I recently saw a really nice '63 rag top that was in pristine condition and was thinking about getting it for an around the town car.
What were the good and bad years for these cars?
google samba vw,join and post the question. They'le pile on you like Tom Brown on a newbie.
67 and older. Things really started to change for the worse in 68, high back seats plastic dash boards etc. 67 was first year of 1600 engine and last year of good styling.
Yep, 67. Last year of 5 lug, first year of 12V. 67' or older is the best way to go.
Yep, 67. Last year of 5 lug, first year of 12V. 67' or older is the best way to go.
Yeah, the early years are better looking except only 69 (68 for the auto-stick) and later had IRS rear suspension, instead of swing axles, which is definitely the better option there...so really the best option is a late 60's engine and pan with an early style body, or just weld in an oval or split window kit to one of the later models, and run screaming from any of the 1970's "Super Beetles" with McPherson struts in front. Of course by modern standards, they are all unsafe and underpowered, so you might want to get one of the New Beetles in the Turbo-S version with the 6-speed...except they have reliability issues and will only last 5 times as long as an old beetle and cost half as much to buy, but everybody here will think your gay if you do that, so just build a custom golf cart instead, sure it will cost more than restoring an old VW, and be far less useful, but it's similar in size and at least you will still be cool here.
Hell yeah, my old mans a TV repairman...he's got this ultimate set of tools.... Can you restore a bug in 2 weeks?...
Hell yeah, my old mans a TV repairman...he's got this ultimate set of tools.
Yeah, except I need a 69 through 73 pan for a project I have in mind.
I had a 74' Thing right out of high school too. 2litre and a set of 6x9's
Now that would be a sweat car! 6X9's and all. Things rocked.:thumbsup
I converted my 60' to IRS, it was real easy...
Type 2 IRS trans with a 2234 sporting a pair of IDA's...:champagne:
Now that would be a sweat car! 6X9's and all. Things rocked.:thumbsup
My 69 had 1835cc, straight cut gears, vz35 cam, super flow heads and Delorto 45's! Bus box tranny welded 1st and 2nd and a 4 puck disc inside a kennedy 2300lb clutch. It would eat 5.0's for breakfast......
14 second 1/4mi in 1994 in a bug was moving
I would love to have a nice Ghia or Notchback to restore. Always loved those cars.
I raced with a buddy, we built a 56' Ragtop on a 69 pan / 1984' motor, best time was 11.17 in the quarter. Not bad for a full bodied normally asperated sedan.
This was my '71. Pictured it had the 1914 with 44's in it. I had a 2276 with Autocraft heads that ran 12.90's. Wicked fast on the street. Had a lot of valve spring issues and I got tired of wrenching on it so I sold it. Wish I would have never done that. :grumble:
I would love to have a nice Ghia or Notchback to restore. Always loved those cars.
I raced with a buddy, we built a 56' Ragtop on a 69 pan / 1984' motor, best time was 11.17 in the quarter. Not bad for a full bodied normally asperated sedan.
NICE! You ever figure out the valve spring issue? Could you have switched to an 041 head to reduce compression and issues??
Sure. But the Autocrafts made a ton of power. I'm sure spinning it to almost 8k rpm when I was going through the traps probably didn't help.
i have a 57, but its not worth much after all the cutting
I'm kinda lookin for a Notchback myself. Not real hard though. But if the right deal shows itself I'll be all over it. I got a turbo EFI idea in mind for one.
If you can somehow get a late model Mexican Beetle AND get it registered in the US, you'll really have something. The last year they were made was 2003.
I know where there is a pair for sale at a good price. Last I knew he wanted $1500 for the pair, ones a builder the other one is parts only......