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Hello from an English member

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 14:37
by MattfromPortugal
Firstly my apologies for writing in English: my written Portuguese is terrible, but I read well, so no need to reply in English...

I'm Matt, living in Costa, and was into the VW scene back in the early 90s in England attending many shows, Beetle Bash, Bug Jam, Stanford Hall, Action etc. Had 2 beetles back in the day, a 68 and a 1963 golde sunroof, as well as 2 early bays.

Now looking for an oval, or up to 1960 big window on which to do a running restoration. (No garage at this present time...) Full rag sunroof would be good, but I'm realistic. Not into Cal look anymore, intend to do a nice sympathetic resto with original paint and features. So let me know if you've got anything that might be suitable.

Looking to get involved, so if there is anyone needing a hand, let me know. Also any recommended garages that can do larger jobs, any thoughts on www.vintagevans.com.pt as it's just down the road?

So, I hope this post is okay, if not, then feel free to delete.

Hope to speak more, take care,

Matt

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 15:05
by SplitBusFan
Bem vindo Matt :)

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 15:30
by seventropical
bem-vindo ao forum MattfromPortugal...... :wink:

seventropical.... :wink:

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 18:23
by joaopt9
bem vindo. ( welcome to garagem vw)

:lol: :lol:

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 18:37
by joao
welcome to garage Matt :wink:

photos of the bettles and the earlybay's please :)

:wink:

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 18:46
by MattfromPortugal
Thanks for the welcomes: the bays and beetles I had from 90 through to 96, any photos I have will be with my parents back in the UK. I do have some negatives as well from early 90s shows, Bug Jam used to be good circa 91, but then became more about boozing and raving than the cars. Stanford Hall, and Detling, which wasn't far from where I was living, were more about the cars, with more focus on vintage and classic vws. Really pleased to see there is a thriving scene here, with a lot of care being spent on quality restos. How would you say it breaks down? Are more people into standard restoration? Lowering (restocal), Bigger engines etc?

I came to this site through one of the English VW forums, and very glad I did. Just have to improve my writing skills, and of course get hold of a car...

Matt

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 18:50
by MattfromPortugal
By the way, I know of a very rusty split bus sitting in a garden close to me that is rotting away - think it's too far gone for a rebuild but would make a great donor vehicle. Even has Safari front windows if anyone is interested. Not something I can consider, but for anyone who has a split, and is interested, lets gets together and drag it out. Will take some photos next time in passing.

Matt

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 18:55
by berto53
wow, we're getting freakin 'International these days !!!!!!! :lol:
Welcome here Matt, and as stated before, do post pictures from your "toys", and I'll enjoy seeing these while sipping my PGtips :wink: .....garagemVW, the fun place to be with ! :lol:
rui

Re: Hello from an English member

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 18:58
by berto53
MattfromPortugal wrote:.....and a 1963 golde sunroof, as well as 2 early bays.

......
Matt
pois bem, e se mal pergunto, onde pára hoje este 63 Golde Sunroof !? 8)
fotos, fotos, fotos........

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 19:57
by MattfromPortugal
The 63 was a bit of a mixed bag: excellent older resto, but dented badly and filled roof, so I had a early 60s full rag grafted on. I obtained it from Owen Warlow who now runs www.vwgarden.co.uk, which has a history of importing the most amazing vintage vws from Seden to the UK. Some may have heard of him. Also had fitted a 1500 single port and 1500 gearbox, converted to 12 V running later longer rear axles. However the plan was not to have dropped it, just got it looking very nice, and used it regularly. However, when I moved to Portugal in 97 I sold it very cheaply, one of those - wish I had never sold it tales.

The 68 was a later looking restocal keeping the 68 wings bonnet lights bumpers etc, just dropped on swayaways, into which I put in a 1600 TP which I had rebuilt. Was great, but as a daily driver, doing at 60 kms per day soon became ragged, and I swapped it for some modern car...

The buses? The driver was a red early bay, removed the pop top and was fabricating a huge rag top sunroof for it, but swapped it for the 68. The other bus a later twin sliding door which was a parts donor. No idea where any of them are now.

Owen, the guy from VW garden, once offered me a 21 window samba in sealing wax red and white, with all trim, LH was excellent nick for around 3,500 thousand quid. (Back in 93) Wish I had bought that.

Matt

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 21:44
by HUGO bOSS
Bem vindo Mat! :wink:
Espero que te dês bem por cá! :wink:

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 23:40
by PHILCOX
welcome Matt :wink:

Posted: 19 Apr 2009 23:44
by matos
MattfromPortugal, levas um bem vindo em português, e já náo é nada mau.
Podes ser uma boa referência para o forum
Mas é bom para a garagem; internacionalizou-se :lol:
Accomplishment
Matos

Posted: 20 Apr 2009 00:34
by nuty
bem vindo :) matt

Re: Hello from an English member

Posted: 20 Apr 2009 11:14
by matos
MattfromPortugal wrote:Firstly my apologies for writing in English: my written Portuguese is terrible, but I read well, so no need to reply in English...
I'm Matt, living in Costa, Matt
Ora então muito bem Matt; escreve sempre a qualquer hora, momento e local.
E por falar em local!!!!! Vives em Costa, mas Costa Nova, Costa Rica, Costa do Castelo, Costa Brava, Costa alentejana, de Costa a Costa?
É só por curiosidade, até porque podes servir de trampolim para enviares umas peças, percebes? :wink:
Accomplishment
Matos