TheSamba.com :: View topic - What do U think my 79 Convertible is worth?

Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:22 pm

I just recently picked up a 1979 Super Beetle Convertible, 16k Original Miles on it. Original Paint, Original Top & Interior, NO Rust in Pans or Battery Areas.

White on White on White(Cream?)

It sat for unknown number of years and I'm currently having all fluids, belts, injectors, brakes all redone to make it a safe, daily driver.

Original Top has NO rips or tears, only a few very small cracks... Interior is dusty and dirty, but fully intact...pedals still have original Rubber Pads on them that look pretty new.

The wheels look different than the "standard" Steel ones though...they look more like the "empi style" Aluminum wheels...I think that they are actually...not sure if those were "factory" or not.

It is a ONE-Owner, Original Pink-Slip from the Original Owner not transferred yet...still has the original Bill of Sale too even.

It didn't run...needed a LOT of mechanical work to get it functional again...

Small amount of Body Damage to the Rear Hatch Cover Bottom...looks like someone dragged over a Low curb or something.

Paint is original, but VERY oxidized...wondering if I should repaint it or just try to get it buffed out and waxed.

So...trying to find out what this is worth is VERY frustrating...pricing seems to be ALL over the place.

So...what do you all think???

Added some pictures:

Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:03 pm

aircrash66 wrote:
I just recently picked up a 1979 Super Beetle Convertible, 16k Original Miles on it. Original Paint, Original Top & Interior, NO Rust in Pans or Battery Areas.

White on White Karman Edition.

1979's where all built(finished) by Karman, that is why the Karman badge, it is not a "Karman Edition"

aircrash66 wrote:
It sat for unknown number of years and I'm currently having all fluids, belts, injectors, brakes all redone to make it a safe, daily driver.

Original Top has NO rips or tears, only a few very small cracks... Interior is dusty and dirty, but fully intact...pedals still have original Rubber Pads on them that look pretty new.

The original top color is sand, and the original interior color is chalk
Reproduction of this stuff does not exist, "restorations" of these cars featuring white tops & interiors are WRONG, keep it original if at all possible.

aircrash66 wrote:
The wheels look different than the "standard" Steel ones though...they look more like the "empi style" Aluminum wheels...I think that they are actually...not sure if those were "factory" or not.

You need to take photos of the car for us, but if the wheels are "period correct" leave them on the car. A lot of dealers tossed on "western wheels" and such, I think dealer installed options add a lot to a car.

aircrash66 wrote:
It is a ONE-Owner, Original Pink-Slip from the Original Owner not transferred yet...still has the original Bill of Sale too even. California Black Plates too.

It didn't run...needed a LOT of mechanical work to get it functional again...

Small amount of Body Damage to the Rear Hatch Cover Bottom...looks like someone dragged over a Low curb or something.

Paint is original, but VERY oxidized...wondering if I should repaint it or just try to get it buffed out and waxed.

It's white paint, If the "original" top is still nice etc, and truly original, then there is no way the paint can be so oxidized that it can't be brought back with a good final finish & wax. These cars are only original once
as soon as you paint it, it's not original anymore. The market for an "original 16K '79 Super Beetle Convertible" is a lot different than the market for a "Restored '79 Super Beetle Convertible" and a 16K mile car shouldn't need a paint job.
But repairing & touching up a damaged area on an "original car" is acceptable.

aircrash66 wrote:
So...trying to find out what this is worth is VERY frustrating...pricing seems to be ALL over the place.

Yes the reason for the pricing confusion is the varied condition these cars are in.
The '79 where the "last of the Convertibles" so a lot of them went to collectors.
Triple whites are most common, and there are a lot of low to super low mileage examples around.
Toss some photos up so we can see what you have,
But ultimately once you get the car running, stabilized, and in presentable condition you'll need to have it professionally appraised for your insurance.
The appraised price may end up having little to do with the sale price of the car should you choose to sell it though.

aircrash66 wrote:
So...what do you all think???

Clean it up, get it running, and enjoy it, is my best advice.
Putting another 1K to 3K a year in mileage shouldn't affect the value.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:12 pm

ach60 wrote: Clean it up, get it running, and enjoy it, is my best advice.

Thanks a LOT. All that info was great...will take it all into consideration.

Almost just want to sell this one, if it ends up being relatively valuable...but one that is "restored", so that I can drive it around and not be worried about it...

Will post up some pics when it gets finished and functional.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:28 pm

Can't wait to see the pics. I paid just under $4,000 for a '78 'vert with about 65k on the odometer, new top and headliner and rebuilt engine with less than 10,000 miles, second owner. Price always depends upon how bad you want to sell it, and how bad the buyer wants to buy it. The 79's were the last year, but they come up fairly often and aren't super duper rare or anything.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:04 pm

aircrash66 wrote: California Black Plates too.

Black plates on a '79??

Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:22 pm

tailwaggers wrote: aircrash66 wrote: California Black Plates too.

Black plates on a '79??

X2 WTF? Either the car isn't a '79 or it's got the wrong plates on it. Cali '79's originally came with "blue" plates.

Low mileage '79's can fetch as high as 25k in top condition. This one doesn't sound like one of those. I have a Cali '69 with only 19k on the clock. Unfortunately it was parked under a carport for 25 years. Paint and interior were shot, so low mileage doesn't necessarily mean a top notch car.

Post some pictures of your new purchase and you cna get a more accurate opinion.

-jeffrey

Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:23 pm

Need help on how to Post Pictures of it on this Thread...

It does have Blue Plates...sorry...spaced on that since I haven't seen the car in months...

But...block and pans look like 16k miles on it....according the Mechanic...

Evidently the car was Towed behind an RV for awhile...but engine looks original and barely used according to him.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:45 pm

aircrash66 wrote: Need help on how to Post Pictures of it on this Thread...

Read this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6

-jeffrey

Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:40 pm

whobba wrote: Can't wait to see the pics. I paid just under $4,000 for a '78 'vert with about 65k on the odometer, new top and headliner and rebuilt engine with less than 10,000 miles, second owner. Price always depends upon how bad you want to sell it, and how bad the buyer wants to buy it. The 79's were the last year, but they come up fairly often and aren't super duper rare or anything.

You got a good deal. The new top and headliner is the key, those are expensive to replace. My 71 Convertible was appraised at $4500.

Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:56 pm

Does it have A/C? It looks like the A/C pully did the damage to the engine hood.

The top looks original. Your seats are missing the headrest.

Post some pictures of the interior and engine compartment.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:04 am

If I was to guess, as it sits it's a $5000 car. You could probably put a couple of grand into detailing, repairing the damage, and replacing some of the stuff that is missing and potentially you may be able to sell it for 10k. This is providing that the top isn't damaged and you can clean it up well. If it has cracks, tears, or un-removable stains, then factor in another 2k to replace it as well. Regardless, it looks like a great car.

-jeffrey

Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:21 am

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Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:25 am

Why there would be any wear on the shift pattern is beyond me.

About the wheels, they are probably made by American but next time you have them off, look on the inside, I believe original 8 spokes are two piece rims so you would see bolts on the inside. If they were original [probably not], they may add a little value to the car.

Personally, I'd find a good set of the original sports rims and wrap around a set of Cokers BF Goodrich 165/15's with the 3/4" whitewalls. I may be a little biased but that's how a triple white should be.

-jeffrey

Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:38 am

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Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:18 am

There's a lot of good advice on here about what to do and what not to do, so I'm going to stand aside in that department.

I'm going to be blunt, then give advice at the core of your inquiry.

First, the blunt part. I don't believe this car is a 16k mile car. There is no documentation besides the seller having the pink slip and original bill of sale from an absent original owner. This car -- supposedly towed for some or much of this "original" low mileage -- has aftermarket wheels, aftermarket eyebrows, some crappy doohickey on the antenna, and plenty of unexplained wear and neglect.

Even if I'm wrong, I would need a boatload of convincing not to look at the low mileage as being a negative. The damage, wear and oxidation tell me this car was not likely "stored" very well.

Okay, you have some good advice above ... let's say you take it to heart and prepare this car for sale. If you have done everything properly, it should be worth an extra ten, fifteen bucks to find out.

Put the car on eBay. Post lots of informative pictures from all different angles, and state without lying or deceiving all that you know about the car. (I am not implying aircrash66 is below board but anyone interested in buying this '79 is probably going to know enough not to be fooled and take misinformation like "Karmann Edition" as an indication of ignorance.)

Then set your reserve at the price you know you would be happy at selling the car. $5,000? $10,000? $25,000? $50,000? It doesn't matter. If you get your price, everyone's happy. If you don't, you will have a better idea what others may think.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:25 pm

Yeah...really don't know that much about this Model, most of my experience with VW's in my past has been regulated to Water-Pumpers...GTI's and Such. Except for a 73' and a 78' Westfalia...most of my VW's were 1990 up.

To answer some of the questions:

Rubber on Pedals look really low wear, almost new, except old and cracked.

Top has only a few slight stains and a few small cracks.

Engine block shows almost NO age like old Oil Stains or anything.

Interior is dirty and I would definitely agree it wasn't stored well.

It's a Micky Mouse Ball on the Attenna...and a VERY old one at that.

The original documentation is the Original bill of sale, Manuals, Original Pink Slip and some Factory Maintenance Paperwork.

Not sure on the wheels...

Man...this car had sat unused for SO LONG, that it took complete replacing off all engine rubber, injectors, Fuel Pump, belts, fluids, hoses, etc....but...it is running awesome now... Super Smooth w/NO smoke.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:38 pm

It looks like the CAT also overheated the rear apron causing the paint to flake and the metal to rust.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:42 pm

aircrash66, I never asked, are you looking to flip it, or do you want to fix it up and enjoy it? What have you got into it so far?

-jeffrey

Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:47 pm

That car has 116K on it....it either that or they did a very poor job of storing it. On his CL ad he mentions it was in a garage. The weathering on the car looks more in line with an odometer flip than just poor storage. Even so....its definately a $5k car and that'll take a bit to get since there are quite a few on CL in that range...and in a little better shape.

BTW...he's flipping it...its on SF/Bay CL as a "silent auction".

Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:59 pm

I hate flippers, no more advice then.

-jeffrey