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Hi from Wollongong
vx-355 - January 9th, 2011 at 03:35 PM

Hey all....

Pretty new to all this VW stuff...

I'll confess I am a V8 man through and through...my main love is a Holden V8 with too much $$$ spent on it and plenty of horsepower. But I'm looking at a VW Beetle Convertible as a project so we can have some great family cruising with the top down.

Any ideas or thoughts as to what I should look for before I jump in?

(I did do a bit of searching but info overload at the moment)

Thanks guys,
Matt

Flintstones - January 9th, 2011 at 11:25 PM

Hi Matt, welcome to the forum.

I too am a self confessed v8 man and have owned Holden's in the past.

your question is very vague....

are you after an early or late beetle?
how much work can you do yourself?
what style are you after, stock, german look, cal look etc...?

I'm sure there will be millions of other questions you'll have;) just ask away and there will be someone on here that will have the answer you need.

Cheers
D

HappyDaze - January 10th, 2011 at 07:39 AM

Welcome Matt. Sorry, but I just HAD to say that!:lol:

A lot of us have been through the 'V8' stage, however it looks like you are on the right track now.

You mentioned that you were after a convertible - Rod Penrose (down your way) had one for sale recently. Not sure if he still has it, but it's worth a call. 4272 9920.

Cheers, Greg

vx-355 - January 10th, 2011 at 08:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by HappyDaze
Welcome Matt. Sorry, but I just HAD to say that!:lol:


:cool: Original....I've never heard that before!

Look....I will always be a V8 fan and love the horsepower and sound and all that they offer.

I am looking at a 1970 (cant remember exact year) Beetle Convertible. Its basically a running vehicle with hanging panels...that needs a full rebuild.
The roof is shat but will obviously get a new one. As for the work I do myself....I am quite handy at turning a spanner and built my own 700hp V8 motor a few months ago. So pulling apart and putting back together an old beetle and taking it form a bucket of bolts to a cruiser should be no problem...any major stuff will be outsourced though.

I dont want a show winner....just a nice plain looking convertible that we can cruise in and enjoy...just neat and tidy. But I want to do it myself rather than buy it done.

Can someone point me in the direction so I can get an explanation/understanding of this Type 1, 2, 3 etc...stuff for motors and how I can tell (if possible) by a VIN/Engine Number. And also what is compatible with what....ie: a Type 2 will fit in as a direct replacement for a type 1.....??

Cheers all

Paulc1964au - January 10th, 2011 at 09:38 AM

Matt,

welcome to the forum I am not an expert however from what i have read be careful when buying a convertible, there are quite a few on the market however if they have not been converted correctly you could be buying yourself a whole lot of problems.

I think the reason is because there is a misconception you can just cut the roof without strengthening the body and pan, this is totally incorrect and the pan is required to be stiffened.

There are lots of guys who can advise you on whats correct. From what I have observed on carsales etc convertible beetles (type 1) hold there value less than a good straight beetle.

You could go a ragtop? which is similar to a standard beetle with the centre of roof cut out.

good luck with your new hobby, btw my main car is a SV6 but i love driving my beetle

vx-355 - January 10th, 2011 at 12:27 PM

Thanks Paul...

The one I have been looking at says it has been converted to a convertible and is listed as convertible on the NSW rego papers and as it will stay in NSW...no need for engineers report.

Paulc1964au - January 10th, 2011 at 01:54 PM

might be worth taking some pics of the pan etc and posting here for someone to comment or pm me I can put you onto someone who maybe able to help

h - January 10th, 2011 at 05:36 PM

welcome aboard the luv bus of vw madness

vx-355 - January 10th, 2011 at 08:47 PM

Thanks guys.....

I should know in a few days if I will be getting the car or not.

So a beetle convertible is type 1? so when i look at engines....can only a type 1 engine go in it or are there other easy swaps?

And how do i decipher a VIN? (as in what the letters mean etc..i know how to do it for a commodore but have no idea for a bug)

thanks

theVman - January 12th, 2011 at 02:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vx-355
Thanks Paul...

The one I have been looking at says it has been converted to a convertible and is listed as convertible on the NSW rego papers and as it will stay in NSW...no need for engineers report.

Did you get it? Where are the pic's?

vx-355 - January 12th, 2011 at 07:34 PM

Dunno yet....will know by weekend at latest i say.

theVman - March 9th, 2011 at 09:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vx-355
Dunno yet....will know by weekend at latest i say.
Hi vx-355,

Been a l o n g weekend.....

theVman - September 20th, 2011 at 06:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by theVman
Quote:
Originally posted by vx-355
Dunno yet....will know by weekend at latest i say.
Hi vx-355,

Been a l o n g weekend.....


Must have not got it by the looks....