What do you think of the '62 in this ad?

[Koeppler]

My wife has always wanted a black bug with a red interior and she's recently come into a couple of dollars. What do you 58-67 masters think of the car in this ad (other than the dinged up rear fenders)?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1255448

[Nubby]

I would ask if it was stored inside or out if he is second owner. Does your wife want to restore it or drive it?

[Chris659]

Doesn't seem bad. I would ask for pics of underneath the car, engine area, and so forth to see if there's any rust underneath. Regardless if it was stored for long time, it is in the south east with high humidity so no telling what it looks like under there

[Koeppler]

[lovethatconvertible]

It has 4 Screw door hinges, I thought they stopped that after 1960? Car looks pretty good. I see some Paint checking on the front fender. But your biggest concern is Rust, so you need to see some more Pictures of the Fender wells, Engine Compartment would be nice to see, Spare tire area. The back Bumper looks like it's seen some kind of impact. Maybe he can come down on the price if he's motivated? It also has a hard to find rear deck lid, which I thought was a Late 63' Style. But hey what do I know. Beetle Has some Vibe to it, I like it.

[Nubby]

Just make sure you check the heater channel areas, under rear seat at wheel wells. Floor pans are easy to replace. Could be a fun project together!

[Harris]

No enough photos. Need inside shots to see how the headliner was done and shots of the engine and underneath. Rebuilt engine is not enough info. Who rebuilt it and what specifically was done. Is the engine orig? If so did the builder go back with the round boss heads---not something I would want.

Looks Ok in the photos posted for the money. It's what you don't know that can cost you later.

[gt1953]

Um the emergency brake needs adjustment hmm that could mean a lot of things. Go look and see it in person.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Find one keep it Stock. You will be glad you did.
PS Wife wants a Type 3 Fastback

[hitest]

[pdivizzle0112]

[glutamodo]

It was in April 62 they changed the hinge holes.

The car looks solid from what I can see. But that listing sure could use more photos!

[allsidius]

Those beetle prices surely have gone up in later years if this is worth 4500. Looks like a nice starting point, but after a paint job, repairing dents etc, not counting a complete brake replacement if it has been stored for years, I don't see it fetching much more that 5 grand.
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1973 1303S w sunroof
1978 1303 convertible (sold)
1966 1300 RIP

[Koeppler]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm a late model guy so I'm glad someone was able to point out the accuracy of the '62 features on the car. I'd love to go and have a look at it but it's about a 24hr drive away from me so if I'm gonna look, I want to be sure it's worth it!

I'm a little confused about why the seller would say that the driver's rear 1/4 panel is dinged when it's clearly the rear fender that's damaged.

I also think it's strange he mentions that the heater boxes are intact but need to be reconnected. Of all the things he could have mentioned, why the heater boxes?

I sent the seller an email two days ago asking for more pictures but I haven't heard back yet. If I don't hear by today, I'll try calling the # in the ad or have my wife write to him with a little charm.

A few more questions.....What would be the purpose/reason of the hole in the dash just underneath the radio in this picture? Seems like a knob is missing. Also, do you think that could be a tachometer to the left of the speedo or is that a reflection of something else? And how about that driver's seat? Does that need to be restuffed or what?

[Jody '71]

I don't think that hole was for anything original. It could have been drilled out for a variety of reasons/applications. The driver's seat probably has bad innards. Most original seats do unless they've been refurbished. I myself personally would not purchase that car without looking at it first.
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'66 Beetle
'71 Westy Camper
'95 Passat V6 GLX Wagon

[jhicken]

Just call him and ask for more pictures and specifically of the damage. Ask about rust. If there is no significant rust issues, then it would be worth the trip. If you have a tow vehicle, rent a trailer and take the time to go down and pick it up yourself. Or at least go down to inspect the car in person. It's hard to argue any issues after you have paid to have the car shipped home. $4500 isn't a deal, if it's solid, you are paying for an original black and red car. If it is solid, and runs well, you could put a little more into it to freshen it up a bit and have a nice little car for your gal to drive around in and a good base to restore in the future.

Personally when I look at VW's, I focus specifically on the body and the cosmetics. "rebuilt" engines and transmissions are always a crapshoot. A few years ago I bought '69 with only 19k on the clock. Put another 5000 miles on it before the motor spun a bearing. So you never know. But in this case, I paid $2500 for it without a speck of rust. Here in the Northeast, that's gold my friend.

-jeffrey

-jeffrey
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Central Jersey Volkswagen Society
Vintage Volkswagen Club of America, New Jersey Chapter

[drs1023]

I remember seeing a car almost exactly like that one last summer somewhere in the Atlanta area. Acworth is a short drive north of Atlanta. Now it may not be the same car, but it looked solid from the outside. It was sitting at a business, and I walked over to look at it. I specifically remember the starred paint on the passenger front fender. I remember thinking that it "looked" all original from the outside.

I didn't climb in, over, under, around or through it because it wasn't at a car show, and I didn't check the engine. Then again, it could have been a different car altogether.

I wouldn't drive 24 hours to look at a $4500 car either, but you may consider letting a professional appraise it for you. Search for Auto Appraisal - Atlanta, and you'll find a bunch of people eager to give the car a once over for you (for a fee of course).

[steven wardlaw]

I just purchased my 62 turkis in the town of Lagrange Ga. back in the fall. It had a 20 year old repaint with window seals and seat covers replaced. It did look better than this one but looks can hide all sorts of things needing fixed. I paid more than $4500 for mine and then added 2 grand in parts that needed replced and I would not sell it for what I have in it.
Don't buy it without knowing it needs love and by love I mean MONEY.
Can't go wrong with a 62. But it and have fun.

[tasb]

Challenge the seller to send you a few pics of the rust. If they say there is none then I would keep looking elsewhere.
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Roads Scholar & distributor restorations
1956 oval third owner 36 hp
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equiped M 178
1960 sunroof beetle owned since 1991 36 hp
1965 hrdtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc