Subject: Bit of advice? looking at my first project.
Protokoll
Learner Dubber
Posts: 2
Threads: 1
Registered: June 27th, 2013
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on July 26th, 2013 at 10:56 PM
Bit of advice? looking at my first project.
Hey guys, I've been following post on the forum for a bit, and I've tried to learn as much as I can before posting this.
I've been looking to get a Beetle, I've wanted one for years, I don't have a large starting budget at the moment, about $2000. I'm in the
Bundaberg Area and have found a project for just under $2000.
What they have for sale is 4 Beetles, There is one that's almost complete, with what seems to be a reupholstered interior, it's quite nice, carpeted
floor, cloth seats with no tears or anything, the storage space behind the seats has been carpeted, and the battery tray under the back seat looks
clean of rust. Drivers floor has some surface rust in it but I didn't see any flaky stuff or holes, I believe the dash has been covered in vinyl, in
the front boot there's some rust holes in the spare wheel holder thing. Up the back of the boot there's a mess of wires that look like they're
connected to the dash, is there supposed to be a mess up there? The engine bay looks tidy, considering the engine isn't in there.. It's got some
nice looking alloy wheels with new tires. The engine is sitting out of the car on a table, but I think it's been in the weather a little bit though.
The front boot bonnet thing? is rusty but there's a rust free bonnet on one of the other cars. The sidesteps aren't on it, and for what I can tell
are the heater channels (in behind where the sidesteps were) are rusted near the front of the front doors. There's a superbeetle and a regular beetle
that're quite rusty right in the body and floorpan, and one that's not so bad on rust, including what looks to be a replaced spare wheel holder. The
paint on them all is pretty shit. I own a 5" grinder and an Arc welder, I know a bit about sanding and painting, and a little about welding but have
never done anything on a car before. I believe they've all been sitting for a couple of years. All 4 cars have all the suspension stuff and
transaxles in them, there are 3 motors, 2 of which will crank but don't turn over. There's quite a lot of other things in the guys shed to go with
it.
What I need to know is, how much work is really ahead of me, do I need a MIG Welder for this stuff or can an arc do the job at all? Considering these
cars have been sitting, what will need to be replaced, what's the rough sort of cost I'd be looking at to get something like this on the road? Would
I be better off buying something already finished? Is there any advice you can give to someone looking at their first VW?
68AutoBug
A.k.a.: Lee Noonan
Aircooled Master
Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138% - YIKES --
Posts: 11654
Threads: 449
Registered: August 31st, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: SCONE in UPPER HUNTER VALLEY NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Yellow
Mood: Really Mentally Ill - all of the time -
posted on July 26th, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Hi
Well, they don't sound like a good project to me...
Supers and Non Supers are different from the door hinges forward...
I would keep looking about...
You are better off with one fairly good car than 4 bad ones..
although the first one doesn't sound too bad with a good interior.. that is a start...
If the engines have been in the weather they may have water in the oil... and really need to be pulled down to see what damage and whether they can
be cleaned up etc easily or are gone too far?? at least You can turn them over so they aren't seized... but there are many other things that could
be wrong..
Cars sitting out in the weather isn't good...
could be a lot of rust You cannot see..
My thoughts
LEE
- [size=4]Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY--- [/size]
Aussie Dubbin
Fahrvergnugen
Posts: 895
Threads: 90
Registered: July 21st, 2008
Member Is Offline
Location: Adelaide
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 07:28 AM
My advise
Leave that mess alone and buy a reasonable beetle in as original condition as possible.
There are so many little parts that get removed during projects, many that never get replaced on an unfinished project. You won't know what it
missing or not and to buy replacement seals and rubbers starts to add up real quick.
My suggestion
Pre 1967 for looks and that old school cool
68-72 for better electrical 12V, ball joints over link pin front end and still a nice shape
72-76 BJ/IRS bug would be my pick
72 on Super bug. Strut front suspension for better handling and all supers have IRS.
Posts: 895
Threads: 90
Registered: July 21st, 2008
Member Is Offline
Location: Adelaide
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 07:32 AM
If you don't know how to easily spot the difference in body shapes start chatting to someone at a bug show near you or a beetle mechanic. You're not
going to buy a show stopper for 2k but should be able to get a working and functional bug. Stay away from metallic paints and look for original. My 2c
all the best
Super Moderator
The artist formerly known as blue74l
Posts: 12757
Threads: 732
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Abbotsford, Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 11:04 AM
G'day and welcome
I would stay away from them as well.
Sounds like a lucky dip and "could" be good value if you knew what you were after and knew what was being sold.
just to throw some figures around, you would have to consider the motor is stuffed and you will need $1k with clutch etc to get it going
I would be guessing it has all sat for a while and you will go through another $1k doing all the fuel hoses, brakes, rotors, drums etc etc.
Then there is the rust you talk about and then there is rego.
I cant see you getting it on the road for much under $6k
For that money there are plenty of bargains.
You might need to travel a bit though.
Get your head around what you want.
Early 60's for kool factor, but be prepared to pay.
A 55/56 oval sold here the other day for $9k - and that was a great buy.
Late supers for something that is half modern and handles.
These are the cheapest to buy and parts are cheap.
