Soon to be Porscheless...

[rcooled]

Having owned several Bugs & Ghias over the years, I agree with the above advice to go with the 911 if you can swing it. The old VWs are great little cars but were never meant to be any more than reliable basic transportation. Putting a flat 6 in a Ghia is a total waste of time & money unless you're building a drag car. Driving a big HP VW on the street is a real handful and not very much fun. On the other hand, a nice Ghia cabrio with a mildly pumped motor can be a delight. Around 100/110 HP is easily achieved with these motors using inexpensive and readily available aftermarket parts. This is just enough grunt to make it interesting without overpowering the chassis. If you go this route, be sure to use a HD transaxle, too. Personally, I like the '69 1/2 Ghia cabrios. They feature the classic small-lights-and-bumpers look of the earlier cars with the updated mechanicals of the later models. They also have front discs, true IRS and even a glass window in the cabrio top. These are the only models to have this combination of features.

[Tobra]

A super beetle has a suspension that is very similar to a 911, and weighs a LOT less. You put a big type IV motor in one, set it up well and it will hand a 911 its ass on a platter.

I recall an article about this, 2.4 liter bug vs 2.4 liter flat six 911. 911 had better aero, hence better top end, but the bug out braked and out cornered him.

There is no substitute for light weight.

You need to ask yourself what you are going to do with it

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally Posted by rcooled

Having owned several Bugs & Ghias over the years, I agree with the above advice to go with the 911 if you can swing it. The old VWs are great little cars but were never meant to be any more than reliable basic transportation. Putting a flat 6 in a Ghia is a total waste of time & money unless you're building a drag car. Driving a big HP VW on the street is a real handful and not very much fun. On the other hand, a nice Ghia cabrio with a mildly pumped motor can be a delight. Around 100/110 HP is easily achieved with these motors using inexpensive and readily available aftermarket parts. This is just enough grunt to make it interesting without overpowering the chassis. If you go this route, be sure to use a HD transaxle, too. Personally, I like the '69 1/2 Ghia cabrios. They feature the classic small-lights-and-bumpers look of the earlier cars with the updated mechanicals of the later models. They also have front discs, true IRS and even a glass window in the cabrio top. These are the only models to have this combination of features.

Great advice here. I think what you are talking about is more along the lines of what I was thinking. Get a good 60's Ghia and do some mild upgrades to the engine. I was just wondering about the 914 motor thing, I suspect it would be above my ability to do anyhow....

I definitely like the look of the smaller taillights and such on the 60's Ghia's. I like the lowlights as well, but a lowlight convertible is going to be more than I want to spend I think unless I find a barn find somewhere...

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by djmcmath

Go for the Porsche and never look back. I dumped $12K over a 2 year period into a '70 VW trying to make it fast, and it was never the same. The suspension isn't there, the engine bay doesn't have the space, and the quality of aftermarket parts is for beans. Worse, once it's built, you'll be plagued with bizarre reliability problems. You have no idea how many stupid little gizmos float around in these cars and fail after 30 years.

Now, if I had spent double that, I could have gotten a 2.2L turbo turnkey engine, had the suspension rebuilt from scratch as a halfway reasonable design, and could have produced a car that'd be much quicker. As it was, it was a blast to drive, but ... nothing like a 911.

So ... go for the Porsche and never look back.

Dan

Agreed. My cousin dumped about $8k dollars into a (already perfect shape) 1968 Beetle, trying to make it fast, and it's still a no-handling dog. Gets a lot of looks from the geek-set (of which he is one), but it fails miserably as a go-fast car.

[Tobra]

As I understand it, it is pretty straightforward to swap a type IV motor into a bug or ghia. You can put a built type I motor, but as they say, there is no replacement for displacement.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by berettafan

started w/ -0- mechanical skills and can tell you a carbed longhood is a good place to learn. no computers, no vacuum lines, etc.

My old repo-partner had almost no mechanical skills, and within a matter of months he could change the timing belt on a 32v Porsche 928, and performed probably 90% of the maintenance himself.

It's all pretty easy to learn.

[Jim Richards]

Rick, your ship has come in:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/652780169.html

[Tobra]

read this thread to get a bit of encouragement
What should I do with this Super Beetle?
those bus motors are low revving lumps

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Rick, your ship has come in:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/652780169.html

Hah! Someone beat me to it. Unfortunately that's not a convertible and the wifey wants a convertible...

[Jim Richards]

OK, you guys are picky, eh?

Well, good luck with whatever you get yourself into, Rick. The key is to have fun.

[Nathans_Dad]

Well, it's official. The money changed hands and she drove away in the hands of her new owner. A bit sad but exciting at the same time. Now I have the cash to go buy ANOTHER car!!

My 5 year old is already requesting "Herbie"

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

Well, it's official. The money changed hands and she drove away in the hands of her new owner. A bit sad but exciting at the same time. Now I have the cash to go buy ANOTHER car!!

My 5 year old is already requesting "Herbie"

Then you need a 63 sunroof bug

[djmcmath]

Seriously, don't get a bug. They're a bear to work on, and nowhere near as much fun as Porsches. You'll regret it. No, I'm not kidding. Friends don't let friends buy bugs.

Ok, it isn't that bad. If you can resist the urge to attempt to make it fast, they're a lot of fun. You just have to drive them for what they are -- old econo cars. They're cute, and slow, and they handle poorly. And that's how they are, by design. Coming from the Porsche world, the Bug world will be a serious culture shock for you.

Dan

[Nathans_Dad]

Well, considering that my wife never drove the Porsche because she was afraid of it, slow might be just what we need. I still have my ear to the ground for a Porsche, but if I got one it would be an SC or Carrera coupe with the idea of doing some sort of backdate, either RS or RSR in the future. Who knows.

I think for now I'm going to mourn the loss of my Targa and think about my options...

[Tobra]

bugs are a bear to work on?

I bet I could adjust the valves with my eyes closed

[Nathans_Dad]

See what I am thinking is that the simpler air cooled engine would be easier to work on. Plus the Ghia would make a nice little cruiser for the family.

Of course, given that I am posting on a Porsche board....lol.

[Nathans_Dad]

Well, what do you know...just found out the Texas Bug In is this weekend in Ennis, Texas, about an hour south...guess where the fam is going on Sunday??

[Racerbvd]

I have always had a soft spot for VW Things

74 lowered thing for sale or trade Price: 5000.00
this is a good running and driving thing it does have some rust in the floor pan and a few small holes in teh rockers. but over all it doesnt have much rust, comes complete with all side windows even window storage covers and plastic covers that cover the top frame when its down. all lithgts and horns work, brakes are in good condition.

only down falls:
the car needs a proper paint job, looks like the car wasnt sanded b4 it was painted.
it has some spots on the rockers where teh paint is ojust peeling off.
reverse is starting to pop out of gear, it still works but you have to hold it.

will sell for 5000.00 or trade for a running and driving air cooled 67 and earlier bug, ghia, or bus.
plz send photos im open to trade

(832)228-6934

Conroe, Texas, USA

[Jim Richards]

Too, too fugly.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Too, too fugly.

Those make great Pre-Runners and lots of fun, simple too A thing with a built Type IV motor, a set of 17" Rota Fuchs wheels Fun for the whole family