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My 68 bug revived after 15 years in Ireland
matara - October 21st, 2011 at 04:20 AM

As many of you may know, I've moved back to Ireland for a short while, and last weekend took my 68 bug out of hibernation in my Dad's garage. Its been in there for the last 15 years, only being taken out for the odd time I was back from Sydney. For example its had the same tank of petrol in it for the last 7 years!

This is how I found it! It hasn't been outside for the last 4 years!

http://www.matara.net/albums/zv3460/P1050647.sized.jpg

Plenty of dust on it

http://www.matara.net/albums/zv3460/P1050648.sized.jpg

After just a pumping up the rear tyres and new battery, it started up on the first turn of the key :). The engine is a 1300TP that was rebuilt by a VW apprentice mechanic 10 years ago and has less than 100 miles on it.

Took the kids out for a drive to a nearby fishing lake. Amazingly its motoring with no problems at all! I think I might give it a service and replace the brake fluid just to be safe!

http://www.matara.net/albums/zv3460/P1060223.sized.jpg

Cheers

Steve

matberry - October 21st, 2011 at 07:18 AM

:love:;)

h - October 21st, 2011 at 08:11 AM

oh sweet!
my beetle gets dusty in my shed n looks similar after about 3 months without it's blankee on :lol:
maybe check fuel lines as well ;)
:tu:

5lam - October 21st, 2011 at 08:17 AM

Wow, and it still looks amazing!

Aussie Dubbin - October 21st, 2011 at 08:41 AM

I would replace the rubber lines too, not too hard if you are replacing fluid too...

Sweet ride, must have done some work the first time

68AutoBug - October 21st, 2011 at 10:13 AM

Brake lines usually look OLD long before they leak....

remember they have cooler weather ALL the time

No HOT summers like Australia...

Car looks excellent....

LEE

Camo - October 21st, 2011 at 11:30 AM

I think I would be more concerned about replacing fuel lines (and the fuel) before they fracture, we all know what this end result can cause.

Sweet ride, Kev

matara - October 21st, 2011 at 05:57 PM

Yep have already done the fuel lines. Have ordered a full set of of hoses and hard lines and wheel cylinders for the brakes. Went to a VW meet near Galway in it, its biggest journey in the last 15 years. Met some guys from Eircooled.com including a Ghia, few bugs and a 356.

Weather leaves a lot to be desired though!

psimitar - October 21st, 2011 at 09:59 PM

She looks great dude :)

Hope you've done the oil change as that will have degraded after 7years.
The petrol you got lucky on but can still cause varnish on all the inner surface of the petrol system.
Brakes, yea replace the lot inc MC seals to be totally safe.

Otherwise enjoy your Beetle :)