'05 New Beetle Cabrio (Black&Tan)

[CGK]

Nice vert!!
The pics in the garage reminded me of our vacation in Portugal.
We spent most of our three weeks in Luz on the Algarve coast. There were three couples and we each rented cars in Lisbon and drove down to Luz. We stayed in Lisbon for a few days before leaving for home and stayed at the Ibis Hotel in Lisbon. The cool part was we had to use a car elevator to park in the basement of the hotel and it looked very similar to your pics! Small tight spaces and it was a blast to ride the elevator while sitting in the car. Good luck with your vert !!

[Kuplamies]

Originally Posted by A2day

One day away to take the Cabrio home...

Who would know, 30 years ago, that this kid was going to own a Beetle Cabrio...

Glad to hear that you finally got Cabrio home!

Oh, I like that picture of you as a child very much!! Thanks for posting it. It brings back lots of memories... When I was a kid, my father owned 2 Beetles and my brother (10 years older than me) had also 2 Beetles! That was wonderful time indeed

I also learned a lot about Beetle´s mechanics, because I was always around, when my brother repaired his Beetle
I can still use that knowledge with my Older Bug...

[scarabY2k]

Now that's one choice vert

[A2day]

Thanks for the compliments!

After one and half days buggin' around, there a couple of questions to NBC owners...


- When I pass over a road bump, or a small pot, is there a squeak where the front windows rub the hood seal? (if I open the windows slightly the noise goes way)

- The hood mechanism is slightly visible inside, on the top of front windows? (the interior cloth is a little bit receded from the sides)

- Finally, when I unlock the hood (press button and rotate left) I leave the handle on that position (when the hood releases from the wind-shield). Then I press the retract console button and the handle makes very audible noise. Should I rotate the handle differently or leave it on a different position, prior to retract the hood?



Thanks for any insight on these matters!
Cheers,
A2day

[A2day]

Upss... youtube answered my last question...
I have to put the handle back on the resting position!

VW Beetle Convertible Roof Operation - YouTube

My bad!

[A2day]

Not much to show right now, but in a few days massive changes will occur...

After restoring the leather interior this week, I will now install:

- New Headlights (the old ones were damaged... seal broken)
- Dectane position lights (clear glass) with chromed lamps
- Dectane LED tailights
- New front and rear badges (3D ones, not the original stickers)

I will keep you posted!

Cheers,
A2day

[Tommy]

Nice combination!

[A2day]

I really need to butch my NBC up! (I can't stand people saying its a girlie car!!!)

On that though, I've placed an order for new LED tail lights, some clear position lights and 3D badges (hood and boot).

Now, regarding the wheels, these are my options:

STOCK:


SANTA MONICA:


MONTREAL II:



I want a sport look, but with a classical touch... I kind lean to the Montreal II.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
A2day

[A2day]

Well, although no comments, I will go for the Montreal II.
Pictures will be posted shortly..

Oh, the Dectane (dectane.de) LED tail lights arrived today... so you will see soon how it looks (good, I hope!)

Cheers,
A2day

[A2day]

Hi!
Finally the Dectane LED tail lights are fitted:





Unfortunately, one arrived damaged, so I will taken them off while waiting for a new pair!


And these are the new front headlights and clear position/turn lights:





Also the ebay seller shipped me two right head lights, now I'm waiting for a left side headlight!

Don't you hate when things arrive damaged or wrong after waiting so many days?... The waiting begins...

What do you think about the end result?

Cheers,
A2day

[A2day]

Just a Before & After photo:



Cheers,
A2day

[Bratgirl]

Very nice! Looks good. I also liked the Montreal II wheels the best. Keep the pics coming..
Barb

[A2day]

Another decision, the Montreal wheels will be painted in dark silver.

Also I'm considering lowering it.. not sure still how the ride comfort will be affected...

[TechnoTrix'd]

Really like the clear front turn signals. Can you post a link to the e-bay seller?

Also are the just new headlight units or are they different an any way? Looking at the pics on my phone and can't see in great detail.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[A2day]

Originally Posted by TechnoTrix'd

Really like the clear front turn signals. Can you post a link to the e-bay seller?

Also are the just new headlight units or are they different an any way? Looking at the pics on my phone and can't see in great detail.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

The headlight are just new, not different from the stock ones.
There are different headlights with DRL and Angel Eyes, but I'm planning a refreshed look, not a tuned up look.

The clear front turn signals were bought in a European store:
NB Store Shop - JEDER TAG WIRD MIT NEUEN INNOVATIVEN IDEEN UND DESIGNSTÜCKEN REICHER!

I believe you can find it on eBay as well...


Cheers,
A2day

[A2day]

Finally some outside photos.

The tail light LEDs and clear turning lights gives the Beetle a refreshed look!

And also it was really good to drive with top down in January!

Hope you enjoy the photos.
Cheers,
A2day

[TennesseeBug]

That is one sharp looking Beetle! Love love love the tail lights. Overall your Beetle looks so fresh and new!

I, too, like the Montreal wheels but now, maybe this is just me, but I LOVE a black car with shiny bright chrome wheels. I think I read that you are considering doing a 'not so bright' wheel....but personally I love black cars with those shiny wheels.

No matter, though - whatever you do is going to be awesome, I'm sure of it!

[scarabY2k]

I'm really gonna keep track of your beetle and this thread. I have a feeling that some awesome things are coming up and I don't wanna miss all of the New Beetle goodness

[A2day]

TennesseeBug, scarabY2k,

Thanks for your comments. Its being a pleasure participating on this awesome forum. It's a really good complement to my NBC!


TennesseeBug,

Although the wheels will be grey, they will have a shiny effect (it will not be painted on a faded grey).
I've made some photoshop tests... lets wait and see the result!


scarabY2k,
There is always room for improvement. The trick bit is to find the how!
I've some things in mind, like:
- Changing the badges to the 3D chrome ones (I've bough both now....)

- Changing the reverse light somehow (I don't like having one red and the other white. Probably I will change the reverse to a strong white LED, and paint the outside red... let's hope the reverse light doesn't turn pink! :/ )

- Complete exterior detailing (the roof needs treatment, and the body has some scratches. It's scheduled to be done on the Spring... April, most likely)

- Lowering a bit (still not completely sure... I believe the car will be less comfortable to ride so... looks vs. comfort... hmmm)

- Adding European DRL inside the clear turning lights. (Now with the clear turning lights I could put a LED strip inside to do a proper DRL... this is just a though... I need to do some photoshop test, so see how it would look.)

Cheers,
A2day

[A2day]

Hi!
This weekend I washed the NBC for the first time. I was quite reluctant since this is my first cabrio.
All went well and not a single drop of water entered the car.
Its a VW... what else!

Some fast photos taken with the phone (I still need to do a proper photo session.... once the sun returns).








Bye!!!
A2day