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vwlovr73
Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2000
Posts: 273
Location: ND
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 Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 9:39 am Post subject: My 63 Bug "Darrel" Back on the road after 34 years |
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Hi,
I've been tooling around here for a few weeks, after a 7+ year hiatus from the site, because I have a new VW in my life.
Here is the former bug I had, a 1973 Beetle, original paint, 70k on original engine, really nice car. Was my first car, bought when I was 15, kept and sold when I was 22 and started grad school.
So I stepped a little out of my element when I fell for this lovely 63. Decided it'd make the perfect graduation gift for me! (Because you never shake the VW illness....at least I never did.)
Here's when I picked it up...
And unloaded it...
Mostly original paint here too, 47k on the original engine (yes 47! Not 147.). California black plates, euro spec, bought by a soldier in Germany and brought back to CA with US Equipment installed (I have the receipt - written in German - for the install of the towel bars, red taillights, speedo, etc which was done at the wolfsburg factory...) Original registration (photocopy...)
Also got the VW birth certificate a few days ago. It verifies everything I've been told, right down to the numbers matching.
Since i bought it in Minnesota I have to brag about the pan...
Interior when I drove it off the trailer...
(Seat covers are not original obviously; I don't even think the driver seat is original. Has a wonky fit.)
And after I did a quick cleanup/wipedown.
Obviously random little issues like the wrong horn ring, but gee, I think I can fix that! Like I said, 47k.
Gorilla tape is great stuff:
The story behind this bug is that it was owned and driven in CA for 15 years. The original owner moved to Minnesota and never drove it again. He had it stored under a sheet for all that time, then sold it in 2006 on eBay to the second owner, who planned to fix up but never got around to it, it sat in his garage collecting a bit more dust until I bought it in April.
Had a lot of work done on it by a mechanic I trust. Had planned to do most of the work myself but hey, it's been so many years, and I wanted it done right and fairly quickly. The work included replacing braking components, fuel system components, engine seals, upgrade to 12v electrical (I know many are 6 volt purists, but I want to be a lil safer/brighter in my tiny black car.), tires, and a few other things. Basically, all the stuff that rots away when a car spends 34 years under a sheet.
Its had a little fender bender (and an apparently bad repaint) on the passenger side front, but all in good time, it can be fixed. I was quite amazed at how well the old factory paint shined up with a wash and a good coat of cleaner wax.
Patina, anyone?
So, my plans for it. Well, I thought I would chop it, lower it, maybe baja...
Yeah... no.
My style: original with a little bit of flair. I intend to stick really close to original, with a few conveniences (i.e. understated speakers & glovebox stereo; the afformentioned 12v conversion, etc). Sorry, I plan to keep the over-riders just because I think they are cute (I'm a girl, I'm allowed)...even though they aren't as sleek as the blade alone. Euro tail lights. Lots of interior work... bring it back to derby grey/cream, basically. Eventual repaint (keeping the same color). Yadda yadda.
Tucked in...
"It'll look real nice when its done."
Thanks for these great forums... I've been soaking up the info about these earlier cars, and appreciate everyone's details. As I learn more, I'll contribute more. (As I'll come crying for help the first time I F something up...)
_________________
1963 Beetle euro spec "Darrel" (since 2012)
Past - 1973 Beetle "Arthur" (owned 1998-2005)
Red River VW Club- http://www.redrivervwclub.com
Last edited by vwlovr73 on Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:28 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Miklo
�Chale!
Joined: August 27, 2008
Posts: 2058
Location: Antelope Valley, Ca
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 10:04 am Post subject: |
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WOW, awesome find!
Welcome back!
_________________
✠Miklo✠
'55 Type1 "Ozma"
'66 Type1 "Charlotte" RIP
Antelope Valley's Mobile Air-Cooled Guru
| Dr OnHolliday wrote: |
| As I remember it, lowriding was not one of the criteria that Adolf gave to Dr. Porsche... |
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Dustin B
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2007
Posts: 1017
Location: hesperia, Ca USA
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 10:17 am Post subject: |
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Double wow. That is a perfect car to start with. Nice find.
_________________
Wanted Victoria motors licence plate frame.
62 og paint L469 type 1
61 og paint L31 DD panel type 2
64 heilite viscount tent trailer
71 sears clamshell trailer
I <3 Brazilian busses
Original paint and patina extravaganza http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=187156 |
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rollo6fo
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2011
Posts: 169
Location: Lenoir NC
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 10:53 am Post subject: |
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Beautiful!!!!
