66 father and kids project

[Luck5393]

It's hard to believe, but I have kids that will be driving in about a year and a half. My wife and I asked the kids what they wanted to drive, and they al mentioned a bug, so the look for a project car started. I determined that I wanted one from the 60's, and after many missed opertunities finally came across this 66 bug.

The description stated that it started, but tha's about all. Went to look at it and was told it had brake problems. After a week of failed attempts to bring it home, we finally got home. We charged the battery and drove it many times around the back yard (brakes seem to work okay). It came with about 2 boxes of spare parts as well.
Now that the new year is starting, it is time to get started on tearing it down to see what we need to do. Here is the first day of actually doing something

My oldest standing next to it

We decided to tackle the interior first so we could see if floor boards would need to be replaced. Was very excited to see that other than seats, it looks like most of the interior pieces were scattered in the piles of rubbish in the back seat.
After a few hours of removing rubbish, mice nest and droppings, and tar board, we managed to get the passenger side cleaned, and the floor pans look amazing. Sweet victory.

Next will be the drivers side and then the dash and front trunk.
On a side note, there is a random bolt in the front hump that I can't figure out it's purpose. You can see it in the pic. Any idea what it is for?

[mikec4193]

You gotta really clean one...hope you and the kids have fun with it...

MikeC
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Dad bought his first Beetle on Dec 17, 1953.

[gt1953]

Lots of cleaning to be done for Clean it and then clean it some more. On the missed opportunities, I can relate as we have missed a few good one over the years and passed on many more.
Do source out the correct sheet metal for the engine. Heck the children want a VW right...drop the engine tear it down to a long block. Clean it up too. Interesting high back seats.
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[vwuberalles]

This is an awesome project! When I was 12 my dad picked up my 73 for us to fix up together as my first car. We spent my teenage years in the garage wrenching on it together. So many great memories, and I learned a ton about cars, and life too. I'm 38 now and still have that same car, it's become a family heirloom! I hope you and your kids have a similar experience!
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1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040

[57BLITZ]

[Raisedup58]

Great project.
If you need anything let me know, I’m just down I-15 from you.
What’s your plans for it, paint?
The java green is a great color.
_________________
L245 Original Paint Light Bronze 1958 Ragtop
L456 Original Paint Ruby Red 1961 Sedan
Orignal Paint Beetle Wheel Collector
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[67ctbug]

Looks like a great project! Super solid too!
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'73 Dodge W200
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[Luck5393]

[rcooled]

Good score! That Beetle looks like a great start for a restoration. It's pretty rare to find a VW of that vintage with solid original floors outside of CA or the Southwest. Good luck with your project.

Some food for thought: There was a very detailed thread started on here about 5 years ago that chronicled a similar father/daughter build that might be worth reading. To make a long story short (thread is 35 pages), the daughter was very enthusiastic all the way thru the project but in the end decided that she didn't want the car after all. The question of just how safe is a 50+ year old car in the hands of a young driver eventually came up. Stuff like crumple zones, air bags, anti-lock brakes, etc. are nowhere to be found on an old VW. It turned out that the parents of the daughter's friends wouldn't allow their kids to ride around in an old car with no modern safety features and that pretty much killed the whole deal right there. Something to think about...

Here's a link to that thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=524322&highlight=san+diego
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone)

[KTPhil]

I agree that it's a great project, but as a daily driver for a new teen driver, I'd think twice or three times about it.

90% of new drivers WILL have a minor (or worse) crunch. Better for that to happen to a beater Honda or Toyota than a fragile bug you poured your efforts into.

I'd make it a longer term project and reward their spotless driving record with the car when they turn 18.

[vwfreek61]

The old VW has one safety feature that new cars don't have...It's very difficult to text and drive in an old Beetle.
_________________
Kenneth
1964 Bug with Saxomat
1976 VW/Harley Trike Autostick
1987 Vanagon Westy w/Subaru EJ25 and reversed 4EAT

[EMPIImp69]

Those are early 90s Wrangler seats
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1963 Ragtop Bug

[Raisedup58]

[Luck5393]

It's been a while since I last posted, and since the snow has fallen it has been too wet to work since the bug is now sitting in a mud puddle. I did check the engine and it is a 1600. People have said that there are some anachronisms with the engine. It starts but definitely does not run very well or for very long. While going back to a 1300 would be the ideal, I will probably stick with The 1600 due to cost of the handful of 1300's I've seen. Other than moving the fuel lines and fuel filter to avoid engine fires, what else can people see needs to be done with this set up to keep it stock tooling but more in line of what it needs to run better, just from observations in the picture?

[KTPhil]

First replace/install the cooling hoses from the fan shroud to the muffler/heat exchangers (your left one is missing). This will soon overheat your engine!

I would replace fuel lines (engine bay, next to tranny, and under the tank) and the intake manifold boots. A general tune-up/valve adjustment is a start. Change the oil.

[rcroane]

Looks like that carb could use a good cleaning....and perhaps a rebuild.
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'65 Sunroof Bug

[rcooled]

[Jody '71]

Go up to "Technical" and pull up the original '66 Owner's manual in addition the electrical schematic wiring diagram. You may have a '66 converted to 12V. Both are "must haves." If converted to 12V, then look at the '67 wiring diagram.

Another good source is the engine/performance forum here that has an "engine guide" full of pics of different types of VW engines throughout the years. There's a nice one of a '66 engine in stock configuration. That will give you an idea of what one looked like compared to what you have now. Based on your pics supplied, there are many differences that need correcting.

Tom Wilson's book and the Blue Bentley manual are needed as well with your endeavor to get your '66 in tip top shape, best of luck and have fun!!! It also appears that some of the dash switches have been hacked, like the emergency flasher switch and the windshield wipers????
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'66 Beetle
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring

[Rome]

Java green with off-white interior will be fantastic.

Porsche 356-style rims, 4.5" wide. Paint them with cream outer section and black inner section to resemble a stock '66 rim scheme- will be a nice understated detail. Yes, you have many other high-priority items to work on first.

[Luck5393]

So it was only slightly below freezing, and I found a few hours to do some work so I convinced my second oldest son to go work on continuing the bug. First I moved it from the giant puddle and mud that it was parked in onto the driveway and traded it places with my car. The goal was to get the dash taken apart and label wires. In the few short hours, and with a 12 year old doing much of the wrenching we managed to get a good portion of the dash taken apart.

I must say that I love the label maker history that some previous owner left. The odometer states it has about 95000 miles, but who knows how long ago the engine was actually rebuilt. The radio is an aftermarket one, and i still have yet to decided what I'm going to do for a radio. Would love to get the correct one, but money may become an issue, but I have about 2 years until it needs to be done.

Then my son decided it would be fun take off the lights in the front and the bumper.

He wanted to start on the engine, but I'm not ready for that quiet yet. It's nice to have it moveable for the time being. But not bad for a 12 year old in freezing weather. It was funny becuase he was not excited about working on it, but once he got started he had a lot of fun.