During the last year there has been quite a lot of debate regarding the merits of the World Wide Web and Classic Car Clubs. On the one hand members say we should stick all the clubs info on the internet including the Club Mag, on the other we should restrict it to a couple of pages with members car photos, club events, history and stuff that would not normally go in a club mag. My views are this- I feel a clubs Web site should be an extension of the magazine with close links to the clubs editor. Putting out loads of info on a club site could mean the loss of members as information would be downloaded free from the net, this in turn could eventually mean the clubs demise as the lose of revenue and articles sent in would make the club redundent. I know this is probably not the way to start an on line restoration page but I feel as an active committee member for the Bug Club, I have to tread a fine line on what goes into my site, bearing this in mind I have not disclosed all, I.E measurements/parts availability etc. I would hate to see a club I have had a hand in building up over the last nine years going down the proverbial toilet. Man that was a heavy paragraph lets get back to the light hearted stuft ...

FGU 997 J after 10 years of being thrashed and generally misused is now showing signs of age so a replacement seemed like a good proposition. But as this was my first ever Bug and I've had so many good times in her I feel she wont be leaving the Smith Household. Anyway back to the new project-This example is another box of bits but most off the bits are there.

The chassis was the best example of the three I Have done only needing to be sand blasted, red oxide coated, a little welding done plus a coat of Hammerite.The middle chassis tube was bent but this I managed to straighten by giving it a couple of good clouts with a large lump of wood, I know it doesn't sound to technical but it did the trick.You may have read about the exploits in getting the axle back in. This after completion looked somewhat odd and even after comparing it with the first Bug it took some time to register that the thing was on upside down. After flipping it round all was well, new Brake pipes were fitted along with Brake shoes and callipers,the dreaded King pin was reamed out and a new one fitted and then I made a start on the engine.This looked like a good lump and the previous owner said it was a runner so off came the sump to have a look.No large shinny bits in the bottom, the crank looked ok and after a consultation with my dad it was passed fit. The tappets were re set, Carb cleaned etc etc and the lump was placed with the help of my Mum into the chassis. After a bit of adjustment the rest of the engine was added and she was ready for the big fire up.

Starting your car up for the first time is always a high point in any restoration so armed with the battery from my VW Beetle and a can of lawn mower petrol all was ready for the big turnover. A big turnover was all I got, not even a splutter could be heard. After a bit of investigation I figured the petrol pump had shuffled off this mortal coil but a replacement from a large collection of junk in the garage still didn't work.The next attempt had a gravity fed system but even this didn't work due to a crappy pump in the carb,Back to the collection of bits and all was well on the carb front.The 3rd attempt at starting had the gravity fed fuel system, a hot wire ignition and there was a spark at the plugs.Its going to go this time thinks I,"Oh no I'm not" says the engine.Despite turning it over there was still no sign of life, at this point I felt like hitting it with a stick Basil Fawlty style but sanity prevailed and I got my Dad down to the shed, "have you got the leads on the right way round", "yer I checked" them was my reply "I did them by the book". I blame the Reliant workshop manual, after checking they were all on wrong so after putting them in the right order it was time for another go. Armed with the lead from the starter the battery terminal was touched there was a whirl of engine and the thing roared into life. After a bit of adjustment the thing was running like clockwork with all the usual noises of a Reliant lump.So I now have a rolling chassis in the shed only problem is the things so big now it wont go through the door.

PART 2 FOLLOWING LATE 2000 ?

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