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Backyard find. Worth Grabbing???

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Big Dave 69 Learner Dubber

13 posts · joined Jul 2011 ·

#863653
Spotted this in a backyard so knocked on the door to see if they wanted to part with it. It's a 70 lowlight deluxe that he bought new & parked here running about 12 years ago to do some front panel repairs that he never finished (small bingle that tore off the front bumper & moounts) It all looks to be there though I didn't get inside & the roof has some rust holes towards the back in the gutters & the front panel is rusted at the bottom, but what I could see through the window the front floor looks solid. There is a bit of surface rust on the floor above the engine due to the holes in the roof but the hood lining is all still there. The interior is white.
I'm happy for a long project so not too fussed about the level of work required.
Is it worth grabbing? Any thoughts please?



silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#863654
The front suspension is very sought after for split owners wishing to do a ball joint conversion they fetch $4-500 alone
is there an engine? it would be a 1600TP, if ok you could more money for the engine
in all you could get about $1500 + in parts alone
if the rust is not too bad then yes it is probably worth restoring
Keeping it real !

Big Dave 69 Learner Dubber

13 posts · joined Jul 2011 ·

#863676
Thanks for the replies.
Yes there is an engine & as I said it was running when he parked it here 12 odd years ago. Didn't ask how many k's it had though.

I wouldn't part it out, want to do a resto, unless it was beyond it rust wise, but looks pretty solid from what I can see of it.

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#863729
I'm with Helbus, too much rust in the roof, but as said, parts are def sought after
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h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#863731
parts parts parts donor whoo hoo!!
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Big Dave 69 Learner Dubber

13 posts · joined Jul 2011 ·

#863816
Thanks for the input guys. Having read a bit more on bay identification it would seem this one is a 71 as it has the closer 5 stud wheels with disk front. The old fella (in his 80's) that bought in new said he got it at Footscray VW in 1970. Could it be an MY71 released late in 70. Does it make it any more desirable or useful for parts?

silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#863825
yes its the model for the donor beam for splitty conversion the aluminium trim looks desirable too
Keeping it real !

waltermitty Legend when my beer goggles are on

1,993 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#863828
silver wrote:yes its the model for the donor beam for splitty conversion the aluminium trim looks desirable too
70 71 front ends even wide five are not the ones you want for splitties need the early ealy ones. Mitchell
23 windows ...8 too many!

Scottkombi Officially Full-On Dubber

358 posts · joined Dec 2008 ·

#863910
The 71 was the best low-light year ever as they looked totally as a lowlight yet had huge upgrades over previous models such as:

First year to have a twin port 1600 (MY1970 models still had the single port 1600).
First year to have disc brakes up front.
Frist year to have boosted brakes.
First year to have a "Y" frame chassis up front.

However roof rot is a difficult repair and too scary for my liking.

Still worth it if your keen - although I would cut down the grass around the kopmbi to get a better check.
88 Caravelle Syncro Camper
89 Caravelle GL microbus - 5 speed
69 Microbus
05 Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi DSG

Big Dave 69 Learner Dubber

13 posts · joined Jul 2011 ·

#864054
Looks like it's about 50/50 for & against taking it on. Leaning towards picking it up but will sit on the desicion for a few weeks. Will post up the outcome. Cheers all.

dragsters for life Fahrvergnugen

953 posts · joined May 2011 ·

#864067
just do it
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Klaus Custom Title Time!

1,439 posts · joined Aug 2004 ·

#864571
buy it and sell it to me 🙂 or dibs on the grill

Sunset Garage Officially Full-On Dubber

213 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#864791
Scottkombi wrote:The 71 was the best low-light year ever as they looked totally as a lowlight yet had huge upgrades over previous models....
What about the beautiful early lowlight rear wheel-arches which were replaced with the later (& less attractive) flared arches in 71 which continued till the end of bay production?

That's a pretty obvious difference, not to mention the close five wheel pattern really changes the look from early lowlight models. Interior trim was more simple as well. Colour choices changed as well, with less options offered.
So maybe not totally like the original wide five lowlights?

But I agree it's a great year to find. Good score and definitely worth getting, for all the hard to find microbus parts. Good find!

Klaus Custom Title Time!

1,439 posts · joined Aug 2004 ·

#865276
71 were a 1 year only wheel arch slightly diff to later bays

Sunset Garage Officially Full-On Dubber

213 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#865535
Klaus wrote:71 were a 1 year only wheel arch slightly diff to later bays
Ok, I'll bite. What is the difference, or differences between a 71 rear wheel arch & later ones?

There seems to be be no difference with genuine repair panels.....

Klaus Custom Title Time!

1,439 posts · joined Aug 2004 ·

#865771
71 have a curved single edge arch later ones are double edge , have a 69dc bay in the yard some 68 rear arches cut off a bus a 70 micro , 71 dc and a 76 camper, so can get pics if u want 🙂

Sunset Garage Officially Full-On Dubber

213 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·

#865959
Klaus wrote:71 have a curved single edge arch later ones are double edge , have a 69dc bay in the yard some 68 rear arches cut off a bus a 70 micro , 71 dc and a 76 camper, so can get pics if u want 🙂
Hey wow, pics would be great! The 3 71's I have owned don't seem to have this feature you describe, so maybe it was early 71's which had this wheel arch?

I've posted some pics of genuine 71 arches on my van for you to show how they differ from later ones.

Thanks in advance for going to the effort to show me the differences, Cheers, Dave

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VolksVair Officially Full-On Dubber

252 posts · joined Apr 2010 ·

#866095
Early 69 lowlights with wide 5 wheels were the last to do a direct front & rear interchange with a splitty, late 69 onwards have a different size bolt pattern for the front beams & the IRS is a problem
Adventure Before Dimentia

Klaus Custom Title Time!

1,439 posts · joined Aug 2004 ·

#866318
70's had wide 5 too, arm and springplate change came in 72 when rear clip changed

SlownLow Seriously Crusin Dubber

133 posts · joined Oct 2010 ·

#867682
what happened to this one?

Klaus Custom Title Time!

1,439 posts · joined Aug 2004 ·

#867806
mmm the deluxe trim would look good on my 70
oh and heres my 71 dc arches

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Big Dave 69 Learner Dubber

13 posts · joined Jul 2011 ·

#867809
SlownLow wrote:what happened to this one?
Will be dropping in shortly to have another chat to him.

Pumba Veteran Volks Folk

2,138 posts · joined Jan 2007 ·

#867857
My 71 bus has the same rear guards as the 76 pictured.
69 Beetle
66 Beetle
56 Beetle

Klaus Custom Title Time!

1,439 posts · joined Aug 2004 ·

#867890
ha ha just makes mine worth more ..even rarer😀

SlownLow Seriously Crusin Dubber

133 posts · joined Oct 2010 ·

#868194
Keep us posted Dave

blink Casual Dubber

35 posts · joined Aug 2009 ·

#868364
looks nice =)