My Deserter

I found the car on eBay last June, and it didn't sell. I called the guy and went and looked at it, I made an offer and he took it. So I brought it home and did a few updates to drive it until October, then took it completely apart. The frame was done in 12 gauge steel, all new brakes, lines, cylinders, master cylinder, front end, shocks, gas tank, fuel lines, king pins, shift linkage, trans mounts and everything else it needed replaced, painted the frame with POR-15. Then I redid the motor and painted it the same color as the car. Added all new chrome, generator, regulator, electronic ignition, extended oil sump, new headers, 009 Dist, aluminum pulleys, new carb, and all the other goodies. Next I sanded the body, applied the sealer primer, blocked and primered it again, and then painted it a Hawaiian Orchid Poly. Clear coated it, sanded it again, applied the satin silver pearl flames, and cleared it again.

I then took an 1989 Blazer, and redid the wiring harness for the buggy, front seats are also from the Blazer, as well as the seat belt harness. Then I made templates of cardboard to make all the inside panels, padded and carpeted the floor with the rear seat being custom made. I made an aluminum dash and installed the VDO gauges, the steering column is tilt and came from a 1989 Z-24 Cavalier. All the steering arms were custom made to fit the VW steering box. Also  new shifter, brake and clutch and throttle cables and roller pedal were installed. Then on to the new windshield, with Harley Davidson Billet Mirrors. The gas tank cover on the hood, and is a Hummer billet cover. Assembly also consisted of new wheels and tires, and powdered coated bumpers.

So, after 8 months of constant work, It now is a 1965 VW pan, shortened to 84", with a 1970-1600SP, with a 110 cam, with a 1967 Deserter Series 1 body, which was made in Marblehead MAby Autodynamics, and designed by Alex Dearborn. The car is a trophy winner, and I received 2 trophy's, out of 3 shows. The car is listed on the Deserters owners group, http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/deserterownersgroup/, and the detailed pictures can be viewed from start to finish. Look under, gladiator1052, photos. I have owned three other Buggy's and this one turned out the best. The car turns heads everywhere it goes, and have been told that the detailing and the paint was done with precision. I plan on doing many more shows this year.