Patina is no more an unfamiliar term to the AC VW community of the country, neither is the 1965 Ratlook Type-1 which bears this nickname.

The story began on Pakwheels.com 1965 Volkswagen Type-1 (Beetle) D.I.Y. Project (o\_!_/o) And is still ongoing with the recent accomplishment of a 2000KM roundtrip to snowy Bhurban. I will update this introductory post later to add more details. For now lets carry on the story here on these dedicated ACVW forums that we've now available.

Stay tuned.

Since we are celebrating the establishment of this first ever Aircooled VW dedicated free forum/platform, it would only be appropriate that Patina's thread contribute towards its celebration.

Here are some exclusive images, never shared before at any other forum, from Patina's recent 2000KM roundtrip of Snowy Bhurban; Lets start with this scenic shot!

Time to continue the Bhurban Trip Story - The Bhurban Climb!

The morning in Islamabad brought light drizzle and when I approached Patina to load her up with the luggage, she was all wet awaiting its passengers.



Post to be updated shortly, have to run at the moment.

3 Spoke GRANT Banjo Steering Wheel for my upcoming VW Project

Above wheel has arrived to, is in great shape other than the soft grip cover being torn at 6 inches of length along the rim.

Had a spare set of "pitted/rusted" hubcaps lying around. Thought should get them truck arted. Here is the result;

Dear Reezvan

Thank u for adding me in the forum. Like my VWs, I am not that technologically updated, but am trying to get into the stream.

I had been to Bhurban myself in an official trip back in 1997, enjoyed the drive from Islamabad to Bhurban. Even though it was summer, the drive was really enjoyable. I remember seeing atleast 20 Beetles on the road, all were in pristine condition. I must say, you have some roads (where u can enjoy your VWs like anything).

Patina performed great in your trip. I knew it from the day 1 that you would enjoy this trip. A VW with 20K mileage on the clock, is almost new. My 72 has 16K miles on the clock, I can tell u from that. You should have a pan off resto immediately, change the rubbers, spray a couple of coat... and bingo-- it will be as good as any new car. Rust may not be a crime, but I am not a vivid supporter of it. What was the mileage you got with the alloy wheels? The steering must have become a little heavy with alloys in the front.

Had there been no partition in 1947, this subcontinent would have been something different (my very personal feeling), and we could easily join u in the drive and the other way round. Now with all the Visa, Carnet and everything, it is near to impossible. Can we not be like the EU, roaming anywhere without any Visa/carnet, our Politicians never think in that line.

Anyway that's all for today, have to go back to my office work.

Zubeir

Zubeir Moin wrote:

Dear Reezvan

Thank u for adding me in the forum. Like my VWs, I am not that technologically updated, but am trying to get into the stream.

I had been to Bhurban myself in an official trip back in 1997, enjoyed the drive from Islamabad to Bhurban. Even though it was summer, the drive was really enjoyable. I remember seeing atleast 20 Beetles on the road, all were in pristine condition. I must say, you have some roads (where u can enjoy your VWs like anything).

Patina performed great in your trip. I knew it from the day 1 that you would enjoy this trip. A VW with 20K mileage on the clock, is almost new. My 72 has 16K miles on the clock, I can tell u from that. You should have a pan off resto immediately, change the rubbers, spray a couple of coat... and bingo-- it will be as good as any new car. Rust may not be a crime, but I am not a vivid supporter of it. What was the mileage you got with the alloy wheels? The steering must have become a little heavy with alloys in the front.

Had there been no partition in 1947, this subcontinent would have been something different (my very personal feeling), and we could easily join u in the drive and the other way round. Now with all the Visa, Carnet and everything, it is near to impossible. Can we not be like the EU, roaming anywhere without any Visa/carnet, our Politicians never think in that line.

Anyway that's all for today, have to go back to my office work.

Zubeir

Welcome to the company of VW nuts from across the border. Profoundly delighted to see the president of VW Fan Club of Bangladesh active on the Pakistan Aircooled VW forum @Zubeir Moin, pleasure is all mine.

Back in 1997, things were lot prettier, both in terms of sight seeing on the way to Bhurban as well as on the VW Scene of the country where many VWs treaded the roads and one could find dozens roaming around among other jap cars. Times have changed since your visit in 1997. Many of those bugs that you might have seen on your trip would have either ended up on chopping blocks or would be in hiding, waiting to be found again and brought back as the jewel of the automobile crown.

Yes, you're right, a pan off resto is long overdue for Patina and is in order too, with every bit of parts collected, needed for the perfect resto. The only thing that is unavailable is my personal availability. I have considered sending it for a professional resto with one of the country's veteran VW restorer, have even obtained his consent too, just need to sort the details out so that Patina could be sent for a make-over.

I covered a total of 1075 miles (approx. 1800 KMs) for a trade of 117 Litres of fuel, giving me a mileage of an approximately 15.33 km/litre. Previously I have had recorded a mileage of over 17 km/litre with the stock wheels. So yes, the alloys and wider wheels did effect the mileage output. The steering was touch heavier but not very hard since patina received sufficient front suspension greasing both right before and right after the trip. However, only thing that really caught my attention was the stiff suspension with the alloys/wider radial wheels, probably due to tyres being stiffer being a bit old.

Oh well, regarding the cross continent rallying, well I am a strong believer of where there is will, there is a way. So I am optimistic that if we put a collective effort together, I mean the VW clubs/bodies in the countries of destination, we'll surely be able to make this dream come true one day. Its just a matter of finding synergy and a bit organised effort on our part.

