Jeebus, and I thought people referred to the wing on the SRT as a 'whale tale'

That takes the cake. Come on FP, free *****.

 

Well the car was delivered safely last week. It's in the shop right now. I was very fortunate to find a local guy with tons of experience on these Bugs, even Mexican Beetles.

The car is running, and is getting a full tune-up, some rust spots being fixed and painted to match. Adding new carpeting, refurbishing the dash, shifter ****, replacing all the exterior lights and lenses, new exhaust, some chrome wheels rings and hub caps , some outside trim, new rear bumper.

Spending more than expected, but I want it looking good. Next year, maybe a new paint job, and whitewall tires.

 

Wait a minute! Has this thread gone sour?

 

I just threw up a little in my mouth... cool if you love tinkering with cars... but a bug? Ugh...

EDIT: Ah, I saw it was a family hand me down... nvm. On a positive note, cosmetically it looks like it's in immaculate condition!

 

Here are some pics of the current state.

 

Not bad, Basically a sound bug.
You will need to spend some time, and money.
But the reward will be a fun car to drive.

 

The car is running, and is getting a full tune-up, some rust spots being fixed and painted to match. Adding new carpeting, refurbishing the dash, shifter ****, replacing all the exterior lights and lenses, new exhaust, some chrome wheels rings and hub caps , some outside trim, new rear bumper.

Spending more than expected, but I want it looking good. Next year, maybe a new paint job, and whitewall tires.

 

You have got to love a car that has real chromed bumpers, wheel and light trim etc. Takes me back to when half the time spent polishing the car was spent on the chrome.
Plastic just isn't the same.

 

The only thing that can kill one is letting it get low on oil, and they use oil so check it often. The transmission will last forever too if you don't let it get low on oil. The ones that get low start getting a whine in 3rd gear. Check the clutch cable, they break after 20 years or so. Looks like a nice fixer upper. You can find any part you need for a bug. It's just a matter of if you prefer new parts or are budget minded. Think about putting early Porsche wheels on it. They look hot on a VW. Enjoy the project.

Les

 

That's a cool little Herbie in that first picture.

I had the pleasure of seeing what had to the last of the new Brazilian beetles coming through on a car carrier. Where they were headed is unknown. But they couldn't be sold here. So I'm sure they were headed to an Eastern sea port. They kept making them there till 1996. Anyways, while driving the big truck I came across a few places of interest to you. MarksBugBarn.com | VW Parts for NEW and vintage VW Bug, Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Thing, Type3, VW Van, Porsche and Audi

This guy has two Herbie movie stunt cars. It's a cool site.
Mike Yagers Rare Collection of Corvette and Volkswagen cars.
Corvette Parts & Accessories / Air-Cooled Volkswagen Parts & Accessories from Mid America Motorworks

 

Some updates in pictures..

 

Looking good FP.

I want a picture of you between both your bugs (new and old) holding the taco bell chihuahua

Too much?? LOL

 

Not on yet. They are working on refurbishing my dash, but my new door panels came in from Sewfine in Texas. They do good work.

 

Worked on a ton of bugs in the past.
John Muir's book "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive; A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot" is a must have.
Keep the valves set!

 

Thanks, I think I'll get it. But for now I found a very knowledgeable VW guy locally.

 

This generation Vdub came with a padded dash (safety reg), but I'm putting it back to the classic Bug look.

The list of work being done to Vocho.

Items in light blue have been completed.

Mechanical
Full Engine Tune-up/Valve Adjustment/Torque Heads
Replaced fuel line and filler tube
Engine air deflector, lower heat tin
Repair eBrake
Oil Change
Muffler w/single heat riser and Chrome Exhaust Pipes

Cosmetics Exterior
New OE 15 x 5.5 inch Wheels
New 165/80/15 Kumhos Tires
Port-a-walls White walls
New Chrome Hub Caps and Rings
New Chrome Rear Bumper
New Rear Light Lenses
New Front Turn Signal Lenses and Housing
New Front Bumper Lenses
New Front Hood Center Chrome Trim
New Hood Wolfsburg Crest
VW Chrome Trunk Logo
New Headlights
New Left and Right Chrome Exterior Mirrors
New Chrome Antenna
Removed Black Rain Covers on Rear Hood
Replaced and repaired rusted Quarter Panels
Repainted repaired areas and touch-ups
New Rear and Front Fender Polished SS Gravel Guards


Cosmetics Interior
Removed Padded Dash
Refurbished Dash
Painted Dash and all Interior Parts
New Chrome Speedometer Ring
New Retro Sound Radio
Repainted Shifter shaft and eBrake handle
New Carpeting
New Headliner
Re-upholster Seat Kit
New Door Panels
New Gas, Brake, and Clutch Pedals
New Window Cranks
New Polished SS Door Sills
New Shifter ****
New Seat Side Covers
New Chrome Trim for Dash
Trunk Carpet
Trunk Wire Cover
Dash Vents
New Steering Wheel

Pending
Full Exterior Paint Job

 

Got quite a job ahead of you there.

But I love those litte cars. We had one with a "dune buggy" body when I was a teenager in the late 70's. Put $5 of gas in it and you could drive the trails all afternoon!

(Gas was 75 cents and you were moving about 35 or so on some kinda rough two-track back roads. Probably getting 30mpg while doing so.)

 

Picture Updates:

TheSamba.com :: Gallery Search

 

Ok, now THAT is an idea for a second car for me... an old BUG!

Love those little cars -not sure I'd want one in the summer in Georgia - I hear A/C parts are almost impossible to find!

 

More WIP Pics