New Project! | Rescuing a 1955 VW Beetle | Episode 1

After sitting in a garage for 15 years, I'm taking on my mum's beloved VW Beetle, so that we can sell it at the VolksWorld Show in just a few weeks...Big thanks to Just Kampers for helping us with this restoration! www.justkampers.com
Thanks for watching! If you're enjoying my journey, please subscribe for free! You'll receive notifications when I upload a new video - every Sunday at 5pm (GMT)!
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LINKS:
www.dominicchinea.com
Dom's Instagram: / dominicchinea
Honest Jon's Instagram: / honestjon_
Ranalah Ltd's Instagram: / ranalahltd​​
Edited by Dan Cross: / djcross87

[@justkampers]

Great first episode Dom! We look forward to seeing the Beetle at Volksworld in a couple of week! 😄

[@davidpopp1963]

Good to see you sponsoring this one.

[@matthewsimkins]

When will you be announcing your Dominic Chinea discount code? 😉

[@stevepickering5866]

Dom, why do all my comments and “requests” disappear from the comments feed on all your videos - feeling very unappreciated 😢

[@chrisbegger8684]

The title brought me here, but the accents kept me hooked ! I am looking forward to all those funny english things like calling a wrench a "Ring Spanner" and a hose clamp a "Jubilee Clip" and many more

[@sparkywig]

Lovely oval Dom.

[@davekennedy9060]

Too good to sell, you should keep it!!!!

[@emdotdee]

The Late Brake Show Barn finds and this pair is almost KZbin perfection.

[@patb1199]

Dom, you are lucky to have a friend like Honest John. Take care of him.

[@ijbailey]

First of all what a cool mum to be rolling round in a 55 beetle. Secondly what a gorgeous car. I love that era of Beetle love the colour too. I definitely wouldn't be selling that beauty I think you should keep it to compliment the camper. Also I think the whitewalls suit it. 😊

[@SimpsonsClassics]

What a great find! Surely if you can this would be a nice keeper for you being your mums car? Lovely rare car these days.

[@DominicChineas]

unfortunately I don't have the spare cash to buy it!

[@SimpsonsClassics]

@@DominicChineas that’s a shame but looking forward to the next video 👍

[@captgeronimo]

Oh, those famous last words from an optimist!🤣

[@Qspecialman]

That was memory lane for me. My first Beetle was a 1955 oval window. She had sat in the back yard of a VW dealer for some time because she had a cam shaft gone. I bought her (and a workshop manual) my dad towed her home for me, I rebuilt the engine, fitted a new cam shaft) and had a fantastic time driving round Britain in her.

[@jayjohnston2821]

Careful Dom and John those Brake linings are very likely pre 1970s!! #Asbestos Graet Show Great Beetle!

[@tabriff3832]

In Canada, it was white walls for luxury saloons, red walls for muscle cars. What a laid back, chill out episode. Look after John, he’s the man!

[@michelmendoza1769]

I’m getting that 356 vibe from this one

[@patrickbrown7491]

You saved the pan, it's solid. Single tip exhaust. I have a 55' project here in South Australia, sent 4 people I know to look at it knocked back, painted in red house paint but original grey under. So I got it & am saving it, first thing I stripped red off to find pretty good original under. Got offerd double after be some of the guys that looked at it, a diamond in the rough. No motor, doing a fresh 36 horse motor for it!

[@VwRosstorations]

Nice little survivor that..👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@king0cans]

Gorgeous 55! Id daily that in Arizona

[@colinnapier6662]

What a great project car.

[@brianhull5125]

Dom if the rust is surface rust in the fuel tank then you can use electrolysis to remove the rust and then use some POR15 to line the tank afterwards…they do a larger kit for car petrol tanks…it’s good stuff…I’ve just used it on my motorbike tank that I’m refurbishing

[@ianashton1593]

Lovely little car, if that were mine I don’t think I could ever part with it, especially bearing in mind the family connection.

