Dottie the Beetle

04/16/2025

Dottie is back on the road, adjusted the rear passenger suspension, replaced the spring plate bushings while it was apart, and had new tires put on her.

Got one small project to do sooner than later, but other than that she is ready for summer.

04/11/2025

Last year, discovered the rear passenger tire was rubbing against the fender, wearing a grove in the tire. You could see the rear passenger side was lower than the driver side.

Finally got around to tearing into it, and confirmed the torsion plate was set higher on the passenger side than the drivers side, by a couple degrees. Easy enough to fix, except, the spring plate covers were rusted out and one ended up getting destroyed during removal. New ones ordered. Going to give the spring plates a fresh coat of paint like I did on the front suspension parts I worked on last year, and once I get those covers in, I will put it all back together.

Also, ordered new rubber for Dottie, only 2 have been delivered, waiting on the other 2, then the tire shop will get them put on the rims for me.

Dottie should be in good shape soon.

06/02/2024

Fun day!

05/31/2024

Dottie is ready to bug other bugs!

05/20/2024

Dottie the Beetle won first place in the parade!

05/20/2024

Our first parade with Dottie!

05/05/2024

Dottie out for her first run of the season. Sonja has been doing a lot of repairs during the winter. Lulu was glad to have car back.

05/03/2024

Finished the kick plate speaker mounts for Dottie the Beetle. It’s not the best sounding system, but I’ve now got full access to the fuse block and I won’t bang my knees like I did with the ones that were in her when we got her.

04/30/2024

Finished the fiberglass portion on the speaker housings for the kick plates in Dottie the Beetle, got them sanded, and the first coat of primer sprayed. Havnt decided yet, but might give them a 2nd coat of primer, then 2-3 coats of paint.

So far I am happy with how they are turning out.

04/22/2024

04/21/2024

Been a bit since I updated:

Last week got the new shift link installed, and good thing I did, old one was seriously worn out, the one side was falling apart. Feels like it shifts a lot better now, should be able to take her for a test ride shortly after I button up a couple other things.

Tonight, I put the first coat of resin on the custom speaker housings that will be mounted on the kick panels. I had built the body of them over a month ago, and just finally got around to finishing them. I will likely give them another coat of resin, then sand them, fill any defects and give them a finish sanding, then paint them and install them. Hoping I can wrap it up by the end of the month.

-Sonja, Dotties Mechanic.

03/31/2024

Hey friends, I hope you aren't too annoyed by all the items I've been posting, but this really has been an amazing outlet for me and it appears people enjoy my work.

If you'd be willing to share my Etsy shop I would appreciate it. I'm hopeful that someone may connect with the mirror art I make.

Thanks again for going along this crazy adventure with me!

This Mirrors item is sold by MirroredImagesbshell. Ships from Saint Paul, MN. Listed on Mar 30, 2024