Project Car...The Beetle.

[Raghavan]

How'd that happen?

[the Teuton]

How'd that happen?

The guy just parked it, and then his car just shot up in flames.  I got there after the firemen had already left (I know, I'm a bad journalist), but from what I saw it looks like it started at the front of the engine, so I'm guessing either something with the battery or radiator.  It smelled a fair amount.  For a different pic, go to pittnews.com.  I'm saving the rest of mine for the next photo competition.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Hey now, I've seen plenty of "good" cars go up in flames. Like a Mustang GT, a Hyundai Elantra, and some fancy looking SUV that was so melted I couldn't tell what it used to be.
You can't dis the K-car til you've pwned one!
I think they're great pieces of crap. I might even get myself an Aries wagon and put a turbo in it someday.

[the Teuton]

Hey now, I've seen plenty of "good" cars go up in flames. Like a Mustang GT, a Hyundai Elantra, and some fancy looking SUV that was so melted I couldn't tell what it used to be.
You can't dis the K-car til you've pwned one!
I think they're great pieces of crap. I might even get myself an Aries wagon and put a turbo in it someday.

My dad had a 1993 Dodge Dynasty.  That counts.

[Pancor]

Hmmm.. 1st gen Miata?  The performance possibilities are endless, though they might not be as unique as what you're aiming for. 

[Tave]

Awsome mileage for an '88.

[JWC]

Prelude update:

He can't drive, but doesn't want to sell it.  His mom is going to talk to him about it.

On the VW front, I've got a couple of leads on a few sedans.  There is a listing this week in the local bargain trader for two sedans, one Baja and one Super.  I want to stay away from Supers unless the price/condition is right.  They are not as easy or as cheap to drop the front end.

[ChrisV]

On the VW front, I've got a couple of leads on a few sedans.  There is a listing this week in the local bargain trader for two sedans, one Baja and one Super.  I want to stay away from Supers unless the price/condition is right.  They are not as easy or as cheap to drop the front end.

Um, they are EASIER to drop the front ends on.

'72 Super Beetle:



15 minutes and $0 dollars dropped the front 4" Daily driver, smooth ride.



Supers are very easy to work on and their suspension makes it easier to add good brakes etc to. I prefer the flat window '71-72, as they tend to look like older Bugs. But you could make a killer road race/autocross style Bug from a round window Super.

[L. ed foote]

Hey now, I've seen plenty of "good" cars go up in flames. Like a Mustang GT, a Hyundai Elantra, and some fancy looking SUV that was so melted I couldn't tell what it used to be.
You can't dis the K-car til you've pwned one!
I think they're great pieces of crap. I might even get myself an Aries wagon and put a turbo in it someday.

Check Gus' old website.  Jeez, just realized he's been gone 5 years now.

[Raza]

What's the difference between a Beetle and a Super Beetle?

[ChrisV]

What's the difference between a Beetle and a Super Beetle?

Super beetles have a longer nose with Macpherson strut front suspension vs the torsion leaves of the earlier cars. Essentially the suspension is the same as used in the 924, which allows 944 parts to be used fairly easily. The '71-72 Supers have flat front windshields, thus being identical to regular Beetles from the windshield back. '73-up Supers have round windshields with a different dash. the one I posted above was a '72 flat window. This is a '73-up round window:

[Raza]

Ah, thanks. 

[JWC]

Chris is correct about dropping the front.

I forgot about "adjust-a-struts".

[Soup DeVille]

Supers are very easy to work on and their suspension makes it easier to add good brakes etc to. I prefer the flat window '71-72, as they tend to look like older Bugs. But you could make a killer road race/autocross style Bug from a round window Super.

In the rust belt states, supers are known for rusting out the upper strut mounts.

As another point- the round windshield Bugs have a slightly better drag coefficient. Probably not enough to matter unless you're trying to set a speed record.

[JWC]

My last Super was a '71.  When I replaced the glass in it, the windshield was only $50.00. 

I'm going to look at a '75 Super tomorrow.  I doubt I'll buy it though. After I got directions to the guy's house, I realized his address isn't too far from the beach.  I'm guessing that it will be rust city. 

There is a Karman Ghia in the Trader today for less than a grand.  Says it was "running when parked" but engine compression was very low.  Probably didn't know how to adjust the valves.  Unfortunately, it is amost fifty miles from my house.  I would also have to borrow the wrecker from the dealership to get it home.

[JWC]

BTW, the reason I got rid of my '71 was because of a rusted out pan head.  To repair it would have required a donor car and a lot of welding.  That car was from Rochester NY. 

[Raza]

Ghia!

[ro51092]

I saw a Karmann Ghia with a 996 engine swap. Damn, that was awesome. It's in the engine swap thread.

[JWC]

Just as I thought, rusted out garbage, wouldn't even be worth getting as a parts donor.

Several people had told me of a VW Bug sitting behind a building in a nearby town, so on the way home I drove around over there.  Sure, enough, there was a Bug sitting behind a trucking company.  I stopped in and found out the owner's name, but he turns out to be out of town until Monday.  (He made a run to Florida for strawberries.)   

