Absolute newbie looking for advice on buying a Super Beetle.

[robxlii]

Hello! I am a complete beginner when it comes to the world of aircooled Volkswagens. I've wanted a Beetle since I was a kid and now, 40+ years later, it seems like it might be the right time.

I have some friends on the West Coast who have a beloved 1977/1979 Super Beetle convertible, and they're ready to let it go to a new home. I'm 99% sure I'm going to buy it from them but I wanted to check with some shade-tree experts first.

The car is a 1979 body on a 1977 frame and engine. The body was replaced in the 2010s by a shop in WA after the pans had completely rusted out. Currently there doesn't appear to be a lot of rust on the body -- a large spot near the bottom corner of the windshield, one at the bottom front of the driver's door, and some other spots in common places. I've attached a few photos.

The engine was rebuilt about 6 years ago and the current owners report no problems. I've got ten years of service records and it appears to me that they have loved this car very much and taken good care of it, though it's not nearly in show condition.

He hasn't quoted me a price and I haven't asked. I suppose that's the next step, but I'm wondering what the folks here might think. Happy to provide further information, to the extent that I have it. Thank you in advance!

-Rob Liguori

[Glenn]

Rust is $$$$ to fix, but if you only plan on driving it and not restoring it, for the right price it could be fun.

Rust never sleeps and what you can see might be the tip of the iceberg.
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[robxlii]

Oh, this would be purely for fun, something to drive around my beach town in the summertime. (My home is far enough away from the shore - 10 miles or so - that I don't think I need to worry about salt air, but tell me if I'm wrong.)

I know rust can be a killer, and I know it can be a pain to fix. But if I'm not trying to restore this car, is it something that I can just pay careful attention to and manage on my own?

Thanks so much for your reply.

[Glenn]

[67rustavenger]

Some of those rust bubbles on the vert, are worse than you might think.
Rust, really cannot be managed per se. It will have to be addressed eventually.

The pans appear to have been replaced. VW (dealers?) undercoated their pans very well. When the cars were new.

The damaged paint on the pass door under the mirror, was caused by careless mirror adjustment wrench work, the dented aluminum trim damage was caused at the same time as the door paint.

For an east coast car. I have heard that, this is minimal rust damage.
Us left coasters, turn the other way when we see that kind of bubbling under the paint.
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[Tom K.]

Just know that unseen rust is about 20 times the amount of bubbling seen rust. Hopefully it's still structurally sound to have fun with for a few years. I would need to see the car in person based on those pictures I would poke a screwdriver everywhere inside and out to be sure no crunch areas. Just know that the rust *could* be very very bad. Don't spend more than about $7.5k.
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[jinx758]

Howdy ... and welcome !

Agree with others above about rust, a 3x1.75" spot could need a 7x4" patch to get to sound metal - as long as it is confined to a single panel. There are tons of pieces spot welded together to make a section.
You mostly showed topside stuff. I'd like to see the wheel well areas as well.
I personally don't care that my bug is a 100 footer craigslist rescue. I've corrected the systems to make it safe(ish) & driveable. I am happy to drive my POS.

The only VIN that matters is the one stamped on the top of the chassis under the rear seat when it comes to a title. You mentioned the body was bolted to a refurbished chassis. This may not matter in CT.

Does it still retain the Fuel Injection ?
If sorted out, that is a very reliable system but very few auto shops know how to diagnose &/or fix it these days.

Please don't drive it on salted roads.

This sounds like a well loved bug & could serve you well, just want you to be happy with your choice.

Best luck ... stay safe

jinx

PS -
Click on my profile link & you can view pics of my POS. This will work on any profile.
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[agramer1966]

Well mantained car schould not have rust like this in warm climate. By the looks of bubbling, specially door, you might be in need of expensive repairs soon.
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[mg50]

If you're not doing a restoration, and the price is right, I would say rust be damned and drive it as is for a few years, keeping it dry. All depends on the price. As an older geezer that's my thought.

[GreeneHoosier]

If the price is right, you can live with the looks and have a dry place to store it then it would be a no-brainer. The verts are fun but a top replacement is a budget killer, FYI. Good luck!
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[robxlii]

First, thanks everyone! Super helpful tips. I guess rust is really, really a concern! Fortunately I’m well into middle age and finally have a “toys” budget (and a very understanding wife), so if I have to spend a few thousand to deal with rust, I don’t mind. I feel good about this particular Beetle otherwise because the owners are good and trustworthy people. Yes, the fuel injection still works! The top is in good shape too, but the headliner is falling apart.

The car is titled as a 1977. In CT I don’t believe a title is required for cars of this age.

If I could get it for $7500, and threw another $2500 or so into it to fix or replace rusty body panels, would that make good sense? Or am I better off looking for a better-preserved example, and closer to CT? (Shipping the car cross country will cost about $1600.)

Thanks all. Very happy to have found this forum!

[Lost69Convertible]

Rob - what are trying to buy? What do you want?

Do you want to drive? And do you want a driver quality Beetle? Assuming this car has no dangerous structural rust, you can keep it dry and saturate the rust spots with Fluid Film (the delaying game). Have fun and drive it.

Or do you want a big project that goes on for years with no driving? Once you start pulling the car apart and cutting out that rust, you’re most likely to have a big long term project.
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1979 Super Beetle Convertible

[heimlich]

[heimlich]

[radstude]

Its hard to see, is it on a convertible pan?
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[TDCTDI]

Run away!


Pan & body discrepancies for needing pan halves is a big red flag.


Rust blistering & rot at the bottom of the doors puts that turd in the $3,000-$4,000 range at best.



Find a better car, from a better region. You’d be much better off spending the $10,000 up front for a solid car.



Are you doing the rust repair or farming it out? If you’re paying someone to do it, find out what their hourly is, & do the math from there. $2,500 ain’t gonna go far. Hell, that won’t put new paint on what you got now.
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[Tom K.]

Go visit your friends and take a long look at that car before buying it. Pay complete attention to the rust areas. Try to pull up the carpet and see. Look behind the wheels. You posted lots of pictures of the pan, but the pan is not the real problem area on these cars. It's the heater channels and shock towers and behind the back seat that matters.
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'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[robxlii]

Ugh, I appreciate the rusty advice from everyone. I'm going to get more pictures of the sills and other hidden areas. It's kind of a shame because when it comes to something like this I'd rather buy from friends I can trust. And I'm really not a stickler for condition -- I'm just worried that the rust that's already here is going to become a serious problem in a few years, even if I only drive in the summer sun.

Maybe I'll have a look around the classifieds here...thanks again everybody.

-Rob

[VW_Jimbo]

Find another Bug. That rust is in a bad spot for a convertible. You have about $4000 in metal work to do. Then another $2500 in body work and primer. Then another $2000 for paint. Then you will need to reassemble the car….$6000 more, because you know you will need to replace most of the rubber parts.

If you are only going to drive it, find a better candidate. There are a few, if you have patience.

Here you go! https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2574251
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[iowegian]

The subject car is a Super Beetle (a breed of cat with which I have zero experience). But---considering the rust issue that this car has, is it likely to have serious problems with the front struts?
Perhaps an earlier car would be simpler for a "newbie".
Here is an example----if it is as dry as the seller says it is---that could fill the bill
for 10 grand delivered.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2598593