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Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:37 pm

I'm not really a regular here, but it seems like the appropriate place to mourn for my 1973 Beetle. I bought it last Christmas with high hopes of making it a nice car. On my way home from my grandparents, where I went to do some clutch work on my car (they have a nice barn to work in), I slipped on a corner and ran into a dump truck. Nobody was hurt, but my bug is very smashed.

The front fenders are crumpled, along with the clip and the hood. Interestingly enough, the front driver side quarter of the body had a crack going down it, along with a nice dent from the collision. Apparently there was quite a lot of bondo on this car... which I wouldn't have found for a long while yet.

I managed to drive the car back home, which was about a mile away. The steering was pretty messed up, so I took it slow and had a friend in another car drive behind me. I also noticed that the brakes made a grinding sound...

I'm really not sure how my car started slipping. The road was wet, and it was slightly raining, but I took the corner fairly slowly (~20mph). The rear end just started slipping like I was on ice (except there was no ice :/).

Seeing all of the damage and noticing all of the bondo has kind of discouraged me from continuing this project. I'm hoping to buy a non-runner and put my working parts into it and start fresh. Unfortunately, classes start for me on Monday, and it's my only means of transportation... not sure if I'll find something that fast. I'm sure I'll get something worked out though...

Anyway, just thought I'd share my crappy experience... for some reason or another. If anyone has any pointers or advice on what I can do with the vehicle, I'd love to hear.

Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:17 am

So sorry about your Bug, good thing you weren't hurt in anyway!

Yeah, wet roads really suck big time!
In case you didn't know, if it hasn't rained for a long spell the dry roads get a film of oil on them from the 1000's / millions of cars driving over them during that dry period. This oil film is mostly between the tire tracks where the engines are located and isn't a problem while dry. Once the rain begins this is the most dangerous time for the roadway. The early rains just lube up that oil and it runs into the tire track portions of the pavement. This wet oil film it is very much like black ice, as slick as slick can be. This generally clears up after a period of heavy rain and it just goes to being wet dangerous after the oils wash away. This is most likely what happened to you. Always be extra careful in the early part of a rain storm for this very reason.
You are now well aware of this phenomenon and don't need me preaching at you!

Good luck with finding a new bug. The classifieds here have many but be a little (lot) choosy and take your time to find a good rust free one.
Craigs list can be a great source for newer old Bugs, be cautious on eBay, don't get carried away.
A good rule of thumb is never WANT a car too bad that you lose good judgment about its quality and value. Always be willing to let a car go once it hit your highest price you wish to pay.
You might consider picking up an old water pumper cheap like a Hyundai of Toyota to get around in until you find your new air cooled ride. These can often be found inexpensively yet are still reliable, no chick magnet though!
This VW community will help you as they can if you find one you are interested in, ask for feedback on it, some will even take a ride if they are local and check it our for you.

Dave

Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:48 am

Just get the steering/brakes/lights working and drive it! You can do the bodywork while you drive it!

Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:39 pm

Mike Fisher wrote: You can do the bodywork while you drive it!

Sounds a little dangerous to be working on the hood or fenders while tooling down the roadway!
;-)

Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:01 pm

Whoa! Hmmm? :?

Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:11 pm

KTPhil wrote: Mike Fisher wrote: You can do the bodywork while you drive it!

Sounds a little dangerous to be working on the hood or fenders while tooling down the roadway!
;-)

Safety rope!

Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:15 pm

Front end crumpled? Time to buy a Baja 1 pc front end and go to town with the sawzall. :shock:

Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:43 pm

djkeev wrote:
In case you didn't know, if it hasn't rained for a long spell the dry roads get a film of oil on them from the 1000's / millions of cars driving over them during that dry period.
Usually in Washington (on the wet side of the mountains) the only time we have to worry about long dry spells is in August. I would have to agree that it was probably oil on the road, but it probably came from someone driving with a bad main seal or oil pan gasket that let go (typical of Ford 3.0 V-6).

Sorry about the car. Hope you can find something soon.

Thu Sep 25, 2008 4:20 pm

No chance of repair?

I crashed into a suburban in my bus, and It's like barely dented

Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:05 pm

Pics of the gore?

Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:35 pm

Sorry to hear about your Bug, you might think about the Baja idea, sounds like your car might be a great candidate.

Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:24 pm

My brother and I were thinking of turning it into a baja. Maybe I will... I'm checking out a '74 super tomorrow that sounds like a candidate for my "non runner". I doubt I'll go for it, honestly, but it's worth a look, right?

I don't have pics yet... maybe I'll post some tomorrow or something.

Thanks for the encouraging words!

Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:29 pm

Mokkan,

Glad yours is not like this. Hope you can repair yours. Sorry it happened.

1998-hit head on going around a wet curve. Truck slid into my lane and wiped out my '73. Both doors were warped, foot pedals pushed back about 6". Gas tank was bent, but did not leak. Glass shattered in both the drivers and passenger doors. I was not wearing a seat belt (dumb), but only had a small cut on my left arm and sore all over. I didn't move too well for a few days. Sold the car for $ 300.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=324682

[img]http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/324682.jpg[/img]

Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:18 pm

Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:09 pm

baja.

Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:32 am

Don't go Baja! Do it OG! :evil: