I’ve owned my 69 beetle for 5ish years and been lurking on here for awhile. Got it as first car and have learnt basic mechanics on it. I've always dreamed of turning it into a crazy street/track car ether with a massive type IV engine or a ej25t. Unfortunately I can't afford that and body wise my beetle isn't worth it.

My problem is that allot of people think your an idiot to do anything custom/unoriginal to old cars this is just something that has always bugged me. Recently my father has bought a 1966 fastback mustang and is in the planning stage trying to decide whether go original engine or more modern v8. I argue that he'd be stupid to put in a less powerful, older, less efficient, heaver engine when there are so many great modern engines.

now I understand that some cars old Bugatti come to mind that should be kept original as there isn't many and are more often as not kept in museums. but if you going to drive your car why stick with equipment that is slower and less safe than modern options ie disc brakes.

now i'm not saying all old cars should become rice cars with more speakers plastic and tvs than some houses. But whats wrong with have the style of a classic but have it drive like a modern car.

Just to be clear I’m not just talking about the Subaru vs. old air-cooled debate but why some people see any modern improvement to a classic car as high treason

There are many people who like original.... but if its a US mustle car.. You need better brakes and probably suspension setup..

I don't care about the engines....
all that chrome doesn;t do anything for Me...

Original - totally are a different thing...
they are worth money....

but to Me, I always add extras to My cars and so My 68 beetle has an alternator, electric fuel pump, JVC stereo- late model steering wheel- driving/fog lamps... exhaust extractors and a non genuine carburetor and oil cooler..

I believe just do what ever You like.... not what someone else likes...
that is why there are so many different VWs on here...

those people who can graft late model dashes and interior etc
are very lucky they can do that...

A totally original anything in as new condition costs$$$$
but shouldn't be driven...
otherwise it won't look new for long...

LEE

I don't care what people do to their cars as long as they finish what they started. I recon 12 months and your ride should be back on the road. Cause thats where cars are ment to be, on the road not sitting in some ones shed for 10 years

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

If you have an old car, sure you can spend heaps of money to modernize it, but without serious amounts of money, it's still an old car. If you want a car with modern comforts, buy a modern car. But that doesn't mean you can't have a good middle ground though.

Simply, each to their own.

if it ain't broke don't fix

learnt that the hard way to many times...

People who fight for maintaining original follow in the belief's of 'purism'. These 'purists' of the vw tribespeople have trouble with modern motors that don't feature the vw badge... ie: Jap Subaru into german car. Then poses the question which neva has a defined answer, is it still a vw if it had a subaru engine? If a subaru powered vw wins a drag race, was it a vw that won or a subaru?

thats the issue

I would imagine that the majority of purists wouldn't blink at the idea of fitting a modern vw flat four (if something like such ever existed). Subaru just so happens to be the most abundant modern flat four available... there aren't many other flat four alternatives that are anywhere near as common or affordable.

Go with what you feel like man. Regardless of what way you go, you can never fill the hearts of everyone. There is always going to be a love / hate crowd for any setup. If it brings a smile to you, do it.

People just need to stop worrying about what others think and buid their car to what they want be it totally stock or heavily modified

I've given my bug all the creature comforts of a modern car like A/C, power windows, remote central locking and trunk release, comfy seats, intermittent wipers etc and a modern power plant thats smooth, economical and reliable yet it still just looks like a classic beetle thats just been lowered and had some rims fitted

It can be done without going over the top

Most people seem to get a kick out of all the new technology in it while still keeping it a classic

It's usually only the die hard purists on forums that can hide behind their screen that moan about modified cars

None of the vws on australian roads are on the endangered species list yet, must admit I probbaly wouldnt like to see a heap of ovals cut up for subi engines but geez its your car and anything can be reversed with abit of $$

how much $$$ do you want to spend? Think about it this way...

new motor (ie. transplant) = cheaper, more power and more reliable
old motor (ie. rebuilt/hotrodded factory) = more $$$, less power and more finicky

That said, if you are building a real racecar, throw that all out the window, read the rule book and buy the best bits allowed. No use having a car that doesn't comply with the rules or keep up with the competition. After all, that's why you go racing. Was talking to a mate this arvo who used to help build VW powered speedway midgets. When they were first getting started, a local champion gave them this advice, "pull your VW motor apart, clean all the parts and lay them out on a long bench. Put a bin at the end of the bench and slide all the stock parts along the bench and into the bin. Then go buy an aftermarket case, rods, pistons..." etc.

Nothing has changed since then.

Retro classic= old cars with modern under pinnings, massive over in Europe and personaly i love it. Old cars have so much more style,class,personality but being old they have there faults. By keeping the old looks but replacing other parts with more modern compnants gives you the best of both worlds.

I love my Vws and i dotn drive anything but them while my wife has a honda at presant, its a great car but it doesnt make me grin when i drive it, it does its job very well and i know my wife and kids will arrive safe and not have brackdowns etc but it doesnt excite me so i have a vw with modern brakes a subaru engine and i LOVE IT!!!!!

i am having to sell her because i have way to many kids but i am going to do the same to a Kombi, subaru,a/c,better brakes,rack and pinon steering etc etc etc..

bottom line is do what U like not what anyone else says as its the car U drive and its you that has to enjoy the ride..

steff.................

As long as you drive it

A "gunne be" in the garage that is never finished means squat compared to a driver

I say go custom do something different theres heaps of old cars out there. But if you do something custom do it right and make that veedub look hot

Yep, gotta agree with do your own thing, there was a heavily modified beetle on here some time back, was for sale and I think it still is, best mod I have ever seen in my opinion, 4 headlights etc, a real head turner and a credit to the fella who did it. Who cares about what you do to your car, it's yours so do what you want that way you will be happy, do what someone else reckons you should do with it and you won't be happy (maybe) but you will still have to drive a car your not happy with. Stuff em I say.

Definitely build what you want. I built my EH Holden with everything modified and custom, except the body panels. Then the EH Limo I built everything original except the body shell. Our bus has everything modified and custom except the original body steel.

I have built a few cars that have been inspired by original design only, that being that every single part except the overall look is modified. When you widen the body, change the wheel arches, colour, drivetrain, chassis, colour, trimmings and interior, the end result is just a similar description to the original vehicle. Just do it if you want to. Just make sure you finish it.

Wow
The way I'm reading this is that there's a pretty common outlook;

a/ Needs to be driven/used.
b/ Needs to be finished/on the road.

VW's aren't show cars, if they aren't functional/functioning are they a "peoples car"? No they are eye candy!

I picked up 'Adolf' in stock condition for a case of beer, spent 9 months getting it roadworthy, but they day I painted it lavender it was no longer "stock". I could have garaged it in waiting and watch my "investment" earn $.
In 5 years the 68 type 3 has transformed, was off the road for a max of 6 months while I made it drivable by todays standards. And out of necessity, because I love driving and prefer to drive it than a new car and had to live out of it at times, it is slowly becoming 'original', powerful, economic and more techno savvy than many modern cars. It's been a hell of a lot cheaper than a new car and don't need an advanced degree in nothingness to keep it going.

My daughter will be able to learn to drive in it in 10 years. Who knows? by then It may be able to drive her.

It's no 'show pony' it's a work horse.

It's entirely up to you. There is no doubt you will do things that may not be to the liking of everyone, but that shouldn't affect what you do.

Myself for instance, I am looking to build a GL bug, but need to remain within the bounds of my own capabilities. So while I appreciate the engineering that goes into cars like Joel's I don't think that a Subi conversion is within my budget or ability. Adding a bunch of creature comforts and gadgets however, I can probably do.

At the end of the day I am building a car that I want to drive for my own enjoyment. Not to spend a bunch of cash and time building something to make everyone else happy.

I'd say that shoud be your aim as well, IMHO.

why not a bit of both? thats what I plan to do.

original interior and exterior. heavily modified engine,drive train and suspension/brakes.

good thread, even if you just paint it's custom as modern paint is different from original, it comes down to a personal thing. When I did my Lbug all the interior, seats, headling, door cards etc was all custom as my wife is very handy with upholstery and it saved heaps but I prefer it to stock 'coz we did it! Having said that I love driving my old '60 beetle as it is original and a bit tatty but has character , and old car smell!

I miss the old car smell.

As others have summed up, as long as it's on the road then thats all that matters.

Plenty of good examples of both custom and classic resto's out there.

(Edited, replied too early in the morning )

Who gives a toss what other people think mate?
My Ghia is lowered and a little bit ratty but still has a shine to the paint.
I get comments and hearsay like 'You should keep it original' or 'raise it up' etc etc
I really dont care what others think.I drive the thing when I can (its not a daily) and enjoy MY CAR and its probably the coolest car ive owned (and Ive had LOADS)

Some like a mint original car,thats cool,some like the rat thing,thats cool too...for THEM!

Do what ya want mate,you can hear people bag your ride for whatever reason,you just don't have to listen!