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Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:10 am

Just looking for oppinions. I am going to look at a very low mile (less than 25k) and very original 63 bug today. Has had one respray, but is dead original otherwise. Down to the plugs, wires, cap, tires, spare and has a bunch of documentation and service history. Perfect interior, pans, channels, trim, and glass. Best guesses??

Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:42 am

buguy wrote: Just looking for oppinions. I am going to look at a very low mile (less than 25k) and very original 63 bug today. Perfect interior, pans, channels, trim, and glass. Best guesses??
Probably pricey in FLA. If it is as you describe 4500-6500.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:42 am

you got 5 digits handy? Well, maybe not for a hardtop, but with that low miles it's not out of the question.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:55 am

Ya I really wish it was a ragtop, but may be too low miles to pass up

Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:16 am

Ok I was just looking at some pics, it appears to have the front medallion above the handle on the hood. I thought that was gone by 63? Anyone know for sure?

Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:18 am

Some of the very early '63s had the hood crest

Do you know the VIN ?

Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:20 am

I am certainly not an expert, appraiser, or collector. Like most bug owners, I just appreciated the durability, simplicity and coolness of owning a 50 year old VW! Not many other cars that age are this fun to work on, drive and affordable to own.
I bought a ’63 hardtop in Nov. I was told it had 98,000 miles. The seller was only off by 100,000 miles. Truth is it really doesn’t matter. The car had been regularly maintained and was in pretty good shape. If I were on some quest for youth and was looking for my old ’66 El Camino it would have been completely different. Hemings and others really watch for miles, it often drives price.
I paid $2,950 for my ’63 in Northern CA with 198,000 miles. All original, not lowered, dash not cut, still 6volt. Engine and VIN numbers match. If the same car had come available with 20,000 miles at a higher price, I’d still take the one I got. Maybe in another 20 years mileage will be a bigger selling point, but for me it’s low on the list of what I’d look for.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:21 am

No I havent gone to see it yet. Just looking at some lit. and the car is white with white and grey interior. The lit says in 63 they didnt come that way??

Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:27 am

Steve Herndon wrote: I am certainly not an expert, appraiser, or collector. Like most bug owners, I just appreciated the durability, simplicity and coolness of owning a 50 year old VW! Not many other cars that age are this fun to work on, drive and affordable to own.
I bought a ’63 hardtop in Nov. I was told it had 98,000 miles. The seller was only off by 100,000 miles. Truth is it really doesn’t matter. The car had been regularly maintained and was in pretty good shape. If I were on some quest for youth and was looking for my old ’66 El Camino it would have been completely different. Hemings and others really watch for miles, it often drives price.
I paid $2,950 for my ’63 in Northern CA with 198,000 miles. All original, not lowered, dash not cut, still 6volt. Engine and VIN numbers match. If the same car had come available with 20,000 miles at a higher price, I’d still take the one I got. Maybe in another 20 years mileage will be a bigger selling point, but for me it’s low on the list of what I’d look for.

Good points, but I always look at the value when I buy something. Seems that everything becomes for sale at some point. I would think with less that 25k (and even the OG generator belt) that when it comes time to sell, it would have to be worth more. And on top of the low miles, it is supposedly in nearly mint condition. So im just trieing to gauge a value for it before driving 100 miles to look.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:38 pm

Go look at it. The one respray could be it was wrecked at some point, could be paint job covers stuff, could be it has 125,000 on it also.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:02 pm

Im going to go look at it in the am. I restore cars for a living, so i will know whats up very easily. The guy gave his word and he bought it from the OG owner that is his neighbor and says we can go talk to him if we wanted to verify mileage. I just would like to find a solid $ number of value if it is as said.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:32 pm

Regarless of what the lit says, they did appear from the factory on the '63's in the first month or two of production-Sept- Oct '62. Your vin and engine number will pin it down.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:23 pm

Harris wrote: Regarless of what the lit says, they did appear from the factory on the '63's in the first month or two of production-Sept- Oct '62. Your vin and engine number will pin it down.

What appeared?? The Medallion or the white paint with white and grey upholstery??

Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:46 pm

The Wolfsburg crest. My avatar '63 came from the daughter of the Original owner (he had just passed- never transferred title). She insisted on car's 52k miles- and car condition could easily pass- but it had rolled over according to dealership receipts. Point is- car may look and smell low miles- but might not be. That car should have original tires and spare might not have ever been down. The engine should have zero indicators it was ever removed- and be 100% complete with the poss exception of fuel pump. Check bolt heads. In your area- I'd expect a 26k mile 45 year anything to be worth at least $5k.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 6:04 pm

Should have said medallion-sorry

Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:01 pm

hitest wrote: The Wolfsburg crest. My avatar '63 came from the daughter of the Original owner (he had just passed- never transferred title). She insisted on car's 52k miles- and car condition could easily pass- but it had rolled over according to dealership receipts. Point is- car may look and smell low miles- but might not be. That car should have original tires and spare might not have ever been down. The engine should have zero indicators it was ever removed- and be 100% complete with the poss exception of fuel pump. Check bolt heads. In your area- I'd expect a 26k mile 45 year anything to be worth at least $5k.

Car is said to have original tires and spare, along with the gen belt, plugs wires, cap, etc. Has service records to back it up. Also says he has all the paperwork from the dealership when purchased .
But.... im most curious of the repaint. The guy bought it 3 years ago and I dont know if he had it painted, but said he bought it as an investment and only dives it once every few weeks around the block a few times.. Also he is looking for $5500. To me, I think if the interior, and paint are very good (says the respray is probly better than when it came from the factory) and it runs and drives great, thats a good buy.
I guess I was thinking that with the originality and low miles it may be worth 10 - 13k?? Maybe not though? Thats why I was asking.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:28 pm

Sounds like your in the home stretch- hope it works out with the repaint (I truly hope if it isn't the factory color it is at least an early VW color).. Also sounds like the seller is probably realistic about the car's uninflated value. Good luck- keep us updated.

Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:03 pm

I dont really care about the color because im a painter, so there is a pretty good chance that I will repaint it anyway. But it is white. Im more concerned about why it was repainted.

Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:22 am

Let us know what you find out. This should be interesting.

Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:53 am

Ugh!! We may not be going now! Me my girl went to see that Valentine movie last night. And guess what was a big charicter in it?? A bug vert..... now of coarse...... she wants a vert!!! oh boy