that this IS a driver.... :cool:

Anyways, here it is...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6096.jpg

Oh yes!!!

Took her for a little spin on some local roads this weekend, and man she worked! Stiff as hell but it's supposed to be like that! ;)

Got the seatupholstery on the front seats mounted yesterday, and mounted the seats this morning. Man, I love my job solution, working from home!
Some minor details left to do inside and outside.
Next in line is mounting of my CD player and some speakers with retro covers. And this winter, back into the garage for removal of the engine, and a paint and finish job in the enginecompartment.

Here's some pics after the little testdrive...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6124.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6125.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6126.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6127.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6129.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6130.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6131.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6132.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6133.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6134.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6135.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6136.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6138.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6139.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6140.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6143.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_6144.jpg

Later.....

[Airtime]

Yeah, man! What a great ride! Very cool details, I like the brody knob and the dials. :cool:

[Tim Spijlbus `61]

Nice to see all at ones it looks GREAT I ALSO LOVE the PAINT JOB.

Lots of fun with the car!!!

[Viperwin]

Hawt :rock:

[chrisjuh]

Very nice ride :woowoo: Love tha looks! :)
Are those upholstery sets also available for the ''standard'' seats of a Golf 1 (1975)??

[Stampede]

Very nice ride :woowoo: Love tha looks! :)
Are those upholstery sets also available for the ''standard'' seats of a Golf 1 (1975)??

Thanx!
Yup, they are! My front seats are from a 1976 Golf!
Can't use sportseats in a ruffrod... ;)

You can get them here: http://evwparts.com/TMIRabbitCabriolet.htm

[berendd]

one word:

affentittengeil!!

[LRR]

Excellent Job !!!!!!!!!!!

Looks very "old".................keep it up !!!!


Grtz............... LRR

[Mister Cool]

Yeah keep up the good work :D . An awesome rod :D

[Gert]

What can I say that isnt said already ?
"Low" budget rules :D

And I love the lionpaw

[Richard]

whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooottttttttttttt :rock: :wow:
realy fits in the volksforum style :woowoo:

[Melvin]

nice nice!!

what kind of coilovers are you running? is that Catec?

[Stampede]

nice nice!!

what kind of coilovers are you running? is that Catec?

Thanx!

The coilovers are Formel K, bought on eBay.

[-Jens!-]

SICK ride dude, love the flames and steering wheel! keep us posted....

[Jasper Ovaal]

wouw , what a awesome car.
everything is absolutly great.

good luck.
:green:

maybe one thing i also would love. painting the mooncapes Red.

photoshop somebody?

[Neill_s]

Hell Yeah!!!! :rock: :clap: :clap:

[Neill_s]

I'm not gonna say much about it....
A fat A!!!! (A is the highest grade for a exam, isnt it?)

;)

[PerL]

It's fun to see that this car got the same kind of praise here as in the Norwegian club forum.

[Stampede]

It's fun to see that this car got the same kind of praise here as in the Norwegian club forum.

Yeah, kinda cool!
I was anxious too see the response, and man! Nice when people appreciate your work!

Thanx guys.... :)

[Vossie]

very very nice

[airy]

Nice paint job, keep up the good work. If you intend to visit Holland, you must go to a VW meeting, very relaxed and cool and of course with very low cars.

[Matheo]

gotta love this car! :rock: really like your style! :cool:
those dials kick ass!! :cool: :rock:

[Big_Mac_Mark]

That thing is fucking awesome man! Dude, dig your style a lot! Keep it up!

[IJsbeer86]

Damn!!!! :kenny:
need some brilcreme for my hair....

[CalAltaDubber]

Love the car.

Nice concept, very neat idea.

You should visit us at the Toppless Rabbit

Toppless Rabbit (http://www.toplessrabbit.com)

[bobby-digital]

i just read it........fucking amazing ride :rock:

could go a little lower though...... :rolleyes: i think airride would finish it of pretty nice

[Menace]

where the heck did ya get those whitewalls?

Pall o mine wants a set as well but can't find any anywheres..

[Bombshell]

what a hell of car!! :shocked:

I love it!!

[Jurgen Santana]

Love the car! Every mod is chosen carefully. Creating a car with perfect balance.

[Stampede]

where the heck did ya get those whitewalls?

Pall o mine wants a set as well but can't find any anywheres..

Bought them from a swedish webshop: http://www.classicbildelar.com/home.asp

I think that Volkswarenhaus also have them in stock this year.

[Stampede]

Due to serious lack of motivation to continue this project I haven't done anything this winter. But suddenly the urge to finish her got to me and I went out shopping some "stuff".
Got the last part of the outer roof finished so now I can finally "close the hatch". :laugh:

http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0230.jpg
http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0231.jpg

Got myself IMHO a pretty cool fire extinguisher too, chrome with flamezzz! :cool:

http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0232.jpg

Next up is to get the engine out for an overhaul and some finishing touches in the engine bay. Here's a pic of the engine in it's current state, and a quick try out of the Firetruck red color that I'm supposed to paint the bay with. Think it'll be a cool contrast to the matte black paint. In addition to the red paint, I think some chrome is in order here! ;)

http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0234.jpg

Went to the local Mooneyes shop today and bought me some cool stuff. Bullets, stickers and a nice touch for the front headlights.
Mounted the bullets in the holes for the original front lip which I wasn't planning on using anyway, think it came out pretty cool.

http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0236.jpg
http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0238.jpg
http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0240.jpg
http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0247.jpg

...and here's some period pieces. :cool:

http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0241.jpg
http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0245.jpg

And the Maltese on the trunk lid

http://www.action-photo.se/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0242.jpg

Later...

