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Aug 17, 2006 12:28:09 GMT
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wtf! I have just noticed that I actually a rather large beetle-shaped gap in my knowledge. For years I have spurned Beetles on the basis that they were over-priced contraptions for folk who thought they were alot cooler than they actually were.... *I wanna be a ditzy hippy chick / surfer dude / right-on groovy type [delete as applicable], and need a vehicular accessory to show the world how individual I am. About as individual as every other ditzy hippy chick / surfer dude / right-on groovy type [delete as applicable]* That was what was in my mind. However, as time passes and the VW 'scene' becomes more and more obsessed with having the 'next big thing' or 'the rarest / most unique thing evAr', the Beetle is starting to blip on my radar. Especially as prices for Buses / wedges / Type 3's rocket as everyone tries to 'out-indervijual' each other and Beetle prices go in the opposite direction..... So come on.. what do I need to know? Give me a chronology of models and styles as I find it a bit bewildering tbh!!! I'd ask on VZi.... but I can't be arĀsed with the info getting drowned in cat/toast-topping/what-colour-pants-are-you-wearing type threads. And I'd get pwned by leet dubberz for being a no-nothing n00b or worse still... an irritating scene kid who ain't true to the cause, man (etc.) Thankyouplease.
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ImpManiac
Part of things
Imps... Imps... Imps...
Posts: 868
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Aug 17, 2006 12:32:02 GMT
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Not just me, then! ;D I've long been put off by the attitude that goes with Dubz, man. But I've realised that life's too short and I actually quite like them. I've been keeping an eye on the market. I'm
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Last Edit: Aug 17, 2006 12:32:24 GMT by ImpManiac
1966 Singer Chamois sprint/hillclimb car in white over blue two tone 1975 Triumph Stag long term project (over 20 years so far) in colour TBA 2003 Vauxhall Vectra GSi 3.2 in black sapphire
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Aug 17, 2006 12:44:25 GMT
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I aquired this relic some while back but woke up and realised i didn't want to spend the rest of my life piecing it back together so on the 'bay it went. I would kind of like one though... just a bog standard one.
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1962 Datsun Bluebird Estate - 1971 Datsun 510 SSS - 1976 Datsun 710 SSS - 1981 Dodge van - 1985 Nissan Cherry Europe GTi - 1988 Nissan Prairie - 1990 Hyundai Pony Pickup - 1992 Mazda MX5
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jabbo
Posted a lot
soy un perdedor
Posts: 1,151
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Aug 17, 2006 12:47:20 GMT
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wtf! I have just noticed that I actually a rather large beetle-shaped gap in my knowledge. For years I have spurned Beetles on the basis that they were over-priced contraptions for folk who thought they were alot cooler than they actually were.... *I wanna be a ditzy hippy chick / surfer dude / right-on groovy type [delete as applicable], and need a vehicular accessory to show the world how individual I am. About as individual as every other ditzy hippy chick / surfer dude / right-on groovy type [delete as applicable]* That was what was in my mind. However, as time passes and the VW 'scene' becomes more and more obsessed with having the 'next big thing' or 'the rarest / most unique thing evAr', the Beetle is starting to blip on my radar. Especially as prices for Buses / wedges / Type 3's rocket as everyone tries to 'out-indervijual' each other and Beetle prices go in the opposite direction..... So come on.. what do I need to know? Give me a chronology of models and styles as I find it a bit bewildering tbh!!! I'd ask on VZi.... but I can't be arĀsed with the info getting drowned in cat/toast-topping/what-colour-pants-are-you-wearing type threads. And I'd get pwned by leet dubberz for being a no-nothing n00b or worse still... an irritating scene kid who ain't true to the cause, man (etc.) Thankyouplease. Shut up n00b! ;D
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Aug 17, 2006 12:47:40 GMT
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cheap, reliable and easy to work on, great cars as cars, engine out on your own and swaped for the 1600 you just got for a crate of beer, in less than 3 hours.
ZILLIONS of bolt on performance goodies, a mahoosive tuning industry, the physics of the car (light, rear engine RWD) make it the perfect drag weapon, should your wallet allow for such shenanigans.
Can be had from Ā£1000 (I've had good ones for less, but scene tax etc) for a mid 70's 1300 to silly money for the rarer ones.
They have pitfalls, if bodged (and many are, as not everyone understands the vw beetles contruction), can be costly and a mare to put right, but you can buy everything for em, and it's really not that expensive.
early stuff, da'Fandango is the man to ask, he's a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things early in VW terms.
