is there a virus in Oz

what with Sebastien and now Dylan throwing in the towel after what seems like years of effort to get their dubs going and on the road the way they want them I'm thinking there is a nasty sickness creeping in. 👎

They are... Soft🤓😂

quitacitis.....mainly young people get it 😀

yeah, they don't make em like they used to.. 🙅
I agree, gen SOFTY right their 😵
😂

Yeah - sad to see hey.

I remember gettin the shits so many times with Jezebel when I was young - things always needing repairing, replacing etc, which led to several plans to sell, trade for something "normal" and reliable, yadda yadda

Man am I glad I stuck with her - learnt so much, some great memories and tons of fun even now !!!

Pity can't seem to pass on the "just stick to it" attitude...

Craig Torrens wrote:quitacitis.....mainly young people get it 😀

Does that mean I'm immune, then?😂

HappyDaze wrote:

Craig Torrens wrote:quitacitis.....mainly young people get it 😀

Does that mean I'm immune, then?😂

Most probably Greg..
and You already know all this... lol

You just need to replace everything that is worn..

but most importantly, You need to know what You are doing.

lots of manuals... to read up on... and pics and diagrams..

These cars are now getting 30 years++ past their use by date

they weren't supposed to be still about now.. lol

so, there are many little things that can and do go wrong..

Best part is that virtually all parts can be bought new now..
quality may not be the best,, brasillian not german..
but at least You can get the parts... to keep them on the road..

Problem being that it does cost money to get them like new or at least in good condition to be able to drive them on the roads...

and when You are Young , money can be very scarce...

LEE

I'm holding on to mine; sooooo many times I've been ready to drop it off a cliff but it's running again and roadworthy so can't complain!

Times changing...........too much ofter stuff to do these days..Need about 30hrs a day, 10 days a week to do everything..........

BTW Patience is a virtue but older cars push your patience!!!

Its the now generation, instant gratification, you have to truly love what your hobby is and realise that any project might take years.

sander288 wrote:I'm holding on to mine;

Well let go of it, Shaun, and get back to the Beetle.😂

I know this first hand now......after all the effort and work I've put into my Wifes beetle, she now wants to sell it 🙁

Make it your beetle.

The Younger generation - if there ain't an app for it, they don't bother. Best fun I have had for a while was waiting at Maccas for the counter staff to ad up a value breakfast and hotcakes then the change they had to give me when the power went out. Could not do it in there heads, had to get a piece of paper. And they still got it wrong.😵‍💫 So much for a smarter generation.🙅 My2c

A little bit sorry (just a little little bit) I started this, seems that generalising the younger generation are the only ones afflicted, hmm, my lady would have a different opinion, just not with the car, and to be fair both Sebastian and Dylan have poured their soul into their projects and it would appear that Dylan has really struck a brick wall and has other priorities, like employment, so if you read this Dylan, chin up fella, with the decision made you can only move forward from here. 👍

donn wrote:A little bit sorry (just a little little bit) I started this, seems that generalising the younger generation are the only ones afflicted, hmm, my lady would have a different opinion, just not with the car, and to be fair both Sebastian and Dylan have poured their soul into their projects and it would appear that Dylan has really struck a brick wall and has other priorities, like employment, so if you read this Dylan, chin up fella, with the decision made you can only move forward from here. 👍

Thanks Don I was wondering how to put it,I have the greatest admiration for Dylan and the skills that he has unfortunately circumstances made it difficult for him to even work on the car but he persevered as long as he could on his own and was not too proud to ask for advice. Unfortunately we have had family health problems ourself or I would have gone up to help him again with the clutch problem.
I am sorry that he has had to do what he has but it means that he can get on with his life and when he gets established i have no doubt that he will be back.
Best wishes always Dylan from Les

Hi

I often get asked to keep a look out for an old Beetle for kids of neighbours, friends etc. I always try to explain to them the bad things about owning any old car and also the good things.

A very basic 80s or 90s Jap car will have lots things that an old Beetle owner can only dream about or fit to an old Beetle at extra cost.

My sons cousin was given his mums 6 year old Lexus for his first car, he tried to drive David's bug and asked how do you drive this thing? Everything is so heavy, steering, clutch etc.

