Mods to bug. What's a No-No.?

Hi all

Have been thinking about getting a bug to compliment my 74 bay. I want to be able to "play" with it and do few a mods using some of the skills I have developed from trying to keep this bloody bus on the road!

Not sure if I want to go the Baja route or just tinker with things but I don't want to go down the road I have with the Kombi trying to get it restored. I want a toy to play with this time.

So the big question I have to ask is what is considered sacrilege? Is there an age of a beetle that you wouldn't consider doing anything other than a resto on?

I want to be able to play with things like electrics and running gear. Is there an ideal age beetle to start playing with or are there models I should steer clear of? I'm looking to spend upto 5k to start with but would prefer a lot less. Ultimately it would depend on the amount of repairable rust. I hear that I should stay away from anything with heater duct damage. Does this still ring true, or is chasing something with no heater duct rust a pipe dream?

Cheers

Matt

You do what ever you want to do. If you want to chop cut, modify, just do it.

$5K is a limiting factor, and if you want a solid rust free car, then after 1968 is a more realistic idea.

Doesn't have to be rust free. I want to try my hand at a bit of panel work. I just don't want to buy a lemon that is gonna need serious input from fee charging specialists. 😂

I agree with hellbus, you buy, it's your car, you get to do what you want with it. If you are going to modify your bug, you are bound to upset someone. Just mention subi motor and some will get upset.

With regards to what to buy, maybe you should figure out what you want to build and work back from there.

Cheers for the tips.

The problem is that I'm not quite sure yet what I want to do and was wondering if there was any model that is less "flexible" in terms of mods. Should I steer clear of superbugs, or isn't that an issue? Is there an issue with getting parts for any particular years or are they pretty much interchangeable? Shoul I be looking at something that is 12 v or is converting a 6 v not too expensive / problematic?

I guess I just want to make sure that I'm looking for th righ type of vehicle and don't buy one that someone says " oh, you can't do that to it"

supers are fine, there just isnt too may baja versions of them. it really comes down to what you want. the later models have more safety features.
nothing is not doable its just the amount of money that it takes to do it.

I have noticed that the 70's Bugs are cheaper than the 60's ones. They are available in the L or S types so Standard or superbug; having different engines and front suspensions. Newer so less rusty. Might help if youre on a budget.

I bought a 74 std bug as a donor for my 1960 ghia. I got a good 1300 twin port engine & perfect front beam/suspension out of it. The body was perfectly rust free I sold it on it's getting made into a race car.

Some people prefer the 60's body styling & I understand I agree that cars were more beutiful in the 60's, and I suffer terribly for it too🤓

emby wrote:Cheers for the tips.

The problem is that I'm not quite sure yet what I want to do and was wondering if there was any model that is less "flexible" in terms of mods. Should I steer clear of superbugs, or isn't that an issue? Is there an issue with getting parts for any particular years or are they pretty much interchangeable? Shoul I be looking at something that is 12 v or is converting a 6 v not too expensive / problematic?

I guess I just want to make sure that I'm looking for th righ type of vehicle and don't buy one that someone says " oh, you can't do that to it"

NO Torana tailights 👍 👍

^pfft torana taillights are the new black according to kc.. doyen supremo 😂

peter87 wrote:I have a 63 beetle and i think the metal is a lot thinner that later models. If you are looking at doing your own panel work steer clear of earlier models (i was told by a qualified body builder). Good luck with your search and upload a few pics when you find something 🙂.

Don't believe everything you are told.

The metal is not thinner on the earlier models. Lets put that as a fact, not an opinion.

^ "qualified" 🤪 😂

^ 'certified ' 🤪😂

Torana taillights😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫
Was there any other type of tail lights that were were used in place of standard types?.

bugmaniaar wrote:Torana taillights😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫
Was there any other type of tail lights that were were used in place of standard types?.

'40s Ford taillights are popular with those looking for a Volksrod look. I think Torana taillights are a bit too subtle; some nice Mk 1 Cortina taillights would work well, however.

hth

modulus wrote:

bugmaniaar wrote:Torana taillights😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫
Was there any other type of tail lights that were were used in place of standard types?.

