How many like VW Bugs?
 

Being that the Patriarch Ferdinand Porsche first designed and built the bug, how many out there like them? Theres an old bug thats been sitting in my neighbors driveway for a few years and for some strange reason I find myself oddly attracted to it. When I look at it close up I just see a very early very simple Porsche like car. It looks like it would be fun to have as a little commuter car. I also looked at a few parts places on line and was amazed at how cheap the parts were. Feedback please.....

I've never owned one, but I also like them. However, the stories of their rust and electrical problems keep me enjoying them at a distance. Maybe some day though.

I currently own two. One, a '70 with a 1776 dual port, has been my daily driver for years. The other, a dead stock '71 Super, was my daily driver for years before passing it on to my oldest son six or seven years ago. Him and his younger brother share it now, so they don't have to put so many miles on their 911's.

They are great little cars; far better built than anything available today as far as an econo-box goes. I've never had electrical issues with any old Bug, and I've put hundreds of thousands of miles on them, split between several. Rust is an issue, but no more so than with any car from that era. It can be fixed, and stopped for good.

My first car was a 61 bug. Great car other than freezing my a$$ off in the winter.
Still have a bunch of them( In pieces) out back in the woods in various stages of decay.

Who doesn't like an old bug?

It's as iconic as a Model T, Shelby Cobra, 911 etc.....

Two weeks ago I drove my sisters 72 convertible bug for the first time in 10+ years. I learned to drive stick on that thing 25 years ago. It's fun and makes you feel like you are working a machine. It's hard to explain but it makes me feel like I'm driving where a new car makes it feel as if you're are being driven.

My 1st car was a '68 bug - I loved that car & would definately own one again.

Old bugs are very cool.

In fact, old VW's are cool!
I've had many.

65 bug
61 crew cab
72 Ghia
74 914 ( it's actually a VW ) ;)


KT

I've had bugs all my life and at one point I had two of them. I've had a '62, '69 and '70. One of those was a rag top.
When my son was 2 or 3 years old, he use to love just hanging out inside the '62....LOL we use to have, what we now call, family meetings in there.

The original VW bug was the greatest car ever made. Everything a car should be, seats 4, economical, reliable, simple to maintain.

I have never come across a kid who did not love them.

Thanks everyone for all the feedback....It looks like I may be the next owner of a 71. Its got a new German 1600 dual port BTW. Sitting next to the 911, I'm sure it will feel like a long lost cousin. ;)

Same smell of gas, mohair and oil. Driving my first 911 home it was very familiar.

Cut my teeth on v-dubs. Had a '65 and a '68.

Turned the '65 into a baja in the parking lot of the apartment complex I was living in, down in FL. Still remember the looks I got from the neighbors. I had an extension cord running from my balcony down to my parking spot to run the angle grinder and POS 110 welder I had rented. Although I think the most confused looks came from when I threw the front and rear end in the dumpster.

It paid to be drinking buddies with the complex manager. (this was one of those, don't check your tire pressure in the parking lot kinda places)

Ive had 6 of them. Loved every one

In high school, the beetle was high on my list of coveted cars. For some reason, never got around to buying one...

Go for it.
My first car was a 69 that rotted away after spending three winters in Ithaca. Also had a 68 rag top.
Eyeing an elderly neighbor's VW myself - perfect car to teach my children to drive a stick so they can then drive the 911.

I've had many and not just the Bug but a van and a Ghia as well.

In some parts of the country they are the perfect car...

1952 split-window bug and a 1956 Karmann Ghia, among others; 9 VWs total

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1279644352.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1279644363.jpg

They are so close to my beloved 356 that I just have to like 'em :)

Zactly... VW bug is the German model T...

Brother had one and I had great fun driving it... easy to work on (unbolt tranny, brother and I grab the intake and yank it engine out) parts easy to find... bazillion mods available.

Only caveat... they crumple like tin foil in an accident.

My 1st car was a 60 model. A whopping 36 hp. My second car was a 73 Super Bug I bought new. It was a rocket with 60 HP. This is my brothers daily driver.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1279647226.jpg

He has been driving it for 30 years. He has had the camper for 35 years.

As neat as a bug is, I gotta have A/C & real heat.

Love em, my 1st was a 66 VW bus, and many followed, but nothing near as nice as what widebody911 has & restored..
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1279648611.jpg

I had a few:

56 Ragtop
68 Beetle
72 Super Beetle
74 Beetle
74 Super Beetle
75 Beetle

and a

73 Thing
63 Notchback

Never had any electrical problems, just rust and routine maintenance.

Down the road I will be looking for a bay window westy.

Great cars. I've had a dozen or so. It's been nearly 40 years since my last one and I'd like to have another one. I'd even consider offering my '56 coupe in trade for a great pre-irs bug.

I always bought them in pairs. One to drive, and the other to supply parts.

Me too.....had a few!
Here's my next one........

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My first car was a 1970 Bug.

I owned a 1976 orange Super Beetle for about six months in 1985. Loved it, but a little rust in the wrong spot up front made it shake like crazy so I sold it and bought a new Diesel Golf, 50 mpg.

That was not what made it shake George, it was worn out front end parts. Super Shakes is a common malady, happened on mine about 60 mph, went away with rebuilt front end.

Drop any person into the driver's seat of an old beetle, and they will say "Gee, this is fun to drive."

My last one was really fun to drive!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1279668524.jpg

My parents bought a microbus NEW in 1960, as a kid we drove around the USA for several summers in it. Others used to flash their lights when we passed them. No gas gauge, small spare reserve, 36 Hp, IIRC. Guaranteed it would do 0-60 mph. Someday.

I lost count. Amongst the usual sedans I had 3 converts, '55, '65 and '67 and 2 transporters. Wouldn't give you much if I had to drive one regularly these days. Fun to look at and maybe tool around the neighborhood, but I've got something for that as it is.

And it sits for months at a time.

The Bible....
Bought by me for $5.50 in 73.

Yes, I've blazed many 40HP trails on this Earth.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1279675881.jpg

I was looking seriously at a nice one when we got the 944.... Only thing that stopped was the lack of A/c and the crappy heat... Its gets very cold here in the winter(at times) and very very hot in the summer... I still want a bug.... It just won't be a DD....

Bugs are fun. Know the limitations, build em' drive em'.

63
67
71

Where else can you pull a motor in 1/2 hour?

Always wanted to build one of the original Myer's.

Karl
88 Targa

Crusty, sweet Baja!

This was mine. Sold it a few years ago.:(

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had three over the years, 65, 72 and 74. My room mate had one when I was in college. We had to drive it using the emergency brake to stop, defroster didn't work, used a credit card to scrap the inside of the windshield. It got us where we needed to go. Great cars! :D

Had the 72 when I lived in Germany, w/ four studded snow tires, thing would climb trees.

not keen on the suspension of the original VW bug, but I do like them.

I've always gravitated to the Bus tho - had a Bay and now have a Vanagon. Maybe b/c I usually pair a sports car with a utility vehicle. I like the Splitties (!) but probably will never add one to my minor fleet.

Yes, Muir's book was and is amazing - proof that drawings are often better than photos. Just like all the old time naturalists and anatomists said - draw it, don't just snap a photo.

I had that book and lost it way back when.

I've never been able to find another.

Far out!