But they loose out on kool with the purists - but the German Look crowd love them
Anyway - ask more questions
Futue te ipsum!!!
bajachris88
A.k.a.: Chris Leete
23 Windows of Awesome
The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 672.
Posts: 6661
Threads: 534
Registered: April 8th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Tanah Merah, SE-QLD
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: A bee bit ma' bottom, now ma' bottom's big!
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 11:10 AM
Arc on body rust repairs would be brutal heat wise, and just keep blowing holes.
It would have to be a mig job. However, if you went that way, you'd be best to just rent one rather than pay half a G when you are ready to slam out
the rust repairs.
Kennards might do a cheap lease for Migs.
Without seeing the car, you'd want another $2G's at least for bits/pieces for rwc. Tyres, brakes, link pins, seals, bushes, steering components,
shocks the rwc cert and $360 for rego would easy reach/topple that, and thats DIY cost not workshop.
Sometimes if you aren't in a rush, just buy it, and make it work. Thinking too far ahead causes fluster and you never know whats coming up. It took
6-7 years to turn my $250 granny-spec beetle to a rwc baja, and that was without finished paint. I was a uni student though (time rich, money poor).
iF I knew it would take that long, i probably wouldn't have done it, but looking back i have no regrets; its been a journey.
If you are motivated you'll make it work regardless of condition. Keeping that motivation up is another thing all together!
PS: Refrain from EMPI cheap parts, Urethane and try to reuse as many original components as possible. Nuffin supercedes original german quality.
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears.
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!
LUFTMEISTER
Veteran Volks Folk
Posts: 2041
Threads: 119
Registered: July 13th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: BRISVEGAS in a state of flux
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 01:23 PM
My advice. If you REALLY want a beetle. the deal sounds good. grab the lot. concentrate on the one with the least amount of rust. Grab the best stuff
off the rest for your project. Sell the rest off to pay for a nice (150A +) mig welder. Bobs your Uncle. My2c
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
matberry
Super Moderator
Go hard or go home
Posts: 8114
Threads: 134
Registered: March 7th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: Cooroy Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: enjoying waving at all my Kombi buddies from my T3
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 03:41 PM
10 different people...10 different opinions
I'd recommend save more dollars and get one that is already on the road, but there are lots that are full of rust so be VERY careful before you
purchase, or ..... well, buy the projects and learn as you go, but you need to be prepred to put in plenty of effort
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
Carl and Emily
Officially Full-On Dubber
Posts: 349
Threads: 38
Registered: April 19th, 2012
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 07:09 PM
Opinion number 7.
Approach it like you would a house renovation,.. do your budget before you start.
Rust and previous doggy repairs are your number 1 enemy.
Unless you can do these repairs yourself costs can escalate quickly.
If you need a rebuilt engine and or gearbox and can't do it yourself,.. get a quote from a reputable vw mechanic before you purchase. (You might get
a shock how expensive they can be.)
Think about how much you are ultimately prepared to spend over all. (and what look you want it to look like,.. i.e. show room condition, original
condition, or 'rat rod')
If money is an issue,.. A running car, in road worthy condition (or very close to it.), in original paint (so you can see any rust and no hidden doggy
repairs) is your best option.
It's not hard to exceed the cost of a new car bringing an old bug (or any old car for that matter.) back from the dead,.. unless you are in the trade
and know what you are doing.
Of course we all love to see a new project started so long as it gets finished.
Protokoll
Learner Dubber
Posts: 2
Threads: 1
Registered: June 27th, 2013
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 08:36 PM
Thanks for all the advice guys, I didn't realise how costly getting it back on the road could be, but forums are here to put the dreamers back in
line (sometimes) I think I might take the advice that most of you agreed
on, I'll leave them where they stand and I'm gonna save for a few more months and get something a bit more complete.
If anyone else is interested, I found the cars in advertised in the City Coast and Country Trader, the address to check them out is 12 De Gunst St,
Bundaberg, Qld. The phone number is 0406 328 073. I hope it's alright for me to share that information on the forum.
68BUS
Wolfsburg Wizard
Posts: 485
Threads: 19
Registered: July 1st, 2011
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisbane
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: Berwildered
posted on July 27th, 2013 at 10:19 PM
Further to opinion number seven.
I am a builder
budget then double it. No one knows what is really envolved ahead of time apart from those who k ow it back to front. That is why I get paid well to
estimate projects. (i have stuffed up to k ow better now).
You will sink a good few thousands on a resto even if you get a good base. If you have heaps of time then it may be worth it.
But you may be better saving up for a few months-a year and keeping watch.
4k will get you a nice driver.
6k will get you a nice driver that looks great.
9k will get you a nice ovla that is pretty tidy and will go up in value, or it will get you a tidy tidy large rear window beetle.
1966 Aussie 11 Window
ian.mezz
Wolfsburg Elder
I never said, I could write or spell
Posts: 3913
Threads: 280
Registered: September 11th, 2004
Member Is Offline
Location: Newcastle
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Happy
posted on July 31st, 2013 at 01:04 PM
yep buy one already done, saves u heaps of time and money.
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again.
I think I might take the advice that most of you agreed
on, I'll leave them where they stand and I'm gonna save for a few more months and get something a bit more complete.
