A few questions about a new ‘67 Sedan purchase

[Cretodecristo]

Greetings again, TheSamba!

Now that Betty, my original ‘67 Beetle purchase, is officially a salvage/parts car, I decided to use her as a donor. After saving up for a bit, I purchased this ‘67 Java Green sedan. It is a driver—and in MUCH better condition than I expected!

After I had it for a week, I began to wonder about a few things. So, I turn to the collective wisdom of TheSamba.

The body and pan match. If I understood the chart correctly, this was made in January 1967.

There are definitely some parts that are not original and do not belong (the bumpers are a prime example. I’ll take them from Betty.). I am curious about the trunk lid and fenders, though. Those aren’t original, are they?

While it is a perfectly functional driver, I began to wonder what it would take to bring it to stock appearance. I have already replaced some things with parts in better condition from my original ‘67. Here is the dash and back end:

Do I have any reason to be too suspicious that (at some point) parts of the body were replaced?

Lastly, the engine was rebuilt. Here is the tag:

I have no idea how to track any of that information down. I was told it was a factory rebuild. At this point, I am not even sure I have the skill to identify it as a 1500. I have spare parts (a 30PICT-1, a push-pin generator, and a 205k distributor), but because I don’t know how to identify this engine, I do not know if they will work. Can I get some help?
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Proud owner of a ‘67 sedan daily driver!

[67rustavenger]

The engine could be 1500, 1600, 1641, 1679 or anything else.
If it's a single port engine. It would be a great idea to use the 30 pict 1 carb and the 205 K dist. That's what was delivered from the factory.
This is what I'm gonna run in my 67. Once I install the single port engine later this summer.

The fenders appear to be original. But a good way to tell is place two fingers between the horn opening and the fender seem. If two fingers just cover that distance. The fenders are believed to be original. Any more than two fingers, likely a repop fender.

Your bumpers are gross.

If there has been body parts grafted onto the car. It was likely in an accident. Or they parts were so rusted that they needed to be replaced with OG metal.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Cretodecristo]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

… you're gunna' get all kindza' opinions …

Overall, the car looks super-nice, including the front bumper - love bumpers, like that - lucky you - all the sheet metal looks correct - but who cares 'bout correct - like the carpet, isn't...

Just do it the way, you want - keep Betty an individual - zen
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5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[Big Bill]

Very nice car, I also have a Java 67.I am thinking that you have a rebuilt engine I couldnt say if it is a Factory rebuild or not. Yours doesnt have the right air cleaner and some of the engine tin work is from an earlier bug, but over all it is a very nice bug. I wish my paint was as nice as yours, get it safe to drive and enjoy it. A shot of my 67,

[67rustavenger]

To be clear. I wasn't putting your car down. My first 67 was Java Green. Sprayed with a hideous metallic blue later in life way back in 1975.
I killed that car. They don't seem to mate well with Dashers.

The OP asked for opinions. So I offered mine. No offense.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[67conv]

Cretodecristo, congratulations on your Java green '67! Hopefully, she's as rustfree as possible. Otherwise, it appears to be in a very nice overall condition, needing only some fairly minor things to get her in proper state.

About your front fenders - Yes, it's odd that someone would have sealed up the horn grills! If you find evidence of bondo or body work up under there, then that's potentially good. (as all the factory original fenders had horn grills, with the aforementioned '2 finger' spacing) If not, then it's possible that the fenders are some type of aftermarket variety from who knows where. Also, you can pull off the turn signals on top of fenders to check the mounting hole. If the hole is circular, then it's original factory, if the hole is "D" shaped, it's aftermarket. Your hood appears to be a proper '67..

You're obviously missing a few minor details that are easily addressed such as front and rear bumper braces, the '67 backup lights and their mounting brackets, the correct '67 ashtray, complete horn ring, seats look "off", the carpeting,... and the engine looks cobbled together to get it / keep it running with whatever was available bits and pieces (40 hp air cleaner, non '67 pulley, carb, fuel pump, etc etc etc).. If it were me, I'd pop off one of those rivets holding the rebuilt engine data plate numbering and rotate it around far enough to peek under it to see what was rebuilt to begin with. If the stamping begins with H0 XXX XXX, it's possible it could be the 1500 originally assigned to your car. It could be anything, really, and hard to tell what's inside (1500?, 1600? 1300??) without tearing into it.

