Before anything else...
I always check my phone when I wake up. After being woken up by my alarm around 4:10am I checked my phone and was surprised to read about Kobe Bryant's untimely death. It was surprising and shocking news, and I had to confirm via google before believing it. Rest in peace to everyone who passed away in the tragic helicopter crash, including Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna.
Now onward to what I was planning to write about. Another Beetle post.
I've posted before and the more I read online about the Beetle the more I flesh out what things I would do to the Beetle to make it a bit more roadworthy and safer for the modern times.
As always in the event I get to own a Beetle the very first things I would do would be to ensure it's roadworthiness, reliability, and safety. Just make sure everything is running as great as it can. No problems with the engine, brakes, transmission, suspension, and electrical system. Then make sure there are seat belts for at least the driver and front passenger. And make sure the wipers are working and the wiper blades are new.
Once those are done the next step would be to check the entire car for rust. Fix or replace whatever areas are rusted out and make sure to rust-proof everything else.
Those two steps alone would most likely be very costly in terms of expenses but that would just be the most basics things I would need to make the Beetle a reliable daily driver.
Then comes the fun part, the modifications. These are the mods I would do in order.
First off would be upgrading some engine components, like more efficient distributor caps, spark plugs, and upgrading the generator to an alternator. Also from what I've been reading, I'd move the fuel filter from the engine to somewhere nearer the fuel tank.
Brakes are also an important upgrade I would want. Ideally it would be great to upgrade all wheels to disk brakes, but of course even just upgrading the front would be okay. This is one area that I will not accept frankenstein upgrades. Brakes are there to stop the car, and something I'd be more than willing to spend on.
Apparently there are companies that sell wiring harness updates. They use the more modern tech for the electrical system. This includes more modern fuses and the option to upgrade lighting to LEDs as well as using an alternator instead of a generator.
I'd also upgrade the Beetle's carburetor. None of that twin-carb stuff because that would be too complicated. A simple single-carb dual barrel upgrade would be more than enough.
I'd also upgrade the Beetle's lighting. Adding a roof mounted rear facing LED light bar to serve as both a third brake light and additional turn and reverse lights as well. Aside from that I would most likely mount a pair of fog lamps on the front bumper for added illumination when I need it at night. If it's possible I would also upgrade whatever lighting bulbs can be replaced with LED ones, not limited to brake lights, turn signals, and interior lights. Headlight is also a possibility since I've been reading that some 7-inch round headlights meant for the Jeep Wrangler can also fit in a Beetle.
Speaking of bumpers, I'd also switch out the front and rear bumpers with custom tube bumpers in matte black. Give the Beetle a bit of an off-road look as well as hopefully have a sturdier bumper just in case. Since we're in the topic of tube bumpers, I'd also replace the step bars with Baja side bars just to have a consistent look.
I'd also have a Kamei front spoiler mounted to help with stability and fuel efficiency (supposedly). I have no idea how fast I'll be driving this theoretical Beetle but you bet I'd want it to be stable at highway speeds, even if I'll probably be maxing it at 80 to 90 kph.
A roof rack would also be a priority since storage is a bit of a premium inside a Beetle. It doesn't have to be period correct, and in fact I wouldn't mind if it was a custom tube-frame roof rack. I would just want the roof rack to be durable, light-weight, and not cause too much aerodynamic drag. I'd also get a few securing straps, chains, and padlocks to keep the stuff on the roof rack secure and safe.
As for the interior, where do I begin? I'd love to have a Sabelt semi-deep dish steering wheel. I'd probably replace the stock pedals with a racing pedal box, not because race car, but because I'd want something a bit more modern. I'd also get a sport shifter to improve the interior look.
For the seats I'd just upgrade all seats to have headrests. This is a very crucial safety addition in case of accidents since headrests help prevent whiplash. I think.
There are other upgrades I'd want to install but I need to research them some more, like oil coolers and air-conditioning units.
Of course before all of this happens I'd need to own a Beetle first. At least I have a plan already. I just need the funds and the car.
Out.
