Advice on a daily driven early Beetle

motha · 2011-04-10T05:20:52+00:00

Now I've advertised my 76 golf on here & other various places http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=89749 I've grown up with VW's from the get go & my dad still has the family 74 bug for as long as I can remember (I think 27 years) & both mum & dad have owned beetles, kombi's, golfs for the rest of the time too. I've always wanted to get into an early aircooler, but was basically thrown into the watercoolers from my very first car. I've had watercoolers for daily drivers from day one too. Mainly a modified 79 Mk1 & my current turbo'd 76 Mk1 which I'm selling. Both these cars have been absolutely awesome to me & I've never been let down by them & have never had any drama's or 2nd thoughts about doing long distance driving incl the 600+km a week for the daily work grind. I suppose some people would call it stupid or "hardcore" considering they don't have any creature comfort apart from a heater! (no radio's fitted! only the factory radios from new, which were am & didn't work! haha) Portland 2011 I'm basically asking, how many of you out there daily drive your beetle's? I have had a very "rough as guts" 66 beetle previously, but it blew up the first day I got it & sold it to a bloke to cut up for a dune buggy. So I wouldn't really call it a good experience. I have had this thought for a long time & since racing at Portland in the Golf, I'm finally looking at getting into a proper nice aircooler for the daily drive after being around all the nice aircoolers. Not so much the drag ones, but the really nice streeters. eg. I met the lady owner at Portland & had a good chat to her about her beetle, who's name I honestly can't remember sorry. I think her husband raced "Shrapnel"? correct me if I'm wrong. Pic from SA DOVW This engine is way overkill for what I'm after & I know this & the box would cost plenty of $$$$. Too much for what I'm looking for, but I suppose you get the idea. This car is the ultimate for me along with Martin Wiesners Cal-Look 56 Oval from a very long time ago. Who was also at Portland on looking & is a long time family friend. I was trying to pry his 56 oval out of hands a very long time ago, but settled for his 83 Campaign GTI. Now dads 74 stock 1600 twin port scoots along "ok" I suppose (no speed demon off the line, but doesn't have any trouble cruising along at 100-120km/h), but I'm wondering what a 60-65 beetle goes like & what I should be looking for. Yes I love to race cars etc, but I have a 530hp Holden ute I'm currently using for the commute, which is sort of feeling like its being filtered down the more & more I drive it!!! But I'll use this for a thrill when need be. I'm very picky about suspension & brakes & they have to be in mint working order, but as far as engines go, I don't mind being on the slow side, as long as it can scoot along with ease at 100-105km/h. I don't care about the traffic light dual!!! Is this a reasonable thought with an early beetle? As it will be used as my daily hack, but a "cool" hack. Not after show room paint, panel work, but the interior must be in good condition. Obviously rust is a no no, but don't mind the odd panel ding/scrap, as these all have a story to tell & give the car a certain type of character. Sort of along these lines But enough of the rambling. Is this a rational thought? Just would like (want is a harsh word) something thats ultra reliable, stops & goes around corners, uses little fuel (ute makes up for the fuel saving) & is basically cool as! Cheers Tim.

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 11 Apr 2011, 11:27 pm

#835289

Thanks all for the replies & stories. Appreciate them 100%

I contacted the owner of the green 60 bug above. Been sold. Ah well.

The search continues.

Have also had a early Type 3 in the back of my mind too. The ones with the bullet style indicators.

Don't mind swingaxles, but not the belly ached swingaxle "camber" look.

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

Matt Ryan Fahrvergnugen

890 posts · joined Jan 2006 · 12 Apr 2011, 11:01 am

#835317

All great fun untill I had a wheel bearing collapse this morning between Lithgow & Bathurst. NRMA trucked it to Bathurst for me, but when we took the hub off, the bearing had 'welded' itself to the stub axle and stuffed it. Boris is sending a replacement, but I won't get it untill tomorrow morning.

I suppose this could happen in any car though.

Only difference, is on a "modern" car you would have had a better chance of hearing the wheel bearing a long time before it let go. There is always a lot of noise going on around you, even in a stock beetle.

Hope you don't get stuffed about too much Jeff. And I hope you replace the bearings on Both front wheels 'cause the other one won't be far behind.

Regards,

Matt.

http://portvwforum.freeforums.org

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 12 Apr 2011, 11:47 am

#835324

I have had wheel bearing noises since last year. I got them to check them when I got tires at Warners Bay in October - they reckoned they were OK.

