Never Owned a Bug, so I bought 3!

[Bill T.]

Hello, and welcome to my virtual insanity tour! Last summer I was given a 78 Super Beetle convertible. It had been sitting for many, many years so it has many, many significant issues. Biggest being horribly rusted pans. Next biggest being no wiring (AZ pack rats had been living in it and ate 80% of the wiring).

I'm no novice to cars, but I've never owned a VW, so I started w the basics. Engine, tansmission, brakes, suspension, etc. Well, since everything about restoring an old car snowballs into the nether regions of Kris Kringle's undies, I pulled the motor and tranny. They were so coated in gunk, I couldn't even find engine codes. Eventually I found out that I have the correct block (AJ series for an 78!Super) but it was retrofitted w a single carb. NBD, carbs are great. But upon further inspection, I realized that pretty much everything needed to be cleaned, inspected, repaired, or replaced if I was ever going to get the Super back on the road. The motor turns over great and has compression, but I wouldn't trust it without more information.

The tranny I sent out for a cleaning and a complete re-seal.

I started looking around for engine options and met a guy who knew a guy with "a VW engine". Skip ahead 6 months and I am now the owner of 3 VW's, 3 motors, 6 transmissions and more parts and pieces than I could ever want. I had to buy it all or nothin and I wanted the engine.

The motor is a SCAT 1918cc w a street cam and an EMPI carb. Should be a lot of fun!!

But now I have a garage full of stuff I don't need and don't plan on using. Not to mention the cars. I habpve the 78 convertible, a lowered '70 and a 68 Baja. The Baja is the one I definitely don't want. It does not have a motor or tranny installed but it has a full custom roll cage with a tranny strap, Fox air shocks, custom SS gas tank, fiberglass hood and fenders and an engine cage.

Based on the pics, what is the value of that? Plus I have an extra set of giant wheels. They don't have a brand on them anywhere.

I also got a nice full pan from a '66. It has surface rust, but it is nice and shiny where the factory sound deadening material is still attached. Dumb question, but what does one do with a thing like that?

I also got boxes and boxes of parts (coils, carbs, tin, lights, lenses, badges, you name it) And two full front beams.

It's going to ban an interesting decent into madness, but I will try and keep my head on.

Just wanted to say Hi, and ask for patience as I learn more about these cars.

All the best..
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'78 Super Beetle Convertible
'72 Triumph TR6

[VW_Jimbo]

Welcome to the Sambe Bill!

Those pack rats are nasty critters. When the inlaws lived in Vail AZ, those little bastards chewed up a whole lotta wiring in their motorhome. Took me the better part of a vacation to rewire that thing. During that time, we caught that little sucker!

The parts collecting never stops. You should really evaluate your storage capacity and start making room. I had to rent a storage unit, about the size of a single car garage to store my small collection of parts. Costs me about 100 a month to store old junk, but when you need something, you need it!

The classified section of this site is a great place to get rid of extra parts.

Good luck and keep having fun!
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[71StandardReduction]

Man that Baja is pretty bare.
Although, what's there seems to be in good shape.
Other than the cage/Baja body pieces, it's pretty stock as well.
Idk if you have paperwork but I'd try to squeeze $1200 out of it or just hope for a decent offer.

Those are indeed some huge tires.

Looks like you have a type2 gear reduction transaxle...
Do you have a regular swing axle trans?
You could make that '66 pan a rolling chassis and get a few bucks out of it too just to get it out of the way.
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One thing I ask from the Lord, This only do I seek:
That I may dwell in the House of The Lord all the days of my Life, to gaze on the beauty of The Lord and to seek Him in His Temple~Psalms 27:4

YHWH NISSI
YHWH SHALOM

64 Pan Buggy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Ruby Red 1966
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=779597&highlight=

https://youtube.com/@SCOFabwerx?feature=shared

[ROCKOROD71]

Take the VIN# off the pan and have the cops or DMV run it to see if it is stolen or has any leins on it.
If it comes up clean, get a title for it (the car follows the pan, so technically a stripped down pan that one man can move around on a dolly, thats a VW bug!).
Someone who wants to build a buggy/ kit car (or has significant damage to their pan) will buy a titled pan, the clean title is worth the fees when you are trying to sell it!
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1971 STD BEETLE- DD-1st car, 1st love. keepin' it stock! 1600DP, Solex 34-3 Mexi Bosch SVDA Dist NOW w/POINTS
1977 WESTY "KrustyKamper" 2L FI

[Dürtwagen]

Hey I live about an hour south of Flagstaff, you guys get snow over the weekend? It rained here in the valley.
Btw you might want to keep jay Baja , they are pretty fun in the snow !
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1974 VW baja bug
1979 Mercedes Benz 300D

[Bill T.]

Thanks Rocorod. Is this the same thing as applying for a bonded title? I had to go through that with the last car I bought because the PO lost his title. Cost me a couple of hundred bucks to go through the process. If I go through all the headache to get a title for this pan, how does that effect the value? Or, what is the value of a 66 pan with a clean title vs without? Now that I think about it, with the inspection, fees, and bond for the title it was $300+.
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'78 Super Beetle Convertible
'72 Triumph TR6

[Bill T.]

Hey! I was in Cottonwood yesterday. Small world. I must have a loose screw because I’m in Flag and I would rather keep the convertible or the lowered 70. Neither of which are good for snow And the one car that could be good for snow I don’t want! If you know anybody looking for a Baja, baja wheels, or a full Beetle pan, let me know.
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'78 Super Beetle Convertible
'72 Triumph TR6

[Buggeee]

Got Aircooled? Got extra parts!!! It's just that way. Welcome to the fun.
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1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[bluebus86]

Well it is about time you got a Bug, huh?

Welcome to the world of Buggism!

Photographs are very welcome if will you spare some time to post them We really like long shots, close shots, head on shots, left side shots, right side shots, rear shots, 3/4 view shots of each corner, interior shots, trunk shots, and we all love engine bay shots.

So give it a shot.... Bug On!





PS I own a Triumph Spitfire.
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Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[Bill T.]

Hey Bluebus. I have some pics posted on my profile page of the cars. The rest is strewn across three cities till I get things sorted

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'78 Super Beetle Convertible
'72 Triumph TR6

[bluebus86]

Oh, thanks for posting. Looks like a fun project. I like the look of the later Bugs. I got a 61, 65 and 66 right now, but I like them too. I think I got the Bug too.

Orange is a great period correct color. i like the vivid colors of the 70s cars. Hope you decide on a wild but correct color!

Looks like you have Riviera wheel rims. I have had those on a 914. Tinted glass too it appears on the door can be a nice look, Its pretty dark, but I opt for clear for visibility/safety reason.

Looks some front crash damage has been worked on, lower front apron, different color fender. If you need replace steel, source original stuff, even used with minor damage that can be worked put is good, as most aftermarket made today is of poor fit and is thin gauge steel.

anyway looks like a fun project. Hope it goes well for you!


Bug On!
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022