mark m uk Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Hi Chaps, new guy here on the forum. I read with interest the not uncommon idea of building a 166 useing a beetle as a donor. The idea has been around for some while. really nice repro bodies and parts are available - but as one would expect they are expensive. There are a few real 166 available, but also very expensive. The only affordable reproduction is a fiberglass one from the 'states - made by panzerwerks. So I decieded a couple of months ago to build my own, starting with a beetle. I know it is not a real one, and it has no historical value. In one way that is exactly the attraction. I will not have any worries about useing this on the water, and it matters not if it rusts out from under my backside - at the end of the day it is only a tired old 60's beetle. I don't have a real one - and lets face it, I'm not likely to borrow one either, so I am copying a model. Yeah, yeah, I can hear you all laughing. Fact is, this is not ever going to be a real 166, so there is not much point getting bent out of shape to keep it 100% 'authentic' - 'cos it will never ever be authentic ! Still early days, What do you guys think ? Regards Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berna2vm Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Fab... Keep the pictures coming,and keep up the good work. Best of luck, Richard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Hi Mark, Interesting project you've got there! Nothing wrong with using models for reference, so long as the kit manufacturer is known for accuracy. Before I bought my Jeep, I bought a 1/35 scale model to see if it would fit in my garage along side my aircraft trailer. Scaling up the model, I figured I'd have about 1 inch clearance each side of the Jeep. It turned out I had 1.5 inches once I bought the Jeep!!! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 I asked someone about companies building replica bodies for it but never got an answer. Be interesting to see how you get on, please post any links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevpol Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 yep, good luck with it Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodger Baz Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Do you know Reggie? from Coventry way? he built a great replica and won best restoration at W&P for a "Replica Schwimvagen" cuased a bit or a stir for some of the the Axis vehicle owners "tee hee" :-) i have his number if you want it? go for it mate, what a great project, considering building a replica Stoewer one day soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisg Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Good luck with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Niced bit of creative engineering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Wow nice work... keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25 pounder Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 A friend of mine owns a 'real' Schwimmwagen , very nice piece of "Deutsche Meisterschaft" I'm very curieus to follow this fantastic project , keep up !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 One hell of a vehicle-witness a Kubelwagen in the Normandy...don't ask! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 You mean the one that kept getting stuck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 Do you know Reggie? from Coventry way? he built a great replica and won best restoration at W&P for a "Replica Schwimvagen" cuased a bit or a stir for some of the the Axis vehicle owners "tee hee" :-) i have his number if you want it? go for it mate, what a great project, considering building a replica Stoewer one day soon. Thanks,..............and thanks to all those for the encourageing and complimentary comments. Yes, I had the pleasure to meet and chat with Reggie at Beltring this last year. I had a good look around the replica he built and have to say I was knocked back by the quality of his work - outstanding. I will not get into a useless debate about wether he should or should not get a prize for the vehicle at Beltring - people will always have their own view, and rightly so. To me, it was an outstanding contribution to the hobby and really did deserve acknowledgement. Beltring has provided me with several trophies over the years, and I am used to the bitching that can take place. Several years ago, having spent 3 years restoring a GPA, I took it to Beltring. As I had seen so few GPAs at that time I deceided it would be a more interesting exhibit if I left off the foredeck and floor so as the inner workings could be seen. Only to be told it did not qualify for judgeing because it was 'incomplete' :nono: ...............never mind, cleaned up the following year . Back to the Schwimmmmmm project. Reggie made a damn fine job of that, and he tells me it cost $$$$$.££££££.EEEE x loads........Also 3 long years of graft. Reggie also told me he had enquiries about making more - he also told me he said "yes, as long as they can pay my wages for three years"! I was taking a slightly different approach, and would really value forum members opinions and views. The way I see it. If I had 100k + tied up in a 166, I'd be scared to take it in the water - the last thing you do is dip a valuable car made of mild steel in water. I have never swum my GPA for that very reason (I can hear the jeering) having got one of the best, and original GPAs I have a duty to preserve. So, to enjoy a 166 at its best, I personally would be more 'comfortable' with a replica. .........I can thrash it around, splash about in the water, dent it a bit - let the reenactment boys jump all over it and generally have fun. If, a reasonable representation of a WW2 VW166 could be made, would it sell ? is there enough interest in these replicas to make it worth produceing ? As a guide, it should be considered that an empty fibreglass body shell can be bought from the 'states for approx £8,000 + shipping + duties + VAT, etc, etc. Then you have to find and build all the mechanicals, wheels, seats, suspension, steering, brakes, electrics. lights, instruments, etc, etc, etc. Or a really nice all steel body can be bought for approx £25,000 + shipping + duties + VAT + all the mechanicals, etc. So, there is no cheap and cheerful way to a VW166, Not real or repro ! How much would people pay for an all steel look-a-like, driving VW166, that had engine and mechanical parts that were cheap, available, and off the shelf. Your Thoughts, Regards Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willyslancs Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 as long as your enjoying what your doing and not passing anything off as the real mc coy, go for it mate ......