Aquifer's '67 Beetle Thread

[aquifer]

I've already posted a few pictures and asked specific questions of the group - thank you! - and I'll continue to do that as I work on my project.

This thread will be a general diary or timeline of what I'm doing with the car. I bought the car in August 2024.

The car is very original, with the original chassis, engine, and transmission. It is in very good condition, with very minimal rust. The color is L518 Java Green. My plan is to leave the car in its mostly-preserved current condition, and only fix what is needed and what comes up here and there, rather than any kind of a major restoration.

Here are a few early observations:

1. I bought the car knowing that it jumps out of reverse. I pulled the shift rod out and replaced the tunnel bushing and the coupler and adjusted the shift plate, hoping that maybe I'd get lucky. It did help, in the sense that it was at least possible to hold it in reverse, but it didn't want to stay in reverse. I couldn't live with it so I pulled the engine and took the transmission to a shop to have it gone through.

2. The carpet has been replaced with an ill-fitting kit. I have sent off to Wolfsburg West for carpet swatches at the suggestion of another member. I plan to order the correct color kit, and I will replace the aftermarket carpet on the floor with the original grey rubber mat.

3. At some point in the distant past, the paint was touched up. I don't think it was a total repaint, and it's pretty faded now. They did a fair job though, and it looks original, so I'm planning to leave it alone.

4. I believe the engine may have been rebuilt at some point, mainly because the tinwork has been painted, and the engine compartment rubber seals seem new-ish. I haven't done a compression test or anything, but it doesn't smoke or drip excessive amounts of oil.

Here are a few pictures from when I first bought the car in August of 2024. I will post other pictures in this thread as I go along:

_________________
Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown).

[aquifer]

I owned a 67 Beetle for about 30 years before selling it around 2012. I rarely drove it anymore, and I convinced myself that I needed to sell it. It was the same L518 Java Green as this one is.

I have regretted that decision since the day I cashed the check. I still know the family who bought it, and I have told them a few times that if they ever want to sell it, I would be interested in buying it back. I have no doubt they would contact me, but the problem is they don't want to sell it - which is fine.

Anyway, I restored that 67 myself in the late 1990's. It was a complete body-off project, although I didn't need to do much to the engine or transmission. I completely rewired the car myself using an oem-replica wiring kit.

Almost everything was ordered from BFY Obsolete Parts, back before they were sold and ran into the ground. At the time, they were immensely helpful and they had mostly OEM parts, which is what I always prefer. Too bad they went out of business, but I understand that it became a dumpster fire in the later years.

That first 67 was not as original as this one. When I first bought it in the early 80's, we put orange shag carpet everywhere on the inside. I was going to paint it candyapple red or something, to make it look like ZZ Top's Eliminator! That part didn't happen, but it was just a used car in those days so I didn't think much of it.

When I restored it, I made an effort to return it to as original as possible. It was a daily driver off and on over the decades for me.

So, that's a little background about my VW history! Knowing what I know now, I would have kept the first 67 completely original, and would have never sold it!

Edited to add: back in the late 90's when I was restoring my car, the internet wasn't as big of a deal as it is now, but I was part of the Volkswebbin' forum which was very helpful. I think the Samba was around back then too, but I don't remember if I was part of this group at the time.
_________________
Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown).

[67conv]

Nice looking '67! Java green was a great color for 1967. You should be happy to know that it still has the factory-original front fenders. Have fun with your project. Keep those pictures coming!
_________________
1967 VW Convertible, owned 35 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned 21 years.

PREVIOUS: 1972 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Beetle bought NEW @ Pierce VW in Denver; 1979 Super Beetle Convertible bought NEW @ Downtown LA VW; 1967 type 1 savanna beige; 1967 Porsche 2.0 911S; 1973 Porsche 2.4 911T; 1963 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 1964 356 SC sunroof coupe; 1972 Type-3 Squareback; 1968 + 1969 Type-3 Fastbacks; 1987 Vanagon GL Weekender

[irvanm]

What a great car. Congratulations.

[The Pilch]

That's a nice car, I always love a 67 so I'll be tuned in watching your adventure!
_________________
'85 Vanagon GL, weekender package, 1.9 wbx named Freddie/ '61 Beetle named Ringo/ '78 Dodge Monaco which is nothing like the Bluesmobile so please don't cast that oily rag upon it.

[scrivyscriv]

Of course I’m subscribed to this topic!!
_________________
Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[wcfvw69]

Congrats on your new to you 67' bug. Post a picture or two of the engine.


I have a 67' bug as well that I totally restored. It was a very unmolested stock bug w/about 150k original miles. I went through all the mechanicals and then re-painted it the same color.

I've owned a lot of different year VW's over the decades. The 67' bug is by far my favorite year.

Here's a picture-

_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

40+ years of VW repair, and VW parts and vehicle restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[aquifer]

I appreciate the comments, thank you!

