What do you think of this buggy?

[nosmr2]

I am looking to buy this buggy. I am familiar with what to look for when buying a Beetle, already did that. I just wanted to get some unbiased opinions. The pictures should load fairly fast. They are 800x600.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/145310.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/145308.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/145306.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/145304.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/145302.jpg

It was way to cold to test drive. It started up right away and idled without hesitation. He said he has put about 10,000 miles on it. He doesn't know how many actual miles are on it. It has new battery and master cylinder. Does not smoke, leaks a little oil at the bottom of the case, street legal. He has not done any engine work on it other than rebuild the carb. He said he put about 150 hours into it, for what thats worth. The paint job was choice. He said he painted it himself with PPG paint. The entire pan is painted blue. This thing is clean. Everything works. Not sure how else to describe it. It is in Houston and buggys are not real common here, unlike CA. I would much rather prefer to buy one here sight seen rather than buy one in CA unseen and pay $600 to have it shipped here. He said he wanted $3500 for it, but would come off "several hundred". I think its a nice buggy and $3000 would be a fair price. Let me know what ya'll think. I don't have time for a project, thats what the '70 is for. Not that ebay is a true determinant of price, but I have seen much lesser rides go for more. Am I a total dumbass if I pass this up? He also has a chrome roll bar and a bunch of parts he said he would throw in.
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Chuck
'70 Beetle

[Lo Cash John]

I think it's a super nice looking classic buggy.
HOWEVER, for the money i would have expected a little more motor than the 40 hp that's in it now. Even a 1600 would be a big difference.
I'd say if you can get it for $3000-$3200 then go for it.

Also, be sure and check the floor pan and center tunnel VERY CAREFULLY for any rust. Because a buggy body offers almost no structural rigidity (like a bug body) the pan bears even more stress. One guy we knew had bought a very beautiful Manx type clone only to discover a little while later the whole front pan head was about to rust through and break off.

Just be careful.
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Lo' Cash Racing Team on Facebook
More brains than bucks...Believe it or not!!

My boss told me I need to work on my mutli-tasking. So now when I use the bathroom at work I surf The Samba on my iPhone.

[UncleBob]

Don't listen to John, if it doesn't do 11's in the 1/4, it's 'underpowered' to him. What's up John?

Chuck, personally I think that buggy makes up in fit and finish what it doesn't have motor wise. Looks like the builder really took his time. Man, it's difficult to get a paint job to look that good on a 'glass body!

I don't care for the chassis color, and it sure needs a roll bar, but for $3000? Sounds like a good deal to me.

Very nice looking buggy.
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OG JHC

don't worry, the ciggaret is fake.

[DanGreen]

Even though I'm not into buggy's I'd still buy it for that price! It looks really well kept and the engine can always be replaced. Looks like a good deal to me.

[Chris181Westy]

$3000 would be a great price! That was alot of work to get that buggy to that point. That price gives you plenty of room to invest in a high performance drivetrain at a later date if desired.
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"So we went for a spin in the country
To feel the wind in our hair
To feel the power of my engine
To feel the thrill of desire"
Roger Waters, The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking

[nosmr2]

The bulkhead is solid and he welded in some thicker floor pans. They look pretty good. Thanks for the input.
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Chuck
'70 Beetle

[bljones]

$3000-$3500 is very fair for the work that has obviously gone into it. the seat install looks a little funky (passenger seat looks like it is listing to the right) and i wouldn't drive it on the street without front and rear bumpers, but that is minor stuff. Jump on it and enjoy it!
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OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"

2%

[nosmr2]

Thanks BL. I didn't notice that about the seats. I wasn't too hot on the Fiero seats anyway. They do have speakers in the head rests, no stereo in the car. It would need some bumpers. I will call the guy today and negotiate a price.
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Chuck
'70 Beetle

[keifernet]

Yeah Chuck, I agree with everyone it looks like it has had alot of work done to it to me!
( having built a few before) I can tell you someone busted some ass or spent some $$$ on that thing.

Let me know if you get it... I'll help you with anything it may need.
And one weekend for grins we can toss a 1600DP with a cam and a weber in it just to see the difference!

[Lo Cash John]

Hey,

You guys are hurting my feelings!!

I agree it IS a very nice buggy and did say buy it but "LOOK CLOSELY".
And I'm sorry, but to me the only place for a 40hp motor in a full resto or on the deck of my lawn mower!


BTW, if I had something to run 11s I'd check and make sure I didn't have a couple of plug wires crossed!!!
_________________
www.LoCashRacing.org
Lo' Cash Racing Team on Facebook
More brains than bucks...Believe it or not!!

My boss told me I need to work on my mutli-tasking. So now when I use the bathroom at work I surf The Samba on my iPhone.

[nosmr2]

Struck a deal for $3000. I am going to pick it up tomorrow. I will post some more pics after I get it if anyone is interested. I will be taking Keifernet up on the dp some weekend. I will keep ya'll posted.
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Chuck
'70 Beetle

[BigElipso]

I like it. I hope its as nice as the pictures dipicts it to be. I have the exact same seats in my baja. They're very comfortable and the speakers sound fairly decent if you can back them up with some 6X9s and a little power.

[nosmr2]

I hadn't gotten around to this, but props to all of you that said it was a good buggy and that $3000 was a good price. My wife liked the buggy, but wasn't sure if my judgement on paying $3000 was a good idea. I showed her this thread and I would like to think that it played a big part in my getting her approval. The buggy hasn't seen much action. I got it insured from Foremost insurance, liability only for $80 a year. That way rules. They specialize in offroad vehicles and do RVs and boats and stuff. The inspection is expired, and I fixed the horn, now I just need a sunny day to get it inspected. The oil pressure idiot light wasn't wired, so I fixed that. Its white, not green, but thats a project for a later date. The shifter has some slop so I'm gonna check out the bushings and stuff, I read up on that a few days ago. I am also planning on getting a nice short shifter for it, that will happen when I fix the slop. I haven't looked at the seats to find the speaker wires, but I would like to put a radio in it. I know I won't be able to hear it at high speeds (50mph), but it would be nice to have. I want to mount a stereo under the dash, but I haven't really looked for a mounting kit yet. I don't wanna cut that dash up. I would also need a hidden antenna. My neighbor does upholstery and said he would make a back seat for me. I have a roll bar I want to get mounted and would like to put side pods on it. I guess it isn't a project by any means, it just needs a little work to make it mine. Oh yeah, did I mention looking for some nice chrome bumpers. Damn, my beetle may never get fixed at this rate.
And I did get a bunch of parts with it. I haven't dug through the boxes yet, but I do know I have 2 engine cases, 1 degreed pulled and 5 single port heads. I need to find the time to go through that stuff and sell anything sellable. I will probably get that stuff cleaned up and list it her in the classifieds.
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Chuck
'70 Beetle

[UncleBob]

Awesome. Post some more pics when you get a chance. I think you got a great deal.
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OG JHC

don't worry, the ciggaret is fake.