The car itself is almost too perfect.  Perfect enough that fresh gas, oil, and a battery, and I could drive it home.  Just some light rust in some corners, no rusted out floor pans, no dents or dings, interior is still original and not torn.  Has no license plate, so I know the guy isn't driving it.  Problem is, there has to be a reason he's holding on to it.  Either it is sentimental reasons or he wants more than it is worth.  I'd give him 1500.00 for it as it sits, not even knowing if it runs.

The only drawback for me is that it has OEM air conditioning.  All that has to come out.  Being in that good of shape though, would save me some money right off the top. 

[Raza]

What's wrong with the aircon?

[JWC]

What's wrong with the aircon?

Air conditioning on a Bug was a power killer and an engine killer.....

[JWC]

I'm trying not to get too excited over this current find....but it is hard not to get excited.  The fact that the interior is in great shape saves me time and money....especially time.  I just can't believe that I found a completely intact (original) Bug locally.   

I also took a ride around some areas that I had seen Bugs in the past, sitting in people's yards or under shelters.  None were to be seen, but what I did see was pretty interesting.   

For example:

3 1967-68 Torino fastbacks. (not running)
1 MGB-GT (not running)
4 Datsun 240Z or 260Z's in the very back of one yard.  At the front was a custom 240Z sitting next to a Datsun 521 pickup. Couldn't tell how many of these were driveable.
2 Benz 280 sedans that appeared to have been completely restored.  I almost stopped at the house just to check them out.


Amazing what is just sitting around farms here collecting rust....well, except for the Mercedes.

[JWC]

Something interesting also happened Friday.  An antique dealer came into the dealership and we got to talking.  I mentioned that I had this:



He said it could be worth some money, but it was hard to say just based on my description.  So, I took a photo and loaded it on the computer at work Friday.  He came by to pick up his truck and I showed him the photo.

His eyes widen, as if he was surprised, and told me that the Camel sign is worth about 1500.00.   The license plate, in spite of its damage is about $100.  The Camel sign is going to be sold to help finance the project car.  Damn thing has been hanging on the office wall for ten years, it may as well reimburse me for that wall space.

[Raza]

Wow!  Too bad you are selling it though, that's a totally cool sign.

[SaltyDog]

Crazy idea, but you can a new Beetle in Mexico for cheap and a used Beetle in Mexico for very cheap.  How about a vacation for the wife and a whimsical aquistion while your in the area?

[SaltyDog]

Wow!  Too bad you are selling it though, that's a totally cool sign.

It is.  The design, colors, and theme are cool as shit.  Too bad it's all propaghanda and is behind a dangerous product. 

But ironically I'm about to step out and smoke a Camel.  Though it's only a light!

[ChrisV]

Chris is correct about dropping the front.

I forgot about "adjust-a-struts".

I didn't use adjust a struts. Just cut coils and used rabbit strut inserts.

Good luck with the Bug. It may be the guys' project that he's waiting on money to finish it.

I wouldn't mind another ghia shell to start with, but man, I have enough projects. I need to unload my Falcon so I can start on my Comet...

[JWC]

In a thread a few weeks ago, I mentioned a VW convertible for 1200.00 that looked pretty rough from the photos.  The guy bought it for his daughter 12 years ago, but she didn't want it.  He drove it into an old barn on his farm and left it there, planning to rebuild it.  He wants the space in the barn for something else.  It hasn't been run in twelve years, the top is rotten and the seats are rotten.  There are spots of rust here and there all over it. 

Well, I got to talking to the wife last night...and it hit me.  The guy lowered the price to 1k, so unless it ist really, really rough, I could do a cosmetic restoration on the thing and flip it and make a thousand off of it, maybe even more and fiance the next VW.  We are traveling tomorrow to see it in person.

I'm going to give it a really good once over and make a decision on it.


(The problem is, if it looks decent and it doesn't take much to get her going and decent looking...I just know I will want to keep it).

[Soup DeVille]

Crazy idea, but you can a new Beetle in Mexico for cheap and a used Beetle in Mexico for very cheap.? How about a vacation for the wife and a whimsical aquistion while your in the area?

From what I've heard, the late model Mexican Beetles aren't that snazzy- while the body is still there, a lot of the bits and pieces were cheapened and replaced with chintsy plastic pieces from other VW models.

[JWC]

The last Beetles was hampered by smog and plastic.  Still, those Mexican/Brazil Beetles are what kept all the old Bugs going for decades later.  Basically, everything underneath was the same, so it becomes a good basis for a project....if I keep it.  If not, I'm not putting a great deal of money into it, just enough to make it presentable and saleable.

I'll have to admit, I've always had a fondness for the "Cal-Look" Bugs.  No big ass spoilers, visors, or crap like that. Just the little things that clean up the lines.  One piece windows, dropped front, Empi wheels, shaved chrome strips,etc.