[veedubprins]

:rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock:

That's all what i have got to say..................

[Stampede]

Small update on the engine work...

I've spent part of this week getting the engine out of the car, dismantling it, cleaning it, (yikes!), some parts swapping and painting it.
I chose to paint the entire engine block and transmission black, with just som minor details in a silver color, no sense in going overboard. I haven't decided what to do with the valvecover yet so I just sandblasted it to get it clean, I think maybe red is in order here, I dunno. The timing belt cover will probably be painted black as well.

Some finish work on the starter, alternator and distributor is what's left before I can put it back togheter and start on the engine bay.

Updates will follow....

Some pics...

Enigine side 1, 2 and 3...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0304.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0306.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0309.jpg

Transmission...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0307.jpg

Thats it... =)

[Matheo]

nice work! like the bullets!

[Benji]

Very nice car!! That moondisks looks incredible thick!

[|| RS ||]

Like it alot :D

When didn't you want a front lip? I mean, a GTi lip would look great I think! The bullets are pretty cool aswell ;)

[okkehel]

:rock:
Nice ride dude ;) looks very cool that matte black..
I like your style

[Stampede]

Been doing some serious cleaning and painting on my carb the last couple of days. I opted for the golden color from the Olds Rocket engines! I think it blends right in there with the 50's theme. :cool:

Think it came out kinda cool, either you like it or you don't! :rolleyes:

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0330.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0328.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0329.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0331.jpg

Kinda blurry this last pic...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0327.jpg

More to come.... ;)

[MMgolfnut1]

Cant say anything else than KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! :D

[classicline]

Looks verry good and olds"cool" keep on working.

i dont like the flames verry much but thats just a matter of taste.

but love the details!!!

gr. Twan

[Stampede]

Got the engine bay painted today, and man it sure did turn out red! :cool: The contrasting red color to the matte black was just as I hoped for. Now it's time for some black details, and putting the engine back in.

Here's a few pics...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0352.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0353.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0354.jpg

[Stampede]

Showin' of a couple of more pics if you're interested. Got some detailing work done to the master cylinder, and polished the latch mechanism and mounted it. Things are lookin' better than they did before... ;)

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0356.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0357.jpg

[Bombshell]

man man what project !!! I'm a big fan :lick:

[sjampoo]

Hubahuba,.Man it's pretty (quote : Johnny Bravo)

[Stampede]

Finally got the engine back in the car! Hooked everything back togheter (...sounds easy doesen't it? ;) ) Had some trouble with the igintion and a couple of small water and oil leaks but no big deal. So now it's running and the car is ready for it's first indoor car show this weekend!

Waddaya think?

Here's some pics...

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0377.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0378.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0379.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0380.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0381.jpg

[DrLaban]

Stampede is one of my friends and I have been so lucky to follow this project IRL. :)
He`s done an amazing jobb with "Ruffrod". It was something special riding it the first time :D

This weekend it is a BIG motorshow here in Norway, "Motorfestivalen".
AND.. "Ruffrod".. is at the show ;)
http://www.dieallervaerste.no/blog/images/IMG_4712-1.JPG

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0384.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0385.jpg

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0386.jpg

[dubbed_up_daz]

that picture from the rear up on the stand is really really cool :)

[Stampede]

Selling this baby now, and I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you guys for the cudos and nice words during this project. :)

Some last pics from this summer and a carshow I attended.
Again, thanx guys!

http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0722copy.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0723.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0727.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0728.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/aftenposten.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0385.jpg
http://www.oss4.org/bilder/81golfcab/IMG_0387.jpg

[PerL]

Hope the new owner will bing the car to the shows, I'm sad that I havent gotten to seeing it yet :(

[Tjaap]

time for a new project......

[PerL]

There actually is, Jaap. He has sold this black cabby and is going to build a new one.

[Tjaap]

is this the same crew?
http://vagner.jeje.je/bilder/albums/GTO-del-2%2C-ombygging-med-nytt-chassi/010207_5.sized.jpg

[PerL]

No. that one is being built by some other guys. They originally bought an Einser fitted with a Reiger GTO kit, but when they started to look into that car they found that it was very rusty. They then found a better Golf to fit the GTO kit onto, and is converting the GTO to rear wheel drive. That's what you see in this pic.

[Tjaap]

yeh read about the project and saw some familiar names onthere.. i thought they were the same guys

[Emiel]

I like ur Style

[Chromosexual]

a lot of work went into this...........very interesting! :)