1974 super beetle convertable - Is it worth saving?

[athomas567]

A bit of a back story. I have never done a car resto, but I am mechanically inclined (learning quickly). This car is my grandmothers and was given to me. It's sat in a garage along with mice for the last 30 years. The engine was seized - completely. Rat piss down through the carburetor everything rusted through. Pistons completely rusted to cylinder walls (piston skirts and all). anyway - ended up being shot and not worth a rebuild as I did a complete tear down. So i bought a used engine. As i started digging more and more I am realizing there is what seems to be major rust damage from the rat piss that may impact integrity of the car. I can't weld (yet), but I am sure if I continue I will learn. I am looking for information on whether or not this car is even worth saving. Fuel lines are shot, mouse nests everywhere (including behind the dash), Suspension rusted, fuel lines toast, brakes no good, a rusted whole to who knows where under where the gas tank sat, rusted holes in engine bay, rust patches and holes in the floor pans near the front end. Please let me know if this is worth continuing or not. Is this a possible task for a newbie? The exterior looks much better than what I am describing which is what deceived me. This project went from a simple "just get it running" to what seems to be a complete rehab that I may not have the funds and time for considering I can probably buy a used running/ moving bug for the same price - if not less than what it will cost aquiring parts and tools for this.

Pictures are attached

Thanks in advance

[RLFD213]

We are doing one now. Original owner and the car was a perfect candidate for the scrap yard but had sentimental value. If you got the time and money, then do it. It will keep you occupied for a while.

[athomas567]

Thank you for your opinion I was hoping I would get a bunch!

[SCRAF]

Everything is fixable. Is it worth it to you? I did a '68 and it took me 2 and a half years to do all the welding and mechanicals to get it up to scratch, it then sat for a number of years barely used because I didnt really trust the engine, rebuilt that and now the plan is to use it because - why not?

It's amazing what you can do if you set your mind to it. Good luck.
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'68 build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=557899

[heimlich]

That's going to be fun.
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[birddog1]

Some people have a sweet spot for 74's being the last year that came with a carb.
Only you can answer if it's worth restoring. The answer is probably different depending on who is being asked. It depends on your skills, money you want to put into it, time your willing to put into it, expectations in the end, etc,etc etc.

I've seen far worse restored and someone would be happy to get it for a project

[athomas567]

[BenJAMin]

Strip it to bare metal, youll have a much nicer car in the end.

[birddog1]

[toddgsanford]

Everything is fixable at a cost
Convertibles have some unique challenges specifically top related. The top u have looks salvageable. The car appears to be or mostly complete. If there is not a hole under the board where your jack is the frame is in better than most shape. Most of the rust areas are common and panels to repair are available The Achilles heal on super beetles is the outer fire shall where the steering box and stabilizer mount. IF this area is in good shape the car has potential. If you’re trying to make a driver semi survivor. Some small repairs to metal and cleaning replacing brakes and a motor you can probably DIY in the neighborhood of 5-7k full resto new interior top etc your going to be 10-15 + you could probably find a finished decent one cheaper.
At your skill level I’d suggest replace running motor replace brakes patch necessary floors. Make it drive/stop and if you want to go better than floor pans.and pick away at the big stuff. In cleaning the interior I’d remove the convertible headliner and pad that will clean up all but the rip issue on the roof. You’re gonna drive with top down probably anyhow. Car has a great back story if your looking to do a concourse resto and get rich on barret Jackson. You have a solid start.

[raydog]

As others have said, anything is repairable. Seeing your pics, the main area of concern is the passenger side near the strut and fuel tank. This area is highly structural, and from the pic, it looks like that area is in tough shape from the mouse piss, etc. It has rot and a lot of corrosion and paint bubbling. Examine that area, you may find it is a lot worse that what you are seeing. Lots of welds and overlying sheetmetal there to form the structure.
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Come on, It's not rocket science. KISS