I then took it to the VW blokes in Belmont in November, and they reckoned they were OK.

I got new strut inserts and all the brakes done in Orange in February and asked them to check the bearings, and they still reckoned they were OK.

2 or 3 weeks ago, it was getting VERY noisy in the RH rear, I took it back to the place in Orange and they said the rear bearing was starting to disintegrate. I asked them to do both sides, but they could only get one set of bearings, so only did the RH side, as I was driving back to Port that night.

I have still been hearing what I reckoned was bearing noises, so I was planning on getting them checked again in Parkes when I get tires in the next week or so.

I have got a complete set of bearings and seals for all wheels from Vintage, and are getting them all done now - the stuff arived about 10.30am, so it is nearly finished.

From your ole' mate Jeff

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 12 Apr 2011, 2:40 pm

#835347

Craig Torrens wrote:Its not really a fact that they are all "shite"...probably just your limited experience with good ones.

Drum brakes in GOOD condition stop fine for city driving, and are also fine when performing emergency stopping....its only when you do repeated high speed stopping they are shocking.

The only ones that are "shite" are the ones that have not been setup properly or are in average to poor condition re shoes, wheel cylinders, fluid, and out of round drum faces.

Thats a valid point.
The only ones that tend to get an entire brake system overhaul with new parts are the show cars and full restos, not all the daily drivers my freinds scare me with 😂

beetleboyjeff wrote:All great fun untill I had a wheel bearing collapse this morning between Lithgow & Bathurst. NRMA trucked it to Bathurst for me, but when we took the hub off, the bearing had 'welded' itself to the stub axle and stuffed it. Boris is sending a replacement, but I won't get it untill tomorrow morning.

I suppose this could happen in any car though.

I can Identify Jeff, mine did the exact same thing only in the middle of nowhere on the Pacific highway at Yelgun.

I couldn't get hold of a new 2 bolt spindle anywhere, that's when mine made the switch to 3 bolt.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 12 Apr 2011, 6:53 pm

#835387

I daily drive my Baja to work and back. I do around 600-800km a week. Is a '65 on a '72 super pan with a king pin front end welded on.

My drums brakes work great, but are always checked and adjusted. The problem with drums is they stop working when wet. Drive through a foot or two of water and you have to keep mega distance from anyone you're following until they dry out.
And if I jump into my '68 semi (with disc front) it is so much better than the Baja at all times, and I've never ever even looked at the brakes once.
This can be fixed like all things, plenty of VW shops offer disc brake front kits for the early cars.

My car is swingaxle, and lifted slightly. So can be downright horrible as far as handling goes. But you just need to learn to drive accordingly.
This can also be fixed, IRS (the double jointed kind) conversions aren't that hard to do, especially not if you're mechanically minded. I have a bit of leg up in that respect with the super pan and the factory pivots boxes.
I really like the idea of an early body on a later pan, but if I was going to that effort I'd go with a balljoint pan and weld some pivot boxes on while I'm going.

Lights and electrics are all upgradeable, it's really quite an easy job to do I don't see why you wouldn't. Leave the 6V starter in it until it dies and collect the bits necessary to convert the starter to 12V when you're ready.

The worst thing I find with my Baja is the noise, carpets and sound deadening would probably help this. But even a stock Beetle is going to be loud compared to a newer car (even if it is a 70's model Golf).
Getting the car quieter is still a work in progress with mine.

Advice on whether to do it or not. I say just do it!!!
Sure it won't stop or handle or accelerate or be as quiet as a modern car. But when you drive down the street people don't stop and turn around to look at you, and kids don't start punching each other when you're driving a Commodore/Falcon/Camry/Plastic Shitbox.

Just do it!!

Smiley 😎

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 12 Apr 2011, 7:14 pm

#835394

Can't thank you all enough for the advice & stories.

Love the last comment above^^^^^ Smiley.

I can remember that happening when mum use to drop us off at school & all the kids would start punching each other "Punch Buggy!" haha

Yes in a normal car you don't get noticed but even in my ute, it attracts alot of attention, due to the noise of a pretty cranky V8 backed up by a 4200 convertor.

You obviously just don't see people punching each other though!

(but drive through Geelong on a weekend at night & your bound to see some "real fights"! They don't call it "fight club" for nothing!)