Steve

happens to everybody at some stage in life.
taking on to much at once.
lack of money/funds
time
and experience.
if you don't lose to much money at the end
its just a life experience and in hindsight you know better next time.

Must be the strut front steve.... Everyone says how light and easy my 66 is. 😏

It's soo easy and cheap to maintain and run..... It's kept STOCK For that reason 😉

hellbugged wrote:Must be the strut front steve.... Everyone says how light and easy my 66 is. 😏

It's soo easy and cheap to maintain and run..... It's kept STOCK For that reason 😉

is that on or off the jack stands?😊

HappyDaze wrote:

sander288 wrote:I'm holding on to mine;

Well let go of it, Shaun, and get back to the Beetle.😂

Thanks for that Greg 😂

22 000 miles past 12 months Steve.... It doesnt spend much time on the stands 😘

Don't worry - once you've owned a aircooled VW you will always come back - oneday.

I sold my Beetle with a 2180 in mid 80's after loosing my licence for the 3rd time for speeding. Used to love thrashing XU1 Toranas and 351 GT Falcons.
After a long list of English / Euro sportcars & Jap turbo's, I'm back with 3 old VW's as a hobby - happy to modify them but at least one will remain aircooled.

soft n floppy

my 65 sea blue took 15 years

Now I am re doing my 56 Oval and Ive been on it for 5 or so years

Quickest was the 76 bug Original only took 12 months or so

LUFTMEISTER wrote:The Younger generation - if there ain't an app for it, they don't bother. Best fun I have had for a while was waiting at Maccas for the counter staff to ad up a value breakfast and hotcakes then the change they had to give me when the power went out. Could not do it in there heads, had to get a piece of paper. And they still got it wrong.😵‍💫 So much for a smarter generation.🙅 My2c

I totally agree with this , happened to me at the local butchers ,the young lass was writing all the prices down in a list ,i added them up upside down, told the answer and she still went for the calculator, then asked me how i did it 😂😂🤪🤪

Do you really expect much more from someone who takes a job handing out french fries?

I must admit it gets a little frustrating at times, in the middle of finding an engine builder to build a brand new engine for rosie plus do some other work as well. The $$$ figure just escalates and i wonder whether its all worth it. I don't think i would ever sell my bug just a little disheartened atm and yes other things happening as well which is taking my time from the bug

Don't go stereotyping all Fastfood joint teenage workers guys, I'm not saying there aren't some dumb ones (hell I have some ripper stories on the subject), but I worked at a Hungry Jacks for nearly 5 years, and I'm almost 2 and 1/2 years into an Architecture degree, which also means I can do math pretty well. I also have some degree of patience with my beetle as well, despite the fact that it empties my wallet on a constant basis.

I think its a case that alot of the older vee dubbers in full time jobs can afford to have modern cars or at least a spare car of sorts to fall back on when the daily driver vee dub goes kaputt.

Most young fellas, particularly those studying outside of school probably couldn't afford two regoes/two insurances so you can then sympathise as to why the old, tired, daily-driver, only-car veedub would be a bucket of stress particularly when break downs don't necessarily occur at convenient times. Being a young fellas only ride its not just inconvenience, its a loss if independance and transport. Add full time studies monday to friday with classes, after hours study, then working at the burger flipping joint on weekends to pay your own way, it can be a hard rough road. (time and money poor)

Tolerance and patience does go a long way. However, I know personally if i didn't have a back up car with the vee dub at uni last year, i'd be screwed at times. I had a stable job that was good enough to pay my way through two rego's whilst studying, which is not necessarily the norm for young uni students...

pod wrote:

LUFTMEISTER wrote:The Younger generation - if there ain't an app for it, they don't bother. Best fun I have had for a while was waiting at Maccas for the counter staff to ad up a value breakfast and hotcakes then the change they had to give me when the power went out. Could not do it in there heads, had to get a piece of paper. And they still got it wrong.😵‍💫 So much for a smarter generation.🙅 My2c

I totally agree with this , happened to me at the local butchers ,the young lass was writing all the prices down in a list ,i added them up upside down, told the answer and she still went for the calculator, then asked me how i did it 😂😂🤪🤪

how did you do that?? 😂

I just blew my engine near boss's house/farm.
so I went to his house to leave the car there.
he let me borrow ford festiva which has this feature of accelerating on 3 cylinder to save fuel
and occasionally run on 4 cylinder to promote zero vibration.
it was on a condition that I give it a service and return with full tank.

anyway I'm going back with enough spare parts and tools to build another engine.
I don't have a girlfriend so my beetle is my only thing.

