I'm checking out a 59 beetle on the weekend. I'm after some advice an the good and bad point of the model.
The vehicle is early 59 manufature, porshe chrome mangle rims, rebuilt 1100 3 mths ago,lowered, new exhaust, muffler etc with spare engine and 6v bits. Also has working semaphores not on vehicle and 6mths rego. He also claims the car is rust free, but has minior bubbles around the roof channels.
Asking $3500.
I think I'll offer him $2800, depending on veiwing.
I intend on using the car as a rat to run to and from work.
I've heard others say that 58/9 were the good years. German built, not as prone to rust, nice lines of the early cars, can see out the back window, semaphores, 36hp indestructable, syncro.......
Swear by mine.
These Beetles aren't so prone to rust, but beware of the bubbles of rust....
I had some bubbles of rust in the rear end gutter in a 1970 Beetle and it ended up a hole 140 mm long.... there wasn't any metal under the paint....
but again later beetles with flow thru vents do rust badly in that area....
it may be just a spot of rust... just look closely everywhere, including under the boot and engine lid seals... rust can be a problem there...but fish oil can stop it...
Overall a good solid Beetle.... BEST of Luck...
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
I have a 58 and 60.........both great cars although the 36hp motor is getting harder to buy parts for.............also the gearbox (if original ) has no syncro on first gear, so this can be a bit of a pain in traffic. 6 volt electrics work well (if in good cond) but the lights are dim.
have a 60 (pretty much the same since its a early one) nice year.... the things that craig mentioned can make daily driving in traffic interesting ...(if start stop traffic no syncro on first can frustrate other motorists hehehe) 36 horsie has no problems keeping up though (except on really big hills) I'd go for it if it really does have little rust 🙂
check the usual spots for rust... front wheel wells, door pillars
and rear section just behind door and in front of guard...... i ended up lifting mine of the pan without unbolting..... the bottom 2 inchs seperated from the upper part of the body