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 My 2 cents... I think there would be interested partys. Just look at the amount of repro German armour at Beltring. Especially a real swimming repro 166 would be desired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Wow ! I look forward to seeing the build progressing ! One of the reasons I love this forum is seeing just how skilled some of our members are ! Is this something you do for a living ? I guess you have some very nice metal working tools at your disposal ? Please keep us updated with progress ! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 Thank you for the replies chaps, No, I have absolutely no intention of building a spot on replica that could be passed off as a genuine period piece, and yes the prime objective is to enjoy the experience and entertain myself. The prime reason to explore if anyone may be interested in buying these is because I wondered if it is worth making tooling, and keeping the patterns and templates. ...........I had to laugh at the assumption that I had some good metal working tools and a workshop. Not a pi$$ taking laugh, but a little chuckle to myself. Y'see, I have a vice with only one jaw and the handel falls out. The bench has advanced woodworm and the top is so worn It doesn't have a flat surface. I have a hammer with a shortened handle that is loose. I borrowed a mig welder from a friend that said it was so $hit "I don't want it back" he added "if you mend it, you can have it" In place of a metal folder I have a rusty bar with a hacksaw cut in the end. My 4" grinder has a jammed switch and you switch it off and on at the socket. I also have, a 9" grinder, a few clamps (some are tennis table net clamps) a few old spanners, some odd sockets..............and a lot of enthusiasm. I am not a metal worker, The only formal training I have is as a bricklayer - But that has been enormously helpful with making the many curved patterns from the model. The principle is very like the way I make wooden formers to support brickwork arches over doors and windows. First I bend wire around the model to find the shape - then draw it out on paper - next draw multiple tangents on the curves, bisect and draw perpendicular lines against them - that finds the centres of the curves and a quick calcalation will reveal the radius. Next, transfer all that to real scale, and make templates. I take those templates to a company that rolls steel tube for making metal park benches. They convert the plywood shapes to steel tube and box. When I get the bits home I weld it up with the hot glue - that will form a basis like a skeleton to bend, beat and fix panels to. I of course realise that this is not the way that a real 166 was made. But I don't care, I just want an affordable look alike that can be used and have fun with. Regards Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder44 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 I have the bulkhead pannel and the rod for lowering the prop into the water, also a complete set of new seat cusions if you are interested. I used to own two schwimmers but sold them on and this is what I have left. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder44 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Some pics. of the spares for Schwimmwagen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 Thanks John, I have PMed my direct email address to you. love that rear light unit too. please get in touch. Regards Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeileen Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Ive been usung a couple of companies in the CZ republic for parts recently for an original kettenkrad. This is another one we have used in the past for kubel et schwimvagen parts. Body and mechanical. http://www.kdf.cz/ their price is reasonable. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radek Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Here is another in Czech http://www.leharmilitaryvehicles.cz/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honeileen Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 AH I forgot Vladimir Lehar, we just bought some excellent quality parts for the Kett. I can recomend him for his good service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 (edited) ...........I had to laugh at the assumption that I had some good metal working tools and a workshop. Not a pi$$ taking laugh, but a little chuckle to myself. Y'see, I have a vice with only one jaw and the handel falls out. The bench has advanced woodworm and the top is so worn It doesn't have a flat surface. I have a hammer with a shortened handle that is loose. I borrowed a mig welder from a friend that said it was so $hit "I don't want it back" he added "if you mend it, you can have it" In place of a metal folder I have a rusty bar with a hacksaw cut in the end. My 4" grinder has a jammed switch and you switch it off and on at the socket. I also have, a 9" grinder, a few clamps (some are tennis table net clamps) a few old spanners, some odd sockets..............and a lot of enthusiasm. Mark that makes what you have achieved so far even more impressive ! Well done ! :-D Edited August 19, 2009 by Marmite!! Edit quote tags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thank you Andy, And thanks to all you guys for the interest and comments. Those links are quite fantastic, cant believe trhe price of some of that stuff, It seems expensive but considereing the quality and complexity of the parts , vwery reasonable - beginning to realise I am wasting my time with this project ! thanks again guys...........regards Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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