Vintage vws and bike's shop in Germany

Hi all,

Long time lurker, now is my turn to show my workshop.

First a bit of history:

I have always been into cars and motorbikes. I am only 28 but I have driven motorbikes since..24 years. I always wanted to build/modify my vehicles or create parts. Well, I am a mechanical lover and my work as a mechanical engineer doesn’t make my hands dirty enough so a workshop was needed. I am also especially in love with old vehicles, well let’s say that I hate when electronic tries to drive instead of me, so they require a place to be restored/worked on. I used to rent a place that was quite nice but because of a moving, I had to change last week and I thought that it’s the perfect time to introduce my project(s) here.

Some words before the start:

1)I am a dad since 3 months and family time is the priority which means I have only one evening/week to work on my stuff.. So don’t expect too many updates. Plus we just bought a house so budget is tight..

2)I am really open to any suggestions concerning the workshop or my projects so please feel free and don’t hesitate to post! I am looking forward to receive great advices!

3)I am French, living in Germany, so please excuse if I make any language’s mistake and don’t hesitate to correct me.

4)my pictures are for now all from my mobile phone which means cheap quality. Sorry for that! I will try to update with reflex-camera pictures in the future!

The place:

Well, as I wrote, we bought a house but priority was a nice garden for my son and enough space for the family so the shop is not a part of it. I knew I will have a separate workshop and it will be better like that. It means wasting bit of time to drive there but in exchange, no drama with neighbors as the laws are quite hard in Germany (a garage is only a place to park a vehicle, it is not allowed to do anything inside..). So it’s a rental place, which also means I can’t do everything I want and I don’t want to invest much in non-removable things. That said, I will try to do my best to create myself a nice place.

It’s one relatively big garage that I am sharing with the owner. He is a car-mechanics but doesn’t work there, this place is for him only dedicated to hobbys.

The place I have looked like this when it was still empty:






I am allowed to use from the back until the red pillar. Workbench is robust and quite long which I will surely appreciate. It’s not that big with 6,75*6m (around 24”*22” if I got it right) but will be ok. If I need more, I might be able to negotiate renting a bit more.

Everything was emptied for me except the workbench that I bought and these two tire-/wheels-machines that are costing me a bit of space but will be great to be able to use when needed:




I had to move quite fast from my old place so I rented a small truck for most of my stuff:



And a trailer for my VW-Caddy restoration project:



Then, as usual, the classical “overloaded-after-moving”-pictures:







Projects for the shop are:

1)Organizing it and make myself a clean/cosy shop. But I have to warn you: this will be a working shop, with metal shaping, bodywork, engine building, so no fancy parking-garage and it has to be functional. For this purpose, I already got myself some stuff:

A toolbox (wheels were not mounted on the picture):


A motorcycle lift: (sorry, quite dirty on the picture)


And some other stuff like a “big” industrial vise that I need to restore, an old cold drill press,etc.. Pictures will follow as I know you also love the vintage tools here.

I would love to paint the place (probably white walls to use even more the lights coming from all the windows) but I still need to clarify it with the owner. Some more plus sockets are also planned.

Concerning the storage, I am still unsure with the cabinet’s choice and need also some “free”-spaces for body-parts like motorhood from the caddy, … It’s really amazing how much space a disassembled car can take! Let’s see how I organize it.

I plan to paint at least the cabinets, storages, vise,etc..with the color theme from my toolbox which means red, gray and black. Just love it. I will have to decide if my workbench should also be painted.

No car-lifts are planned as there is one on the owner’s side that I can use and I have a “rotisserie” for my restoration project to turn it as I want.

2)After this organization time, it will be time to come back to the real purposes of this shop..building my dream vehicles!

