TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed May 12, 2004 11:41 am

Hello everyone. I have a chance to get a 1974 Super Beetle for free...yes you heard right...for free. But at that price there is a catch..she isn't in the best of shape. She has seen better days. Question I have is how can I tell if the car is worth taking on as a project? Anything specific to look for? I know the guy getting rid of the car so I don't feel like he would "take me for a ride."

Also being new to the aircooled side of VW. How hard are these things to work on? This car won't be used as a daily driver, more like a weekend cruiser. I currently own a 1995 Jetta and used to own a 1983 Rabbit GTI.

Well I've rambled on long enough. Thanks for your time.

:D

Wed May 12, 2004 11:48 am

Start by reading this very good article on how to buy a bug:

http://www.thebugshop.org/gocontrb.htm

Then make sure you plan to spend at least a few hours looking over the bug looking at the things mentioned in the article. Yeah, it's going to be free but I can assure you that if it needs a lot of work, the fact you got it for free isn't going to matter a whole lot. If you're not handy with welding, fixing heater channels and rusted body panels is going to cost thousands.

That being said, I think aircooleds are a lot easier to work on than more modern cars. A lot more stuff is bolted together and is easier to get at. There's a lot less fancy electronics and a lot more just plain mechanical things.

Good luck. Not often you get a freebie.

Wed May 12, 2004 7:10 pm

I think you ment to point him to here http://www.thebugshop.org/gotech.htm. Read the first couple of articles in the Tech Help section. Like 79Supervert said, start here.

Also consider picking up John Muirs "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive". It has a great chapter on how to buy a VW, and what to look for. It's also a must have service manual if you decide to take it. It's well written and perfect for the novice.

good luck

-jeffrey