Basicly, early ones are "split" rear oval window'd and cable brakes
then came the "zwitter", Da'Fandango owns one, it's got an "oval" window dash and some other bits
then came the oval, so called due to the oval rear window
in 58 the oval rear window went, and some other changes were made.
in 65, the rear 1/4 windows grew in size, and the link and king pin suspension made way for the newer balljoint type.
in 67, the new "upright" headlights came in...
remained much the same, engine choices changes, 1500 cars came with disc brakes, then the 1302 was born, mac struts up front and IRS rear end (as oppose to "swing axles")
then the 1303, with a new dash and curvier windscreen
that's about all I can tell you really.....
watch for rot, rot and rot, look out for heater channels welded to the floorpans, a shoddy repair that basicly means the car is now curse word!, rotten channels mean body off really....
Door bottoms go, check frame head for rot, and the roof gutters!
Mechanics are basic as hell, so don't worry, you can by everything you need for em, standard or uprated, and they aren't that expensive, unless you go for an earlier model, in which case, you pay premium money.
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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Aug 17, 2006 12:48:07 GMT
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Nick, drop round sometime - ive got loads of books on model changes/modding etc. there were subtle mods throughout the years, usually little things, the windows got larger and larger, certain mechanical upgrades were made etc. initially you had the split windows then that changed to oval windows in between you had the split window with an oval dash (as in larrys zwitter) then the big window came in pre67 had the sloper lights and longer decklid post 67 had upright light and short decklid 67 is one year only, one off decklid kinda mid sized. UK spec had upright lights and US spec had slopers (i think thats right) then you have 1303's with rounded front windscreens, macpherson strut suspension etc. ive made sure larry (dafandango) has seen this - you'll probably get an essay back on every little change during the early years! ;D
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Aug 17, 2006 12:50:18 GMT
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actually, I could go into loads of really geeky changes and variations, but I can't be bothered, and they are boring My bro just got a free jeans beetle from a guy in Letchworth, and apparently, it doesn't need a lot of welding doing.
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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Aug 17, 2006 12:53:10 GMT
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i would love a jeans, ive been on the lookout for ages! your bro is a lucky fella! get some pics up!!
oh, and if you are looking to buy one research into them and learn what you want. then save as much as you can and buy the best you can. The bargains simply usually arent worth it.
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jabbo
Posted a lot
soy un perdedor
Posts: 1,151
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Aug 17, 2006 12:53:41 GMT
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Seriously though, I'd say now is the time to buy a Beetle. With their relative dwindling popularity in the scene (like you say everyone wants a bus/type 3/fridolin at the mo), bugs are quite decently priced at the minute.
Ideally you'd want a US 67 1500, as they're supposed to be the best Beetles built (early lights/bumpers but with the later engine and disc brakes).
You can pic up upright headlight models for well under a grand at the mo, with tax and test. If you want a sloper you're looking at a few hundred more, but they can be found. All depends what your after really (no offence dude but based on your recent purchases I'm guessing you don't want no minter ;D )
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Last Edit: Aug 17, 2006 12:55:04 GMT by jabbo
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Aug 17, 2006 12:56:37 GMT
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Seriously though, I'd say now is the time to buy a Beetle. With their relative dwindling popularity in the scene (like you say everyone wants a bus/type 3/fridolin at the mo), bugs are quite decently priced at the minute. Ideally you'd want a 67 1500, as they're supposed to be the best Beetles built (early lights/bumpers but with the better engine and disc brakes). You can pic up upright headlight models for well under a grand at the mo, with tax and test. If you want a sloper you're looking at a few hundred more, but they can be found. All depends what your after really (no offence dude but based on your recent purchases I'm guessing you don't want no minter ;D ) Be wary of sub 1k beetles, ask someone who knows them to take a look around it with you. An MOT does not mean it's not been welded to the floor, and trust me, that's something you don't want to put right. Cheapuns are out there, but many of em are funked , the bodywork and chassis are very important on them really, otherwise you're gonna be chasing the tinworm year after year.
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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Aug 17, 2006 12:58:58 GMT
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Whilst I love Beetles,.. I bought one for this very reason : cheap, reliable and easy to work on and its just not true. They ain't cheap,.. they are certainly not reliable, at least not by any measure I'd like to put against reliability and they are not easy to work on.... changing a Dynamo on a '66 Beetle was an absolute pig of a job. They are relatively simple and parts supply is good. They can also be very very very cool.
