I keep forgetting that we have a lot of front-engine TDr drivers here. No offense intended … instead, just a tad envious because my “heater” barely qualifies. Doesn’t do much more than defog the windshield, although our winters here in Southeast Texas seldom last long or get too cold.

Looks like it’s riding high to me. Windshield seems a bit tall, too.

Is it an art car, or does it actually work on land and in the water?

Very, very nice work, Bill. One question: How do you operate your heater from the dash? Mine just has the VW control at the base of the e-brake.As for the radio, I’ve never had one in my Lafer, either, preferring the music of the open road.

Pretty nice, apart from the wheels. I’ve bookmarked that website, too. Thanks for the heads-up, Ed.

Welcome, Stephen! You have quite a list there, but it also looks like you have a good foundation to build on. You’ve found the best place on the Web for advice, ideas and encouragement. Best of luck!

Ed’s comment got me to wondering: What was the first TDr on the market? The Lafer factory began turning out its MPs in 1974, and continued until 1989, but I don’t know if they can be considered kit cars even though some — my TI included — were exported without chassis or engines to be finished by the buyer. Many were mated to used VW frames by…[Read more]

Always great to have another Bill join us. You should have plenty of nice weather to enjoy your new ride, although I suspect there will be some days in Southern California — like here in Houston — that look great but have smog levels too high for comfort or health. Still, neither of us has to deal with snow and ice, like so many of our fellow…[Read more]

I had the rusted-out tank in my Lafer replaced with a 10-gallon circle track fuel cell — #547-200-010-01 — made by JAZ. It’s a good fit, and the foam filling keeps fuel from sloshing around on curves and corners. One drawback is that I haven’t found a sending unit that works with my VDO fuel gauge. Like Paul and Dennis, though, I think the mo…[Read more]

Well, I just checked on pure-gas.org, and the closest source to my place would be Crockett, about 2 hours up U.S. 59. I like the website, though.

Where do you find ethanol-free gas, Larry?

No. But the dash seems well done, and I’m intrigued by the driver’s-side mirror mount.

Congratulations all around! I have three, but they’re just going to have to fight for my Lafer among themselves after I’m gone. 

Looking forward to it! 😛

Lucky you didn’t run into any rain. Doesn’t look like you have a top. And either my eyes are deceiving me, or your rear license plate is mounted backward.

Beautiful dash, Jim. Did you finish it yourself? And what about door handles?

Not bad looking. Might have done better to take the photos on a sunnier day.

You make it sound very straightforward, Derek. Would love to see some before and after photos.

Doesn’t sound like much of a bargain to me. I’m just grateful that we don’t have to shovel humidity.

I just got back from a little 15-mile jaunt here in Houston, where it’s sunny and 62 degrees. But really, I do feel for you snowbound folks, and know that in a few months you’ll have some great cruising weather while I’ll be dealing with 100-plus temps and humidity in the mid-90s. All we can do is enjoy it while we can.