_________________
63 oval rag "Swaggen"
76 Weekender " The Krusty Krab"
78 Champagne Adventurewagen " Mr Hanky" |
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Buscowboy
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2004
Posts: 421
Location: South Coast, England
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 11:03 am Post subject: |
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| Great looking car already, enjoy your new journey. |
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ovalshark
Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2001
Posts: 265
Location: Caldwell, Idaho
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 12:15 pm Post subject: 63 |
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| Looks like a blast as it is!! Congrats on this one. |
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Buck Naked
Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2009
Posts: 400
Location: El Dorado County,CA
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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Beautiful car!! I'm jealous neither of my '63s are that clean. Welcome back and enjoy the ride.
Shane
_________________
Be unique, like everyone else.
'63 Beetle Ragtop |
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67bda
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2011
Posts: 11
Location: Riverview, FL
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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Awesome! That's a keeper for sure. Enjoy your car! 
_________________
Brad
1967 Beetle
1965 Mustang Fastback
1961 Corvette
1990 Porsche 964 |
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slik
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2012
Posts: 216
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Wow. Can't believe they r still out there like that. Congrats! |
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twowings
Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2010
Posts: 23
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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as Mr. Burns says...."Excellent !"  |
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mykidsbug
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2011
Posts: 473
Location: SoSo Cal LA
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Nice bug, enjoy the ride!! |
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gondiwindi
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2006
Posts: 1210
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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A black 1963 bug in that shape is what I dream of each Thursday night 
How did you unearth this gem? |
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bugmandave
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2005
Posts: 642
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Dustin B wrote: |
| Double wow. That is a perfect car to start with. Nice find. |
perfect to leave it alone! find a couple correct parts and drive it as a survivor. |
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gondiwindi
Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2006
Posts: 1210
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Is the white steering wheel original to the car? Reason I ask is because I am restoring a black '63 bug. |
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vwlovr73
Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2000
Posts: 273
Location: ND
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| gondiwindi wrote: |
| How did you unearth this gem? |
Good ol Samba classifieds!
| gondiwindi wrote: |
| Is the white steering wheel original to the car? Reason I ask is because I am restoring a black '63 bug. |
Yes I believe so. It shows white/ivory in the manual too. Note that I have a 'thumb bar' which is not correct though. A horn ring was correct for 63. (Will get that eventually).
Check out this thread if you haven't already. He has some stuff I wouldn't do... having the thumb bar.. having different wheels, etc. But the interior is about what I want with mine:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=380996
_________________
1963 Beetle euro spec "Darrel" (since 2012)
Past - 1973 Beetle "Arthur" (owned 1998-2005)
Red River VW Club- http://www.redrivervwclub.com |
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vwlovr73
Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2000
Posts: 273
Location: ND
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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| bugmandave wrote: |
perfect to leave it alone! find a couple correct parts and drive it as a survivor. |
I plan to... for a while! It WILL need new window and door seals. They're cracked to hell and basically worthless in some places. Going to repaint eventually just because I want to protect it. Plus the front pass fender needs it anyway..
_________________
1963 Beetle euro spec "Darrel" (since 2012)
Past - 1973 Beetle "Arthur" (owned 1998-2005)
Red River VW Club- http://www.redrivervwclub.com |
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sportin-wood
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2010
Posts: 2164
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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| bugmandave wrote: |
| perfect to leave it alone! find a couple correct parts and drive it as a survivor. |
X2
What a sweet looking little car! Nice touch on the gorilla taped seat cushions!! 
Congrats on such an awesome find!!
_________________
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1966 Bug project
1973 Thing project
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"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli |
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Rometsch2880
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2004
Posts: 583
Location: St. Albans, WV
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like it has an alternator. Regardless, very nice looking car. I have a ruby 63 in very similar condition with just under 44k miles. I drive it everyday, I love it.
Oh, my horn ring is also broken. Looks exactly like that. |
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Lahti35
Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2011
Posts: 351
Location: Always the wrong side of the drawbridge in Bay City, MI.
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carcass
Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2011
Posts: 302
Location: Santa Maria,Ca.
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| Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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Beautiful just the way it is--but looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
I can almost smell that "old bug" smell just looking at the pictures-great car! |
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