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Vargus Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2014 Posts: 7 Location: Wa
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 9:25 am Post subject: Does it matter if the bus does not have the original engine |
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| How much is the value affected if the bus does not have the original engine? |
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EverettB  Administrator

Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 71964 Location: Phoenix 602
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 9:44 am Post subject: |
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This has come up before and opinions varied.
Why? A lot of people don't care when it comes to VWs.
My opinion:
I think it adds value if you have a nice original VW.
For instance, on my old '54 I was annoyed that the previous owner removed the original engine and put in another car in order to sell the other car.
I felt like it devalued the '54 since it had 50K miles on it and had almost all the other original parts still intact..
Even without an original engine I think there is value in having an engine in a stock car that is 100% correct for that year and model.
I was very happy to find an engine case that is from the same week as my '55 was built. Will the addition of this to the vehicle add value over any other 36hp engine? I believe yes.
I also found have an engine case that is within a month of my '63.
Would this engine add value to my '63? I'm not sure.
In conclusion, if you are asking for a hard figure on how much, I couldn't say. I'll guess 3-5%. Meaning for myself I might pay 3-5% more for a Bus with the original engine intact, all other things being equal. _________________ How to Post Photos
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Braukuche Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004 Posts: 11236
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:50 am Post subject: |
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I would say it would add value simply because there are people looking for buses with original engines or at least period matching but there is likely no one out there who would not buy it because it has a correct engine. Also, if you look at the prices for early engines, 36hp, prices are going up for the cases and correct components. In addition, the aftermarket for 36hp stuff has grown dramatically in terms of performance options. I do wonder about 40hp, though. They still seem to be the red haired child of the VW engine world. _________________ Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
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Clara  Samba Member

Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12664
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 9:23 am Post subject: |
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| Vargus wrote: |
| How much is the value affected if the bus does not have the original engine? |
The vast majority of vintage VWs do not have the original engine. It is not actually expected.
Why? Because engines are easy to swap, and usually they have been. The rest of the bus was so over engineered that it all lasted longer than the engine.
Someone told me their dad bought a bug back in sixty something, and the engine went bad and was replaced after 6 years or was it 61K miles.
Some people got their engine rebuilt at the time, others just exchanged them. A lot of people, even back in the 50s 60s or 70s, exchanged them for a larger motor, compared to the 25hp or 36hp or 40hp or 1500 than came with the car. The later (70s) cases are a better alloy, you know.
For a nice original VW, it is more of a plus to have the original engine, compared to the usual been though the wringer and modified/ restored vehicle.
Having the original engine implies that
1) the vehicle does not have a ton of miles on it
2) the bus has not been abused or much modified
3) other parts are also original.
If a VW in question has the original engine, definitely keep it with the car.
Cruise the classifieds ads to get an idea of prices.
How many ads say they have the original engine? |
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