First you need to gain the knowledge and then develop the skills. Even though Seb and Dylan have 'given up' I think they will both agree they have both learned something from the experience, good and bad. I think some younger people want 'instant success' and most are ignorant of the time and effort of all the work that goes into the cars we see in magazines and on the web. I'm not saying all young people think that way, because realistically that would be wrong. Building cars is just another part of life. You get knocked down, you get up. You hit a hurdle, you find a way over it. You come to a dead end, go back and find another route. If at first you don't succeed, try again. It makes more sense, the older you get. They both have many years ahead of them! I have a bug that I started in the mid eighties, but I will finish it one day. If only I didn't have a mortgage, commitments or just take on too many other projects that take up my time, but I know one day it will be done.
Good on them for giving it a go!

I know if I had more cashola back in the day when I had my first two bugs I would have kept at it. But now it's easier to earn more money (and spend more too unfortunately) and be able to run two cars. The good thing is that these old fraulines will outlive most of us, so there will always be another one for the young blokes to get back into down the road 🙂

DieHard1963Fan wrote:Don't go stereotyping all Fastfood joint teenage workers guys, I'm not saying there aren't some dumb ones (hell I have some ripper stories on the subject), but I worked at a Hungry Jacks for nearly 5 years, and I'm almost 2 and 1/2 years into an Architecture degree, which also means I can do math pretty well.

There is also plenty of really dumb architects and engineers.😂

There is also plenty of really dumb architects and engineers.😂

That's a bit harsh, if I was one of the dumb ones I'd take offence to that! 😂

DieHard1963Fan wrote:

There is also plenty of really dumb architects and engineers.😂

That's a bit harsh, if I was one of the dumb ones I'd take offence to that! 😂

Ahh, yes... but isn't it normally the case that the dumb ones aren't quite bright enough to realise you're talking about them ???

😂

(nothing gainst you DieHard - just this is definitely how it works with programmers... and I know I fall into the same category at times)

Back to the original topic tho - everyone's got their reasons for sticking with or not sticking with a project.

Just not good when it's happens so close to a result, esp when complete almost done ones get parted out and/or wrecked. They're not makin any more of 'em after all...

I didn't throw in the towel easily that is for sure.

I don't want to start WWIII here, but I just couldn't justify pouring more and more money into Zelda and not seeing anything happen other than some lowering, some rubbing back, some wheels and that was about it.
I'm definitely not soft, if anything I'm a softy with how much I loved Zelda and the times we had. We might be labelled gen stupid and whatever, but there are some people in my generation that should definitely not be labelled like that.

I did learn a lot when doing things with Zelda and I'll always remember everything. I helped those that bought the engine off of me, those that bought the suspension off of me, it's in my brain now and I might as well help people out if they're stuck. There are some people in the VW community (mainly people in Melbourne) that I will cherish the friendships I have made with them, and there are some people that I would prefer not to know anymore, but regardless, the majority of the community are here to help.

The good and the shit times I had with her, I'll remember them. I already regret selling her, but times are changing, and maybe when I'm thirty and able to afford a project car and do it all properly, then I'll do it.
I feel terrible knowing that I was close to achieving what I wanted with Zelda. But due to complications I couldn't finish her off. Sure, I caught the quitacious bug, but it was a difficult decision and not one that I made lightly. If I could take it back, I probably wouldn't. It was not feasible for me to continue working on Zelda after I had these complications and the money that was needed to get Zelda where I wanted, I bought a new car for less of that.

Regardless of what has happened, I have practically sold everything off minus a 1916cc case that is probably worth sweet fuck all, a 75+ bumper with indicators, a headliner, some door cards and sun visors, oh and a full carby kit also.

I'll be back one day with a bug done to exactly how I want it. It might not be Zelda, but it'll still be an L bug that is for sure. Once you fall in love with that curved windscreen, there isn't any going back.
Until then, I'll just keep drooling over GL 1303's and wishing I never sold mine.

SebastienPeek wrote:I didn't throw in the towel easily that is for sure.