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Aug 17, 2006 13:04:01 GMT
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Whilst I love Beetles,.. I bought one for this very reason : cheap, reliable and easy to work on and its just not true. They ain't cheap,.. they are certainly not reliable, at least not by any measure I'd like to put against reliability and they are not easy to work on.... changing a Dynamo on a '66 Beetle was an absolute pig of a job. They are relatively simple and parts supply is good. They can also be very very very cool. Sorry, good ones are cheap reliable etc. I find them easy to work on, but then I've been blessed with ones that aren't completely ballsed up Like any car, they don't tolerate abuse, especially oil services, as the oil effectivly cools the "air cooled" engine, so it needs to be the right oil and changed at the right time. the engine area is tight, but if you take the engine out (it's not hard!), you've all the room you need
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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Aug 17, 2006 13:04:14 GMT
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from my experience they are cheap, reliable and easy to work on. nothing really requires 'specialist' knowledge, its all pretty simple and logical. rust is the killer tho, and thats what can make simple jobs a right ar5e. reliability wise, i don't think ive ever had one break down on me, or not start first time on the button.
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Aug 17, 2006 13:05:24 GMT
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should add, when I say cheap, I mean to run, insure etc, you do tend to pay more for the initial purchase
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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jabbo
Posted a lot
soy un perdedor
Posts: 1,151
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Aug 17, 2006 13:05:36 GMT
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Be wary of sub 1k beetles, ask someone who knows them to take a look around it with you. An MOT does not mean it's not been welded to the floor, and trust me, that's something you don't want to put right. Cheapuns are out there, but many of em are funked , the bodywork and chassis are very important on them really, otherwise you're gonna be chasing the tinworm year after year. There are a few good ones out there too though. I've helped various mates buy 6 or 7 bugs all for under a grand and never had any problems. Similarly don't think all the top dollar ones are all that. Any one remember those black and red showcars that belonged to the Panter brothers?! I think the most important point here like TCC says is to get someone who know's them to take a look with you. Definately a sensible idea.
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bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
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Aug 17, 2006 13:05:44 GMT
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The thing that always struck me about a Beetle was how impractical it was when run on a budget (surely how it was meant to be). Heat exchangers that gas you, rust that is nightmare to fix 'cos it always seems to be hidden away or awkwardly shaped meaning you have to buy a repair panel. Dodgy electrics etc. True parts supply and engine swaps are fantastic, but that's more applicable to a show/enthusiasts car. On a daily basis, like for like I'll take a 2CV anytime. Far better and just as cool in my opinion. Oh, I write this having owned three Beetles and still having a Buggy.
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Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
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Aug 17, 2006 13:09:30 GMT
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Sorry, good ones are cheap reliable etc. Yeah, I think a great rule of thumb is to really really check out what you are buying because there are some dogs out there that have been run into the ground by clueless scenesters... nothing really requires 'specialist' knowledge, its all pretty simple and logical. This is true, and one of the things that makes them so popular. rust is the killer tho, and thats what can make simple jobs a right ar5e. This is also true and one of the things that can make them a risky buy. Both the VWs I had needed constant maintenance or they would start to break.. on the flip I've not had the bonnet up on the Datto for over a year. But I did pump the tyres up the weekend before CaRS ... I think Beetles are great cars if you put the effort.
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Aug 17, 2006 13:13:12 GMT
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I too on the whole have ignored em for ages, but there are some cheaper ones out there now, most folks are yearning a bus. I'd love to get a straight 70's one cheap (72 would be nice just for tax purposes) and do it exactly as i fancy just for fun. My mechanic friend would disown me as he hates em, who cares, they are cool IMO whether they are 'cool' or not. something like this (as seen on RR)
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Aug 17, 2006 13:16:04 GMT
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Oh I will add that its the maintenance and technology that has scared me off, 50% of the reason my mechanic hates em (other 50% is how 'cool they were in the 80's and 90's), and a collegue used to have one and i gave him a lot of lifts to work. ;D For the price of a cheap one i'd find out the hardway myself.
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Aug 17, 2006 13:19:18 GMT
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the reason most mechanics hate em, is that owners with good ones tend to do a lot themselves, or take em to "specialists", (don't get me wrong, there are people in the scene who I'd trust to do the work on my cars, but for standard spanner monkey work, I'd do it myself, ta!), meaning poor mechanic man only gets the crappy cobbled together ones that are already buggered, and hence a mare to work on
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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