[@davidgarden4760]

Dom, A quick bit that you might not be aware of. A few weeks ago, KZbin in the USA, finally, started to allow viewing of complete episodes of, "The Repair Shop." They have the episodes from Season 01 being added every few weeks. Your viewers in the USA might enjoy hearing this news as we can now see your amazing abilities on the show in action. Up until this time, we could only view short snippets of "The Repair Shop" in the states on KZbin.

[@DominicChineas]

This is great news!

[@doczoff5655]

Phew!!! I was worried that Dom might run out of projects!🤣

[@DominicChineas]

Haha it was getting close for a second!

[@tednruth453]

"Ran when parked" haha! brilliant! Haven't heard that one for years 😀

[@DominicChineas]

Classic! Haha

[@jimthechemist]

My Dad had a 55 beetle as his first car, I didn't appreciate it at he time but so many happy memories. Including driving from Glasgow to London, when we got above 60 ish mph the semaphore indicators would try and jump up, it looked like it was trying to fly.....

[@R.Craig.Collins]

Honest John and Dom... fun will ensue

[@MarkGFRex]

For my corroded fuel tank in a MK1 escort I used POR15 metal prep, cleaner degreaser and fuel tank sealer paint. It has been perfect ever since. I would recommend it to rescue an old tank.

[@ianhill9800]

Great episode, good job you haven't got much on at the moment 🤣

[@DominicChineas]

This is keeping me entertained haha

[@davidheaven9885]

What a beautiful old bug. I suspect king pins and cable brakes etc and 30 bhp 1200. It looks to have been kept nice and dry so should be a sound solid car as the older ones had more nickel in the steel used for there construction. Luvvit 😊

[@MikeSmith-sg9pt]

Thanks

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it

[@kentmckean6795]

Good luck, that and a lot of new parts! Thank God for the sponsorship of JustKampers

[@peterwhitear7716]

i think the white walls look great on it as these days you don't see many cars with them .

[@moss1transcendant]

I couldn't believe my eyes when that door opened. So there still out there❤

[@pauldryden7908]

Awesome video and what a gem of a oval beetle there 👍

[@andrewgames1434]

I’ve got a 1968, Beetle sitting on a trailer on a farm It be nice to get out on the road been for years now

[@MrAddks]

My 6 year old, keeps shouting buy it daddy 😳 love it

[@DominicChineas]

Haha! Obviously good taste!

[@tsar-bomba2413]

That car is awesome, a great foundation to start from. That garage has saved it's life

[@VWBEETLEOVAL1955]

nice looking car and like ours a 1955. I'm doing a restoration as well on youtube on our grandfather his 1955. similar condition like your mothers and i hope yours get a good new owner.

[@steveo5020]

My first beetle was VKJ249H It was so rusty I cut it up and turned it in to a Manx buggy which is still on the road today 👍😎

[@AircooledMisfits]

Strato silver is an awesome color! Little things here and there that need replacing but that's normal. Shocked to hear it will be for sale, I could never let that oval go...especially being in the family that long.

[@smartgorilla]

Exactly 💯

[@simonbarnwell7787]

That 's quite a special Beetle to have stashed away , lucky mum .

[@stuartstephens]

It's in remarkable condition for its age. If it's to be sold I'd do the bare minimum to it, just get it running and stopping good enough to move around the drive and then leave any additional work to the buyer - it's sure to be snapped up by someone looking for an easy project. However, I'd be sorely tempted to keep it.

[@michelmendoza1769]

Motor looks remarkably intact with a medium amount of rust and corrosion

[@jozsefizsak]

I couldn't believe it when I saw the dear old original style badge on the front of the car. Those were common when I was a kid and I always loved that emblem.

[@besenzon1]

Strato silver is an amazing colour. Absolutely stunning car 😍

[@DominicChineas]

Thanks! It will be even better soon!

[@highpath4776]

quick wash and service

[@stephenhenion8304]

It's great to hang out with a couple of Car Chaps!!! My Mom never had one of these cars!

[@neilkennykenny4113]

It would be lovely to see the beetle and the bus finished side be side hopefully the timing will allow this.

[@garethjudd5840]

The garage with a high floor level definitely helped preserve the old girl.