Here are a few pictures of the engine/transmission removal on the path to repair the reverse gear.

Edited to add: I have already pulled the shroud off and rotated the generator so the wires are at the 2:00 position - at the suggestion of a forum member in another thread.

It’s surface rust, but I’m going to wire wheel it and probably put a coat of POR15 on it for safe keeping.

My research shows that the engine, transaxle, and chassis were all built in the first few months of the 67 model year, in late 1966. I ordered a birth certificate from VW but I haven’t received it yet.

I’m getting old and kinda heavy, so I put this wire on the board so I could slide it out of the pickup when I got to the shop without climbing in the box.

_________________
Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown).

[aquifer]

A few more pictures of the transaxle and starter. I’m 99% sure the starter is original and had never been out of the car. I’m having it rebuilt even though it seemed to work fine. It is 57 years old, after all!

This is what’s left of the reverse gear I’m pretty sure!

The hole wasn’t quite that big, I just stuck my finger in there and tore it open more.

Some pictures of the engine. I rerouted the fuel line and removed the clutch and flywheel to assess the condition. The pressure plate and clutch disk look ok, but the flywheel looks like it’s been hot. The clutch has a bit of chatter, so I’m going to install a new flywheel, gland nut, clutch disk, and pressure plate. I’ll replace the crank seal and O ring too.

The fuel line is one piece, but I split a couple pieces of hose and clamped them on the line in order to hold the line in place a little better.

_________________
Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown).

[Redfox86]

Interesting to read though, I’ve recently bought a European 67 Beetle but it’s far from correct specifications. I will be spending the next few years gradually putting it back to the correct specifications.

I think I recognise your “forum handle” from Jaguar Forums.I used to be quite active on there as “Stu 1986” until quite recently when I sold my 00 XJR.

[aquifer]

[wcfvw69]

Your engine looks very original and correct. The items on the engine that are incorrect are the coil, the fuel pump, and the carb isn't correct. It's also also missing the bracket the connects the oil bath to the carb mount.

The original Bosch coils were shorter in length. When Bosch was still selling the replacement 12 volt coils, they were longer. Folks just painted the new coils black and installed the reproduction 12volt coil decal.

The original carb was a German Solex 30-1 with a base flange number of 105-1. Those are one of the best carbs VW used. [email protected] sells them beautifully rebuilt. Looking at the vacuum canister on your distributor, it looks like the 113905205K distributor which was used in 1966-67.

The 67 bugs had a German Pierburg square top fuel pump. I sell them and rebuilt customers original pumps.

Here's a link if you need one down the road- https://www.sparxwerks.com/product/german-pierburg...amp;q=true

Keep updating your thread as you bring that 67 back to life.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

40+ years of VW repair, and VW parts and vehicle restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[aquifer]

[67conv]

The bracket connects at the air cleaner, as you said, then it extends downward and connects again (small 6mm bolt) to a second bracket piece which in turn connects to the rear intake manifold /carb mounting flange stud and nut. The aftermarket carbs have protrusions and interference which prevent the fitting of this bracket properly for the most part.
_________________
1967 VW Convertible, owned 35 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned 21 years.

PREVIOUS: 1972 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Beetle bought NEW @ Pierce VW in Denver; 1979 Super Beetle Convertible bought NEW @ Downtown LA VW; 1967 type 1 savanna beige; 1967 Porsche 2.0 911S; 1973 Porsche 2.4 911T; 1963 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 1964 356 SC sunroof coupe; 1972 Type-3 Squareback; 1968 + 1969 Type-3 Fastbacks; 1987 Vanagon GL Weekender

[aquifer]

@wcfvw69:

I looked at your restored fuel pumps. Looks like they have an internal filter/screen? Are those replaceable, and are replacements still available?

Thanks again for the tips.
_________________
Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown).

[aquifer]

[aquifer]

The car came with one of those plastic aftermarket wiring covers. Every time I walked by the trunk I had to avert my eyes due to the pain.

I didn't know they made OEM replica wiring covers, but the instant I discovered it, I ordered one from Wolfsburg West. I chose the "next millisecond" shipping option to reduce my exposure to the problem. Ha. I ordered the replica floor cover too, but I haven't installed it yet because I might just keep the original mat in there. Either way I won't discard the original one.

The new cardboard wiring cover looks a little too clean for the car, but at least I am able to sleep better with the correct (ish) cardboard cover in place. It will get dirty over time and look correct.

The first picture is actually from the PO's ad. I'm not always good about taking "before" pictures for some reason, so this is the only picture I have of the plastic wiring cover in place. The other two are of the replica cardboard cover.

_________________
Parts needed:
Front & rear NOS or used OEM door panels for a '67 in the original Gazelle color (dark tan/light brown).

[67conv]

[wcfvw69]

[Redfox86]