Thinking of buying an "old-school" VW Bug

[DirtySouthHonda]

I've been reading a lot about the VW Bug for almost 2-1/2 years. I'm thinking about purchasing one in the next year or two. I found out that these historic pieces of machinery only push out 30 to 50hp. The engines vary from 1200cc to custom-built 2300 cc engines. Also, the "HoodRide" website really pushed my interest even further and further into my decision to buy a Beetle. I hope I make the right decision when I purchase an air-cooled Bug. I really respect the German-made automobile because it's low on everything: gas mileage, insurance, repairs (except engine swaps), even modifications. I hope to find one very soon.

Two examples would be: Martin's Mean '55 and Radikal Split

MMMMM..........Old School Flavor.

Peace

~DirtySouthHonda

P.S. The Bug is a 4 speed manual, so this will the perfect car to practice driving on when I purchase one. Very simple. Nobody wants to teach me how to drive manual, so I'll have to do it myself.

[F20A CB7]

What were your plans if u get a vw.

[DirtySouthHonda]

What were your plans if u get a vw.

Engine/Transmission work (if needed), Slam it, Drive it. Simple plans.

~DirtySouthHonda

[Jarrett]

Owning a Beetle is a very fun experience. It's like owning a motorcycle in a few ways. There's a cult following for them and you need a whole new knowledge base in order to work on them because there's so much that you know about modern cars that doesn't transfer over. I have a 1961 Beetle that is black with an optional moonroof. It is currently all original the way it came when my granddad bought it new in 1961 but my brother wrecked the side of it a couple of years ago so soon it will have new panels ruining the originality. I hope you search really hard for the right one. If you are looking into doing a restomod, Baja, or dragster project then I'd recommend finding one that's a little worn out as you're going to be replacing a lot of that stuff anyways. Only by a pristine car if your planning on ending up with something pretty similar. And you're right about stuff being cheap for these things. I recently purchased a windshield for mine and spent a grand total of $49 to have it shipped to my door. Try that with an Accord. I'm around if you have any questions. Good luck man.

[AccordWarrior]

I always wanted a 63 with a fabric moonroof. (I hope someone gets where I'm going with that).

Of course, I'd want to shoehorn a Porsche motor into it and go from there. Stupid obsession with weird swaps.

[ACC0RD22]

My friend just sold a 69 semiauto that didnt run for 500 bucks. It was pretty cool.

[NAiL05]

GL trying to find one in good condition. The ones in good condition are hard to find nowadays.

[TheNextEpisode]

They're definitely cool cars.

They pollute like hell tho. And don't get t-boned in one of those things either.

But still cool cars.

And watch out for the rear seat catching fire. And kinda poor mpg w/ no AC.

But they're classics....

[DirtySouthHonda]

They're definitely cool cars.

They pollute like hell tho. And don't get t-boned in one of those things either.

But still cool cars.

And watch out for the rear seat catching fire. And kinda poor mpg w/ no AC.

But they're classics....

I bet AC would be a high price addition to an old school Bug.

And loud as hell, too. BLLLAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! (shift) BLAAAAAHHHHHHH!!

ROFLOL!!!

[DirtySouthHonda]

I always wanted a 63 with a fabric moonroof. (I hope someone gets where I'm going with that).

Of course, I'd want to shoehorn a Porsche motor into it and go from there. Stupid obsession with weird swaps.

I bet it would be super fast! add a trubo to the porsche motor and you have a death wish. LOL J/K! It sounds like a cool swap, but an expensive one.

[Dinner_Time]

I'd love to have an old Bug if I had time/tools/skills/money to restore one. There was a guy at my highschool had one, not sure what engine he swapped in but it was loud and hell and I'm sure it gave 'er pretty good. Couldn't have the hood on it cause the engine was too big lol.

[DirtySouthHonda]

I'd love to have an old Bug if I had time/tools/skills/money to restore one. There was a guy at my highschool had one, not sure what engine he swapped in but it was loud and hell and I'm sure it gave 'er pretty good. Couldn't have the hood on it cause the engine was too big lol.

I always wondered about that. If it rains, would the distributor or the alternator get wet?

[Dinner_Time]

I always wondered about that. If it rains, would the distributor or the alternator get wet?

I would assume so, but maybe he didn't drive it in the rain . That would be the best thing for it, but, ya never know.

[owequitit]

If you have the time and money (mostly time) to take care of them, they are some of the most fun cars ever made.

And they can all look badass. They are very fun to cruise.

But alas, they are made with 1920's and 1930's technology, so they are a little finicky, and a little more maintenance intensive.

Well worth it though.

[DirtySouthHonda]

If you have the time and money (mostly time) to take care of them, they are some of the most fun cars ever made.

And they can all look badass. They are very fun to cruise.

But alas, they are made with 1920's and 1930's technology, so they are a little finicky, and a little more maintenance intensive.

Well worth it though.

I agree 100%. Thay are bad ass rides. They do look good to cruise in. Also, time is a factor when dealing with older cars with older technology. Bugs shouldn't be that expensive to repair nowadays. The engines are so small and compact, but our CB7s are more complicated to work with because they have more electronics and electric components to work with. I agree yet again, they are well worth it.

~DirtySouthHonda