Saw a ridiculous VW collection this weekend

[Nathans_Dad]

Was taking the long way home this weekend here in sunny SA. Stopped at a light and happened to glance over to my left and saw a VW shop with a long hood Porsche in the front. I couldn't resist so I took a left and parked. Turns out it was a 912, but that wasn't what caught my eye. This guy has a lot that is simply STUFFED with old VWs.

He was closed but was there working on a couple engines and let me poke around his yard a little. He told me he has about 65 Bugs of all years, 4 convertible Ghias and another 6-7 hardtop ghias, about 20 buses of various types and 4 914s. The 912 is the only non-914 Porsche that he has. He said he collected them all during his younger years and then decided to open up a shop. Now he slowly restores them and then sells em. He said a Bug will go from 6k-12k depending on year and condition and the convertible ghias he sells for 15k after restoration. I might have to go back there before I move and make an offer on one of his unrestored convertible bugs as a project. Biggest collection of VWs I have ever seen.

I'll try and get by to snap some pics for you guys in the next day or two...

[RickM]

Cool finding hidden treasure like that.

BTW, John Walker has been looking for a 21 window bus project for quite some time. See any there?

[livi]

Looking forward to seeing some pics!

Hmm.... 65 x 6-15k = a lot of money.

[Nathans_Dad]

The Buses were WAAAAAYYY in the back, hard to tell plus I know next to nothing about VW buses so I probably wouldn't know a 21 window one if it bit me in the arse.

If I can get some pictures without him thinking I am casing the place or something I will...

[widebody911]

Pics! Pics!

You would definitely know a 21 or 23-window when you saw one - the sheer amount of glass is astounding.

I think $6k - $12k is optimistic for bugs unless they're very early.

[id10t]

If he has any 356s or 356 engines the Registry would like to know about 'em. He can enter them anonymously at www.356a.com

[Nathans_Dad]

Ok, here are some pics I shot on the way home tonight...some of them are stealth because I didn't think he would appreciate me snapping shots of all his cars...almost everything is for sale, if anyone is interested I can get you in touch. Oh, I did ask about the 21 window bus and he says he doesn't have one now but he does get them through now and again...

View from the street...looks interesting, lets stop in...


This convertible bug caught my eye. Does the oval window apply to convertibles as well? Didn't ask how much for this one...


This one was interesting too. I think it is called a squareback??


Just a panoramic view to give you an idea of what is on the lot...
[img]

[Nathans_Dad]

A few 914s for the Porsche crowd. He had 4 914s on the lot and one 912 (the yellow 912 on the street pic)...the red 914 is his son's ride.





And one especially for Thom, this was the only Bus that was in the area of the lot he let me poke around in. There are about 15 others in the back, but those are "under construction" and he wouldn't let me poke around back there.

[widebody911]

Type 3 Ghia

[deathpunk dan]

Any idea how much he wants for the yellow 912 (looks to be a 912e)?

[Nathans_Dad]

Hey Thom, what's your idea on that black bug convertible? Is it worth it to go back and see what he wants for it or no?

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally posted by deathpunk dan
Any idea how much he wants for the yellow 912 (looks to be a 912e)?

Yeah, it is a 912E. I didn't ask how much on any of the cars except for the black 914, he said that he needed to finish the interior of the 914 (it's a 2.0 L) but would want about 6K for it when he was done. I can ask him about the 912 if you want. The shop is about 10 minutes from my house.

[deathpunk dan]

hmm.
If you happen to be in the area, I am indeed curious about the 912e. Please do not go out of your way whatsoever, but if you are back there for other reasons...

[Nathans_Dad]

No problem, I can even just call his shop and ask...I'll get you an answer tomorrow.

[ckissick]

That black bug 'vert might be a '58 or '59. The oval windows on the hard tops stopped in 1958, but continued to later years on convertibles. I think the push-button door handles started in 1960. The one in the photo looks like it has the pull-type door handle, making it a '58 or '59. I restored a '59 bug convertible to all-original, 100-point condition. It was the best example one could find. I sold it to a collector in New York in 1994 for $16,500. My 1950 split is in excellent shape and I've been offered up to $30K for it.

That one you thought was a squareback is called a Type 3 (or Type 34) Ghia. Read about it here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/historyt34.php

The '59 was fun to restore, and great to drive on a sunny day. It was red with a tan canvas top, and white wall tires.

[Nathans_Dad]

Well, I have had a soft spot in my heart for bugs since I owned an orange 72 coupe all through high school and the first part of college. I have been kicking around the idea of restoring one for a cruiser for a little while, maybe I'll ask what he wants for it. What kind of price is fair if it runs and drives?

[Nathans_Dad]

Called him tonight about the 912, he says it is his personal car and he isn't really interested in selling it right now.

He said the black bug is a 61 or 62 and he wants $12k for it once he is done restoring it. A bit steep for me for a bug...

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
The 912 is the only non-914 Porsche that he has.

there's a 944 in the lot as well

[Nathans_Dad]

Ah, good eye. Forgot about the 944. It looked more than a little rough up close. Plus I'm not a 944 guy so I just kinda skipped over it I guess.