How do I learn about the VW Bug?

[cantdrv55]

I almost have the ok from my CFO to take on a car project. I think as long as i can find room to work on a car w/o kicking her SUV out of the garage, I'm golden. I want a bug as a project car because it's air cooled and I think its popularity is going to explode in the coming years.

Is The Samba like PP for air cooled 911s? Is there something like Wayne's 911 projects book? How about a buyers guide? What's the best way to gain knowledge about beetles so I buy the right one from the start?

Thanks all!

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Is there something like Wayne's 911 projects book?

I'll throw the alley-oop here to anyone that wants to finish the basket?

[ckissick]

The Samba is the go-to place. You can get answers to all your questions there. But first, buy the car. Until then, you won't know wat to ask, or what resources you need. But John Muir's VW book for the complete idiot is always going to be useful.

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tLP1TcwLTBPTzYwYPSSysrPyFPILc0s UigrVyhKLUgEsnIT80oTcwD7dA1V&q=john+muir+vw+repair+manual&rlz=1C1ASUC_enUS658US659&oq=john+muir+vw+&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0i512l2j46i512j0i22i30j0i390l5. 26764j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[oldE]

I just about had heart failure the other week when I went into my car guy's place. It wasn't because he had a Super Beetle Cabriolet in his showroom, or that it was in very good condition. It was because someone had just given him a cheque for well over 20 grand for the thing!

Best
Les

[craigster59]

I swore by this when I had my VW...

[Seahawk]

vvv That was it.

Rebuilt three motors with that book.

Originally Posted by craigster59

I swore by this when I had my VW...

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by oldE

I just about had heart failure the other week when I went into my car guy's place. It wasn't because he had a Super Beetle Cabriolet in his showroom, or that it was in very good condition. It was because someone had just given him a cheque for well over 20 grand for the thing!

Best
Les

Old air cooled German cars are going up, all of them. Mom's is pretty cherry. I put progressive springs and disc brakes on the front and KYB struts and shocks. Amazing how well it handles. Rear suspension on a Super Beetle and a 924/944 are similar, never got around to doing the rear before it went back to her.

[masraum]

I suspect a bug is right up there with an old Willys Jeep as one of the simplest vehicles there is. There's probably a million sources of info between the web and various books.

I've seen the book mentioned above several times when bugs came up. My parents had a '73 super beetle convertible that was really beautiful for several years, including when they lived in Spain. It was tons of fun. I'd like to get one as a toy, but it's way too hot here.

[GH85Carrera]

Go to a car show with bugs. Ask the guys driving and showing them if there is a local club or group of guys that are really into bugs. My brother was a line mechanic at the VW dealership in the mid 70s, then he opened his own repair shop that was busy, until the bugs just got too old for the average driver and business dried up. His daily driver is a 1954 Bug he has had for 35 years or so. Lots of guys come to him for advice, and to dig through his collection of old VW parts. He is the type of guy you want to find locally. They are out there. My brother is in Montgomery, AL.

My first car was a 1960 VW bug, 36 HP of raw power when new and likely 25 after 100,000 miles when I had it. 0-60 was 72 seconds if there was no headwind or any incline at all. With a slight headwind 0-60 was infinite, and never gonna happen.

I had no gas gauge, that was an option my car did not have for 1960. I still remember the first time I pulled into Sarge's service station and he came out started pumping gas, washed the windshield, checked the tire pressure, checked the oil, asked about my family, gave me a bunch of green stamps and I had to pay THREE whole dollars for a full tank of gas. It was about two bucks for a long time, then about $2.50 and I thought that was outrageous for a month of driving.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

My first car was a 1960 VW bug, 36 HP of raw power when new and likely 25 after 100,000 miles when I had it. 0-60 was 72 seconds if there was no headwind or any incline at all. With a slight headwind 0-60 was infinite, and never gonna happen.

I had no gas gauge, that was an option my car did not have for 1960.

Mine as well, same car, basically. We have written about this before, Glenn, and it always makes me smile...no gas gauge but a lever...turbo 36hp that could pull G's.

I paid $150.00 dollars for the Bug, friend of my Father's who was moving to DC for work and the Bug was his run around. Perfect car for California and all I wanted was the freedom to get off the ranch.

I did the valves, points, condenser and plugs with my Dad and my Grandfather on my moms side who owned a car repair shop in Hayward. Nothing else. Poppy (the GF) was great...I was 15 driving on an ag permit. It ran and the wheels went round and round.

[cantdrv55]

My dad had a ‘71 or ‘72 bug as his company car when he was a J&J salesman in the Philippines. We all piled into that car for family outings. All us boys (4) plus mom and dad. No AC if I remember correctly but it was fun.

[Evans, Marv]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I swore by this when I had my VW...

i still have mine, It's a bit dirty, etc., but if you want it, PM me your address & I'll send it to you. I haven't touched it in many decades.

[cantdrv55]

I pm’d you just now, Marv. Thank you.

[id10t]

Muir's VW book (as said, just too lazy to quote and reinsert image) and $200 in tools from WalMart. Don't forget the knit cap to tuck your long hair into....

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I pm’d you just now, Marv. Thank you.

Because this place rocks!

And as an added extra, if you google "keep your volkswagen alive pdf" (without the quotes) you'll find PDF versions for download.

[cantdrv55]

This place and the people in it rock for sure!

[craigster59]

To tell you the truth I used to read John Muir’s book sometimes before bed. It’s pretty soothing.

I used to like how he said “Start the engine and roll yourself a cigarette while it’s warming up”. To this day I wonder if those were tobacco cigarettes he was rolling. Great book.

[fanaudical]

In addition to the manual and tools, you'll need to get yourself a good VW dog:



(Stolen from the Random Transportation Photos thread.)

I've never owned a bug, but have helped several friends with them when I was younger. Everything was pretty simple and obvious.

[juanbenae]

buy one that's sorted out Chris.... a nice cab would suit ya. you & I are not crawling around under a hobby car anymore. i even drive to my pops' house 3+ hours away to change the oil in the duramax once a year on his lift.

from what I know get a flat window and not the later super beetle with the convex windshield.

[sugarwood]

Popularity is not going to explode in the coming years.