Good idea? 1969 Baja Bug

[FlorezNOVA]

Good morning everyone! Thanks for letting me join the community here.

Never had a Volkswagen before. I have some classic Datsuns, Toyotas, and I've spent years around old Land Rovers. Recently somebody offered me this 1969 Baja bug as a trade for something I've been selling on marketplace. I think it looks awesome. I'm going to go up and have a look at it this week, but I was hoping to get some advice on what to look for... Trouble areas... Things that stand out to you guys as good or bad... And try to ultimately determine the value on this thing to see if it's a good trade.

I have a couple photos. The seller sent a video and it sounds like it does all the right things from a cold startup. Thanks in advance for any feedback or suggestions!

Cheers
WD

[Cusser]

Well, it's a later-than-1969 dual port engine, so I'd say at least 1600cc. Has alternator, and looks like a progressive Weber carburetor.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Bobs67vwagen]

That's a nice looking Baja build there. It has an alternator which is considered by many to be an upgrade over a generator. It also has a Weber carb either a 32 36 or a 38. I have one of these on an old bmw 2002 I have and they are easy to work on and parts are available. Some say they do not work well with a stock VW motor and are better suited to a built up motor. I can't say as I have never run one on a bug. I would check transaxle operation and cv joints condition as big tires and off road operation can be tough on those. As for value, it is worth some money and I would search the samba classifieds to establish a base value for a build as nice as this one. Good luck Bob

[FlorezNOVA]

Thank you both. I'm grateful for the insight, suggestions, and observations. Always wanted a bug. Never considered a Baja bug. Sort of excited about this one.

Trying to learn here. Are the inboard bug eye lights desirable or original or classic? I see some that have inboard bug eye lights. I see some that have outboard fender lights. I imagine it's different kit makers, etc, but I'm curious if anyone could shed light on the headlight differences.

[67rustavenger]

The headlight placement is by kit design. My 69 Baja had the headlights in the fenders by design.
Both of the above design headlights work well. It's just a matter of taste IMO.

69 is a desirable year for a Baja as it has the IRS rear suspension.
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Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas!

[Schepp]

Things to look for:
Rust!
-Check under the back seat.
-Bubbling of the paint near the rear lower section of the rear side windows can indicate its rotting from the inside out. From the factory foam was injected in that area. It likes to hold water from leaking window seals.
- Don't be fooled by cheap new paint jobs and carpet kits. What are they trying to hide?

FRONT:

-Inspect the wiring behind the dash. is it hacked up?
-Do all the lights work?
Get a flash light and inspect underneath the gas tank.
-Check fuel and brake line conditions.
-Check for leaking wheel cylinders
-Look for rotting rubber components. Like steering rag joints, body to pan mounts, etc.

REAR:

-Fuel, Brake, Clutch & Throttle cable conditions?
-CV axle boot condition
-Check for leaking wheel cylinders

Oil leaks
-push rod tubes, bell housing area and between the base of the cylinders specifically on the left (3 & 4) side.

-If its leaking at the bottom of the bell housing. Then the rear main seal behind the fly wheel is toast.
-If its leaking at the base of the cylinders its the oil cooler.
The only way to fix these leaks is to pull the engine out.
The heads have to come off to replace leaking push rod tube seals.

Check the dip stick when cold!
It shouldn't be low.

Listen to the valve train. Excessive noise can mean neglected maintenance. The valves need to be checked and/or adjusted every 3k miles when the oil is changed.

How does it shift? Is the shifter sloppy? The shift rod bushing and/or coupler are shot if its sloppy.
Mis-shifts and or grinding not good. Bad synchro's or bent shift forks.

The overall appearance is just that it looks nice but what is it hiding?
Hope this helps.

[bsairhead]

If the pans and heater channels are solid it has 5k written all over it.

[bsairhead]

If the pans and heater channels are solid it has 5k written all over it.