Still on the hunt. Just need to sell of some cars first

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 15 Aug 2011, 10:36 pm

#857306

I know I'm dragging up an old thread, but thought I'd just add to it, instead of starting off a fresh thread in regards to tracking down a nice beetle!

I came across this one on carsales & even though contacting the person is of course the first port of call.

Its also a days work to go & see it to check out out properly too.

So I thought I'd throw it up here, as the VW "aircooled" community seems fairly tight-nit. So I'm hoping someone would know something of, or about this car below?

Is it as good as its advertised?

The body, interior etc all look in good condition etc., but pics can be deceiving & also don't show whats underneath.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=10951889&__Qpb=1&Cr=3&__Ns=pCar_YearMade_Int32|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294962746%204294961272&silo=1011&__No=15&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=353&__sid=1318719EF32D

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 15 Aug 2011, 11:11 pm

#857312

Looks like a bargain

Keeping it real !

karmann54 Officially Full-On Dubber

337 posts · joined Nov 2002 · 16 Aug 2011, 4:49 pm

#857395

It's probably a '66 model by the rear decklid and interior pattern - these originally have an F series 1300SP motor. Most of them when overhauled up the engine to 1600 as the case is the same pretty much. I drive a '67 which is basically the same about 30km round trip most days, but mostly 60-80km/h. At 100km/h it's pretty loud but handles it OK.

That one looks like a nice car but you need to look at it in the flesh.

Turbo54 Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined Jul 2004 · 16 Aug 2011, 5:45 pm

#857408

Motha, Her name is Rachel and husband is David O'Conner. the diamond green car is beautiful and is hers is the first photo.
heath

C'mon kids gather round,
there's a new sensation hitting town,
It's moving straight, low to the ground,
it'll pick you up when your feeling down.

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 16 Aug 2011, 9:00 pm

#857470

Thanks for the comments & advice!

I reckon the blue one could be a goer, but would really like to get into something mid-late 50's/oval.

I remember seeing this at the Kustom Nats at Phillip Isl & thought that this was me down to a tea.

Thanks also for putting a name to the Minty Bug. I remember'd it was in the same Tent as Scrapnel & talking to both of them. But just couldn't remember the names.

& yes its a very nice car & a very nice complete package!

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

Klaus Custom Title Time!

1,439 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 17 Aug 2011, 2:46 pm

#857574

Drive a 62 split panel daily for a work car and cant bring myself to drive a late model ..safety this .. airbags that ... people seem to forget that in the 50's 60's 70's these where all daily driven when the roads where worse and to get your license was a trip to the cop shop .
mind you I have junked the redux hubs and gone to 4 wheel discs ... Get yourself into an early bug, ghia , type 3 or Thing you'll luv it
good luck in your search, here's my bit for recycling 😉

1 attachment · Log in to view

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 17 Aug 2011, 8:36 pm

#857634

Klaus wrote:Drive a 62 split panel daily for a work car and cant bring myself to drive a late model ..safety this .. airbags that ... people seem to forget that in the 50's 60's 70's these where all daily driven when the roads where worse and to get your license was a trip to the cop shop .
mind you I have junked the redux hubs and gone to 4 wheel discs ... Get yourself into an early bug, ghia , type 3 or Thing you'll luv it
good luck in your search, here's my bit for recycling 😉

Thats awesome Klaus!!!

love it.

How many km's do you normally clock up over a week's work travel in the bus?

I also have to take into consideration that I spend the best part of 9+hr's in the car each week ranging from 600-1000km a week!

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

Klaus Custom Title Time!

1,439 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 18 Aug 2011, 1:17 am

#857706

I can cover anywhere from 300-900 a week , I'm 24hr so get called all times of day/night in all weather , Have used my other vw 1971 lowlight dc with 2110 fricken boot loads of torque for a work truck when the panel is having upgrades or a brake and used to use a 68 type 3 wagon with ej20t for a work vehicle for about 3 yrs alot of fun that was 🙂

Rural Baja #tassievwpickers

1,075 posts · joined Jan 2006 · 18 Aug 2011, 11:45 am

#857734

I use a 64 Ragtop as my daily, and since i got my licence in December 2009 i have clocked up a total of 41,000kms in it. I have been through three gearboxes (The original was stuffed, pulled it out at 55,000 miles, second one lasted until 72,000 miles and this one up to 80,000 miles) and has had three engines (Original 1200 was pulled out at 56,000 miles due to being slow and 6volt, 1600 lasted until 74,000 when a 1916 went in and that lasted until a knock developed at 77,000)

