Dreamcar

[NBL]

Hi everyone,

I'll already started a thread upon request of Al/scarabY2k with the same name, but since there is problem with posting replies (probably my mistake) I'll try again.

I first visited the org some months ago to look for nice wheels to use on our Dreamcar. I found them thanks to Tamika with Herbie Jr (Thanks again)

As promised I posted some pictures on the Herbie Jr thread, but was requested to start with a special thread with are own car in subject.

Well here it is,

Our Dreamcar is a 2005 NB Convertible.

Some original specs

Aquarius blue
1.8Turbo
Soft grey top (electrical)
Soft grey leather interior with sport seats
Xenon headlights
green tinted glass
VW sound kit, cruisecontrol,...

First owner was Volkswagen Wolfsburg who had it as one of there company cars for some months.

Probably this is the reason for the rather unique combination. Since this combination was not sold in Belgium, and after a search on the net I couldn't find a simular one.

I bought it second hand in March this year, in Germany, as a present for my wife who was dreaming of a Beetle Convertible since it was introduced.

Some "customisation" :

-RGB Led interior lighting
-Bootrack from Classic Carrier
-A small "Dream Car" logo in Walt Disney fonts and Mickey ears(since this matched the car and its keyhanger)
-And of course the Smoothie Rims with chrome rings and hub caps. (I had to wait for them nearly 9 weeks in total, shipped from the US)

Now here ar some first pics (some of them still with the original wheels)

Greetz from Belgium

Bart (No, not Simpson)

[NBL]

Hi everyone,

I just did some testing with white tape on the tyres.

Let me know what you think. I would very much appreciate.

I will still have a problem to convince my wife

Greetz

[Ollie]

Wonderful Love the wheels and the color-matching. Decklid (boot) racks are pretty uncommon- neat style!

[Opelmania]

Good to see your thread got moved! I love the white walls! Hope it doesn't take much convincing for the wife to like it! Vey nice looking NBC! I love it!

[tightdub]

Nice. Love the old school flavor...wheels rack n all

[Tommy]

Ook welkom hier

[Jartza]

Nice looking NBC ;->

And I would go with the white walls on the tyres...

rgds! Jartza / Coolbug

[Abbie2007Beetle]

looks great and i would go with the white on the tires

[NBL]

Thanks for all thes nice comments,

I know that whit walls will have the overhand in opinions. I bought already rubber paint from plasti-dip.

I tested it on some old tire and it looked OK.

However the bodyshop who did the rims (Ollycar)warned my that they may fade easy or become yello in stead of white.

If someone has other solutions let me know, I will be grateful.

[NBL]

Originally Posted by Tommy

Ook welkom hier

De wereld via het net is heel klein.

[vwgary]

Originally Posted by NBL

Thanks for all thes nice comments,

I know that whit walls will have the overhand in opinions. I bought already rubber paint from plasti-dip.

I tested it on some old tire and it looked OK.

However the bodyshop who did the rims (Ollycar)warned my that they may fade easy or become yello in stead of white.

If someone has other solutions let me know, I will be grateful.

Hey Bart. As you noticed, the majority if not all posts were a "yes" for the wide whitewall. I have to agree with the body shop too, that the rubber paint will make your life miserable. Don't ask how I know You don't want to use the wide white inserts either. They fit between the wheel rim and tire but never lay flat against the sidewall to pass for a real whitewall. The upside is, virtually all manufacturers of wide whitewall tires use an anti yellowing compound in the makeup of the whitewall. I've used them on virtually every vintage or retro restoration.

[NBL]

Hi Gary, thanks for the info.

I already searched a lot on the net to look for a good solution. I found the US based company Plasti Dip and I have already 3 aerosols at home. However as you say I want to be sure that it will stay white.
I send another mail to them, to ask for their opinion.

Did you already use plasti dip ? It seems to be a great product. Nothing comparable with what we have in Europe.

Bart

[vwgary]

Originally Posted by NBL

Hi Gary, thanks for the info.

I already searched a lot on the net to look for a good solution. I found the US based company Plasti Dip and I have already 3 aerosols at home. However as you say I want to be sure that it will stay white.
I send another mail to them, to ask for their opinion.

Did you already use plasti dip ? It seems to be a great product. Nothing comparable with what we have in Europe.

Bart

Never plasti dip, but simply white rubber paint. I also use a product called "bleechwhite" sold in automotive stores for keeping white walls and white lettered tires looking new. The tires on your rims look fairly new so it may be best to use an alternative product for whiting and plan for a set of wide whitewalls down the road. When you do it, you'll want a good 2.5 to 3" wide whitewall for the true vintage effect. It's gonna be cool

[NBL]

I'm continiously breaking my head over if we should go for white walls or not

So I did another try out, but now with wider walls (from the rim)Realy fat ones

One good thing, my wife begins to like it

so again some pics.

[NBL]

Hi Gary, I think that's what you mean by 3"

[vwgary]

Originally Posted by NBL

I'm continiously breaking my head over if we should go for white walls or not

So I did another try out, but now with wider walls (from the rim)Realy fat ones

One good thing, my wife begins to like it

so again some pics.

Originally Posted by NBL

Hi Gary, I think that's what you mean by 3"

That's exactly what I'm talking about Possibly 10MM less close (slightly narrower) to the tread portion. Big

With your permission, I'll post a pic of the width I mean. Then I'd be happy to edit the post and delete that picture.

[NBL]

No problem, please do. It can only help in my descisson

[wilky]

How about ranger tire paint. It's what we were going to use on Herbie to do his tires.

[NBL]

Originally Posted by wilky

How about ranger tire paint. It's what we were going to use on Herbie to do his tires.

Thanks, I didn't know that one. I'll email them to check if they ship to Europe.
By the way, White walls on the Herbie will look great. looking forward to it

[Opelmania]

Originally Posted by vwgary

That's exactly what I'm talking about Possibly 10MM less close (slightly narrower) to the tread portion. Big

With your permission, I'll post a pic of the width I mean. Then I'd be happy to edit the post and delete that picture.

You are going to like what Gary comes up with. Trust me.

You guys should do Herbie's wheels.