[FlorezNOVA]

Thank you all. Helpful to know the why (e.g, foam from the factory) around the what (rust). Will be bringing a magnet, this list, and a flashlight if nothing else. I've also looked around at 'comps' to try and get a sense of value. It doesn't seem like a fair trade in terms of value based on what I know so far, but (a) this is a car, and my thing isn't and (b) this looks fun, whereas my thing isn't.

He did send me a cold startup and walkaround video as well, which is part of what got me thinking about this seriously given it sounded/ looked OK from the comfort and safety of my couch:

Sorry - Wrong link (that went to BaT). Trying again - YouTube...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIym0n5JATc

[Schepp]

With these old bugs uniformed people can be easily fooled by how it "looks".
You can easily spend $$$ on someone else's trash.

[FlorezNOVA]

That sounds all too familiar from the Rover world. A Defender looks great advertised somewhere and arrives with the craftsmanship and execution of a freshman shop class just after lunch.

The 'thing' I have is a built Rover V8 from a specialty race shop. Close to $20k all-in (asking around $12k). Takes the sleepy 178h / 220 lb-ft to a square 280 hp/lf-ft. It screams, but I don't have a use for it.

Thanks again.

[clockworkbox]

[Schepp]

Yea dude that baja is no where near $12k.
I'm thinking $5k at most.

[Rome]

The limited views in the photos also portray a decently done car. All visible panels are painted in body color, no obvious smashed panels nor rust. This Beetle has 5-bolt aftermarket wheels known as "BRMs". Normally a 5-bolt wheel ended with the '67 model year, and '68+ went to 4-bolt steel design for US-spec Beetles. This was a decisive effort to make the Beetle appear older but it works well. 5-bolt wheel vehicles were never offered from factory with front disc brakes, but in the last ca. 2 decades aftermarket suppliers have sold disc brake kits for these "wide 5" style wheels.

4-bolt steel wheels were used by the factory on '67+ Karmann Ghias which received front disc brakes. The axle spindles from a disc brake Ghia bolt directly to a '68+ Beetle, but this '69 would not have a Ghia front disc brake setup unless the PO installed "4 to 5" converter plates to the disc brake hubs.

[FlorezNOVA]

Thank you all for the tips and insight. We were able to make a deal which included some cash on top of the Beetle to make things equal. She's home and I'm proud to have already had the privilege of wrenching on the carb. Looking forward to giving you all a rundown and we can see how we did. Happy 4th!!

[SBD]

I know I'm late to the party so to speak, but I just saw this thread. One thing I always do when checking out an air-cooled VW is grab the crankshaft pulley and push/pull on it. It's only supposed to have around .005" max end play. If it goes in and out with a noticeable clunk you've probably got some engine work in your future.
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[Buggeee]

Congratulations!!! Happy 4th of July!

I really like that bug eye baja. Baja is a niche, and the bug eye is a niche within that. From the few pictures you posted it looks like a clean and tasteful build by someone who cared about the car and the esthetics. From the reflections in the paint it looks like the paintwork was cut and buffed, which is not common for a Baja built for abuse. The chrome is clean. The BRMs are a really nice street wheel to see on a baja. The tires are a reasonable proportion. I bet this one has seen nothing but pavement. Good find. Enjoy!

p.s. further gawking I see the fiberglass panels are very well aligned, and there is fender welting between the fenders and the body, like a street build. Lots of baja are built for playing and dont show this attention to detail. A very nice street baja. My suspicion is the interior is nice too. I think you got the better part of the deal, this is a bug worthy of the focus a Landrover fan will give it.
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[Schepp]

What Buggeee said is all good stuff. A lot of us put our money into hard parts for performance off road. How the paint looks was and is the absolute last thing I care about or will throw money at.
You won’t see those wheels on a car that sees any real off road use.
I too bet it’s never seen dirt.
We want interior pics!
Be sure to post in the Off Road section. We love this stuff!