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My first Beetle - "Zena" the 1968 Stickshift Auto Bug.

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pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#961071
So after having a 65 Beetle and a 63 Type 3 growing up, neither ever seeing the road (legitimately) and 3 different Kombis and a recently sold Beetle project, the bug bit again and I snapped up this little beauty last week from another forum member. I've been told by a few people that the 68 is one of the better years as far as bugs go. Zena (given to her a long time ago and even written in the glovebox manual) has joined the family, much to the excitement of my 2 year old daughter. Zena is a nice 100% stock and unrestored, unmolested rust free bug. Nice extras like the genuine stainless window visors, genuine parcel shelf, vintage roof rack, personalised plates, log books and glovebox manual make this a pretty special car. Stock motor (has been updated to electronic ignition) and auto stick shift transmission (semi automatic) make her a zippy fun car to drive. Zen a still has some nice touches like all the original cardboard trims under the hood, wheels still painted in the original 2 tone scheme. No abnormal DIY holes in the dash, the cd player/radio has been installed in a nicely fabricated metal fascia fitted in the glovebox and original exterior paint.






Plans at this stage extend as far as some interior updates like new seat skins, a full carpet kit and fitting a retro cd player/radio that fits the original slot so I can get my glovebox back. Maybe a Herbie lookalike? Anythings possible. But mostly it (she) will be left untouched. Lots of potential.

hrastovica Officially Full-On Dubber

361 posts · joined Apr 2009 ·

#961075
Cool roof rack, where did you get it from?

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#961077
The rack came with the car. As far as I know they were made locally (QLD) in the 80s and were pretty exxy at the time. No longer available. I really like it. A lick of oil on the wood and it will be good as new. It's a really solid rack.

Carl and Emily Officially Full-On Dubber

349 posts · joined Apr 2012 ·

#961244
Guy Harding (Harding performance) made racks in Brisbane back in the day.
Could be one of his.

I don't think he does any old stuff any more.

Nice bug.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#961282
Nice score, keep it original, don't spoil a late model with herbie stripes.

That engine is a 70s 1600, just keep tabs on the engine temp, those 70s twin port motors have a bigger fan which needs a vented engine lid and semi autos are revving harder than manuals so qld temps may get it bit toasty with the non vented one.

Guy_H Officially Full-On Dubber

232 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#963454
Thats one of my old roof racks, after the first 10 they were engraved & dated on the front C Channel on the front drivers side. The first 10 are rarer - not dated.

Nice bug, i seem to remember that one from our old workshop!
www.hp.net.au

www.tdi.com.au

www.goapr.com.au

www.oettinger.com.au

baghall Ben Hal Outlaw Bushranger

1,021 posts · joined Jan 2010 ·

#963596
Almost looks like you have a matching set looking at the Notch in the background. NIce bug.
68 Baja - It's a growing pain!
58 Baja ute - and the pain spreads!
85 T3 Kombi - still growing
89 T3 Kombi - parts car

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#963744
baghall wrote:Almost looks like you have a matching set looking at the Notch in the background. NIce bug.
I wish. The notch is the sellers other car and was also for sale. Really original and near perfect 67. Could so easily have bought 2 cars that day.

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#963745
Guy_H wrote:Thats one of my old roof racks, after the first 10 they were engraved & dated on the front C Channel on the front drivers side. The first 10 are rarer - not dated.

Nice bug, i seem to remember that one from our old workshop!
Mine has the number. Better if it is marked, easier to id if stolen. I like it. Nice rack you could say😂

RevHard335 Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#974592
Hey man this looks interesting, I was actually looking at a 1970 Beetle in the adverts but was disappointed to see it slip through after the guy couldn't hold onto it for me.
Semi auto isn't my first choice but I'm not getting too picky if it means passing up on a solid car, at this stage I just need a reliable car for transport and can worry about the details later.
Where are you actually roughly situated btw? I'll keep an eye on this because in a few days I should know if I get the green light.

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#974883
RevHard335 wrote:Hey man this looks interesting, I was actually looking at a 1970 Beetle in the adverts but was disappointed to see it slip through after the guy couldn't hold onto it for me.
Semi auto isn't my first choice but I'm not getting too picky if it means passing up on a solid car, at this stage I just need a reliable car for transport and can worry about the details later.
Where are you actually roughly situated btw? I'll keep an eye on this because in a few days I should know if I get the green light.
I may be interested in parting with the car now. Looking for a bus again. Need to be able to tow more than the bug can handle. I'm in Brisbane if anyone's chasing a nice solid original bug. Autos are great as long as you have spares and I have a heap of them.