Hello!
I've been hanging around here off and on for a looong time, but I finally have a VW of my very own that I could use some advice with. Last week I spotted a cute blue Beetle on the side of the road for sale. When I stopped and looked at it I thought it might have been Mexican, as the engine and windshield said "Hencho en Mexico," it had a dealer-style add-on A/C, and the for sale sign said '74 but the body looked older. Guy wanted $2500. When I went to look at it, the interior was in good shape with nice seats, nice AIWA headunit w/ Pioneer 6x9's, fiberglass dash. The body has '65 fenders, a Cal-style smooth job including front hood handle and trim & all chrome plus window vents and bumpers, frenched tail lights and license plate, roof rack, aluminum 8-spoke wheels, and a horrifying nightmare of a butchered wiring harness. Painted a nice dark blue over the original powder blue. Engine is a Mexican replacement installed by a country VW shop a few years back. 1600 dual port, 34-PICT3 carb, 009 distributor, all tin and seals in place. The AC compressor isn't lined up right with the crank and doesn't have a belt, also it sticks out too far and the lid won't close right.
No real problems with it through. Been driving it around for a couple days and its fun to drive. Kind of hard to start especially when hot. Got the 009 flat spot. Going to tune up the carburator and check the ignition. One tire has a slow leak. Radio works well. Did I mention fun to drive? Never driven an aircooled VW before but this one is not a dissapointment. It's slow, but not painfully slow and will keep up with traffic (65-70 no prob, 75-80 kinda hairy). The body and paint are kind of rough but virtually rust free. Floor pans and heater channels are perfect. Lots of bondo with the smooth job though and it's all cracking. Passenger door has a big dent and a small rust spot (only rust on the car). Paint on roof, hood, fenders has faded and started to flake.
I plan on eventually trying an amateur paint job on it, as a learning exercise. Don't want to spend too much on the engine as my roommate has a '76 van w/ 914 engine that I plan to swap in eventually. It needs to be completely rewired.
Questions:
The front turnsignals don't work so well. I believe they are '65 style, with only the amber bulb inside the headlight lense. Left one doesn't blink. Looked inside and the bulbs are soldered in. That's not normal is it?
The car can't be started with the key. Someone rigged up a push-button starter dangling out from beneath the backseat. The car starts okay with that. You can crank it with the key but it never catches. Bad ignition switch?
How did I do? I live in south Mississippi and VW's are still fairly common. I gave the guy $2250, and feel like I got a pretty good deal.
Thanks guys!
Peace, Harry