-my honda Xr supermoto:



Just a few words : a bike my dad bought new when I was 5, that he drove in the desert in africa until he gave it to me and i turned it into a supermoto with a bigger engine, top-notch brakes,etc..Here a link to the build-thread, sadly in French, sorry:
http://caddykulture.fr/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=8442

-my VW Caddy, that you saw earlier in my post. Dreamed about it, bought it, drove it a lot and now restoring it to original condition. It will be my shop-truck after it’s finished. Build thread (also in French, sorry):
http://caddykulture.fr/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7236


-my 62 ragtop “barnfind”:


Exactly the model I searched for a long time (year/option/color), bought it after 20 years off the road, it’s back on the road since may this year and loving every drive in it. Some “discovery” pictures and more here:
http://caddykulture.fr/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=11771

And times to times I might also do some work on my daily-drivers there, a 04’ BMW 320i touring (6 cylinders) and a 06’ KTM 990 superduke.

Well, that’s it for now!
Please,don't hesitate to give me feedbacks!

Antoine

And I know, that you like pictures so a "before" picture of my vise:

I don't know much of it except that it's massive and written "ZAG 125":

I will look for more information when I will be restoring it.

And my drill press:


Quite old, but functional. Will need a refresh, it's planned before the end of this year. I also didn't search more until now but for the curious, some infos about this Duax d32II 4-Speed:


That's it for now, I will go tomorrow evening in the shop and will keep you in touch!
Antoine

Hi - thanks for sharing and looking forward to following along!

R.

TRS63 said:

-my 62 ragtop “barnfind”:
http://i325.photobucket.com/albums/k367/TRS01/62 ragtop/2014-03-22160729.jpg

Exactly the model I searched for a long time (year/option/color), bought it after 20 years off the road, it’s back on the road since may this year and loving every drive in it. Some “discovery” pictures and more here:
http://caddykulture.fr/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=11771

Click to expand...

O baby. I just bought a 68 standard. Would have preferred an early, but the pans and car was just too solid to walk away from.

not a ton to add but boy does that bug look great!
and a sweet caddy as well

Thanks a lot guys!
Vette60: Thanks, I will try to work in and on the shop as often as possible and keep updated!
15til3: yes, this beetle was a long search but I finally found it and have in only 2 years so many adventures, met so many great people and even managed to get it running the day just before to have it as my wedding's car that I am addicted to it! I might take it to go to the shop tonight (~30 miles way there and back)
ValveCoverGasket:thanks a lot! I dreamed as a student about this caddy for 6 years until I could afford myself to buy it..and then drove it ~30000 miles in my first year of ownership!! Can't wait to have it back as a "bad-weather"-daily driver (currently I drove the KTM under every weather..), modern cars are just boring
Antoine

Hello all,
As promised, tonight's update!
Well, took me 4 hours but everything I had there is sorted out (I need to bring my tools, toolbox, vise, etc.. But I was with the motorbike today and couldn't bring anything) and it's looking really nice I think!
So, first, the start condition:




It's a mess and way too full/all on the floor. I noticed that on the owner's side it's worse but apparently the normal condition for him:


This picture shows the lightning. The left side needs to be connected, hopefully will be the case in the next 2 weeks


Then it was a matter of rebuilding the shelves from my old place (I know, cabinets would be better. Maybe in the future. I would also like to put doors to close under the workbench, let's see!), and organising things, and putting also some decoration at the same time:






And..it's now organised and looking quite good for only a few hours there:






And the projects are already waiting their turn:
-engine parts to be checked for my next beetle engine:


-and my beloved caddy waiting for some bodywork:


Next steps are:
-bringing back the stuff I stored at home and organise it in the shop
-make the owner do a few things he promised: fix a broken window, put some more sockets, connect the lights
-and then it will be project's time: restoring the vise, maybe the drill press (this one might wait a bit) and then alternatively work on both the caddy and the beetle engine so that I do mechanic when tired of bodywork and the contrary

Antoine

When I was a much younger man I spent almost six years in Germany with the US Army. My last assignment in 1972-73 was Kelly Barracks in Möhringen. I must say that of all the places where I was stationed; Berlin, Bamberg, Baumholder, and Stuttgart I had the most fun and the best contact with ordinary German people during my time at Kelly Barracks.

My stamtish was the Grill Restaurant Haxenwirt in Stuttgart Degerloch. Paulie, the owner, was well connected with the racing community to include Porsche and Mercedes Benz. I am a car fanatic and with Paulie's sponsorship I was able to become involved as well. Paulie has since passed away and his restaurant has been closed for a long time. Even so, my mind takes me back to Stuttgart often.

