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I go through stages of showing a lot of interest in various cars - currently wondering if a VW beetle would be a bit of fun to do up. I know very little about them apart from the common perception that they are slow and noisey but have been watching Nicole Johnsons 'detour' site on you tube and there a couple on there that look pretty cool. Seems you need at least a 2.1 type 3? or subbi swap engine to get them to go at a decent speed ? Would be great to make rally one - bit of a change from triumphs ? Worth a look? what do I need to know?
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,452
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 I've had this nearly 17 years including a full resto. It looks stock but has a twin carb 1600 and a long ratio gearbox, so is good for 50-60bhp. Not a lot but it only weighs 730kg or so. If you want handling, consider a super beetle (1302/1303) as they have MacPherson strut front suspension and double jointed rear suspension as standard. Normal beetles have a beam front axle and swing axle rear suspension for the most part. The big issue is rot because (excluding Mexibugs) they are all over 40 years old. All panels are available in a range of qualities (buy the best where possible!) but many have been bodged (sills welded to floorplans etc) which is just a pain to repair. Almost all parts are available, including performance goodies. Good luck  |
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Last Edit: Nov 26, 2021 7:11:16 GMT by tofufi
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zeberdee
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 933 
Club RR Member Number: 2
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I have one , It’s good fun , but the modifications can get out of hand !! As said above , all the parts are available & there’s lots of knowledge , easily found , out there for them . Mine did look like this ,  Now looks like this ,  Repairing a couple of bits , but it’s kinda got out of hand ! 😂 |
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Last Edit: Nov 26, 2021 9:39:17 GMT by zeberdee
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Nov 26, 2021 10:48:32 GMT
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I've had a few VW's and Beetles over the years and had a few really nice ones, like this one  and this one  just be careful when buying, there are a lot of good ones still out there but also a lot of badly restored ones that look good. Check if the body has been welded / patched up to the floorpan which is more common than you think and I would walkaway check if it has a chassis number in the right place ( under the rear seat, end of tunnel ) which matches the V5 good luck if you decide to go for one  |
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Nov 26, 2021 11:12:24 GMT
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I like my bug its low and slow. As said the modifications can easily get out of hand, I find more so with the beetle than any of the other vws ive owned I'm currently looking at narrowed beams!. I have always wanted to build a baja bug with the kit that has the headlamps in the front apron.  |
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1967 Beetle
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zeberdee
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 933
Club RR Member Number: 2
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Nov 26, 2021 12:20:21 GMT
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I like my bug its low and slow. As said the modifications can easily get out of hand, I find more so with the beetle than any of the other vws ive owned I'm currently looking at narrowed beams!. I have always wanted to build a baja bug with the kit that has the headlamps in the front apron. I keep having ideas of doing that as well . Definitely on my wish list . |
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mungo
Part of things
Posts: 318
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Nov 26, 2021 13:03:01 GMT
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Here's mine : Thread  I havn't started it it or even looked at it for nearly 2 years now  They can be made to be real quick, mine is scary fast (to 100...as long as it's smooth and straight  ) |
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56' bug 2332 +ida's
56' lowlight ghia
72' bus 1600 devon
67' type 3 square - gone
83' gti - gone
90' gti 16v - gone
82' chevette - gone
70' GP1 Beach buggy -gone
78' lightweight landrover 3L v6 -gone
89' gti - gone
83' gti - gone
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Roach
Part of things
Posts: 717
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Nov 26, 2021 17:52:43 GMT
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Nov 26, 2021 18:18:27 GMT
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      I brought a Wizard Roadster back to life once and thoroughly enjoyed it. Mine had grot in all the usual places,A pillar,heater channels, spare wheel well etc . I added the seats from a Bini and swapped the 1200 lump to a 1600tp. Plenty of spares available but as much as I'd quite like to return to VW ownership,the prices of decent bugs has far surpassed what I'd be happy to spend on one. I used to daily it during the summer and buy a cheap banger to get me through winter. Saying that, my wife has just bought a 2cv as a rolling resto and I was shocked to find out what they go for now, especially as she sold her last one, which was mint for half what the new one cost! |
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Nov 26, 2021 19:17:03 GMT
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all i will say is be honest and understand how much they rust and how much work you may be getting into
i see lots of project beetles for sale that people have given up on
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Nov 26, 2021 20:26:40 GMT
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Rouch...your black oval is my perfect Beetle.
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Roach
Part of things
Posts: 717
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Nov 27, 2021 10:22:03 GMT
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Rouch...your black oval is my perfect Beetle. Yeah it was quite a thing! Sold it this year, or last year, I forget… was rhd too, there aren’t many rhd black ovals about these days. I miss it terribly. |
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Nov 27, 2021 10:39:23 GMT
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This little beauty is local to me  |
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,452
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Nov 29, 2021 10:44:17 GMT
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all i will say is be honest and understand how much they rust and how much work you may be getting into i see lots of project beetles for sale that people have given up on True - although to be honest I'm not sure they rot substantially differently from any other car of a similar age. Back when I got mine (2005) it wasn't unusual to see young people using Beetles as everyday cars still, whereas seeing Morris Marina, Cortinas, Vivas etc wasn't as common. Using any 40+ year old car year-round will not do it any favours in the rust stakes |
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,410
Club RR Member Number: 52
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Nov 30, 2021 20:26:04 GMT
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I finally got one after wanting one for 20 years but never being brave enough.
I bought it knowing it needed a bit of work and I'm working through the problems.
They are as simple as everyone says, you can get pretty much every part for them easily.
Tom
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Jan 10, 2022 23:47:48 GMT
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I go through stages of showing a lot of interest in various cars - currently wondering if a VW beetle would be a bit of fun to do up. I know very little about them apart from the common perception that they are slow and noisey but have been watching Nicole Johnsons 'detour' site on you tube and there a couple on there that look pretty cool. Seems you need at least a 2.1 type 3? or subbi swap engine to get them to go at a decent speed ? Would be great to make rally one - bit of a change from triumphs ? Worth a look? what do I need to know? Did you ever buy one?? |
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