lookin at a 61 ... what to look for

touchdowntodd

runs and drives, owner redid brakes down to lines and master and some wiring, tune up, new gas tank, new fuse box, new battery..

comes with a lotta new parts like trim pieces, running boards (none on now), etc...

owner says it has a 1300 in it ... but i thought it would be a 1200 in a 61?

all OG car, interior and paint and all... couple dents and some rust, but i love the car ...

was a barn find basically when he got it... even has the skinny white bias plys on it stlil.. he got it up and running

hes a friend of a friend and a trustworthy guy but i still wanna know what im gettin into

let me know what to look out for... thanks!
_________________
mine - '73 Thing .. brms/drop coming
LOOKING for a pre 67 bug

63beryl · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject:

Post some pictures and how much does he want? Condition and price go hand in hand. After this many years a lot of parts could have been changed, this includes the engine.

galax-z · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:37 pm Post subject:

i had a 61, and understood that it was the first year for 1300

bill may · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject:

6Kabrio7 · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

Post some photos..61 is the year I want if I buy another beetle.
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67 Convertible July 67 Yukon Yellow
67 Sedan May 67 Zenith blue

Boom · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:23 pm Post subject:

same as any bug, 61 has several one year only things but I think they are basically the same just imagine the same as a 60 but with push on terminals instead of screw terminals.

the turnsignal switch is a 6 wire push on terminals, the horn works different as it has no wire running thru the steering column.
four tab hood, the rear decklid is different I think where the center goes further past the license light.
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Ovals are Overrated.....Click to view image

67 Chubby White Chic

Düg Büg

dLk

touchdowntodd · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject:

ill post pics soon, i have some but i dont like to curse things until i know for sure.. its 99% sure im getin it, we even have price and all worked out for the most part (ill discuss that later too)

nice thing is all teh new parts, and he does good work no sloppy crap, i know him well enough to know that.. ill check it all over ofcourse.. but new lines, master, wheel cylinders, new tank, battery, new fuse box, wiring, points, condensor, cap, coil, belt, etc...

and the following new parts included too (not installed, his descriptions):

running boards
crome door sils
crome inner door protectors
front and rear outer fender gaurds
all new body trim
side mirror
hood shocks

idk what things are worth VW wise, but i know i see a lotta them for more than im paying, with some of these small things not done and without some of these new parts..

the body is kinda rough some surface rust and a dent or two, interior is real nice though.. and supposedly pans and heater channels are solid.. but most importantly it appears to be 100% OG .. its the light blue/aqua ish color
_________________
mine - '73 Thing .. brms/drop coming
LOOKING for a pre 67 bug

touchdowntodd · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:04 pm Post subject:

ps - how can i tell engine size?
_________________
mine - '73 Thing .. brms/drop coming
LOOKING for a pre 67 bug

Boom · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject:

get the code off the engine under the generator/alternator
_________________
Ovals are Overrated.....Click to view image

67 Chubby White Chic

Düg Büg

dLk

63beryl · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:13 pm Post subject:

It's easy to find cars with high asking prices...but what these cars actually sell for is often unknown. You have a mostly original 61 beetle with some dents and rust....Since you won't post pictures or give more details I'll throw out a ballpark figure. You shouldn't be paying more that $2,000. You can't tell the actual engine size unless you remove a head and see what size piston the engine has. 1300's are very easy to enlarge to 1600 cc. You're asking for our help, but you're not giving us the info/pictures we need to help you make a good decision.

touchdowntodd · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:30 pm Post subject:

bill may · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:26 pm Post subject:

63beryl · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:37 pm Post subject:

Look for rust in the heater channels, door pillars, the front and rear wheel wells (lower part of body behind front wheels and in front of rear wheels), and the parcel shelf (behind the rear seat). The battery pan will almost always be rusted thru. Any sign of rust in these places means you shouldn't buy it unless you have the skills/tools to fix this rust correctly. You can learn how and buy the tools, but the car needs to be bought for much less than the $2,000 I mentioned early.

ConcreteAce · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:49 pm Post subject:

fuscavw · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:20 pm Post subject:

I've seen a few early '61 beetles with a four tab and no prop, both original to the cars they were on.

bill may · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:04 pm Post subject:

MANNAXMAN · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:44 am Post subject:

It also depends on what your plans for the car are. Drive it as is? Concourse restoration? Somewhere in between?

X2 on what Boom and bedebtfree said. In additon, as with any car, look for signs of it being in an accident. Check the side walls of the spare tire well for wrinkles/damage. Check to see if the aprons have been replaced (may not be as easy to tell if you don't know what to look for). Is the new gas tank an aftermarket tank? If so, personally, I'd look for an OG tank. Better fit and sturdier.

andk5591 · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:19 am Post subject:

This all depends what you are looking for - we bought a 61 last year for my wife for her spring/summer/fall daily driver. The big thing is rust and that has probably been covered. Other than that - if you like the car, then just go for it. You are kind of trying to get assurance that you are doing the right thing. You are - the car wants to be back on the road. Help it get there.

There are always surprises and nobody on here knows what has or hasnt been done to the car. You'll find out as you work on it. BUT the usual old car thing - figure out what you think its gonna cost and how long its gonna take, then double or triple it. Take your time, have fun and do it right the first time.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

touchdowntodd · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:27 am Post subject:

no concours restoration.. just a simple check over everything, replace anything needed mechanically, and drive.. then suspension and wheels/tires ... after that ill get some friends together and fix any metal that needs patching and repaint

so, i should assume its a 1200 if the engine is stock then correct?

heres some pics, i guess it cant hurt since the car really isnt on the market per say... (ignore the notebook on the seat LOL)

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
mine - '73 Thing .. brms/drop coming
LOOKING for a pre 67 bug

6Kabrio7 · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:41 am Post subject:

Is that Turkis Green? Buy it!!!
_________________
67 Convertible July 67 Yukon Yellow
67 Sedan May 67 Zenith blue


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