62 bug "barn" find - lucky me!

[Daverham]

OK, so it was a big steel workshop, not exactly a barn. Same idea though

A couple days ago I went to buy a welder from a guy on Craigslist. I noticed in the ad that there was an old bug peeking out from under a sheet in the background. When I got there, I inquired about the car and he said he was the second owner. He has owned it since 1971. He parked it in that spot in 1987 and just stopped driving it around the property for upkeep a few years ago. I asked if it was for sale and he said $1,500. I didn't haggle.

Yesterday I brought it home.

Here are the basics:
- With a jump start, it fires right up!
- Still 6 volt.
- This car is ALL original. Has not been mucked with AT ALL.
- Still has the dealer license plate frame.
- Still has a 1962 tab on the plates.
- The front apron is a bit bashed in, front fenders are slightly tweaked but not too bad. Hood is good.
- There's basically no rust under the battery or anywhere on the floor pan.
- Brake hydraulics are shot so it's not drivable at the moment.
- Seats are mostly not ripped.
- Original carpet and floor mat, etc.

Not bad, eh!

I'd love to keep it all original. I'd even like to beat out those fenders and leave them as-is, after that (no filler and no new paint). The front apron probably has to be replaced, but I can live with that. Fix up the mechanicals, vacuum out the spiders and such but leave it mostly as is, in general.

Regarding body work, can that be done? Are there body techs who can beat out steel and get it looking semi-decent without filler? See photos. Is that a specialty or do you suppose the average body shop can do that.

Also, this car isn't currently for sale at the moment. But I wanted to put it out here into the world for a few reasons, as follows:

1. Awesome, right??

2. The body work question.

3. If there happens to be someone else trying to put together a Beryl Green 62 Bug, all original etc etc - and this is the holy grail for them - I could probably be convinced to part with it before I invest the next year or so into it myself. Just a thought. Conversely, if someone else has a Beryl Green front apron and/or fenders... I might be interested in those!

Also, how does one tell if a car has "matching numbers" - I'm sure it does, with this history. I guess I can look that up.

Ok, time for photos! I know you skipped ahead already anyway.

[Pruneman99]

Nice find! Awesome price too!

[Sharp64]

Cool car and my favorite color.

It may be possible to repair the fenders. What you’ll run into is cost vs return on investment. Locally, bodywork is about $150/hour. Easily a few hours possibly per fender. Then doing the apron. Looks like the inner well will need repairing as well. I would guess you’re looking at $2-3k in repairs. I could be high, but that’s my guess. Get it running and stopping and take it a few places. See what they say.
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[kpf]

OMG, that is amazing! Have fun with it!

I couldn't help noticing that the chrome has less rust on it than brand new aftermarket parts!
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1971 Super Beetle

[rsthj]

Wow! Great find, great color, great price!

Re the bodywork, because you are not going for perfect, that damage looks very fixable. From what I can see, a skilled panel beater could get the fenders, apron and inner structure back in useable shape with minimal fuss.

Again, congrats on a great find!

[stale air]

[Daverham]

Great feedback, everyone. Thanks for the encouragement!

Does anyone know if the front apron and/or inner well/clip can be removed by drilling out a series of spot welds? I'd be happy to do that and replace just that part if it can be done along an existing factory panel edge, instead of cutting a new seam through the sheet metal.

[54 Oval]

OK, I have the solution for you, it might get wordy...and hopefully a bit fun. I was born in 1962, December more specifically and I've been looking for a good, original 62 for quite a while now. Here is the link to determine your cars numbers; chassis (under the rear seat, also spare tire well), engine (below the generator stamped into the block), front and rear axles (on each axle) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php
Now suppose your car is numbers matching, AND a December car that would somehow mean the universe has found the car I have been searching for! I think I could offer you a good price that might have you tempted. I believe I could repair those body parts and keep it original. What does the lottery on those numbers say? Is it a December car?

[smeag]

Keep it. Fix it. Drive the piss out of it. Nice find.

[gt1953]

Make it safe to drive after going thru all of the systems. The crinkle on the fenders give it character.
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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})

[hitest]

I see a few neat things going on here. All original wheels! Very cool and they'll polish really well. A ragtop-height roof rack- maybe the dealership only had these at the time? Or maybe, they were made a universal height right after the wood slat era? I'm seeing more and more of these and wondering. That wiring cover is the stuff of dreams! I have three cars that would fight each other for one so nice.

Very cool car. If I were with you that day it would be mine and you would be passed out with chloroform found nearby.
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[Q-Dog]

The engine does not look original. You guys are slipping!
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[ddweave]

What about the engine doesn't look correct?

It looks like a stale air 40 horse to me, which would be correct for a '62.

[Eric&Barb]

Find two BIG trees that you can park the bug between. Chain the rear lower shock mounts to one tree. Use chain and hand winch to the other tree to pull out most if not all the front end damage.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Q-Dog]

[Bug-nut]

Guys I’m ashamed of you. Isn’t anybody going to point out the only thing here that matters - the PLASTIC FUEL FILTER in the engine bay?!?! Y’all been slackin’!

(I’m case you cant tell, this is my poor attempt at humor - no need to get offended).

To the OP, this is a really nice car and at that price you stole it! I’ll be eargerly following this post. Good luck with it!
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1959 Fjord Blue Volkswagen Beetle
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight=

1962 Austin-Healey Sprite

[Daverham]

Engine number... milled off, I guess. What does that mean?

Chassic number:

I haven't spent much time trying to decode those plates/numbers... looks like maybe it was December of 61?

54 Oval, if this car is meaningful to you, I'd be happy to talk. I think it's super cool and I'm stoked about it. But if there's the "right home" for it out there, I'd be into letting to go home. As it is, I just sold a 1970 vert and I have a bus that I'm currently working on passionately. I didn't need another project car, but I couldn't pass this up.

Regarding chaining it between two trees... that's what my local buddy said too. Does that really work? I have a 1 Ton chain hoist that could probably do the job. Do you pull one bumper mount at a time? Both together?

Thanks for all the comments and info, you guys are very helpful.

Also, side note: My first car was a very original 65 bug, pearlwhite. I got that one in 1994 or so and sold it a few years later (drat!). I LOVED that car and it got me into VWs. I've had a million bugs and a few buses since then, but all this time I've been longing for another early-to-mid 60s model in original condition. That smell! The light color and everything about this car reminds me of my old friend, my first beetle. So I certainly have my own share of nostalgia, love and experience to go with this car. I'm pretty excited. But, like I said, I am working on my bus. So many temptations, so little time...

[Daverham]

That plate is from the spare tire well, obviously. Is that the body plate then?

I'll have to look under the seat too...

[Erik G]

Wish I was local, I could get those fenders and apron pretty nice

nice score!
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[Pruneman99]

The engine number was milled of by VW engine remanufacturing. You can see the recycle symbol on the left there.

It just means the engine was replaced (probably by a dealer) at some point.