TheSamba.com :: View topic - Beetle Newbie with a '73 Beetle To Fix Up--At your disposal.

Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:57 pm

Hey all, I'm new to this forum, but it seems to be the coolest one.
I've got a 1973 SuperBeetle, and I got the car totally for free.
I'm working with a budget of ABOUT $3,000.
The car needs an interior restoration, as well as an exterior restoration.

The body is fine-no dents, no damage. It simply needs a paint job (Jet Black). The metal linings, the lights and the light covers, hub caps, mirrors all need very minor work.

The interior is pretty simple to fix as well.
I just want to put in some new seats-not necassarily the originals-just good ones. I'm open to ANY type of seat...but have an affinity for the race-style ones that can fit the Beetle. I'd appreciate your suggestions for the driver/passenger seats.
The dash needs to be restored cuz it's cracked and what not.

My main issues are:
_Replacement/restoration of the BACK SEAT
_Sound System
_Motor/transmission/clutch

What can I do with the back seats? Other than simply restoring it, is there a replacement? Either one piece or two seats.
In terms of a high powered sound system, what can I do with the car? Adding an amplifier, sub-woofer, and about 4 tweeters and a new head unit...can the car handle it? If not, how can I make the car handle it?

Most importantly, the engine, transmission and clutch system are the original type--and produce no more than 50 horsepower.
Does anybody have any cost-efficient suggestions for the mechanical system of the car? I'd like to bring the horsepower up to about 200, a little less is fine too.

I know this is a lot to ask for, but you all seem to be very well informed on the subject, and I'm open to anybody's suggestions.
My car is practically your car...what you tell me to do with it is what I'm going to do with it. I'd love to make it into a speedy little roadster, with a sleeper look.
I'm open to all suggestions, so please go ahead and reply.

:-) Thanks all

Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:46 am

If you plan to drive it right away number one on your priority list should be to check and service the brakes, steering, suspension, engine and transmission. Change fluids, and filters, check hoses for cracking and wear, make sure all seals and engine tins are in place, make sure no brake lines or fuel lines or brake cylinders or the fuel tank are leaking.

If you're not going to drive it right away then I suggest you cruise the forums here looking for info on engine mods and different "looks" for your beetle, and go to some VW shows to see what people are doing, and what you like.

Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:04 am

Take your pick. You will not be able to do all you listed for $3000.00. You would be looking an that amount(probably more) for an engine close to 200 hp. So what do you want to do first? Look good or drive fast? Answer that and you will know what you need to do. Have fun. I have with mine.

Tue Feb 24, 2004 11:25 am

200 hp is obtainable but at a steep price. It you do all the work you might get it under $3000. But you are talking about a highly tuned engine requiring expert machining and assembly.

High end stereo system will require a high output 75 amp alternator.
New replacement seats for the front average about 500/pair.

Like Super Vert says, get the important things fixed first such as brakes, fuel lines, move the fuel filter out of the engine compartment, and suspension. With a super you will probably experience the infamous "Super Shakes" at about 45 mph. It could indicate a rebuild of the front suspension is necessary or simply tires out of balance. These cars are very easy to knock out of alignment and are sensitive to worn out suspension parts. Check out Topline http://www.toplineparts.com/frameset.html for suspension parts.

Drive the car as is for a year or so and really get to know it, while you save the money needed to do the things you want. Start hitting the junkyards for good used parts, especially the dash pad. They are no longer available and almost every super owner wants a good one.
Start collecting catalogs from the good vendors and ask questions after you use the search function. You will probably receive a lot of BS about owning a Super but the majority of the people here have been around VWs and know them like the back of their hand. Any bad info is quickly corrected by the regulars. Ask your Super only questions here and the Super owners will attempt to help.
Above all, buy the manuals; Bentley and Muir. Muir is great for the beginner. Bentley is the official VWoA manual.
And good luck.

Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:19 pm

also you'll want to raise it up and check that the floor pans are solid otherwise you'll be doing a flintstone

Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:38 pm

Thanks everybody for your advice, and I have taken it to good consideration.

It was pretty dumb of me to assume I could fix the car up and make it a 200hp monster simply by asking how, especially a car I have not driven before. Heh...

BUT, to answer the question, I would much rather make it look good and run well with the engine it has before I begin to make alterations to the mechanic system of the car.

The engine is new, the transmission is new and the clutch are all new. Not BETTER, but just new.

I will make sure to check the fluids, the hoses, the lines, the cables, suspension, brakes and all that.
I did not get what you meant by moving the gas filter out of the back though...

So, engine work aside...what can I do to the outer appearance of the car? Anybody know of any good mechanic's shops or VW parts vendors out here in Los Angeles-aside from Junk Yards...

I'd really appreciate that info.

Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:21 pm

BeetleNewbie wrote: I'm working with a budget of ABOUT $3,000.
The car needs an interior restoration, as well as an exterior restoration.

The body is fine-no dents, no damage. It simply needs a paint job (Jet Black).

If you play your cards right, 3k can take you a long way. Check out http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=64063 and look at the paint job another Samba member did for less than $500.

The key here was that the owner removed all the trim and pretty much everything else he didn't want painted. After it was done he reassembled the car with fresh seals. The pics speak for themselves. Personally, I'd stay away from painting the car black, it's a pretty unforgiving color. If the car isn't perfect, it'll show it big time. Consider repainting the car it's original color. You can save money on not having to paint the inside of the doors and under the hoods.

As for your interior, for about $500 bucks you can get new seatcovers, door panels, a carpet kit and a new headliner. Other than the headliner, a novice can do a pretty good job installing the kit by himself.

Rocky Mountain Motor Works, CIP1, Wolfsburg West, Westcoast Metric and a host of other retailers can supply you with all you'll need in seals and trim parts to make the car look great.

Good luck and have fun. Post some before and after pics!!!

jeffrey

Wed Feb 25, 2004 8:26 am

Check to see where your fuel filter is. Probably between the fuel pump and the carb. The hose connected to the filter is prone to coming off if the fuel hose is old, after that happens pull out the wienies because you're going to have a heck of a car-b-que. Two solutions for this, either attach the fuel hose with hose clamps to the filter or relocate the filter under the engine just after the fuel line exits the pan.

Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:28 am

I came across this guy's site on a low buck beetle restoration. It shows how to build a nice driver on the cheap.

http://thomasamiller.tripod.com/volkswagenrestoration.html

jeffrey

Wed Feb 25, 2004 12:30 pm

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/138376.jpg

this paint job was under $400 after sandpaper, filler (very litle used) and paint. I sprayed it myself. Just take your time, and practice. A good paint job starts with good bodywork. (a single color will obviously be cheaper) good luck!

Fri Feb 27, 2004 6:08 pm

Thanks everybody, for all the really important advice. I'll make note of it all.

I really appreciate all the replies and the attention...now it is time to get to work restoring this baby.

I realized that I can't expect to fully restore and mod the car in one go.
I'll restore it for now, and little by little...as I get to know the car, I can start making different changes and mods to it, until eventually I can do something with the engine.

Thanks everybody...this is going to be the start of something beautiful.

Fri Feb 27, 2004 8:23 pm

BeetleNewbie wrote: I'm working with a budget of ABOUT $3,000.

I'd like to bring the horsepower up to about 200, a little less is fine too.

You better rethink your engine goals. A 200hp engine alone will cost well over $6000.

Fri Feb 27, 2004 8:33 pm

Yes, after realizing the fact the hp is only about 50 in the stock engine, and learning about the the engine type...I have quickly come to realize that even 91 hp would be a huge leap...let alone 200.
:-D