[@DominicChineas]

It’s amazing it’s in such nice condition

[@kathpayne4364]

Oh wow what a beautiful old girl... So jealous she will be gorgeous and road worthy again.

[@ciaran8306]

Honest John!! What a great guy, he serviced my Beetle at short notice last year when we where doing a road trip of England, and had travelled from Northern Ireland.

[@interact48]

I could watch you two 24 hours a day

[@besenzon1]

You kept this quiet Dom. Looking forward to seeing your Mum's Beetle 😍🤙👍

[@paulcooper2897]

What a beautiful survivor! It would be a great Full Restoration candidate for some future owner! Love the white wall tires! Too few cars can wear them properly today. Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

[@keithsquawk]

Worth it just for the look on John's face when you opened the garage door.

[@brendawilliams700]

What a lovely little car!

[@DominicChineas]

It’s so nice isn’t it!

[@brendawilliams700]

@@DominicChineasI think all VWs should be that colour 😊

[@topdeckdog]

I love how Just Campers have "everything you need" for something that isn't a camper. Isn't 'Not Just Campers' more accurate? 🤔😂 Great stuff guys 👍

[@DominicChineas]

Good point! Haha

[@tednruth453]

Surely you want to keep it Dom!?!?🤩

[@DominicChineas]

I really do!!

[@raeh9]

@@DominicChineas I would keep it Its sentimental value It was your Mums after all Keep it Dom

[@rogermatthewman1443]

I bought a 1962 Beetle in 1972. It had 103k miles on the clock. Sold it with 135k on the clock - never let me down. Really looking forward to seeing how this moves on.

[@mattlammin6649]

Love it! ... I don't think I could bring myself to sell it at the end! 😂 I almost went straight to the garage to work on my beetle.. it will be used more this year!!

[@johnvaluk1401]

Beautiful car Dom. To bad you are across the pond. Would love to own a car like that. Someone will be happy and lucky!

[@notoldclassic3007]

AS a beetle owner ive had for many years and now my sons drive and enjoy i would never be able to sell,keep it Dom dont sell it too many memories

[@DominicChineas]

I wish I could keep it!

[@notoldclassic3007]

@@DominicChineas Move Heaven and Earth dont let it go

[@Liam1H]

All your vids are great but the ones where John is also on hand are especially so. The interaction between you two is just excellent understated hilarity. Love it!

[@rowancrafts]

This brings back so many memories of times I have not thought about for many years. Helping dad on the drive doing work on the family Hillman Minx and then on my own cars - Ford Anglia 105e and others. Thanks. David

[@Rob.1340]

what a gem . Fantastic. 👍😎

[@BikerBelf]

Love honest John what a top bloke

[@kingcal53]

Great back story. Love a Beetle!

[@richardwhatton1249]

Another excellent project Dom and you and Jon make a great team. Kind regards, Richard.

[@DominicChineas]

Thanks so much

[@patrickhostler5939]

Wow… just wow… what a stunning car. Those early beetles make ideal first restorations, (if you can afford one) as they are so simple to work on. ❤

[@TechnoHippy]

Ahhhh I remember that car, look forward to seeing it and you at VoWo

[@hotoilhands]

Very nice Dom. Now we have two projects to watch.

[@mpdoan2]

Too nice to restore! Leave the patina, just get it all mechanically refurbished and sound, IMO. 🙂

[@DominicChineas]

That’s exactly what we are doing, glad you agree!

[@theadventuresoflario]

That's a stunning looking beetle, looking forward to seeing this evolve.

[@geronimoletsplays]

I’m afraid there seems to be some audio issues Dom, the sound doesn’t match the picture from about 10:30ish, from when Jon raises the Beetle up on the lift

[@dancross1968]

There's an issue on certain devices. Watching it on my laptop and phone, there are no issues at all. But through my TV app, I'm seeing this audio issue. Hopefully it'll sort itself out!

