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Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:50 pm

I havent met someone who drives their VW daily for quite a while now. I see an occasional bay or super driving around by what looks like the original owners, but no younger drivers in pre 67 VWs.

If there are any still left, please list your daily commute distance and car specs.

car
engine
trans
tires
mpg
miles
satisfaction level
wish list

Heres mine

1960 sunroof
Stock 1600 DP icts, header
4.12 stock gearset
165s
27
150
love the bug!! A bit cold up north compared to socal.
Stroker engine, taller r&p/4th, dual fuel/turbo. Heater 40mpg

Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:20 pm

My commute is about 300 yards. I don't take the Bug, I take the company truck! I really should walk.
And the traffic OMG!! one day I pulled out of my driveway and a car went by!!!! I had to pause before pulling out!!!!! :lol:

Dave

Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:33 pm

Bought my '65 in July of this year and daily drove it up till last weekend when I put it in storage when winter blasted us with 4 feet of snow. I drive my Bay Window in the winter and before I got the Bug it was my year round DD. I have an '05 Saturn that just sits in the driveway most of them time....95% of my driving is in an ACVW of some sort.

1965 Beetle
Stock 40hp
Stock transmission
205/65/15 rear 145 up front
Never calculated MPG...when it needs gas, it gets it
About 20 miles round trip
LOVE IT
The one thing I REALLY want to get done is to get the bumpers back on it. Need to do some work on the front clip before I can get the front on there.

When I bought it:

Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:36 pm

VDubTech wrote: I drive my Bay Window in the winter

What are the bus specs?

Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:38 pm

In this crowd, you can bet plenty left. Mine cars are not 100% used as every day drivers, but rather than any time I can get a chance drivers. Hot, cold, dry and damp. Rebuilt to drive not decorate.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:54 pm

derluftwagen wrote: VDubTech wrote: I drive my Bay Window in the winter

What are the bus specs?

'79 Transporter I pulled out of a field in Nashville, Indiana about 3 years ago. It had sat for 11 years rotting away before I drove the 1400+ miles round trip to bring it home.
'79 Bus...custom built bed for camping
Stock 2.0L Hydraulic lifters just turned 82K miles
Stock 6 rib tranny
185/74R14 tires
About 22 MPG
I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere.

When I brought it home:

Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:55 pm

Spring through fall. Winter , it goes into hibernation, where it stays nice and dry, unlike me where I'm outside everyday at work. :lol:

Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:00 pm

VDubTech wrote:

Is that a hinged cargo door?

Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:03 pm

derluftwagen wrote: VDubTech wrote:

Is that a hinged cargo door?

Good Eye!!! That is one big Suicide door!!!
(that's also a lot of alcohol, you wouldn't want to waste any of that space in the Cube with food would you?)

Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:14 pm

bought my 66 beetle in august. has been my only means for transportation.

1966 Beetle
stock 1300
stock trans
165/15
i havent actually checked the mileage
i drive her approx 40 miles a day m-f
i love having it as my daily, im still learning, so ive had to get to used to letting it warm up, and maintaining the ol' brute
wish list: narrowed/ adj beam, jer fab spring plates, and a nice 1776 or 1915

Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:17 pm

Yep, the slider door is hinged....when the PO of the Bus parked it in the 90's the slider door was left open about a foot and a half. The slider track rotted right off the Bus. If you notice in the pic of me bringing it home on the trailer, the slider is in the Bus....I had to remove it and stuff it inside because there was nothing holding it on. I actually got this Bus from the original owner, and I still have the window sticker and all of the original manuals with it. It died on her when she moved to Indiana and she never touched it after that...parked it out in the back 40 and left it. It had a broken rotor on the original engine with 50K miles on it. I've driven it a little over 30K miles since I brought it home in January '08.
The slider door was a big obstacle to being able to actually drive it. Awful drafty with that big hole in the side. I bought a set of gate hinges and some barrel bolts from Home Depot and made it work. It's been that way for just about 3 years now. Anyone that goes to any of the shows on the East Coast has seen it. A lot of people don't even notice the door.....

Luckily the elements have made the hinges and barrel bolts blend in with the rest of the rust on the Bus so they don't stick out as much anymore.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:18 pm

Well - when you are in the northeast, there are not many that drive year round. There's a few, but not many. I park ours once the snow starts flying. I also don't like taking them out in the rain more that I have to.

My 65 type 1, essentially stock with a couple upgrades - built in 2008 and have put around 14,000 miles on it since completed.
Wife's 61 type 1 - Cal look with mild 1600 - built this April/May - about 5000 miles on it before I parked it in November.
Manx clone - got it in 2005 - only put 2000-3000 miles a year on it.

I pretty much retired at 51 3 years ago, so I don't commute anymore, but my wife still likes to go to work - About 15 miles each way.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:58 pm

I drove my daily when I first got it, til it started having engine problems about a half a year later. Driving from LA to SF multiple times can really take its toll on an old engine. Before thing started breaking down I'd avg about 50 miles everyday.

It will ride again soon! I get more excited everyday.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:58 pm

here's our 64 driven daily 40 mile round trip to work and back as well as the weekends everywhere ,its quite well known around town

Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:19 pm

Purchased my '66 3 months ago. She hasn't left me stranded..........yet! :lol:

Seablue w/platinum leatherette seats.
'68 1500cc 12v conversion.
New bosch plugs and plug wires with electronic ignition.
Brand new Brosol 30/31 Pict.
Lowered 2" with polished Empi's.
Nankang 135/15's front 165/15's rear.
Empi shifter and exhaust.

Round trip to and from work is 10.4 miles. She always starts with just a bump of the ignition.

Future intentions are:
Bring back to stock height and stance with pre '66 stock wide 5 smoothies with factory size bias ply 5.60 x 15 tires if I can find them.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:28 pm

I drive a 63-based baja with a 1600DP. Summer tires are 205/65/15 and winters are 205/70/15. The daily commute is about 22 miles of 2-lane blacktop. Summer mileage is 32-34 mpg, winter is around 30 mpg but varies more due to weather.

Max

Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:34 pm

my daily driver 365/24/7 whenever i go someplace. it is what i own.

prior to my 65 bus/camper i drove this.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:44 pm

56 RHD uk oval still 6V and being euro spec semaphores
original 36hp
Split case tranny
4" beam, drop spindles, 2 splines,
I have disc spindles and discs to fit when its a bit warmer as well so i can loose the horrible adapters. (and get some tuck back)
145 / 195 tyres
mpg no idea :P
80 k original
I really do enjoy driving it every day.
The only thing that winds me up is the windscreen steaming up.

Wish list- some sort of vintage speed engine

Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:55 pm

I bought my '70 bug a little over a year ago and it has been my daily driver since the day I bought it, even thru the winter.

1600 dp engle 110 cam, bugpack header with hideaway muffler. otherwise stock.

Stock tranny

165/80/15s

Anywheres from 24-28 mpg

I have put on just over 5,000 miles since boughten

I love this car, i have more fun with it than my nice restored '66 bug

I hope to build a mild 1776 once this engine dies.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:06 pm

I drive my 73 Thing to work everyday. Our winters are fairly mild, and they don't use salt in our rural area. The top needs replacing, but it still keeps out most of the elements. It is a small time celebrity in our little town. People recognize me from driving around town in it with my dog Buster in the back (he is the celebrity!).