TheSamba.com :: View topic - I Think I Found The One: Expert Opinions Please?

Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:04 pm

Ok, so after the last Bug I had you all look at and shoot down, I heard back from one of the ones that origninally stood out to me the most:

http://bend.craigslist.org/cto/1327680641.html

$2500.

Here is what he told me about it in an email:

Quote: The bug is still here - Its a 74 that originally had 82000 miles on it that I bought for my son who just turned 16. I built it in 2007 and drove it for about 1000 mi then put it in the shed for him. Now that he can drive, he doesn't want the car. He's elected to buy a Honda - go figure!!!

Heres what I did to it. Installed all Baja body parts (fenders, rear cover, hood, front body, visor) including 3" body lift, crash bars front, rear, sides; fog lights in front, new brakes, new front tires (Cooper Discoverer), powder coated wheels, alum valve covers, chrome air cleaner, new style alternator instead of generator, oil cooler, oil cooler fan, oil pan crash guard, heavy duty fuel filter, all new oil and fuel lines, new speedometer and cable, rebuilt 1600 dual port single carb engine (not beefed so it stays dependable)

I kept the heater boxes for heat and def. I have a set of four lights for the top but haven't built a light bar yet.

Its very dependable and you can drive it anywhere.

So to me it looks and sounds pretty dang good, but what says the experts?

Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:05 pm

looks like a pretty good deal to me. look under the carpet first tough for rust/rot. if the pan is in good shape then it is a good deal. 8)

Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:35 pm

More pictures from the seller:

Quote:

He also said it comes with a tow bar.

So, any reason not to buy this one?

Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:01 pm

oyt of all the baja's I seem lately, thats the one, even if there are rust holes in the pan. It's all but impossible to find a vw that doesn't have a rotted battery area.

with all the parts he has on it, along with the cars show some one cares about it's condition. That gray one was a tweeker car.

From what you said, it sounded like you want something with some comfort, could be driven on the road..
even with the cost to go and get that one, you should still have $1000 to bring it up to your standards.. lets face it any VW a guy buys will need something

lapine is just south of Bend, so milage is about the same or less than Roseburg. go to portland, out to truotdale, sandy , up over Mt Hood to bend

Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:18 pm

oooops PROBLEM <<<<<<<<

the last pic's loaded... That cars is not a USA 1974 VW

Body .... no cresents at the side windows .. could have been moulded in ???

no thumb hole at the gas door 68 only I believe

the biggie.

it has wide 5 wheels .. no adpaters. ANNNNND a swing axle trans all that means 66 or 67 chassie.

So the title #'s will not match, plus if you planned tricking out the rear suspension like longer arms ect, not going to happen with a swing axle

Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:40 pm

I too noticed that swing under there. Better make sure the number on the title matches the number on the pan. If it does you will be alright but it is not a 74. It looks like a bargain for 2500 bux. The guy has done some good stuff to it. It looks better than where I have my 66 at this point, and I have a lot more money in it than that. By the way, my 66 is titled as a 61 but the numbers match so I don't care.
Dan

Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:59 pm

[quote="ninefivezero"]More pictures from the seller:

Quote:

FYI The fuse box isnt in the stock 74 location. My fuse box is on the drivers side of the steering wheel... not the middle of the car.

Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:08 pm

So it has a swing axle as opposed to the better and slightly more recent independent rear suspension that would be found on a 68 or later? (do I have that right, I still have a lot to learn...)

To be honest, I probably won't be doing any fancy suspension mods to it due to budget constraints for the next few years at best (I'm still finishing college after all) so at least that part is not a big concern to me. Might this have any other repercussions beyond that?

Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:23 pm

[quote="ninefivezero"]So it has a swing axle as opposed to the better and slightly more recent independent rear suspension that would be found on a 68 or later? (do I have that right, I still have a lot to learn...)

quote]

You do have that right. I still say it is a bargain if the numbers match. I drive a swing axle and I like it.
Dan

Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:23 pm

ninefivezero wrote: So it has a swing axle as opposed to the better and slightly more recent independent rear suspension that would be found on a 68 or later? (do I have that right, I still have a lot to learn...)