'40s Ford taillights are popular with those looking for a Volksrod look. I think Torana taillights are a bit too subtle; some nice Mk 1 Cortina taillights would work well, however.

hth

Peter your a man of sophisticated and discerning tastes!
M

surreyp wrote:I have noticed that the 70's Bugs are cheaper than the 60's ones. They are available in the L or S types so Standard or superbug;

Be careful with this. L-bugs are the Superbug with curved windscreen, strut front suspension and IRS rear. S-bugs are also Superbugs, they have a smaller upright windscreen like a standard bug, but they do have the strut front suspension and and IRS rear. Standard bugs were not badged S or L.

waltermitty wrote:

modulus wrote:some nice Mk 1 Cortina taillights would work well, however.

hth

Peter your a man of sophisticated and discerning tastes!
M

Well than you, Sir! Here's some I baked earlier...notice the subtle trick of inverting them to make a peace sign...

the earlier the better, 60s good, 50s better. the smaller the window the better the car.

no fiberglass, whale tails, torana taillights, yuk. keep it steel.

#1 No-No Mod... fuel filter's inside the engine bay. DOUBLY so if they're made of plastic.

The Torana tail lights come in at a very close second IMHO.

😂

modulus wrote:

bugmaniaar wrote:Torana taillights😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫
Was there any other type of tail lights that were were used in place of standard types?.

'40s Ford taillights are popular with those looking for a Volksrod look. I think Torana taillights are a bit too subtle; some nice Mk 1 Cortina taillights would work well, however.

hth

gee and i thought the corty lights looked better on the back of a splitty🙅😂🤪

emby wrote:Cheers for the tips.

The problem is that I'm not quite sure yet what I want to do and was wondering if there was any model that is less "flexible" in terms of mods. Should I steer clear of superbugs, or isn't that an issue? Is there an issue with getting parts for any particular years or are they pretty much interchangeable? Shoul I be looking at something that is 12 v or is converting a 6 v not too expensive / problematic?

I guess I just want to make sure that I'm looking for th righ type of vehicle and don't buy one that someone says " oh, you can't do that to it"

12 volt is better..
everything 12v is easier to play with these days..
even radios have been 12v for about 40 years+
and CD players are all 12 volts..
so, it means getting a 12 volt model 1968> on
also has disc brakes, dual brake system etc..
unless You must have the sloping headlamps
[but these can be fitted to any model beetle really]
Only 12v cars have the dual speed proper wipers.. lol

saying this... Many people own 6 volt early beetles and wouldn't own a late beetle.. lol

Holden Torana tail lights in fibreglass rear mud guards are the worse mod.. lol unreal, that they are still about??
they must have been made of good quality plastic... lol

I'm still trying to remember mk1 cortina tail lamps???? no idea?

We ALL have OUR what NOT to do... but its all up to the owner of the car.. so do what You want to...
most mods have been done to beetles before..
even Ford V8 beetles.. lol in the front... lol

cheers

LEE

beaded seat covers and ground effect flouros

Just buy what seems the most original,and best you have looked at,look at as many as you can.Then you will have a good idea on what things are worth,you pay the same for a good example to a bad one.The more you drive the more you will have to play with it.Soon you will think thats not right i will have a play,get out there and rack up some ks

modulus wrote:

waltermitty wrote:

modulus wrote:some nice Mk 1 Cortina taillights would work well, however.

hth

Peter your a man of sophisticated and discerning tastes!
M

Well than you, Sir! Here's some I baked earlier...notice the subtle trick of inverting them to make a peace sign...

The Mk 1 corty taillights would look better if they were the right scale, they look huge and theyre not, not being picky, but scaled they would look better
What about maybe some Ford XK,XL, tailights( The XM,XP too big) Im tending to go with the 40s Ford style, teardrop style, 1 red brake 1 amber for blinker side by side ,matched with some nerf bars , ala 60s style custom look
Now for the front ????