From what I can see in your pictures you are really lucky to have that kind of working space. Looking forward to seeing what you do to it and in it.

what a great space and barnfind beatle.

Cool space and projects!

Thanks a lot guys!!

@Bib Overalls: that is really a cool story and I can get why you liked Stuttgart, I am here since 5 years and love this city! I even married a "Stuttgarter"-girl Thanks for the nice word and I'll keep you updated with the projects in and on the garage!

@Jacko: Yes, I am really happy I found this place after months of searching and will do my best to organise and work as good as I can inside! Thanks for the beetle, I will also put the updates on it here if there is interests! But for the moment it's a sommer driver that I take for small cruise with the family (I put some seat belts in the front to fix the baby seat of my son!)

@metalhead140: thanks for having a look here and leaving a comment! I will do my best to keep you updated

Antoine

Google chrome will translate the french to english.

Checking out the super motard build right meow.

Good priorities. Family first. The garage and toys will always be there. Don't miss out on those early years of the kid. They are great memories.

thetastelingers: thanks a lot for coming by and giving a feedback! I hope it worked with Google translation and you enjoyed the build. Don't hesitate if you want any additional information And for the priorities, sure, let enjoy family time. I also realised that I then enjoy even more my workshop time as it's something rare and special, now being "the only time in the week doing something only for me"

I am also a VW fan. My collection currently includes a '69 beetle, a '70 high top bus, an '84 Vanagon Westfalia (getting an ABA 2.0 soon) and an '86 Golf with the 1.6NA. I also have a bug chassis that runs and drives, but no plans for it yet.

Excellent start to a shop! Can't wait to see more.

My bus:


And the driving Pan

Amazing start. amazing VWs

@volksnick: nice collection and nice bus! We made last year a roadtrip with 2 friends and their busses and I really liked it!

@15til3: thanks man! Will try to do my best to keep this topic interesting and will be documenting the work as much as possible! Next time in the workshop will be tomorrow or wednesday, there will be some more updates

Antoine

Great potemtial in both garage and Caddy! Whats that law saying you can´t work with cars in your garage? Is it for attached garages in city or all the garages that are private? Looking forward to follow this

@Bempa: thanks a lot for stopping by and leaving a feedback Well, it's a general law for all private parking-garages here, called "garagenverordnung". My opinion is, that it has been made to force you to go to the workshop if you have something on your car normally if you live in the "countryside" people do not care but I do live in the city and having a separate workshop was the best idea I think

Antoine

Those VW Caddys were still built in South Africa until about 10 years go. And parts are still fairly widely available. Let me know if you need anything and maybe I can source it from here

beetlepower said:

Those VW Caddys were still built in South Africa until about 10 years go. And parts are still fairly widely available. Let me know if you need anything and maybe I can source it from here

Click to expand...

Thanks a lot, very kind of you! Actually, I know that the caddys in SA also had some cool unique features, like the rear bumpers that are quite different. To be honest, he is a bit left aside the last times as I am really into the beetle now but I am pretty sure I will find the motivation again and then might contact you for some parts

Antoine

Had a 60's Beetle. Loved driving that car. It was weird/cool. Nice shop!

@chruler: thanks, appreciate the comment. And also love the beetle!

Well, time for an update that I did promise a long time ago!

I did assemble my toolbox:


And the cart for my welder and the "bodywork"-hammers:


I think it makes a nice set under the workbench. Then I had to sort things again as I did bring what was left at home:


After sorting/cleaning:


And I decided to start taking care of my vise which requires a good cleaning and painting:


Dissassembled and after first clean up:


I will continue it in 2 weeks after my holidays.
Parallel to that I also started cutting a "yoga"-Mattress:


That will make it for the organisation of my toolbox:


Now I need to decide which tool goes where and I will cut it for each tool so that they have their defined "position".

Also worked a bit on the caddy by removing the battery tray:


Because I know that VW did not protect well between the metal layers and better to remove and treat everything now against rust for a good result at the end:


Finally, I positionned the front part of my " rotisserie":


That was it, next update planned in 2 weeks now

Antoine

Turkis green rag top, very nice!

