I don't know how to make it road worthy

[ssergio]

I'm a college student, and J just purchased a 62. Got a really good deal on it, but it needs some work. It has a rebuilt 1300 I changed the oil, replaced the front shocks and tires, and I put t bar bumpers on it. As for the issues, the pans aren't perfect, the body needs some work, it leaks a lot of fluids on multiple places, it has no seals in the engine bay, the seal for the front trunk won't go on, because the rail was cut off and the hood itself doesn't have any place for a seal, my headlights went completely out, my blinkers are completely out and I cannot find the proper fuse, and the car runs well, but it runs weird in a certain gear, and doesn't downshift very well. I know the early 60s cars are very desirable and certain things like this are 'easy fixes" but I'm in the middle of either keeping it and fixing it, or trying to trade it up for a better condition 70s model that I'll be able to drive sooner and more often. Any thoughts or advice on how I can fix certain things? [/img]

[pondoras box]

Oh wow that’s a lot to unpack. How soon do you need daily transportation? What is your budget? And what mechanical skills do you have?

Off the cuff, I’m going to say get the running driving 70’s model.
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Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.

1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop (Arschloch)
1973 standard bug (Dirty Gertie)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=804912
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion

[my59]

So, you have a lot in front of you.
#1, engine bay seals. Otherwise toasting the engine with heat.
#2 fuses. See if the metal part is broken. Take each fuse out, clean the fusebox contacts, replace fuse, and spin it around a bunch of times then turn ignition on and try the lights.
#3 lights. Are all the wires connected? Are the bulbs blown? No lights is no good.

Stop with the downshifting. Use the brakes. Easier and cheaper to replace than a clutch or transmission. Is the oil in the transmission full?

I'd go for a 67 or later, 12 volt car.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[rcooled]

If this car will be your only transportation, and you don't have any experience working on old cars, and don't have the proper tools or a place to work, get yourself a better car (and not necessarily an old VW) Buy the best car you can afford...not someone else's hacked-up project.
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'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone)

[Bobs67vwagen]

I agree with the above posts, if this is primary transportation and you have little mechanical knowledge or tools, get a better car. If possible put this one on the back burner and address each problem one at a time. Get a copy of John Muirs VW repair for the complete idiot and you will learn a lot about how to approach each of the many repairs you need to make. For a daily driver I would recommend a 1988 to 2000 Honda Civic. These cars are well built, dependable easy to work on and parts are inexpensive and available. I have had these cars as daily drivers for the last 25 years and I keep them until at least 200,000 miles. Good luck Bob

[Dusty1]

Link


I paid $100 for my '67, thirty years ago. It would be considered a "patina" car today. 100% straight, rust free, original Java green paint. The weird part was I got it way up in northerm Vermont where things rust.

I didn't even try to get the original single port running. I towed it home and swapped to a slightly used OEM VW crate motor. You could get them back then. Even if it was used with the little "recycle stamp, you could be fairly confident it hadn't been rebuild three times already.


I've had dozens... maybe over a hundred VWs since them. The cheap ones are generally horrible. They tend to have layers and layers of half- assed repairs and damage that's not easily repaired. I can't get excited about a Bug with rust, hit in the front, maybe with a dented- in roof. There's no fixing a dented in roof. Yeah, there are guys who do it but...

Cumulatively It's a lotta work if it needs everything. A hundred "easy fixes" are a lot of work.

[scrivyscriv]

Where in TN are you? I may be able to help if you're close to Memphis.
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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.