If she's running and stopping now, then I'd just enjoy it as is, while you gradually get it to how you'd want it. It looks like a very nice '67 "score" you got there!
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1967 VW Convertible, owned /driven /pampered for 34 years.
1957 DKW 3=6, owned /driven /risen from the dead for 20 years.

Previously owned: 72 "Baja Champion SE" Spec. Edition Super Beetle bought NEW; 79 Convertible bought NEW; 67 type 1 savanna beige; 67 2.0 911S; 73 2.4 911T; 63 356 T6 B Cabriolet; 64 356 SC sunroof coupe; 72 Type-3 Squareback; 68 + 69 Type-3 Fastbacks; 87 Vanagon GL Wasserboxer

[Q-Dog]

The driver side front quarter looks off to me ... maybe just odd reflections or maybe it was hit in the front. That would certainly explain the replacement fenders.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[tasb]

Some non 1967 engine components besides the afore mentioned air filter are the coil, distributor, fuel pump. This ones a little closer to original.

The coil on the one above may have been replaced, at least the bracket as it should not have the hole in it. None of the hose clamps are original.
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Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[aa390392]

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getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet

[Airstream65]

Fenders are most likely from a 68, with bumper brackets filled in,or, aftermarket fenders with no horn grills.

[lhd65bug]

Hi, a little off topic I know, but looking at your engine compartment, I think I can see a plastic fuel filter lurking behind the distributor. It's your car; it's your call; and the subject's been beaten to death on the Samba.com for many years, but I'd personally relocate it out of the engine compartment and position it over the transaxle to reduce the risk of a fire.

[Cretodecristo]

I took some time today (after the rain) to look at the front fenders. The driver’s side front fender was replaced at some point, for whatever reason. It has bondo where the cutout should be. The passenger side front fender has a “D” hole for the parking lights and do not seem to have the cutout at all. The headlight rings are aftermarket, as well. I have Hella SB12s from Betty, so I’ll replace them eventually.

When I bought the car, the gentleman who sold it to me was up-front about the bumpers and seats. He told me that it was a good driver, not a concourse car. It will never be. That is what I purchased. There are parts that are not original, which is okay—for now. However, I want to know those parts and eventually replace them. Over time, I intend to get it back as close as I can to original. I have the early ‘67 seats (reupholstered…which need it again) and better bumpers—with the backup lights and mounts. The seller was wrong about the bondo, however. I have found quite a bit under that paint. Apparently, some previous owner had body work done. It has a little rust, especially around the battery tray, of course. The rest that I have found can become a problem but is not now. Even though I live in South Carolina, the body work can wait until winter.

I must admit, after my disappointment with Betty, I am more than happy to have this bug! The car runs well. Outside of routine engine work, I she’s not too bad! I have nearly all the parts to bring it back to factory specs, but I am not really in much of a hurry. I want to enjoy what I have—even if my wife refuses to ride in it. She says it stinks. Maybe she will cruise with me once I replace all the seals and everything in the interior?
_________________
Proud owner of a ‘67 sedan daily driver!

[aa390392]

Creto your a good man, with a positve attitude, good luck with your recent purchase, find that stink so that wife can enjoy the car with you,
Thomas
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.
getting grumpy & less tolerant!


55 ragtop
56 delux sedan
56 Kabriolet

[Rome]

Looks like you found a solid '67 with your green one.

[tasb]

[harrymarlin]

[Max Welton]

[tasb]

Or, you could take it the other way. Out of sight out of mind creates issues when the filter is forgotten about for years. The tiny amount of minute impurities that passes through a fuel system over a period of hours or days will likely do no harm. Collect it into multiple small restrictive spaces invites trouble. While your tank may be fifty years old hopefully you've done some maintenance in that period of time so that you shouldn't have fifty years of trouble lurking. If you haven't, then you get to learn the hard way.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[Cretodecristo]

Thank you for pointing out fuel filter issue. I recognize that it is a thing. However, I did not ask to have the fuel filter argument replayed in this thread. There are a lot of back and forth in other threads about it that appear less fruitful. I had hoped to increase my knowledge and add value to the community when I began writing my original post’s questions.

I originally asked about the parts that are currently on my recently-acquired beetle and whether they were original. I have received a lot of helpful guidance. Please do not erode the value of others’ posts with this back and forth. It is almost as bad as attempting to convince a ‘67 Bug owner that their particular year’s vehicle isn’t that special.

Respectfully,
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Proud owner of a ‘67 sedan daily driver!