Hope you don't think I was chucking shit Seb, I thought that there must have been reasons unknown to most of us, what surprised me was one minute you were importing wheels to get what you wanted out of Zelda then BANG, it was all over.
Thanks for the posts over the time, it was all good.
Don

Two words... Expensive Hobby.

Thats the problem. Young kids dont have the cash to maintain an old car that needs constant attention, or the cash to have two cars (one daily drive and a beetle for weekends). The reality is that something has to give, and generally most kids with beetles have good intentions, not realising there is a lot of time and money needed to maintain one.

Owning an old car is definitely not a destination, it's a journey... a very expensive journey.

I'm 26 and have a 63 bug and a home loan i've spent around 6k on my beetle and it's going in to get painted in the next two weeks. I've thought about throwing in the towel and selling many times but its been a childhood dream of mine to own a beetle since i was 5. I wouldn't say the younger generation are soft i know of many people who have projects and they look awesome when completed. I just wanna say thanks to seb for helping us install the engine we bought from him and the advice you guys give on here.

hrastovica wrote:Two words... Expensive Hobby.

Thats the problem. Young kids dont have the cash to maintain an old car that needs constant attention, or the cash to have two cars (one daily drive and a beetle for weekends). The reality is that something has to give, and generally most kids with beetles have good intentions, not realising there is a lot of time and money needed to maintain one.

Owning an old car is definitely not a destination, it's a journey... a very expensive journey.

Oh they have the cash.....its just spent in the wrong places.

My advice to anyone on a budget, low income, limited funds etc is to spend the money on the basics first to get the car reliable and useable. I see so many people spend $$ on stuff that is not needed, and then not have the $$ for the basics to keep the car on the road.

Craig Torrens wrote:Oh they have the cash.....its just spent in the wrong places.

My advice to anyone on a budget, low income, limited funds etc is to spend the money on the basics first to get the car reliable and useable. I see so many people spend $$ on stuff that is not needed, and then not have the $$ for the basics to keep the car on the road.

Exactly

Mick058 was a sad affair

SAD, Yep see it all the time, the old bugs been on the road for 40 odd years and still going fine, some body young or old , buys him and waste money trying to make him look better. eg like lets pull the trim out .$ $1000s later maybe not a good idea.

It's all about the journey, not the destination.

Oh I was in it for the journey 🙁

I wasn't having a crack Donn, I appreciate the kind words!

One day I'll be back and once again I'll do something out of the ordinary that all the purists hate.
Such is life.

I, for one, am gonna miss your contributions, Seb.

Thanks Phil, appreciate it.

I'll be back sooner than people think. Give me a year I reckon.

So it's been two years.
I'm back in a Volkswagen, just a newer one.

I'm living in Melbourne now too, should be buying my first house in the next year and that means a new project.

A lot of plans have come out of my hiatus with older Volkswagens. I've also learnt a lot about newer cars in the last year.
I guess things are bound to break when you slam cars.

So, will be on the lookout for a project in the next year or so. Time flies when you're having fun.

Time sure does fly mate, wow, two years gone, good to see you back.

LUFTMEISTER wrote:The Younger generation - if there ain't an app for it, they don't bother. Best fun I have had for a while was waiting at Maccas for the counter staff to ad up a value breakfast and hotcakes then the change they had to give me when the power went out. Could not do it in there heads, had to get a piece of paper. And they still got it wrong.😵‍💫 So much for a smarter generation.🙅 My2c

Where's that app that will pay my mortgage?

Damn, haven't written it yet.

That car project will have to wait then.🥲

vwo60 wrote:Its the now generation, instant gratification, you have to truly love what your hobby is and realise that any project might take years.

I have to agree to a point, not all young are like that but majority are.


I know many many people my age or younger, some even older but still young compared to most of you old farts lol. yes they just give up easy.

One guy I know of, literally is getting and starting a new project every 1-2 weeks. Gives up, cracks the sads, complains his life sucks and has no money and all his 60 or so scrap heaps dont go. he dreams large though lol.

I just don't get it lol. This is the most extreme case of it though, sad really when you think about it.

my best mate and I are still drive the first cars we have and holding on to our other ones as well. Another friend of mine, much older, in his late 30s or early 40s still has his HQ monaro since he was a teen.

