Fresh from the 24th VWCP Show. A concept VW pickup by Thomas Adam, a German who is a longtime Philippine resident.
Thomas bought this project at the end of 2008 from Raymond Bayer who's father had started it but, unfortunately, passed away and Raymond had no time nor interest to finish it.
At the time he bought the car the body was almost done. The idea of a VW pickup had been decided. However, Thomas injected a lot of personal touches. He replaced the late fenders, hood, and doors with the appropriate early parts. The paint chosen was 'coral red', an original VW colour of 1953 and 1954. The Dupont paint used was purchased from Highland Trading.
The tinsmithing took almost 4 months and the painting likewise. The project was very much delayed by last year's rainy and typhoon season. In fact, Thomas' place in Taguig was flooded for almost two weeks after Typhoon Ondoy's wrath.
Thomas chose a 1500 engine that he overhauled completely. He also upgraded Other mechanical parts to later era VWs like the bolt joints, dual circuit brake system, high torque starter, etc.
Many of the interior parts were ordered thru TheSamba.com like the very rare oval armrest on the passenger side and the oval ashtray, speaker grill, tachometer with transparent needle, oval sun visor and rear view mirror, handles, etc.
The rims are also special: they come from an early split Kombi (owner decided to upgrade his to Porsche mag wheels), The Alberts outside mirrors are stainless steel reproductions made here in the Philippines (likewise, all the trims, etc.) The steering wheel is an original very early (split) standard steering wheel of Volkswagen which we were able to exchange with Christian (who owns one of the most accessorized beetles in the Philippines) against a new Banjo Steering wheel (Flat4 reproduction). The interior (seats, sidings, headliner, etc.) was made by Mang Rowen in Ortigas. The mechanical installations were done by Mang Bert. The overall supervision of this project had Audwil, who is a fellow vintage volkswagen aficionado. The pick up beetle (no name yet...) has won this year in the "special interest" category.
All in all this project has taken us about one year to finish. There are still many things that Thomas wants to improve, and, of course, has cost him quite a lot more than anticipated. But that's the 'fate' of any restoration project.
The pick up beetle is planned as an advertising vehicle for Thomas' all-natural hair grower (which is being marketed under the brand name Novuhair by Mercury Drug and World of Wellness).
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