Thinking about picking up a 71 Bus, need advice!

[grncbr]

Hey guys,

I've been rolling around in a 74 standard, and I think it's time to step up and join the big boys. I found a 71 Bay Window that's in my price range, but I have no idea what to look for as to whether it's a good price or not.

In my experiences so far with wrenching on my beetle I know of things to look for in the future if I get another. What things should I check on the bus before I pull the trigger on it?

Here's the craigslist ad for it.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/3355936067.html

Thanks for the help guys!
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1974 Standard Beetle
AT IRS Transaxle
AH Engine Code 1600 DPI
34 Pict 3 Solex Carburetor
SVDA Pertronix Pointsless
1974 CA emissions intake & exhaust
BugPack Header and Hide-Out Muffler

[HarryFD]

Rust, look for rust around the windows, front dog legs, etc.

Why is the wiring bad? Big red flag to me.

Much of the interior seems to be missing.

What's up with the right tail light? What does the battery box look like?

Did I say look for rust?
_________________
1970 Deluxe Sunroof Bay Brilliant Blue/Cloud White
1971 Jaguar XKE 2+2 V12 Coupe
1973.5 911 Targa
2009 MB C300

[grncbr]

It says he still has the middle seat, I'm not too worried about the interior since I'm planning on using it for utility purposes. Can't find a single/dual cab in my price range so this would be the next best thing.

The wiring is a bit of a concern to me as well. Rewiring parts of my beetle was a pain in the butt, so I'm not really looking forward to pulling wire through a bus. But hey, if that's the only big problem with it it's better than where i started with my Beetle
_________________
1974 Standard Beetle
AT IRS Transaxle
AH Engine Code 1600 DPI
34 Pict 3 Solex Carburetor
SVDA Pertronix Pointsless
1974 CA emissions intake & exhaust
BugPack Header and Hide-Out Muffler

[Desertbusman]

Looks like a good one, grab it
_________________
71 Superbug
71 Westy

[nodrenim]

Check the floor and under the sliding side door for rust, if that door falls on your foot when you open it sometime, it can be really hurtful. Ask me how I know. I would start out at a grand and see if he will come down some, might help ease any surprises that come your way. Good Luck!

[Wasted youth]

I'm impressed by the apparent completeness of the engine, based on the rest of the tattered and worn look of the bus. The price is too rich for me, but, I'm out of touch. When you take it for a test drive, make sure you pay close attention to steering drift and slop. What, exctly, is wong with the brakes? If its the servo (vacuum booster), add $200 for a remanufactured unit from BusDepot, et. al., you may find one cheaper eleswhere.

If he's got the middle seat, and you're not going to use, you could get $100-$200 for it pretty quickly if it's in decent shape.

Wiring can be a pain in the ass for sure, but it could turn hazardous to you and others on the highway fairly quickly if it is questionable. Keep in mind good wiring is paramount for primary ignition, safety lighting and actually seeing those cute little red and green lights come on at highway speeds.

Given that it's for sale in Santa Rosa, pay attention to rust issues. This could have lived its whole life in the damp coast or bay area, but I don't see the telltale signs: lower windshield seal rot, etc. Make sure you take a good look under the bus for structural frame rot and off-roading damage. As was mentioned, look out for battery tray damage. BusDepot sells replacement trays, but the rest of cutting/welding is up to you.

Check the fit of all the doors, especially the slider. Does the slider lock when the handle is pulled upward after closing it? Do you need to really race it closed hard to get it to seal?

You're looking at virtually the same bus I once foolishly sold, same color and trim package. You'll really have a great time with it once it's all dialed in!

[Red Fau Veh]

2500? Sounds like a deal to me, but the rust and hidden uglies are there so weigh those issues before buying it. I bought mine for 2800 and it has zero rust and a strong 1915 dual carb motor, delux complete and looking decent, so I measure all other deals by how good they compare to the first one I bought.
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1971 Deluxe Sunroof Bay 1905 stroker, dual idf40's, 74mm Scat forged crank, engle 110 cam. CB 044 heads, AutoCraft rockers, chromoly push rods
1973 Orange transporter stock type 4 with dual 40 Dellortos and Empi single quiet pack
1969 Adventurewagen blue whale Gene Berg 1776 built by Dave Kawell dual 36 DRLA's, Vintage Speed exhaust, Bosch 019 screamer
1961 Swivel Seat camper, L345 grey

[aryue]

That's about what a running 71 Bus costs these days in neglected condition. Yep, I see rust in the usual places and it's missing various pieces. It will be a long term project for sure.

