Looking for help in identifying Beetle

[zanderk_98]

Turning to the experts here for help... I have opportunity to pick up a "barn find" VW Beetle convertible & wondering what I can use to identify it? A buddy texted me 1 poor quality photo taken in the dark the night he went to initially check out the cars in the "barn" - really a steel garage housing about 20 cars from a 1940 Chevy to a 1993 Corvette.

I'm expecting a few more photos tonight that I can post here in the next few days. Until then all I can tell is it in really rough shape, a convertible, looks mostly complete, orange/red color w black top, approx 1969 I think.

I don't usually post much on Samba but read posts weekly on the Dune Buggy/Kit Car as that's my current toy. This car, if given about 2-3 years & Im guessing about $8K would be the wife's toy.

[Tom K.]

Hmm, what exactly do you want to "identify"? The model year? Super v. standard? Or are you wanting to assess the condition of the body or the drive train (where to look for the usual chronic rust spots or how to diagnose a bad engine)?
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'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[Matt Wilson]

Lots of photos, especially underneath. Get it in the light. Get a photo of the VIN on the dash and on the chassis tunnel.
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1972 Standard Beetle
1969 Baja Beetle

[60ragtop]

third number of the VIN will determine the year.
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Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[zanderk_98]

Thanks for the replies so far. Attached are some of the better photos I just received. Based on an out-of-focus photo I didn't post, the 3rd digit of the VIN appears to be '8' for 1968 model year. Likely to be several weeks or months until we might be able to get it out into daylight for more photos as it's trapped in behind lots of other non-moving vehicles.

Let me know if anyone can tell anything else about the car from the photos. I'd love more info on where to look for rust & how to diagnose a bad engine.

[GArBa]

that's a 1303 super beetle, no supers around in 1968 so from that and the "fuel injection" script on the engine lid, it's probably a 1978.
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cars:
'97 type 1 1600i
'14 type AA Seat Mii (sadly dead after 270.000 km)
'22 type C1 T-Cross
'23 type AC3 Hyundai I10 (VW no longer makes small cars!)
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moped:
'82 Benelli Magnum 3v

[60ragtop]

yep looks like a 78.
Are you a good welder or want to become one?
Just a few places to look for more rust
strut mount area under hood, heater channels/support longitudinal, rear luggage area, floor pans, door bottoms
Look at the top, major expense to replace that.
see if the engine turns over by hand, check if it is still FI, grab the crank pulley and feel for play.
I wouldn't give it a second look but that's just me growing up in the rust belt.
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[ashman40]

[zanderk_98]

Thank you to the experts here on Samba. I didn't know anything about air-cooled VWs until I bought my dune buggy project 4 years ago. Since then Samba members have been an amazing source of info & I've learned a ton about VWs, specifically regarding pre-1965 beetles as well as Meyer Manx & fiberglass replicas.

Obviously I don't know much about 'newer' models. I should have noticed that the '8' in the VIN makes it a 1978 even though I was told it's "a late-'60s model". Just knowing the little bit of info so far, I think I'll walk away from this project...

Although I like the project as a convertible, I think it's best to walk away. While I can weld, do mechanical work, as well as body & paint, I just don't want to get involved with something newer than 1973 for DMV registration purposes. I'm 99% sure no one will be able to track down titles & paperwork from the previous owner of all these "barn finds". Original collector (hoarder?) passed away & now his son just wants all this stuff gone. Beyond that, I'm not into the Super Beetle or anything with struts, fuel injection, or auto-stick.

[60ragtop]

Glad to help you to walk away from it
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[lboos]

Curved windshield, it's 73 or later. prob. a 78.