What's worse? Engine work or body work?

[jinx758]

Yes, do verify VIN under back seat to title.

I've owned my '71 Standard for 10+ years. It has had the front replaced from half the front wheel well forward. I have a '72&up steering wheel. There's a slight gap under passenger frunk lid. It was done fairly well cuz I didn't notice till 2018 or so.
I don't care.
My chassis VIN matches the title.
I have a running, driving, stopping ACVW.
I'd rather look like poo but drive back home than be pretty on the side of the road.

In the driving video the steering wheel is cocked to one side but it does not pop out of gear. Strike one - plus one.
I hope the OG metal didn't get so hot that the molecular structure shifted. I think it would become brittle. Perhaps a few parts may thunk instead of ping if tested.

Ultimately up to you, we can only post advice or warnings

Good luck ... stay safe

jinx
_________________
" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford

It's not unlike the same difference ...

My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor

[viiking]

[bugger-off]

The '68 is too Frankenstein for me. What other weird shit will you find down the road that is missing or incorrect?

I'm looking at the photo of the engine so riddle me this: If the '68 was damaged by an engine fire, why in holy hell would anyone STILL place the fuel filter on the wrong side of the firewall?? I mean, it's right next to the distributor!! Someone didn't learn an important lesson.

I still say 'keep looking'. Find something that is clean and isn't all piecemealed together. I don't think there's any such thing as an unmolested bug but you should be able to find something less Frankensteined.

Spend more now on a bug instead of on parts in the near future for shit that needs to be fixed or replaced. Too many red flags.

[CoastalBug]

[Bobs67vwagen]

Keep in mind that all of these comments and info are to try to keep your mind open to things that may be overlooked when buyers "fever" takes over. We have all been there at one time or another. The final decision is yours and will be yours to live with good or bad. If you decide to wait for a different car, try to narrow down what years you like the best and what years you do not like. There is plenty of info to help you on this site through the search button. There are still enough on these cars around to find a mostly original car for a bit more money. Bob

[bugger-off]

[Schepp]

There's no logical reason someone would swap out the entire steering system of an older beetle for a newer year model unless it was in an accident and that's all they could find to fix it.

If the car runs decent, shifts smoothly and drives straight. If all your looking for is a daily driver, not an original car. Something to fix up and drive. Then for 3k I don't see a reason not to buy it. Even with all the wrong parts on it.

After 50+ years these cars are hardly original anymore. People often swapped out parts from various years just to get them back on the road. People often forget that and knit pick the details. If a car was being sold for high dollar, sure details matter. For this car they don't but it does provide some history of what the car has been through. Hats off to the folks who put in the effort to keep it on the road vs send it to the crusher.

[KTPhil]

[OldSchoolVW's]

[Bobs67vwagen]

Agree 100 percent with oldschoolvws comments. All of these items were pointed out to help a first time buyer of an old vw understand more fully what he is buying. Starting off knowing some changes made to the car might give the buyer some knowledge which might be used to try and negotiate a better deal. Growing up on Long Island there was a clothing retailer whose sales slogan was "an educated consumer is our best customer". I think this applies here as it never hurts to gain additional knowledge in any endeavor.

[CoastalBug]

[Buggeee]

[Buggeee]

Also, my plans for this bug, which I have already imaginarily purchased in my mind, is to clean and clear the paint exactly as it is - that burn scar is a cool part of the history of a fire-engine red Texas bug.

You don't see bugs like this in Ohio. If it was up here in Ohio my wife would be picking out another dog already, which is how the scales get balanced in my world.

I really like the color and the patina on this one.

P.S. the rear apron looks to have bondo filler from the picture, but that wouldn't stop me. The pans, just look at those pans.
_________________
Big Time 1988 Vanagon Westy
Release the Krankenwagen! 1966 Sportsmobile Camper
Dr. Kompressor 72 Super Duper
61 Turkis Pile (adopted out)

[CoastalBug]

[CoastalBug]

[Schepp]

I couldn't agree more on pointing out the details to a first time buyer. The more he knows the better. Its also a good bargaining chip.

As a first time owner myself, I researched a ton before even going to look at cars in person. What to look for etc. It paid off in finding a good starting car for my build.

Now that the guy has this new knowledge he can make his own choice.

Every potential new VW buyer needs to know right off the bat that the majority of these cars are held together with parts from various years. That's a big factor in why there are so many still on the road.

[viiking]

Yes. My earlier post alerting the OP to the 68 differences were not intended to criticise but to point out what may or may not be original.

As others have said it can be a pitfall for new owners to buy parts for Beetles based solely on appearances or what may be advertised. Sometimes these "errors" can be perfectly legitimate other times perhaps not so.

Caveat emptor.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[Cusser]

[CoastalBug]

Welp, I did it. Heading home with her now. The lack of rust on this car is AMAZING! The only area of concern is a silver dollar sized hole in the battery tray, otherwise you can pound on any part of the car without a speck of rust falling off. I have never ridden in one before but MAN driving it was SOOOOO fun!!

[bsairhead]