Looks like a reasonably straight car, and '50's cabrios are pretty thin on the ground. To be replacing the pans and rails on a cabrio is almost par for the course.
A November '58 build car is a '59 model - August is the start of the model year.
The thing to think about is that collector cars (and boats etc) are toys that go up and down in value with the economy. That car done up nicely is probably worth 20-25k in good times, 15-20k in bad - and we are more down that way at the moment.
It's going to cost you $10-15k to fix it up at least, depending of course on how much you can do yourself. Thats probably low, by the time you've bought sheet metal, rubbers, interior plus new top and fixed up the mechanicals that alone is close to $10k. Then you've got the bodywork and paint.......
LHD/RHD don't get too hung up, done properly the RHD conversion won't lose you any money and makes it more saleable and useable here. I guess the point is that you need to want the car rather than aim to make money out of it. I think at $11k it's a bit over the top, probably more like 7-8k is realistic - and thats because its a 50's car.
As you can tell from my tagname, I previously owned a '54 factory RHD cabrio, as well as a couple of Karmann Ghias, now just have one ghia coupe. The beetle cabrios are a great car to own, and in my opinion better than the the ghia cabrios (but ghia coupes are the best!). That car would look great done up, but just go into it with your eyes wide open, and don't pay too much. The ghia I currently own is a great car, but when I bought it an unrealistic price was being asked. I made an offer based on attempting to sort of break even if I ever restored and sold it - a few months later they accepted that offer.
Here here, my sentiments exactly.
1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"
Agree with karmann54, although personally I would go RHD, mainly because I could do all the work myself.
If you price the main bits required, and get a quote on what you cannot do, and subtract the total from the value of the finished car.........that's what it's worth. What you pay over that will depend on how much you want that car. I like it, by the way, even though my '56 Cabriolet is far from finished.🙄
Cheers, Greg
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Thanks for the feedback guys. Been tossing this around in my head as well. The cab at Clasic Vee Dub may be a better option. Closer to home and hood frame looks to be in way better condition, plus the replacement panels and dash etc. The lack of glass does worry me though. Are windshields and side glass available in oz? Chucks convertible parts seems to have basically everything to finish the car off as far as rubbers, hood and trims.
Decisions.. decisions.....
Scott
Like I said before, it needs ALOT of work, any parts you purchase for it will need to be shipped from O/S, they are not available here because there isnt supply and demand due to Australia not receiving verts. It looks better in the pics that's for sure.
At the end of the day, the important question is... What is your total budget for car, plus resto, and how good are you with welding, wiring, panel and paint?
1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"
yeah spend another 40k on it and you would have a nice vw 🤪🤪
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲
40k, I think your abacus is broken? 🙅
1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"
MISS VDUB wrote:40k, I think your abacus is broken? 🙅
Or it could be a rat
😂😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲
23 windows ...8 too many!