Basically driving an early beetle everyday is a lot of fun. Of course there is the occasional stops on the side of the road when i run out of fuel (No fuel guage), the time when i lost my passenger side front wheel whilst driving down a gravel road, when my fanbelt decided to snap, when my rear brake drum spline flogged out and i was going nowhere fast (Home on a tow-truck) when all my brakes disappeared in traffic due to a bleeding nipple coming loose... and then all the usual windscreen wiper motor burning out, the horn for some reason start blowing whilst in town, the numerous times that fuses have blown, that wires have fallen off in the engine bay, that i've had to push the car due to flat batteries, when heavy rain comes through the door and my passenger ends up drenched, when the rubber matt covering the battery decides to fall off and set the seat base across the battery... I could continue on!

It's a bog stock, drum braked, 1600cc 12volt 64 Beetle. Nothing special except a good sound system 👍 and yesterday i completed a 500mile, 12 hour trip to the far West Coast of Tassie and back. Not an ounce of problems! Of course i took an arsenal of tools but didn't have to lift the hood once.

If you keep the maintenance up i've found there will be no problems. I wouldn't trade my Rag in on anything, it has been a great 40,000kms in 18 months and last nights trip showed what a bloody good little car a beetle is.

Just my 2c worth 😂

Cheers Bill.

Ps. I have no doubt that this would be the most travelled early beetle (even general air-cooled beetle) in Tasmania.

Rural Baja #tassievwpickers

1,075 posts · joined Jan 2006 · 18 Aug 2011, 11:50 am

#857735

And this is the car that will get an absolute flogging at Symonns Plains raceway and drove home without even needing to adjust the brakes!

Give me an early anyday 😀

OldTimer Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined May 2009 · 18 Aug 2011, 8:28 pm

#857810

Hey motha,

Been watching this thread with some interest. Seems that we all have some advice, and most of it good - some of it biased - and some of it interesting.
Now it's my turn - there are two things you must take into account over all the other things you could think of, and they are:

Buy the best you can afford, and
Buy what you'll be happy with for a long time.

Why the best you can afford? Well obviously the best you can afford will mean (usually) that a lot of the crappy stuff you have to deal with on a old car should already be done, and
Why something you'll be happy with for a long time? Once you've lived with a Dub (no matter the type or vintage) it'll get under your skin and you'll never want to part with it.

Dubs are a strange beast, they bring out all sorts of emotions that people usually leave hidden. Owners become pationate about their cars and all others aren't as good as the one they have. Others swap their patricular models with another model (the grass is always greener), whilst others keep buying the same model over and over. The only constant here is that they all keep buying Dubs.

The last thing I will say is that no matter what model you decide to buy, the Dub community will embrace you whole-heartedly. I cannot count the number of times I've reached out for help or advice and been bambarded with many replies - all helpful and friendly.

I hope you get what you want soon, I know you'll be stoked no matter the model or vintage.

See you on the road.

OldTimer

air is cool, but air-cooled is cooler!
1967 Aussie Built Type 1 1915 Deluxe

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 19 Aug 2011, 11:14 pm

#858007

I'm loving these kinds of stories.

Pleasr keep them coming.

I rarely see anyone daily driving beetles or any real old cars at all these days. Especially over a bit of distance.

99% of the time, my 76 golf is the oldest car on the road heading up & down the princes hwy to & from melb.

Even seeing old VB-VL commodores is a rarity believe it or not!

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 20 Aug 2011, 12:47 pm

#858065

This is my Rosie

Bought her 18 months ago and have had her lowered, new 2 inch narrowed beam, wheels and just had a new interior installed. She is my daily weekend driver and still have plans for a new engine one day lol.

One thing i have learned is they are labour of love and for every $1 you put in you may add half in value but thats not what it is about. I have made some great friends though my VW and wouldnt have it any other way.

BTW Rosie has been raised and inch on the front as the turning circle was a little to wide

/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 20 Aug 2011, 11:08 pm

#858167

Well, I'm off to have a look at a beetle tomorrow & it ticks all the boxes.

58 model full resto inside & out, roughly 13 years ago
stock fully restored interior. stock radio blanking plate
2nd owner
70 pan
front disc
12v
stock 1600

It all sounds very mint & the bloke doesn't mind spending coin on it.
Spend big $$$$ on it to start with & it will never let you down is his & my own philosophy!
By the sounds of it, its a awesome cruiser

Is there anything I should look for besides rust in all the usual places?

