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vx-355 Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Jan 2011 ·

#820665
Hey all....

Pretty new to all this VW stuff...

I'll confess I am a V8 man through and through...my main love is a Holden V8 with too much $$$ spent on it and plenty of horsepower. But I'm looking at a VW Beetle Convertible as a project so we can have some great family cruising with the top down.

Any ideas or thoughts as to what I should look for before I jump in?

(I did do a bit of searching but info overload at the moment)

Thanks guys,
Matt
Cheers!!

I'm a little tired, little wired, and I think I deserve a little appreciation!

Flintstones Custom Title Time!

1,077 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#820783
Hi Matt, welcome to the forum.

I too am a self confessed v8 man and have owned Holden's in the past.

your question is very vague....

are you after an early or late beetle?
how much work can you do yourself?
what style are you after, stock, german look, cal look etc...?

I'm sure there will be millions of other questions you'll have😉 just ask away and there will be someone on here that will have the answer you need.

Cheers
D

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·

#820813
Welcome Matt. Sorry, but I just HAD to say that!😂

A lot of us have been through the 'V8' stage, however it looks like you are on the right track now.

You mentioned that you were after a convertible - Rod Penrose (down your way) had one for sale recently. Not sure if he still has it, but it's worth a call. 4272 9920.

Cheers, Greg
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

vx-355 Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Jan 2011 ·

#820825
HappyDaze wrote:Welcome Matt. Sorry, but I just HAD to say that!😂
😎 Original....I've never heard that before!

Look....I will always be a V8 fan and love the horsepower and sound and all that they offer.

I am looking at a 1970 (cant remember exact year) Beetle Convertible. Its basically a running vehicle with hanging panels...that needs a full rebuild.
The roof is shat but will obviously get a new one. As for the work I do myself....I am quite handy at turning a spanner and built my own 700hp V8 motor a few months ago. So pulling apart and putting back together an old beetle and taking it form a bucket of bolts to a cruiser should be no problem...any major stuff will be outsourced though.

I dont want a show winner....just a nice plain looking convertible that we can cruise in and enjoy...just neat and tidy. But I want to do it myself rather than buy it done.

Can someone point me in the direction so I can get an explanation/understanding of this Type 1, 2, 3 etc...stuff for motors and how I can tell (if possible) by a VIN/Engine Number. And also what is compatible with what....ie: a Type 2 will fit in as a direct replacement for a type 1.....??

Cheers all
Cheers!!

I'm a little tired, little wired, and I think I deserve a little appreciation!

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 ·

#820837
Matt,

welcome to the forum I am not an expert however from what i have read be careful when buying a convertible, there are quite a few on the market however if they have not been converted correctly you could be buying yourself a whole lot of problems.

I think the reason is because there is a misconception you can just cut the roof without strengthening the body and pan, this is totally incorrect and the pan is required to be stiffened.

There are lots of guys who can advise you on whats correct. From what I have observed on carsales etc convertible beetles (type 1) hold there value less than a good straight beetle.

You could go a ragtop? which is similar to a standard beetle with the centre of roof cut out.

good luck with your new hobby, btw my main car is a SV6 but i love driving my beetle
/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

vx-355 Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Jan 2011 ·

#820862
Thanks Paul...

The one I have been looking at says it has been converted to a convertible and is listed as convertible on the NSW rego papers and as it will stay in NSW...no need for engineers report.
Cheers!!

I'm a little tired, little wired, and I think I deserve a little appreciation!

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#820922
welcome aboard the luv bus of vw madness
fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

Fantasy http://seventhchronicle.com

Z = Z2 + C1/r = 1/0 = infinity

Barrels www.barrelman.com.au

VW Workshop - aircooledgarage.com.au
allcooled.com.au

vx-355 Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Jan 2011 ·

#820978
Thanks guys.....

I should know in a few days if I will be getting the car or not.

So a beetle convertible is type 1? so when i look at engines....can only a type 1 engine go in it or are there other easy swaps?

And how do i decipher a VIN? (as in what the letters mean etc..i know how to do it for a commodore but have no idea for a bug)

thanks
Cheers!!

I'm a little tired, little wired, and I think I deserve a little appreciation!

theVman Officially Full-On Dubber

214 posts · joined Dec 2010 ·

#821251
vx-355 wrote:Thanks Paul...

The one I have been looking at says it has been converted to a convertible and is listed as convertible on the NSW rego papers and as it will stay in NSW...no need for engineers report.
Did you get it? Where are the pic's?
Regards
theVman

1969 Beetle (soon to be Volksrod)
www.adlerbike.com/volksrod
www.installsmith.com

vx-355 Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Jan 2011 ·

#821287
Dunno yet....will know by weekend at latest i say.
Cheers!!

I'm a little tired, little wired, and I think I deserve a little appreciation!

theVman Officially Full-On Dubber

214 posts · joined Dec 2010 ·

#863046
theVman wrote:
vx-355 wrote:Dunno yet....will know by weekend at latest i say.
Hi vx-355,

Been a l o n g weekend.....
Must have not got it by the looks....
Regards
theVman

1969 Beetle (soon to be Volksrod)
www.adlerbike.com/volksrod
www.installsmith.com