TheSamba.com :: View topic - My new 71 SB Survivor

Sat May 26, 2012 1:24 pm

Just drove my new purchase - 71 SB one owner survivor all the way from California back to Ontario Canada - over 3500 miles!

No major issues - used almost no oil, had a flat in AZ and replaced all the tires since they were old.

Looking the car over for what needs to be done. I replaced a leaking steering dampener this afternoon. Have a new windshield to install. Replaced the front seat pads and covers and have the seat cover for the rear.

Need to give it an oil change and tune-up.

I have attached some photos for feedback. Need to replace the outside left window scraper seal, and it looks like some of the rubber on the front end is cracked - so need opinions on that. Master cylinder has surface rust - not sure if that is normal.

I want to preserve the car rather than restore since it is such a good one owner survivor. Everything is stock.

Sat May 26, 2012 1:46 pm

Really nice and clean, mind if I ask how much you payed usd?

Sat May 26, 2012 1:49 pm

damn nice car for original condition. Nice find!

Sat May 26, 2012 1:55 pm

This car reminds me of the 71 SB I bought - very similar shape. Of course I bought my 71 in 1980. It was Ivory - or cream colored. I painted it royal blue and drove it over 200,000 miles over the next 15 years - replacing the motor once after rebuilding it once - and replaced the transaxle at about 220,000 (actual) miles. It had 114,000 miles on it when I bought it so it had almost 340,000 miles on it when I sold it. The kid that bought it drove it daily for quite some time so I imagine that car could have had half a million miles on it before it expired. Tough cars!

Sat May 26, 2012 1:58 pm

OLD VW NUT wrote: This car reminds me of the 71 SB I bought - very similar shape. Of course I bought my 71 in 1980. It was Ivory - or cream colored. I painted it royal blue and drove it over 200,000 miles over the next 15 years - replacing the motor once after rebuilding it once - and replaced the transaxle at about 220,000 (actual) miles. It had 114,000 miles on it when I bought it so it had almost 340,000 miles on it when I sold it. The kid that bought it drove it daily for quite some time so I imagine that car could have had half a million miles on it before it expired. Tough cars!

Wow, my bug has 300k miles on it now! You drove the heck outa that car!

Sat May 26, 2012 2:00 pm

Tompkins wrote: Really nice and clean, mind if I ask how much you payed usd?

I got it for 5K - a great price IMHO. Put $480 into new tires and about $400 for parts at WW so far - so 6K if you include that stuff...

Sat May 26, 2012 2:02 pm

Well worth that. Virtually no rust I can see.

Sat May 26, 2012 2:04 pm

Tompkins wrote: Well worth that. Virtually no rust I can see.

Yup - it is 100% rust free. I'm more than happy with the condition.

Sat May 26, 2012 2:23 pm

ERIC WC wrote:

What an awesome time warp.

You know it's had an easy sheltered life when it still has almost perfect 71 only rear flow through vent covers

Sat May 26, 2012 2:48 pm

Congratulations on your fine car, and the guts to drive it back home without having "confidence time". You must've had a fun drive! What speeds did you run and cruise on the highways?

Just paint the wheels silver and it'll be a real gem.

Sat May 26, 2012 3:03 pm

Rome wrote: Congratulations on your fine car, and the guts to drive it back home without having "confidence time". You must've had a fun drive! What speeds did you run and cruise on the highways?

Just paint the wheels silver and it'll be a real gem.

When we had the original (14-year old) tires we were running about 55 mph, because over that there was a shimmy. After getting the new tires we were able to run faster and no shimmy. We kept to around 60 mph for the most part, but it could cruise no problem at 65 or more. I think the fastest we had it was about 75.

I did not want to push it - my original 71 SB - I used to drive the crap out of (I was in college). I'm babying this one...

Sat May 26, 2012 3:04 pm

How many miles are on that car?
I bought a new one in 70 -- same color - drove it up and down the Washington Oregon California coast for 125,000 miles - left from Spokane Fridays and back to work by Monday

Rock ON!

Sat May 26, 2012 3:05 pm

Joel wrote:
What an awesome time warp.

You know it's had an easy sheltered life when it still has almost perfect 71 only rear flow through vent covers

They look perfect, but they are pretty brittle. I'm sure if I did anything to them they would fall apart.

Sat May 26, 2012 3:05 pm

JerryMCarter1 wrote: How many miles are on that car?
I bought a new one in 70 -- same color - drove it up and down the Washington Oregon California coast for 125,000 miles - left from Spokane Fridays and back to work by Monday

Rock ON!

Car had a little over 81,000 original miles when I picked it up, and has a little less than 85,000 now.

Sat May 26, 2012 3:36 pm

Nice find Eric!
Sounds like you had a memorable trip home too. I too drive a '71 Super; also a true survivor, which I drive every day year 'round.
Since you're Canadian, I highly recommend looking into Krown rust proofing. http://www.krown.com/
It's not available in the US, but every November, I drive across the border to Windsor to have my car re-sprayed. After 3 Michigan Winters, I've seen zero ill effects from road salt, etc.
Sometimes I drive to the VW show in Kitchener; maybe I'll see you there.
Good luck, Mondshine

Sat May 26, 2012 3:39 pm

what a find-- I still can hardly believe it !
---------

:D :D :D

Make sure to dump the oil every 3000 ( run synthetic ),,and valve adjusts about every 3,000-- and have not fear of plugs and dist parts.
Easy on the clutch
you good for 150 or more for sure

Sat May 26, 2012 7:13 pm

mondshine wrote: Nice find Eric!
Sounds like you had a memorable trip home too. I too drive a '71 Super; also a true survivor, which I drive every day year 'round.
Since you're Canadian, I highly recommend looking into Krown rust proofing. http://www.krown.com/
It's not available in the US, but every November, I drive across the border to Windsor to have my car re-sprayed. After 3 Michigan Winters, I've seen zero ill effects from road salt, etc.
Sometimes I drive to the VW show in Kitchener; maybe I'll see you there.
Good luck, Mondshine

I'm not going to be driving it in the winter - strictly a fair weather summer car and garaged in the winter. I couldn't subject an original California car to any Canadian winter, but good idea to Krown Rust it if it is a daily driver for sure.

Sat May 26, 2012 7:23 pm

Beautiful car! Nice to see another Beetle in Ontario!

I have a customer who bought a totally original '71 Super from California last spring and drove it back here as well... when he brought it to me for a safety, it needed nothing for a safety inspection.

I'll do this one day!

Sat May 26, 2012 8:42 pm

nice car...great color

Sun May 27, 2012 4:24 am

Wow is all I got to say! Take care of her!