What sort of front & rear suspension setups are in the 70's pan setup?

Very excited!

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 20 Aug 2011, 11:27 pm

#858168

Mine is a 69 has a ball joint front end and swing axle rear end

/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 21 Aug 2011, 3:26 pm

#858247

Paulc1964au wrote:Mine is a 69 has a ball joint front end and swing axle rear end

Cheers for the Paulc! Appreciate it.

Well I went & had a look & the car is an older resto. Paint is borderline hammered, but thats also been an everyday driver rain, hail or shine for 13+ years.

Some paint surfaces have humidity bubbles, some paint it cracked & lifting.

But its only surface rust. There is "no" visible structural rust at all! I checked all the common places & other places that I thought would be common sense. Has had a section replaced in the front floor pans, but the rest is mint & straight as a die. Battery tray, heater boxes etc. all look mint.

The interior mint, apart from a cracked stock (batwing?" steering wheel, the headlining at the back above the rear window & the interior light.

Chrome is as you would expect after a long period of service. A few dings, pitting etc etc. But all there & still good. Only one ding in a gaurd & its very tiny! Both front guards have splits in the back corners at the bottom & are alittle floppy.

Engine has normal oil sweat/leak. But didn't drip anything.

Wiring it all new. Semafoirs are there, but not hooked up due to 12v. But I don't think that is a worry.

Gearbox has layshaft bearing issues, due to a whine in 1,2 & 3. 4th is mint.

Engine sounds & is strong. Pulls nice & smooth. Drives straight as an arrow, no shuddering, no wind noise. Brakes are good. Doors shut as does any beetle "Clunk!"

Seals are in reasonable condition & no water leaks.

Overall, its a very nice car & can see the daily driver duties throughout the years.

The only issue I can really find is the paint. But it will also be a daily driver & I could repair sections at a time. Owner didn't bother with them, as its his only car & isn't structural. Which I can understand.

Will just have to weigh up the options, but its looking good so far.

I won't post up any pics or details sorry, until its a done deal.

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 21 Aug 2011, 4:29 pm

#858266

looks like a good car to start off with and who knows maybe in the future you can respray it.

/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 21 Aug 2011, 4:51 pm

#858269

Paulc1964au wrote:looks like a good car to start off with and who knows maybe in the future you can respray it.

Yeah its along the lines I'm thinking.

As the paint repair can be done in patches, as there is no structural or major rust. All surface rust that I can see. So Bare metal it, rust convertor or cut out & replace the section etc, so it may end up with a few primer patches on it I reckon.

But that adds the character to a 63 year old car that still runs!

I forgot how tiny they are inside with 2 people in the front!

Brought back fond memory's of growing up with a beetle as the "family car".

My parents brought it 2nd hand, buy my dad still owns it to this day. 28+ years later.

So nearly every morning my 76 Golf is the oldest car heading up & down the hwy doing 600-900km a week!

This beetle will be hard to beat then for oldest car then!

I'm a mechanic, so I'm sure I will be able to look after it mechanically & keep it going strong.

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

motha Officially Full-On Dubber

215 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 21 Aug 2011, 8:15 pm

#858315

I've got to ask a few questions in regards to what is the normal type of first upgrades you should be looking at for a daily driver beetle, as I'm clued in with watercooled VW's, but not early aircoolers. I know they are fairly basic setup to a degree & have no problem tackling any job required from mechanicals, to all out full wiring jobs. (I've actually done a few showy cars now with full hidden & upgraded wiring setups. But not for beetle's. More so Mk1 Golfs & old Holdens).

But really would like some handy hints/tips as to what I should be looking at to start with.

eg. is it worth fitting an external oil cooler, oil pump/doghouse oil cooler bypass ? & fit an external oil filter etc etc? Bigger sump to hold more oil to aid in cooling?

Or any other engine upgrades to keep it on the safe side? eg Like better engine crankcase breathing

Is there a bolt in fuel tank which holds more fuel than the stock 58 tank? Not sure what the stock 58 capacity is, but it looks quite small & I do alot of km's a week.

What is needed to get the stock 6v semiphones operational again? 12V - 6V converter etc?

Relay the headlights?

Thanks for all the replys so far.

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.