FollyFilmsblog

Back in 2006 I made the above sketch of my Vanagon.  The snarling fangs a direct homage to the “Blue Star” helicopter pilots of the Vietnam war.  These brave S.O.B.s would fly into the thickest firefights, risking it all to evacuate their fellow wounded and downed soldiers.  I liked the mentality and felt a parallel with what I was experiencing here in the Los Angeles Film biz.  

Later, when Ian and I were writing “Lost on Purpose” my Vanagon was written in.  Obviously, there were some selfish reasons at work, but this story was from the heart and my affection for VWs was no secret.  I’ve been taken with them since our pops bought us a battered, bright yellow baja for driving lessons.

As the film moved forward, I knew the time had come to bring that sketch to fruition.  When owning a Vanagon, you can’t help but know about GoWesty.  They eat, drink, and sleep Vanagons.  I’d long been drooling over what GoWesty had been doing to autos just like mine, and now that day had arrived.

I motored to the shop, handed over my keys and waited with giddy anticipation.  When my van emerged it was even more glorious than I’d hoped.  Top notch gentlemen!  Your pride and dedication will keep the Vanagon alive and cherished for years to come!

GoWesty Products:

*1.5 inch lift springs

*15 inch alloys and BF all-terrains

*Double Swing away and spare 

Big thanks to Jad and the guys for all your help and fantastic products!  

http://www.gowesty.com/

And done!

Volksrod phase 4

After a month and a week, I’ve finished the Volksrod build.  It definitely tested me at times, but in the end so worth it!  Can’t thank all the folks who helped me in this build enough!  I truly couldn’t have done it without you!

Special Thanks to: JC of Bug Brothers, Doug of Dbug41, Quality Muffler of Visalia, Uhl rubber, Best auto glass, and CB Performance.   

VOLKSROD: phase 3

Just returned from another epic build weekend.  Things went really well and I’m darn near done!  Good thing because this car is only one aspect of the film.

Priority number one was the the brakes.  I’d installed a universal master cylinder, but decided against it because of how difficult it was to fill.  I installed a new stock 64 brake master and relocated the reservoir to the dash where i fabricated a simple bracket.

Next, I headed over to UHL Rubber of Visalia and picked up a set of big ‘ol back tires!  I painted the rims, swapped out the wheel lugs and added spacers.  They fit like a glove and gave the car a great stance!

Having done a bulk of the wiring last week, I enlisted JC of Bug Brothers to help me finish off some odds and ends.  Next, we tuned and test ran the motor.  Ten years of sitting and it still runs like a champion!  Time to bolt it in.

Once we got the engine in, it was time for a test drive.  My bro and I raced out of the drive way and to the end of the block.  Upon heading for home the trouble started.  The engine was being choked out and cut-out on us half way home. 

Back in the garage, we discovered the tank was full of rust and was clogging the fuel line at the filter.  A long tedious process of swish and dump remedied the problem.  Also, added a new fuel pump for good measure!  After that it was back to the blacktop for another test drive.  Oh, yeah!  It’s alive and rippin’!

Finally, I had Quality Muffler of Visalia install a FLOWMASTER dual outlet exhaust which routes out in front of the rear tires.  Put a solid fifty miles on the car and it didn’t miss a beat!  Almost there.  Still need to get it aligned and prepped for paint!  Very close to having this bad mamma jamma picture ready!

-Eshom  

Volksrod build phase 2

Just returned from a week of car building.  And while it may not look too different; i assure you, it is!  Want to give some serious thanks to JC Aseltine owner of Bug Brothers in Visalia.  His knowledge and generosity is a big part of this build.

After looking over the car’s stance we decided the front needed to go lower and so i swapped out the front beam for an adjustable.  Next, I had to fabricate steering linkage.  Using a rabbit part, pillow block bearing, machined plastic and some welding, I got it put together.  Oh, not to mention shortening the steering column by 5 3/4 inches. It was a process of trial, error and invention.  Lucky to have Doug Fuller of Dbug41 and the guys over at volksrods.com leading the way!

Of course the fuel tank no longer fit, so I used some 1 inch square tubing to raise it.

The floor pans were shot, so i scavenged some sheet metal and went to work.  Cosmetic beauty wasn’t an issue, but we didn’t want a Flinstone car.

Next, came the brakes.  decided on a universal master with the reservoir directly above the cylinder.  It’s gonna be a bit tricky to fill, but with an extra long funnel, you can get the job done.  Stuck with stock drums all the way around, don’t have the budget or need to go any fancier.   

Removed the tranny to find the clutch cable tube had broken off inside the pan.  What a pain in the a**!  Had to cut away some of the pan to get at it, but once in there i accomplished the repair, by marrying the broken pieces with a section of oversized tubing.  Added rigid transmission mounts and straps, axle seals and boots.

After that, it was time to yank the 1915 dual weber engine from my brother’s bus.   This engine ran great when we parked the bus, but that was 10 years ago!  Gonna take it over to Bug Brothers and go through with JC to make sure it’s still that way.

Finally, added headlamps, taillights and blinkers.  Fabricated mounts and welded them straight to front beam.

Headed up again next weekend.  Gonna get the engine prepped and installed, new rear tires, and start in on the wiring.  

-Eshom 

Hot off the press… First storyboards for “Lost on Purpose.”

Hot off the press… First storyboards for “Lost on Purpose.”

The Volksrod build begins…  

This weekend we started on the 1964 beetle that will be featured in our up coming film “Lost on Purpose”.  First order of business was a good stripping off of “extra” parts.  Out went the fenders, bumpers, carpet, headliner (pretty much anything not metal was stripped from the interior).

Next, we chopped the back and front.  See for us to achieve the proper Volksrod stance we need to move the front beam 10 inches forward.  We did this with the help of Douglas Fuller’s beam extender and frame-horn support.  I cannot recommend these products enough.  They fit perfectly and without so much as a hiccup! If you’re lookin’ to build yourself a volksrod, Doug is your man!

Where to get yourself a beam extender:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dbug41s-Custom-parts/241833192930

As you can see, we still have a mountain of work to do…

Next week is brakes, motor build, trans refresh, front-end rebuild (thinking about going adjustable).  Can’t wait!  Love this stuff!

This is our NEW and IMPROVED dairy local for “Lost on Purpose.”  It’s so darn perfect!

Alright, building cars for “Lost on Purpose!”  This is a concept sketch i did of a Volksrod which will have ample screen time.  Going to post some pics of the build as it progresses.  base model is a 1964 bug.  This should be fun!
Just had the boys at GoWesty hook up my van.  It looks so sweet! Going to dedicate a post to it in the near future. 

Alright, building cars for “Lost on Purpose!”  This is a concept sketch i did of a Volksrod which will have ample screen time.  Going to post some pics of the build as it progresses.  base model is a 1964 bug.  This should be fun!

Just had the boys at GoWesty hook up my van.  It looks so sweet! Going to dedicate a post to it in the near future. 

Lost on Purpose is steaming forward.  ”Burger Boy” is one of the props we’re going to need for the film.  Obvious inspiration is “Bob’s Big Boy”, but we made it our own.   

Lost on Purpose is steaming forward.  ”Burger Boy” is one of the props we’re going to need for the film.  Obvious inspiration is “Bob’s Big Boy”, but we made it our own.   

12.14.10 Dairy location scout

We visited Lemoore, CA and met some remarkably nice and generous people.

There’s a great chance this is going to be our dairy farm for the picture.  It’s in the midst of a renovation right now, but it is quite great!  Obviously, we’ll need a few more cows ;)

Photography by Johnny Durango

Music By Peter Donovan

A Folly Films Production