Finally got into an aircooled ride!

[porsche4life]

Sadly, tis not a 911, but a '69 bug!

The color is deceptive in pics. Its not quite as lime colored and I really like it. Never been a green fan but its cool!












Its got a few little issues, some play in the steering to deal with and needs some proper wheels. But overall for 4k it runs solid, has only one rust spot(battery box corner) and looks great. Its got a little hickey in the rear bumper/fender but you have to look damn close to see it!


I'm happy with it. Will tinker with it a little at a time and have fun with it! Now that I'm in AZ I've been wanting something to cruise around town on the weekends in. This should fit the bill nicely.

[genrex]

Way cool. The wood-slat roof rack is worth big bucks, as you probably know.

[Gogar]

Nice! Loads of fun

[pete3799]

Nice score Sid.

[UconnTim97]

In an odd way, I think those wheels work on your car. They wouldn't be my first choice but I kind of like the look. Give it some time before you change them.

PS: that's a beautiful car, enjoy it!

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by genrex

Way cool. The wood-slat roof rack is worth big bucks, as you probably know.

I had a guy stop in the gas station right after I took that pic and inform me of that and that I need to find a way to lock it on the car! Its just got a rattle can finish now, so I think I'll take it off and apart and get it powder coated silver and refinish the slats.

Originally Posted by UconnTim97

In an odd way, I think those wheels work on your car. They wouldn't be my first choice but I kind of like the look. Give it some time before you change them.

I would leave them, but the front tires are rubbing as they are wider than stock... CIP is having a sale right now on the empi knockoffs...

[Evans, Marv]

Great buy, Sid. "69 was supposed to be one of the best years, and it looks really nice! I prefer the older model. I had a '65 that was near or at the top of my list of cars. I had it repainted the original color (some sort of greyish light green), replaced the entire interior, & put new wheels & Michelins on it. I loved getting in that car, opening the sun roof and driving it to work in the mornings. I had a really nice 1776 to put in it, but it got stolen out of my driveway before I replaced the engine. A sad day in my life. Hope you get lots of enjoyment out of it.

[Bill Douglas]

I love it.

[Nostril Cheese]

play in the steering can be helped with greasing up/adjusting the king/link pins. Also check the rubber donut that connects the upper column shaft to the lower.

[porsche4life]

One question for the bug guys here, and I've already posted on the samba... Its got a TON of play in the steering. Whats the usual suspect? Box, damper, joints?

[porsche4life]

The cheese answered lol! I'll get it up on the rack this week and check it all out.

[genrex]

Adjustment bolt is on top of the steering box. Loosen nut, tighten bolt until it's snug, then back off just a tad. It's a feel thing... try it once, drive the car around the block, try it again... it'll take you two or three tries to get the steering tightness just right, but you'll be done in 30 minutes tops.

By the way, VW went to all-metal roof racks in 1964?, when they changed over to metal sunroofs. That's why the wood racks are worth so much... they are totally vintage and totally cool.

edit: it's possible the steering box is worn out... very common at that age.

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[LeeH]

Very nice! AC compressor looks a little small for Arizona. I grew up riding in the cubby behind the backseat of my dad's '66 bug!

So, you're officially residing in AZ now?

[Les Paul]

Drop this in and you're good to go

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Very nice! AC compressor looks a little small for Arizona. I grew up riding in the cubby behind the backseat of my dad's '66 bug!

So, you're officially residing in AZ now?

Ya, it'll get left inside once it gets hot! Thats what the company car is for...

And yes, started my new job(same company) here right after the first of the year.. Snuck in and didn't say much.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Ya, it'll get left inside once it gets hot! Thats what the company car is for...

And yes, started my new job(same company) here right after the first of the year.. Snuck in and didn't say much.

Excellent! Yeah, thought I missed the announcement or something. Let me know when you get settled in. I'm not much of a mountain biker, but I remember you saying you'd like to see some of the trails in the area. Got plenty of them just up the street from me.

[porsche4life]

Definitely! I've got my bike here but I have only ridden it once along the canal following the boys.. Need to clip in and get in some dirt. But ya, I'm not very hard core either, so we'll have fun.

I was down your way saturday actually. Had to work a conference at Desert Vista HS...

[RWebb]

where in that car do you keep the tweezers?

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

play in the steering can be helped with greasing up/adjusting the king/link pins. Also check the rubber donut that connects the upper column shaft to the lower.

Nope on the link and king pins, 1969 will be a ball joint front end.
You need new ball joints (two upper, two lower) the four tie rod ends and the dounut. Don't replace the box unless it needs it, it often doesn't.
Ball joints need to be pressed off, easiest to take the arms right off press them (machine shop about $10 each) and get new trailing arm seals.
Might need new shocks.
Get a good 3/4"sway-a-way swaybar for it if it doesn't have it.

Everything is dirt cheap compared to a 911, but be careful lots of cheap junk parts as well.

[genrex]

That reminds me... if you hit a bump and the front wheels vibrate a lot, then you probably need a new steering damper. That's an easy fix.

Does the tweeze like it?

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