TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:13 pm

Hello,

I got my 69 Baja a while back.

I was assured by the guy selling it to me (A 17 year old kid) that all the numbers matched. Unfortunately, they do not. I uncovered the tag on the body (Which was riveted on the part that covers the passengers side legs, I was told that it was re-riveted there, and that VW didn't rivet them there) and while the first three digits match, the remaining digits do not-not even close.

Plus, the body is not in great shape, and the roof was **very** poorly welded on, making it a liability.

My goal is a daily driver Baja, that gets good gas mileage.

So...

I met a VW guy who said he is going to look for a matching numbers body and pan, maybe a rolling chassis. He is being very kind to me and I appreciate his willingness to help me.

Anyway.... It is likely he will find an original Beetle, not Baja'd out.

I am not too interested in 80 MPH runs and slides on the dry lake beds, more hill climbs, and low speed technical trails.

How much of this can I get away with on a stock VW Beetle?

A friend (The one who sold me the Baja) has a bone stock 73 Super Beetle, and we have been on some pretty hardcore trails and places with it and done VERY well.

So... what say you?

Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:24 pm

does the title match the number on the tunnel in the rear by the shift coupler?

Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:25 pm

I wouldn't be as worried about the numbers matching as I would having a clean pan and body. There have been plenty of people that have swapped bodies onto a different pan. A stock style Class 11 copy with the right set up will be plenty capable of what you are looking to do. I would try and stay away from a Super unless your idea of offroading is really mild.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:29 pm

You can have alot of fun with a stock bug. I know I did! But of course, mine don't stay stock very long.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:52 pm

pafree wrote: does the title match the number on the tunnel in the rear by the shift coupler?

Yes, it does, and it is in my name and on a non-op for now.

The VW guy who I got hooked up with told me as long as I have the title in my name for the pan, the pan is the only number they go off of. But, on the off chance that they decide to be thorough, I do NOT want to be out my daily driver. I have lived with a motorcycle for years now-not because I want to, but because I had to. It's all I can afford. Trying to put this beetle together and then having it blow up in my face (However remote the chance) is not something I can do by any means. It's just that I want to do it right the first time.

If I have to register the body and pan different and go through the DMV NIGHTMARE of doing that, then I will do that. But if I can avoid it I will do that, too. I thought I was avoiding it by purchasing this baja, I should have cleaned the plate off and verified matching numbers. Any Christian can tell you when God says "Hold off, I know you want this... Wait and I will have something better for you later". It looks perfect. Why wait? Come on God. It's fine. But nooooooooooo. I had to have it *now*. I am out my welder and a handful of cash, which might as well be a years wages to me.

Sorry, I had to get that out. I *always* regret decisions I make when my spirit is telling me "Just wait. I know you want it. But wait..".

The ironic thing is that a pastor I know just (Ahem. 4 days ago.) got a REALLY clean 69 (IRS) Baja donated to him. When he gets stuff donated he doesn't want he gives it away, including cars, trucks, etc. He has given me welding tanks before, just because I asked him.

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Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:03 pm

I would go to AAA, not the DMV, just try to make you're day a little better

Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:21 pm

tundrawolf wrote: Any Christian can tell you when God says "Hold off, I know you want this... Wait and I will have something better for you later". It looks perfect. Why wait? Come on God. It's fine. But nooooooooooo. I had to have it *now*. I am out my welder and a handful of cash, which might as well be a years wages to me.

Sorry, I had to get that out. I *always* regret decisions I make when my spirit is telling me "Just wait. I know you want it. But wait..".

The ironic thing is that a pastor I know just (Ahem. 4 days ago.) got a REALLY clean 69 (IRS) Baja donated to him. When he gets stuff donated he doesn't want he gives it away, including cars, trucks, etc. He has given me welding tanks before, just because I asked him.

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Hmmmm, sounds familiar. That's exactly how I came to have the piece of crap project sitting out in my driveway right now. Hope yours turns out better than mine has :evil: