TheSamba.com :: View topic - Ugly Betty

Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:36 am

Ok,
I have had a '72 beetle for 3 years (12K miles put on in these 3 years)
I've also had a few bays early and late, so I'm not a genuine noob, just in "beetles"

I reciently got a '65 with a rag that was supposed to be a clip, looked it over and it seemed to be done well. I get it home and become educatedby some of my VW buddies that my car is a Euro edition and COULD be a "non-deluxe" sunroof. I am going with the "it's a well done clip" right now untill I pony up the dough for a birth certificate for it. I am sure this will cause a flame or two, but if it was clipped then they did it by un seaming the rain gutter, etc. It has the '65 rear glass, so there will have to be a seam in the rear window area, but I haven't pulled the headliner out to see, I'm just gonna run it as is and love the wind in my face...

OK I'm gonna need some guidance on this beetle as we go along, but just wanted to say hello.

I do know I need a set of front fenders. is there any difference in the pre '66 fenders except the Really early stuff say the years '58 through '66.

My beetle came with a set of '68 fenders installed - not cool, do not seem to see any used ones in the SE US on here as well.
My front beam has issues, above and beyond worn link pins. (selectadjusters welded shut....)

Any way, My name is KC and I am a VW addict.
:D

Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:14 pm

1st step- search the forums with threads already addressing your exact questions- to avoid redundancy and disinterest from otherwise helpful parties. There are threads on properly IDing a "Standard"- and right now, front fenders '58 and up ("58 vs 59). "Search" is your friend. Good luck.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:42 am

More:
- In all her "ugly" glory
- face lift, w/ plastic surgery...
- PO was a Hack! top holes cut with tin snips...

Glad she's mine though!

KC

Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:01 pm

Your bug aint ugly! It looks great. Id drive it with the later fenders and just keep that sunroof rolled back. Dont be surprised if it is a factory sunroof, they are out there, I would rectify the sheepmetal on the front apron if it were mine.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:55 pm

More:
- PO had taped up the inside and bondoed over this mess. Top holes were cut with tin snips. messy.
- Bottom of apron had hit somthing, rest seems OK and accident free. This is after 15 min with a block of wood and some ball peen hammers of various sizes...
- Tears in the spare tire area after being re radiused. Will weld and grind...
- Rear had similar abominations as front where PO thought to cut apron with cut off wheel and then stoped, luckaly it isn't through at the bottom- weld weld weld.
- 1600 DP that is going in - Have the 1300 brest tin and breather for this engine. Ceramic muffler. Has a late 1300 trannie, so 200 mm flywheel is no prob.
- 2 fold (non '63 type - no plast) rag My daughter LOVES this car.

KC

Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:45 pm

I saw ugly betty on the ATL craigslist...

Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:38 pm

Yep,
I have no idea why he didn't put it on here, but I'm glad he didn't.
It had isssues that were hidden by the bondo on the aprons, but I still am HAPPY with it.
KC

Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:35 pm

I love that exhaust and I'm not really sure why, maybe because you never see anyone else with it. I've been running it on my car for a couple years.

Wed Mar 10, 2010 5:08 am

does it only have headlining in the centre section? no dashboard trim, or fuel gauge?

if so, you've got yourself a euro base model 1200 8)

Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:05 am

zombie wrote: I love that exhaust and I'm not really sure why, maybe because you never see anyone else with it. I've been running it on my car for a couple years.
Do you like it?
I have never ran any thing but standard on my beetles.
I tradded for this exhaust and it was brand new...Empi, but coated, so we'll see how it holds up.
I was told that they are not making this muffler any more...
KC

Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:08 am

beetletom wrote: does it only have headlining in the centre section? no dashboard trim, or fuel gauge?

if so, you've got yourself a euro base model 1200 8)
Headliner has been replaced with a full (black) set.
Like I said, I am going with the "good clip job" untill I can get a birth certificate from the Museum.

It has had trim on the outside, and inside - but with the changed fenders and the fact that it is 40+ years old, who knows what was changed.

KC

Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:16 am

You want to know what true love is? It's the way kids feel about Volkswagen buggies.

Your bug might be worth aquiring some front/rear apron panels, (the good ones) and fabricating some nice repairs there.

Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:28 pm

lookss goodd to me duude :) nice work so far

RAGE

Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:38 pm

jzjames wrote: You want to know what true love is? It's the way kids feel about Volkswagen buggies.

Your bug might be worth aquiring some front/rear apron panels, (the good ones) and fabricating some nice repairs there.
I know what you mean, My two oldest girls 6 and 3 LOVE my bugs.
They cannot wait to ride in the Ragtop.

About the aprons, I have ran through that in my mind and I am thinkng that it might be a great time to fabricate a removable rear apron, I just like being able to slide the engine out when things fail and need to be replaced (like my '70 bus...)

Thanks for all the encouragement.
KC

Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:15 pm

asbug wrote: zombie wrote: I love that exhaust and I'm not really sure why, maybe because you never see anyone else with it. I've been running it on my car for a couple years.
Do you like it?
I have never ran any thing but standard on my beetles.
I tradded for this exhaust and it was brand new...Empi, but coated, so we'll see how it holds up.
I was told that they are not making this muffler any more...
KC

I like it, I haven't had any problems with it. I bought it originally because I was broke and my 4-1 header was rotted and it was the cheapest system I could find. It sounds pretty good and is meant for a stock/mildly worked motor, so it suits my 1641 well. If you plan on lowering your car, it's a bonus because I think it actually has better clearance than stock.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:47 pm

asbug wrote: zombie wrote: I love that exhaust and I'm not really sure why, maybe because you never see anyone else with it. I've been running it on my car for a couple years.
Do you like it?
I have never ran any thing but standard on my beetles.
I tradded for this exhaust and it was brand new...Empi, but coated, so we'll see how it holds up.
I was told that they are not making this muffler any more...
KC

I just got one about 1 1/2yrs. ago for my 66 bus. Mine's just black with a chrome tip, though. I got it because my bus is lowered and I was sick of smacking the headers and exhaust flange on the ground, causing leaks. The "tucked up" style of this muffler works perfect for me. Not a big fan of the "GT" sound, but it not as bad as a stinger!!!

Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:09 am

I'm going to be sourcing some keys in the next few weeks, I have questions:
Would a '65 euro switch and the US '65 switch use the same blank?
What about the door key is it going to be the same blank or is there 2 keys for a '65.
The reason I ask this is that the door handles are alot easier to get off than the ignition switch (euro).
Also I have neither key for this car and would like to know what the blanks are so I can shop around for them.
Thanks,
KC