Euro 1303
I have
owned my 1303S for about 10 -11 years, when first purchased it was in
extremely good original condition with one previous owner. But, as I
lived near sea in Cornwall, the salt started to rot the body in a slow,
but efficient way.
Being
a student for part of the time, the 1303S stayed on the road without
any money being spent on it. Eventually, I moved to London and got a
job!!!! After saving for a couple of years I could afford to have the
car restored.
I decided
to go for a type of German/Euro look (on a budget) without 17 inch wheels,
but with a more powerful engine, and colour coded bumpers etc.. I now
had to decide on the colour, it was originally light metallic blue.
Five
years before, I had purchased second-hand Cobra Kevlar Seats with matching
rear seat in blue, plus seat frames and Schroth Electronic seat belts
for 200 quid, this shade of blue influenced my selection of colour.
I decided to go for a dark blue (Ford Cosworth) with Pearl Cote on top.
The wheels were Empi 8 Spokes which have now been replaced with FLAT
4 Alloy Sprintstars for a bargain price from Beetle Choose, who seem
to have difficulty with the conversion between DM and Sterling.
The
bumpers are colour coded with indicators. The engine is type 1 1776
with CB Performance 045 heads, Engle 110 Cam, Counterweight crank, light
fly wheel with Dual Twin 40 Dellortos. This was built by Stateside Tuning
in Enfield, and fitted by my brother, myself and father.
The
front of the beetle has been dropped about 2.5 inches with shortened
springs, and the rear remains at stock height. I have fitted uprated
anti roll bars to the front and rear. So it handles pretty good,
I still wish to add more to the car, such as adjustable front and rear
struts. Full range of gauges inside, and to tidy up the engine bay and
wiring inside the car.
The
car got a third place in the Custom Class at Stonor, which I was very
pleased with. The car is also going to be featured in Total VW soon.
Hopefully one day, I will be happy with it, and be able to drive it
more, rather than continuing to tinker with it (the car, that is).
Andrew
Searle