To be honest, I probably won't be doing any fancy suspension mods to it due to budget constraints for the next few years at best (I'm still finishing college after all) so at least that part is not a big concern to me. Might this have any other repercussions beyond that?

Thats not the issue, what they are saying is that the swingaxle tranny was never on a 74 bug. If its a 74 it should have a IRS transmission. I would check the VIN on the body and match it to the PAN. Chances are they do not match, in that case I would not buy it.
Just my opinion though. :wink:

Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:36 pm

Yah, I get that something is going on here...

*sigh*

Buying a bug is NEVER straight forward, is it :(

If I didn't live 350 miles away I could check it out in person, instead of trying to play detective over the internet by asking for photos...

It's just that there is not much in the way of Baja's in the Seattle area, under $3000 I see:

- a '71 for $900 that looks like a pile of...
- a '62 for $2000 with no breaks, no interior, needs "front end work"...
- a '62 for $2500 that is a "Great project car"...
- a '68 for $1000 that is "90% complete with enough parts to complete" and has stock tires...
- a '68 for $2300 that looks and sounds ok...

and that's about it, hence why I'm looking so far away from home.

Arghhh!

Sun Aug 30, 2009 10:55 pm

the only car on that list that is not a swing axle is the 71..

it's to bad about the yellow car, you might ask him what the deal is. I don't think that body is a 74 either, not only because of the fuse box location, but also the half moons at the side widow. had those been filled, It would have made mounting that antana very difficult..

The price range of 500 to 2500 is a very gray area with VW's. seems most are junkers that show what they are, so you do know what your buying ( 500) then there junkers painted up with alittle bling to the untrained eye (2500).

To be honest, if your not seeing these things, don't know how to work on these cars, yet plan on being able to afford to own one and drive it.

A VW is not the car you want.. honda accord with super swappers :idea:

Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:32 pm

Ball Joint front ends came out in 1966
Swing axle ended in 1968

So the pan is either a 1966, 67, or 68.

Fuel filler moved outside in 1968.
Brake fluid reservoir moved from behind the spare tire to where it's shown in the picture in 1968.
Padded dash started in 1968.

I'm gonna call the whole thing a 1968 Baja. If there is a 1974 VIN on the car, it was cut from another car and welded in under the backseat.

Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:39 am

68 had a finger hole to open the gas

if I remember right the front wheel bearing in 66/67 where not the same as later hole drums. and the 4 holes won't fit a 66/67 axle. Thats more of a question.

some of the best bajas around are built from many different cars

only the buyer knows if he wants a swing or irs

Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:02 am

Just ask the fella. He has done enough work to the thing that he knows it is not a 74. I am not sure I would not buy the car if the numbers on title and pan match. I would hope they did a good job of swapping the pan number. You can not tell mine has been swapped but there is no doubt that it has. Took me 6 months to figure it out as I was not a VW guy when I bought this thing either. You quickly become a VW guy after working on one for a few months and buying parts, that don't fit the year you ask for.
Being "not as advertized" might be a negotiating point on price. The swing is fine for a street maching and for reliability.
Dan

Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:52 am

towd wrote: ...no thumb hole at the gas door 68 only I believe...

I'm getting you a bigger monitor for Christmas...

Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:09 am

IMO, it is a '68.

The steering column, chrome inside door openers, trim around windows, heater outlet up around feet, true SW Pan (not converted from IRS), looks like may be a long axle SW and has long throw out arm on clutch.

The conversion from 4 lug to 5 lug is easy.

Looks like a good buy if the title is corrected.

Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:25 am

it looks good, just beaware.

now in oregon. if a car has an oregon title, they don't check the numbers in a title transfer. so I could take a 59 title get tags and say a 75 is a 59.

I'm sure the car is legal, just not a 74 with irs

Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:29 pm

Those wheels look like Jackman Alumastars which, if I remember correctly, very sought after by some collectors ($1000 + for a good used set last I heard).

Not that that helps with your Baja search!

Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:39 pm

If the owner has the current registration, and pink slip, and they match the car, you are worry free. That car is one I'd buy, and year make and model are secondary to driveability and condition.