68AutoBug wrote:

HappyDaze wrote:

Craig Torrens wrote:quitacitis.....mainly young people get it 😀

Does that mean I'm immune, then?😂

Most probably Greg..
and You already know all this... lol

You just need to replace everything that is worn..

but most importantly, You need to know what You are doing.

lots of manuals... to read up on... and pics and diagrams..

These cars are now getting 30 years++ past their use by date

they weren't supposed to be still about now.. lol

so, there are many little things that can and do go wrong..

Best part is that virtually all parts can be bought new now..
quality may not be the best,, brasillian not german..
but at least You can get the parts... to keep them on the road..

Problem being that it does cost money to get them like new or at least in good condition to be able to drive them on the roads...

and when You are Young , money can be very scarce...

LEE

when you are young, money is extremely scarce in this day and age. That alone would be the biggest factor.

I would say most under 25 year olds would be at or below poverty line if they were out on their own.

I think our hobby is about learning new skills and working on your car yourself, the moment you start paying some one to do the work for you it becomes unaffordable , I know a lot of people are unskilled in these areas would be capable if they were shown, plenty of TAFF courses to go to, just have to be motivated, I effectively do all my own work except upholstery and apply the finished top coats of paint. I also see the so called experts take the money and you still get an average job which requires more of your hard earned money to try and fix. Had this happen to twice and never will happen again.

no it becomes unfordable because of parts, not from labor.

I've never even been to a mechanic in my life. I do every aspect of building cars myself except for top coat of paint and sewing seat covers.

from suspension/brake design to modifying and building, body work, paint (well prep only) electronics, modifying ECUs, wiring, fuel systems, data logging, road anddyno tuning, re-engineering factory problems, transmissions, exhaust and intake, clutch, drive lines,
interiors, upholstery (apart from actual sewing), engine designing, simulations and building blah blah.

I haven't paid more that few 100 for things like doing top coats and sewing seat covers and wheel aliments. Everything else I have done myself.

yet I reckon I have spent many 10s of 1000s in the last few years alone. Parts cost money, VW parts even more so than the more popular cars out there.

You can't have a car and expect to do it up without spending lots on parts even if you do all the work.

The thing is most young people aren't in a position to spend on cars like that. Even I wasn't only few years back, I can now because I have a decent job with money.

I can see how easy it is to give up, I almost did few times but I'm a bit different as in I see things can be left and picked up later and I hold on to stuff I have like forever and I'm stubborn haha. I wont let go of things I like.

As a Young one ive persisted for a LONG time on my project. No, i havn't given up but ive always managed to make it work for my budget. Im 21, working retail wages at a hardware store and tried studying which just wasn't for me. I always make ends meet and when hard yakka comes, up your game. I guess for some its the love, pride and joy of their life. I purchased my first VW at the age of 19 a little over 2 years ago from Bob up North Side of Brissy for 3G's.

Here is a pic of where it was at 2 years ago during purchase:


Here is a pic of it as of right now:


I had to make many repairs to it as it was purchased as a resto project. Not MUCH to do but over the years, more and more issues arose. Of which, i dealt with and moved on.

Just shows some young people on shitty wages are capable of making it work with money. 😀

No it becomes expensive when you pay $120 an hour for labour plus parts at an inflated price and a lot of people do just that. you are just lucky that you can do that your self where as other cannot.

vwo60 wrote:No it becomes expensive when you pay $120 an hour for labour plus parts at an inflated price and a lot of people do just that. you are just lucky that you can do that your self where as other cannot.

maybe so, inflated price IYO
others may feel that for the $ they are getting something that they otherwise would not. people with the specialised knowledge have every right to charge what the market accepts, if it's not acceptable going somewhere else would be easy I would of thought as the customer has the power to do so..
it does pay to shop around however there are plenty of so called experts in the game and finding out the expensive hard way through a terrible outcome isn't nice when you need to still spend more $ to get it fixed properly
If you have a go great! if you can't do it yourself so be it, best to talk to people learn from their experiences and do some due diligence before outlaying your hard earned..
I find this is the value of belonging to a group such as this or alike and being involved in a car club.
not all sites and clubs are the same but people are generally inherently good and people that share a common interest in VWs usually want to help and see another one on the road
my 2c

I'd gladly pay to have work done If I could find someone to do a proper job.

x2