[@geronimoletsplays]

@@dancross1968 Cheers Dan, I’ll trying watching the video on my Mac (I usually sit down with my dinner and watch via the app on Apple TV)

[@hpevans9041]

Plus one for white wall tyres, makes it look very continental

[@danmakingstuff8392]

I'm having that too, on Chromecast and smart TV

[@chriswoolacott]

Yeah I'm Chromecast from my phone to non smart TV , audio out of sync

[@smudgersmith1786]

How the heck can you let that go - it's been a family friend forever, give it a new life as your car!

[@ReseTTim]

I am working on my 65, where I need todo the wiring, windows and engine. What you need todo is not that much ;) .

[@DominicChineas]

Haha just you wait for the next episode!

[@KyushaStyleTuning]

Wow! What an amazing project. I like how you are going in to all the details too. Looking forward to seeing more. 😎👍🛠

[@markusfort7903]

What a beauty VW , congrats 😊

[@raydriver7300]

What a lovely addition to your workshop. Takes me back to my 1955 803cc Morris Minor. Keep up the good work 🌞

[@deancoley7987]

love it, takes me back many years, as usual great knowledge pouring out of Jon

[@bandiflip]

WOW !!! What an absolute gem

[@Bach12]

Wow what a find, that's one nice car. Well, technically not a find since you knew it was there😅 Looking forward to more on this one

[@moonstarer55]

Nice looking beetle. I look forward to seeing it progress. Onwards Dom & John.

[@latelier7182]

A great acquisition🤩👍

[@affordablevs]

Love this... I never owned a beetle but live them from my VW days in the early 2000's. We had an original something like 1500 miler that the mechanics used to pamper and I used to put it in front of the showroom on sunny days!! Happy times! Good luck, can't wait for.the next episode

[@jbaet]

A true gem! Mom will make a good money on this one. Unless you decide to keep it to yourself...😂😂😂

[@davemurton736]

Thank you, thoroughly enjoyed that 👍

[@tanyahermann3431]

You 2 are fun to watch working on cars! 😂 I’m glad you both have a great sense of humor too. It will be fun to see that VW back running and looking great. I’m glad your mom kept it in the garage.

[@bgribs8378]

I would like to have it as is. I wish I really miss my 65 euro style bug.

[@bobcooke6346]

What a gem, I can see a massive demand for ownership of this beauty 👍

[@johnball4983]

Absolute beauty Dom.

[@lestaylor7767]

What a GEM, considering it's age its brilliant. Looking forward to seeing the next episode.

[@helenj8471]

Oh, you're making me nostalgic for our old mini my mum used to take me to school in. When you lifted the carpets you could watch the road rushing past through the holes. She used to drive it like she was Juha Kankkunen!

[@textnotepro]

What a lovely car. Will be fantastic once you guys have worked your magic on it. I really hope you keep it once it is sorted. Looking forward to seeing this new adventure and of course the Porsche.

[@callanderbarbers]

really nice oval Dom, how cool is your mum, great project

[@davidjowett8195]

Should be finised by the end of the month. All it needs is a bit of T-Cut and a clean up.

[@robertlacamp7848]

Great barn(?) Find. Looking forward to the jobs you are going to do, as it will remind me of doing up a 1970 beetle 30 years ago.

[@nielscremer]

Ovel rear window, that makes it a direct decendant of the „brezel“ Beetle, luverly! Getting all nostalgic here (first car was a 1960 beetle, yet another generation further!). Greetings from a „regular“ from Munich/Germany! Lovely stuff yet again!

[@ptstub1]

Love the patina...hope the new owner preserves it as it is as it looks like a good honest car!

[@mikerobey5953]

You should keep that one Dom. Really good shape. For the year you probably won’t find a better original example. Can’t see you parting with it. I would restore it to like new with new paint. Make it a show car and head turner.

[@judithbarnett2966]

My uncle was really into VW Beetles and I always thought the front was his "boot space". Clearly there's not much space at all. Your learn something new every day. (Love those little smoothie bottle hats; I've a couple!)

[@fransgeers7400]

What a great car! Love it!

[@Digallday]

This Beatle must have been restored in the past. Nearly 70 years old it’s condition is to good to be original surely.