Ever since my new company car has been ordered on January 17, 2012 (which is still awaited by the way), Patina has been my daily driver and has done really well without even a hint of a problem for last one month including an outstation trip to Bhurban.
Here is one of those casual post-rain shots from this noon as I drove it to work;



Time now to continue with the Bhurban Trip story, stay tuned.

Got my hands onto some more cheap parts for both Patina and Elk, with a couple of items for a friend;



For Patina;
Early Style Tief Horn (12V) - 1
Turn Flasher Relays (12V) - 2
Early Window Crank with Ivory Knob - 1

Reezvan

Lucky u, I am in the look out for 12 Volt flasher for our original 65 Beetle. It has a BOSCH Indonesia flasher at the moment, but blinks a little fast. Where did you find the items?

Zubeir

Zubeir Moin wrote:

Reezvan

Lucky u, I am in the look out for 12 Volt flasher for our original 65 Beetle. It has a BOSCH Indonesia flasher at the moment, but blinks a little fast. Where did you find the items?

Zubeir

Bought over the Samba in the US. Patina has perfectly working cylindrical 12v flasher but I had nothing in back up so bought two as backup. Will be having one additional backup so can send you one for your bug when these parts arrive, though you'll have to make arrangement of its collection in Islamabad or may be I could ship it to you in Bangladesh?

Let me know what route you want to take.

More parts added to same shipment from the same seller as above, to save on shipping cost; Ivory pop out latch knobs are for @NaveedRizvi

Had no backup, so bought one;

Bought this 1965 Correct OG Toolkit for Patina, its complete with the exception of hubcap puller.



And here is the real deal about this Toolkit; The OG Fan Belt that came with the Toolkit from factory in 1965:)

Brand new Wind Lace for Patina;

Long awaited pair of 65 Correct sunvisors' parking pivots/clips for Patina. Patina has been without, all these years ever since I have owned her



The pair in the upper right corner is the correct pair that I bought.

Something to the ease up dimming lights on the floor mounted dimmer switch on Patina

March 06, 2011: I bought Patina, my OG paint 1965 ratlook beetle, for my first born son, exactly one and half month after his birth, and drove it all the way from islamabad to multan on its first longest overland journey (700KMs) for decades, only in exchange of an oil change. Its been two years since that day today and I have never ever regretted buying it even for a split second, for it all being rusted and ratty. Drove it to deserts and mountains and tramac and it always championed every terrain it was put on.

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Abdul Ha'adi Bin Zaffar's Patina! Another 16yrs before you'll be driven by your true owner, until such time, I'll be proudly driving you around and would cherish every moment I spent on you to make you worthy of being my first born son's coming-of-age present from his baba.

Bought this original Owner's Docket for Patina which comes from a Bahama Blue 1965 Sedan sold in Florida by Cutler Motors, Inc. in 1965.

reezvaan wrote:

Time to continue the Bhurban Trip Story - The Bhurban Climb!

The morning in Islamabad brought light drizzle and when I approached Patina to load her up with the luggage, she was all wet awaiting its passengers.



Post to be updated shortly, have to run at the moment.

At last, I am done with launching these forums and then few purchases that needed to be made on urgent basis so now it seems to be a great time to continue with the story of Bhurban trip.

With intermittent drizzle, Patina was equipped with only a single wiper arm and a wiper blade which too isn't in great shape. So changing the single wiper blade looked inevitable.

Even though, I was carrying a pair of wiper blades with me in spares (for just in case), I was kind of reluctant to put the same on for the reason that I don't drive Patina under wet conditions for one, and second, because even if I have had installed the new wiper blade, it would have simply been wasted after the trip because Patina would now anytime go for a pan off/ground up resto. And all this time in sun, patina parked during resto, would have simply toasted the wiper blade. So I wanted to save on it but the idea was there, to replace if it becomes absolutely necessary. I was helped by the dying drizzle and I believed I could drive without installing a wiper blade.

I started Patina up and left her to warm herself up while we loaded the luggage back onto her. With Abdul Ha'adi comfortable in the rear seat we started the journey towards Bhruban.

First scheduled stop came when we got Patina refueled at 17 miles service station with tyre pressure checked.



I had talked about the 195/65R15 Michelins rubbing against the fenders, here is what we were facing, with patina all loaded up with luggage and passengers.

Parts dispatch from Gary has arrived earlier today:


1- 43" length of Fresh Air Aluminium Duct
1- Bug Toolkit (without Hubcap Puller)
1- Bug Owner's Manual Docket
2- Dimmer Switches
4- Door Jamb Switches
3- Ivory Pop out Knobs with screws
1- Ten place Fusebox with Cover
1- Eight place Fusebox without Cover
2- 12V Cylinderical Flasher Relays
1- Bus Turn Signal
1- 12V Horn with Bracket & pigtail
1- 12V Horn without Bracket
1- Ivory Window Crank (bug)
2- Chrome Door Handles (bus)

What color of Running Boards Rubber Mats would suit better with L87 Pearl white, Glossy Black or Beige (closer to Sand Stone)?
The factory running board rubber mats color for L87 was Sand Stone.

Some Spares for Patina.



Mudflaps are local made but would be a nice addition to the overall rugged character of Patina. Have two set of tail pipes bought in spare. If someone wants a pair, give me a shout out. So is the Brazilian thread breaded fuel hose.