I am looking at buying a beetle that is an automatic.

With parts becoming rarer etc I was just wondering if conversion to a manual is as easy as it sounds?

Has anyone done this?

Could anyone give me a approx price to have it done at a mechanic?

Is it possible at all or should i just wait for a manual car instead?

Thanks

Hi, I have a 70 model semi automatic beetle that I'm thinking about selling, what area are u in?
charmaine.
if you are wanting a car for auto spares or restoring

[ Edited on 4-8-2007 by ponybeetle ]

and also a 70 model beetle manual, needs restoring.

If is possible.

"Some" cars (i have heard) have the clutch tube already there.

Yoy are up for
pedal set - $50?
Gear stick - $10?
Gear box - $150 - $1000
Clutch and flywheel - $350?
Labour - $1000??

All ball park of course

Mervan,
Read this :

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124538 

Throw in a couple hundred more on the ballpark by the time you get a shift rod and an oil pump.

The later model the S-A, the more likely it is to have a clutch cable tube in the pan.

If you are nervous, why bother? If you decide to have a look, a fair few of us can give you hints 'n' tips to check before you go.

2bobs worth:P
Ctefeh

Why would you want to do this to an auto?

You can buy a 2nd hand manual based gearbox and engine together from a swap meet or from guys a round here for a decent price.

even a cheap set of manual pedals, people are always parting cars.
If you haven't got a clutch tube, (to which my semi auto doesn't), you can always be creative.

The manual engine and gearbox will just bolt in though, no difficult fitting there, its just the clutch pedal to the box thats the hard bit.

If you are willing to give it a go, you could add to the standard pedals or modify them some how to run a clutch tube, or even a hydraulic clutch somewhere besides the 'difficult to reach' and annoying chassis tube.

I am confused do u want an Auto or a Manual

And what do u have at the moment ??? Type 1 2 or 3 ???

Quote:

Originally posted by Pretty_Blue_Bug Why would you want to do this to an auto?

Thank you all for your replies.

I was looking at buying a Type 1 with an auto in her and had been convinced that it was not a great car to buy because of the gearbox.

Since this post I have bought a different beetle (which is manual).

When I take delivery I will share my new baby!

My car was a wicked buy and just that little bit rarer since it's a semi-auto.
It's such a cruisey 'lil thing to drive!

If you have a good mechanic they can fix ANYTHING.

Can't wait to see your new baby though... :P