My new 1965 Java Green survivor

[edgood1]

I was doing some work on a few VWs for a friend . I asked him if he was interested in selling this one we came to terms and now it's in my garage alongside my buses

It's a '65 Java Green bug with 69xxx original miles. It's a very, very original local car with a dealer badge from Cutler VW in North Weymouth, Massachusetts, which is pretty close to where I live. From what I could find that dealership was active until the 1970s, so there's a very good chance it was originally sold there when new.

It has very little rust, just few coin sized spots in the wheel wells and some rust on the driver's side heater channel sill. The floor pans are original and completely solid. All should be easy repairs. What made me interested in this car is that original bugs from around here just don't survive like this. It has very old bias ply tires on it that still hold air, and I think the spare is original.


When I first started working on it a few months ago it was clear it had been sitting for a very long time. The pedal assembly was completely frozen. The carb was all gunked up and the brakes didn't work at all. I rebuilt the carb, replaced all the fuel lines, gas tank, fuel pump, completely rebuilt the brakes with a dual circuit master cylinder upgrade, tune up etc and now she runs, drives and stops beautifully. When I first test drove it around the neighborhood I knew I had to have it.

My short term plan is to polish the original paint, clean up the interior fix the rust spots and drive it as is. I might try touching up some of the previous paint touch up attempts, blending it with the original paint better. I'll see how it looks, and decide if it needs a full respray.

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'87 Syncro :: Subaru eng
'63 Samba Conversion ::(photo album)
'65 Westfalia
'65 Bug

[OldSchoolVW's]

That is a great looking survivor! Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing how the paint polishes up. My '63 Pearl White is in very similar condition. I took care of the electrical and mechanical issues and installed front disc brakes as part of the overhaul. Moving forward with the cosmetics now. The interior has to be redone, but debating whether to leave the exterior as a "clean survivor" or have it repainted. Looking forward to following your project.
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Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

"It's okay to think."

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback

[Bobs67vwagen]

Wow nice survivor that deserves your attention as they are getting hard to find in that condition. Looking forward to your progress.

[House]

Cool car, should be a fun one to polish up.
Interesting rust hole in the a pillar/dash. Maybe a leaky hood seal that let water pool up there and it had to find a way out…

[finster]

nice find but it looks blue to me...
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"we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut

nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect...

[Bobs67vwagen]

I also thought it looked blue

[63beetle66]

hello, great find, i have a all original 62 beetle (turquoise) that has the dealer badge in the exact same location that reads Cutler Motors, Sarasota, i doubt its the same dealer, but interesting, when i first saw yours i thought we might have two cars from the same dealer which would have been cool!

[Rome]

Very good find for a New England Beetle!

When you get to the interior- at least the seats- I remember seeing a well restored Bahama Blue '65 Beetle at a meet at Classic VW Bugs in lower New York. Very impressive seats in what appeared to me very close to the original style. Owner said he bought them from TMI. They were likely an upscale style, not the cheaper, generic set.

[daveblank]

Cool find. The area you're in is nice for some coastal cruising. It's a little south of you, but Onset is one of my favorite places.

[edgood1]

A little polish testing

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'87 Syncro :: Subaru eng
'63 Samba Conversion ::(photo album)
'65 Westfalia
'65 Bug

[RobE30]

It's amazing how nice these old paint jobs can polish up. Nice score
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1960 Ragtop bug- work in progress

[OldSchoolVW's]

[edgood1]

[OldSchoolVW's]

[Apostle_]

That will look nice when you are done!

[mikewire]

Really nice find! It's cleaning up really well, can't wait to see the end result.
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-Mike

@countdowngarage
@bigskyeuro

1972 VW Kombi 9 Passenger Deluxe 221(5) w/ 2.0L F.I. VWAC swap
1965 VW Beetle Deluxe Bahama Blue

[wdfifteen]

Great job! She's going to be beautiful! Thanks for saving another old survivor.

[edgood1]

Thanks for all the encouraging comments!

I stepped it up on the other side of the hood. I wet sanded up to 5000 and then did the 3 steps of 3m polish. It came out really good. I'm happy with the shine considering how worn, cracked and crazed the paint is. I think I'll do the whole car like this.

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'87 Syncro :: Subaru eng
'63 Samba Conversion ::(photo album)
'65 Westfalia
'65 Bug

[vwuberalles]

That's cleaning up really nice! Keep at it, that's gonna be very satisfying.
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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

[aquifer]

I agree with everyone else. Great project, and thanks for saving the car. The old paint is going to look very good. I like the roof rack too!
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Project vehicles:
1967 Beetle #1. Bought in 2024, mostly original, October 1966 build date. Java Green.
1967 Beetle #2. Bought in the mid 80's, restored myself in the late 90's, June 1967 build date. Java Green.
1998 Jaguar XJR. Bought in 2015, rust free AZ car, refurbished myself. Driven in nice weather.

Parts needed:
Original brown rubber floor mats for a '67
Original gazelle seat upholstery for a ‘67