Well, time flies and I did not update my topic..Here are the news (not so much, still a lot to do in our house..).

First I finished my vise. I left the handle “untouched” as a small reminder of its age:



And with the toolbox, I think they match well:



I also worked more on the pickup, as I noticed some rust under the bed:



So here it goes:





And I made some space for the beetle, as it will be parked here in winter:



More to follow soon, with a small update on the tool equipment

Antoine

Hi all,

Small update from yesterday!

Finally installed the outlet (2*2 outlet) for the workbench:


And to see the 4 (+part of my future beetle engine):


And I did park the beetle there to stay dry this winter. Group pictures with the VWs and the project bike:


Antoine

Looking good Antoine!

Is that a leinen vise?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is some serious work in the Caddy. I really enjoy looking at body restorations, so keep posting pictures in it

Skickat från min F8331 via Tapatalk

Thanks guys

HCNDM: no but looks exactly the same. Only written ZAG on it, I have no history for it but will make some search

Bempa: thanks! I sure will keep posted on the bodywork pictures! I also do my mechanic alone, but what I really love is bodyworking/metal shaping And the caddy still has a long way but it will be nice in the end and in between the beetle will be driven, before receiving the same attention as the caddy as soon as it is finished

Antoine

Hello,

my shop is evolving in the right direction!!

First I am finishing my toolbox organisation, made with a fitness mattress. first drawing the form:


And then cutting:


Everything organised




(Seems easy but a few hours of work are involved )

Then, a "small" pack showed up:


No idea what it is? And here?


And assembled:


Yes, I finally got my english wheel!! Stay tuned for the next updates, a lot of organisation still ahead and then big work on the cars

Antoine

Looking forward to hear about your thoughts about that english wheel. Have you worked with english wheel before?

Not really. Had a try at a metalshaping meeting but that's all. So really looking forward to learn more with it!

Antoine

Loving all the VWs, really nice bug. You've done a good job cleaning up that vice, looks really good.

Such a long time without any update, sorry!

So, what has been going on here?

First I made myself a small gift and bought a "more serious" used MIG welder:


And build myself a small "metalshaping station"
I started with an old industrial stand:


Cut the first fixation and adjusted it:




And first test with the bead roller, looks good:


Than I started on the shrinker/stretcher fixation:


And all mounted:


Welded some fixations for the roller of the bead roller:


Time to give it a coat of paint:


I did save the old sticker from the brand as memory:


And finished:


About the caddy, he is now fully on the rotisserie:




And I started to remove the undercoating:




Everything perfect except one small hole:


So I welded it:


And metal-finished it:




It's now ready for the primer beginning of next year!

Antoine

Nice little shop. Looking forward to reading your posts.

Hi NYBODYMAN,

thanks a lot. Yes, it's not that big (even if it's quite big for the german standart!) but I am slowly organising it and I think that it fits perfectly my need. My previous workshop wasn't that organised and sorted, and I really feel the difference.
Now I am forcing myself to alway keep 15 min at the end of each "workshop-evening" to put back all tools where they belong and clean a bit the place and it's really a pleasure the time after to come in a clean place where I can work directly!

Antoine

Very nice place!

Perfect job !!!

Krokodil: Thanks a lot! Doing my best with limited budget and very limited time. Still have a lot of ideas to improve it, will come as soon as possible!

morshane: merci! Je vois que tu es de la drôme, j'ai pas mal de potes de la vw dans la région donc on s'est potentiellement déja rencontré

Antoine

Killer! What are the plans with the caddy? Stock? I just ordered some small bumpers from smallbumpers.mx I cannot wait

The beetle clean up pic is awesome

Thanks a lot icekoffee my caddy qill be full stock, I love my VWs like that

Not a lot happened on the workshop side, but I worked on the caddy. I turned it a bit more:

And continued to remove the paint. Here it is ready for some primer when the temperature will be better:


And here there will be some work needed to get it right:


Me working on it:


And how far I am now:


I am also searching cheap used cabinet to store my parts without them getting too dusty, let's see what I will find!

Antoine