Give it a test drive.

- Andrew in Austin, TX -
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OldandSlow - but still chuggin.
http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/VW/VWBus.html

[420GOAT]

if it were in Los angeles, that shit would be gone.

BUT wiring is expensive or hard for some, it needs brakes...also can get pricey too. calipers are 71-72 only, hoses all around for sure, pads, wheel cylinders, shoes and worst of all a brake booster. all this must be considered no good unless proven to be so.

its in the right range but it will need more stuff to be roadworthy.
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once you realize im not impressed we will get along just fine

[aeromech]

I would buy that bus for $2500 as long as it ddin't have issues not already mentioned. A nice, good condition, 1971 bus can be worth close to $15K so there's lots of room if you decide to fix it up.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Red Fau Veh]

[aeromech]

Well, I didn't mean to say that ONLY a 1971 would be worth up to $15K because there are certainly some nice buses drawing good prices. The 1971 (and I see you own one) was the first year with power brakes and the last year with the T1 engine which some people prefer. Let me give you a few exmples.

1971 bus sold for $14K+ in 2006

A different 1971 bus that sold for $13K+ in 2006

A 1978 bus that sold for $10K+ in 2011

To be fair I should also tell you that the 1978 had a salvage title but I think generally a 1971 will be worth more than a newer year.

And to go a bit further...

1965 bug sold for $5K+ in 2010

_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[grncbr]

Thanks so much for all the great replies!

You guys have given me some great bargaining points and the little quirks to look for which can mean expensive problems/projects in the future.

I had to learn all about those the hard way with my Beetle since I purchased it with just about every quirk and PO hack in the book.

Hopefully I can go take a look at it soon, still waiting for the guy to get back to me.
_________________
1974 Standard Beetle
AT IRS Transaxle
AH Engine Code 1600 DPI
34 Pict 3 Solex Carburetor
SVDA Pertronix Pointsless
1974 CA emissions intake & exhaust
BugPack Header and Hide-Out Muffler

[aeromech]

Another thing....

I said "I" would buy it for $2500. Keep in mind that I can fix about 95% of the bus without opening a book because I've been doing it for years and years. A buyer who isn't mechanical or willing to get his hands dirty would find it to be too expensive to bring this bus up to a decent level. Shops generally charge upwards of $85/hour and you can see that your wallet would empty out fast if you plan to pay someone to fix it for you.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Brionp]

Crawl under it and see if the motor is a Bus motor. It should bolt to the moustache bar directly without an adapter. It doesn't appear that the brake booster line is hooked up right now so check that the intake manifold is the correct one with the vacuum nipple on it. Check the rear windows for rust between the wind wings and the large window. Check behind the front bumper for rust. See if it still has a real Solex carb.'

[420GOAT]

[sambabus]

I've seen better deals for a thrashed out hulk. I paid $2,000 for mine and it was a mostly complete Westy. Talk him down or keep looking.
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1971 Westy, 2017cc 78.4 x 90.5 Tims Stage 1 plus 42x37, CB 44IDF's, 135 mains, 175 airs, F111, 50 idles, Engle 110, 30mm, 009, single QP, DD CHT 300*f, VDO oil always 180* Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541370
1970 convertible bug, 1835cc, single 40IDF, disks.
Symptoms Solved and Fixed http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=551358

[peaceful warrior]

I certainly think it is a bit too high, but then I am 15 years removed from CA and NM prices seem to much better for Bays.
Actually, here is a nice 71 Westy...Care for a road trip?
You could drive it up to me to give it the once over twice if you would like. I am about an hour + north.
http://santafe.craigslist.org/cto/3309520487.html
_________________
"Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
"Notchboy" says "Man up!"
"Tram" says " My bus is bigger than your bus."
66 13W Deluxe, 68 Westfalia, 87 Syncro.
TOOB Member #15
Brian

[grncbr]

[grncbr]