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Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:58 pm

I was swapping engines on my 72 Super in my driveway when a neighbor came over and introduced himself. He told me about all the other people in our neighborhood who are restoring cars, and told me about a Super Beetle parts car he had just acquired. Said he knew nothing about Bugs, had no idea what year it was, but it was going to the scrap metal yard, and would I be interested in it. Well, it's too far gone to save, and just far enough away in year that almost nothing on it will fit my car. He did however offer it at a very good price. Being close to Christmas I am scraping pennies and don't have the cash.

Can anybody use anything off this car? Let me know and I may buy it and part it. It has a sunroof that is complete that doesn't show in the pics. Also has a trans but the engine is in 1000 pieces and not all of them are there. I think he has the missing windows too. It's also missing just enough things that I'm not 100% sure what year it is. I think it's a 75.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:23 pm

From the looks of the rear apron, it's a '75 La Grande. If you were near me, I would probably try to get it whole.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:39 pm

It's been sitting under a tree for about 15 years, and it very badly rusted. The woman who owned it lost her legs several years ago apparently, and it has sat ever since. The guy is willing to sell it to me really cheap, and even take whatever I don't want when I am done with it, and junk it. I just don't have the room for another car, and my HOA would kick my ass. (He lives just outside the HOA) Also, as far as I can tell, it's never been repainted. That blue on part of it is it's original color, and it has faded down to the factory primer on most of it.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:50 pm

If it has the factory steel sunroof, and your willing to take off all of the associated parts. I would be interested in it. But really depends on the condition of the sunroof parts. Can you send me a few photos with the sunroof open?

Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:53 pm

Yeah sure. I will go down there tomorrow and take a ton of pics. It's dark out right now.

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:10 pm

If it's got the sunroof - I'd take the cables - specifically the driver's side - but if need to take both - can do. (that is unless they're rusted through.) But am willing to stand in line behind those who responded first :)

Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:53 pm

One man's scrap is another man's gold mine. 8)

Things worth saving:
- Bumper mounts (those shock-absorbing ones are NLA - used is the only way to get them)
- Bumper
- The little metal elbow for the gas filler pipe
- The cover for the fresh air box, if it isn't rusted out
- Fresh air blower
- Windshield wiper motor
- Door handles
- Vent windows
- Tail lights, including the metal backing plates
- License plate light
- Steering box (New ones are $400! :shock:)
- Steering idler arm (opposite the steering box)
- Frame head, if it isn't rusted out (cut the pan so that the saddle piece is still attached)
- Pedal assembly
- Struts (some of the pieces in them are difficult to source)
- Spindles (no source for new that I'm aware of)
- Dash if it isn't cracked
- Ash tray if the dash is cracked

There's probably more. If it is really cheap, you'll likely get your money back selling the parts, and you will definitely build some VW karma. :wink:

Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:19 pm

those rainguards on the windows, save those if they arnt in too bad of shape, i just noticed them :)

Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:41 am

save all glass that's saveable

Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:20 am

Well the guy wants 200 bucks. I'm not looking to get rich on it, but are there enough parts there to make it worth the time?

Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:27 am

Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:18 am

I guess it depends on how fast you can strip it and how much your labor is worth.
I would say 200 for the car and another 200 (10hours) for labor, you have a total cost of 400. You should be able to at least break even. Can you tell I am a cost accountant?

I think the price he's asking is a little high. Here in Colorado I have purchased more complete cars for $125. The best I was able to do was FREE.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:26 am

Offer $150 I bet he takes it.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:11 pm

I've been trying to get over and take more pics of this car, but the last 2 days I have gotten home from work after it was dark out. It is also in the 20's here, so it makes it hard to get motivated. I will work on getting more pics, and see if he'll take $150. I'm sure I can make that back pretty easily. It's engine is in 1000 pieces, most of it inside the car. I didn't see any fuel injection parts which is what made me think 74. They may be there though and I just overlooked them. All I saw when I 1st looked at it more than a month ago was the shroud, maybe the case (can't remember) and some pistons and cylinders. More of it may be there, not sure. The hard part will be working in the cold and stripping it. It's about 30 degrees cooler here than it should be this time of year, and even that is cold. (Mid 50's is average)

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:19 pm

Ok, so I drove down there in my Bug and poked around in the Bug a little. I couldn't get the sunroof open, it's rusted shut. I looked at the VIN sticker. It was made 1/75. So it is a 75. However, it was carburated. I found the intake in the passenger side on the floor. Also found the exhaust in the back seat. Definitely carburated. Also found the front bumper, and the original owner's manual.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:41 pm

swhitcomb wrote: Also found the front bumper,
We found that one too. It wasn't hidden very well. :D

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:07 pm

Oops. I meant the rear bumper.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:13 am

I stripped out an junked superbeetle with my son about 20 years ago. Still using the parts off that old super from time to time. About the same time, I also started stripping out and '70 standard. I had bought both cars for $100. However, as I began the process, it occurred to me that this one was not so far gone that it couldn't be saved. Today it's in my barn all restored looking good.