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Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:46 pm

I have the chance to purchase a completely stock 66 bug. It has some rust in the floor pans and doors. The owner says he will give me two stock german doors that are free from rust as replacements. It has the stock 1300 engine but needs a rebuild. Susp. is good but like all the car, everything should be gone over. Do you think this is a good bug to purchase?
Any help would be most appreciated.
I have the chance to purchase a 56 oval I posted in the oval section of Samba asking the same question, a 75 convert in the appropiate section along with this 66. I am wondering what is the best bug to purchase out of this group. I plan on making one of these my daily driver and just getting it stock or close to stock and running well. which one would be the best?
Again any help would be appreciated,
elian

Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:24 pm

If I had a choice between a 56 oval, a 75 vert, and a 66, I would definitely take the oval. It also depends on the shape of the vehicles. This is just my opinion....Good Luck

Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:42 pm

well i have a 66.. never owned a beetle older than a 63 but if i could id grab an oval.. if all are similar money... im not sure of conditions of the other cars.. but oval says class to me..... im not sure i could make an oval a dialy driver.. a 66 yes. the oval id not put it out to get damaged everyday in regular commutes to job & parking lots... have been hit several times in parking lot 1 time did over $3,000 damage to my truck
the vert? well it probably is a super beetle. nice to have.. fun in the sun.. but tops need replacement occasionally... but if similar conditions overall & money.. chose the oval....
cry if it gets totalled & parts will sell for more than the 66.. but im not too sure of current vert parts pricing..
Randy

Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:17 pm

Oval.

Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:21 pm

Get the oval and put a dual port 1600 and later tranny and you will have a great driver. Although it is a little harder to see behind you, but it is ALOT better view! It just don't get much better than a oval!

Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:57 am

Best is what you like best :D

Of course, it also depends what shape these cars are on, how much the owner is asking for and whether that is a fair price or not, etc. etc. etc.

I would take the oval, given that all three cars are more or less in the same condition.

Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:47 am

Ihave a 66' with a 12 volt conversion, 1600 dp . It was just a shell when I bought it for 200.00. Well it's up and running now and would'nt give anything for, But thats the oldest model I could find at the time, Give me a chance to buy an oval-----You guessed it time for the wife to give me slack.

Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:26 pm

On the other hand, nothin beats top down motoring. If you live in an area where the climate can support it, consider the vert. Trust me, I've owned VWs from the 50's, 60's and 70's. Both hard tops and sunroof's and I will always have a convertible in my life.

Although everyone loves vintage cars, the oval may not be practical as a daily driver, the '66 could be a reasonable driver but the '75 with the better suspension, better ride, more luggage and passenger room, more powerfull motor [speaking to their stock form], better electrics and a relatively more economical parts replacement, the '75 might be a better buy. Granted, replacing a top can get pricey, but properly cared for, it can last you 10 years under normal use.

So don't write off the '75 so quick.

-jeffrey

Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:11 pm

you gotta do what feels right to YOU. i bought a 66 back in January and i LOVE IT! but, i would jump on an oval in decent shape (soon as my bank account recovers). my new wife mentioned couple of weeks ago that she wouldnt mind having a vert (is it any wonder i married her..LOL). i guess the question isnt "which one should you buy"...its "which one should you buy FIRST" :D good luck!

Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:27 pm

I love my stock '66, but I would trade it for an oval if it were offered. Don't think that would get me much of one though. :(

Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:36 pm

daily driver? keeping it stock? go for the 75. thinking of restoring/modifying? 66 want to impress everyone on the samba? oval

Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:14 pm

How deep are your pockets??

Fri Apr 07, 2006 10:14 am

For a daily driver, I think a 66 would be the best choice.

A little vintage, cheaper to restore/maintain than the oval, and it has more character than the fat chick. If it were for weekend use, I'd say the oval. If it were for your wife or your 'life partner', I'd say the Fat chick vert. But, for a daily driver, I'd go with the 66.

Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:26 pm

I've resto'ed (along with many others) a 72 Convertible, 66 Hardtop and have a 57 oval. Seriously.. the cheapest car to keep going is going to be the 66 hands down. Swap it to 12v and hit the road.

BUT it all depends on the condition of each car.

Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:32 pm

I have had my '66 for 16 years now and one thing I can tell you. It is easer to get parts for then some of the older models, though I would love to have an oval as well. However, I would NEVER part with my '66.

Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:07 pm

I have had my 66 bug for 27 years and love it!

The 66 has more power than the stock 56 and is simpler and cheaper
to work on than the 75 vert.

If you want a trailer queen get the oval.

For a daily driver get the 66 and do a 6-12 conversion.

Later 66s are already 12 volts

Want more power, push the 1300 to a 1600.

Dan

Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:13 pm

Despite popular opinion, a 6volt is just as reliable as anything else as long as it is in good condition. Granted, there is a little maintenance involved. Any 6 volt (just like any other car), needs to have clean terminals to work the best. Be sure the battery terminals, body-to-engine strap is nice and clean and all fuse terminals are clean and 6 volt will serve you just fine.

FYI, I have a '65 6-volt and a '67 12-volt. They are both GREAT cars and perform as they are supposed to. Granted, I keep up with maintenance as required...

- Kent

Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:45 pm

My car was kept 6 volt for a very long time before I caved in and did the
conversion.

It had become difficult to find 6 volt batterys and parts.

The conversion also allowed the for use of a modern high powered sound system.

Dan

Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:54 pm

I'd stay away from the Super, The 66 sounds ok. IMO

Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:15 am

I have bought and also passed on a LOT of bugs..........But the only one in my entire life i regret was not buying an oval when i had the chance.........That was many years ago and i still regret it! I love my 66 but it's no oval...............