Hi all

Looking to get into my first Air Cooled VW.

My old man had several Beetles back in the day and with the recent passing of my Grandmother (his Mum), I thought it'd be nice to get a restored Beetle that we can both use and cheer him up.

So I've seen alot on carsales, many claiming to be fully restored, but frankly, having had no experience with Beetles, I would be going in Blind.

Can anyone reccommend a good workshop on the southside of Brisbane who could do a pre-purchase for me.

or, alternatively, point me toward any know 'clean' beetles for sale. I think we will concentrate on mid to late 60's models, fully restored.

Also, are there any problems with running unleaded through the old girls? - is any valve seat hardening or fuel additives required?

6V versus 12V - what do I need to know?

I just realised I have hundreds of questions, so any advice you could throw at a complete Beetle novice who wants to learn it all, would be greatly appreciated.

Hi to all and thanks for your time!

Welcome to the nut house.

It really disgusts me sometimes what some people flogging cars class as "restored"
A crappy respray does not equal a restoration

Best advice I can give you is concentrate on body and floorpan health.

Mechanical stuff, steering, suspension, trim, interior etc can all be easily unbolted and replaced but fixing up rust, repainting etc can turn into huge costly work.

the earlier 60s bugs have the most character and charm but the later models are alot more refined and nicer to drive

Hey Joel... who says that we're ALL nuts on here... I resemble that remark !!!



Depending on how far southside you want to go, there's Southside VW at Springwood/Slacks Creek... Roger certainly knows his stuff, and am pretty sure would do a pre-purchase inspection no worries.

Otherwise making a few contacts on here and joining a club are probably your best bets. There's a few in Brissie... VW Drivers Club of Qld (which I'm in), Bad Little Buggers, Gold Coast Dub Club just to name a couple.



Quick hit list:
- unleaded is fine, but best to use an additive just to be sure... Valvemaster, Flashlube or similar. If you know the engine has stainless valves then probably not necessary (watch this comment become a can of worms !!! )
- 6V is fine if well maintained, but 12V is probably going to be more user-friendly. Beetles only went 12V in 1968, so anything earlier than that will either be a 6V or converted... so check out how good a job was done on the conversion. Starter motor and wiper motor the most likely things to have issues.
- for the quality of any resto the telltale signs are underbody deadening, recent resprays (both to hide rust or dodgy repairs), the condition of window rubbers (it can't have been a windows-out respray if the rubbers are old), and then whether or not all the perishables have been done like brake hoses, fuel lines, headlight drains etc. Carpet and seats are always a big "wow" factor, but realistically the cheapest and easiest things to replace.

here is one from here that looks like a good deal
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=85507 

Welcome to the...um .....,,yeh nut house.
Your right.there are a few out there claiming full restore,and indeed are not.
Ya 60's models are pretty sweet.6v can have complications at time,but like
dave said should be well maintained.Where as 12v is more user friendly for most
modern cons,eg,amps,new alt,starter,battery and so forth.But not the biggest
concern.Panel condition and rust is a major.If you just want to jump in and be
ready to go.Diffidently don't want to be thinking about removing rust.Most engine
parts are pretty easy to get hold of and bolt straight on.
As with the unleaded.
If i don't have valve additive in my glove box when i refuel,i just drive off.But i prefer to add it
when i can.Just to be safe.Plus the old girl likes it.
Hope that helps.

Good Luck With the search.
~jas~