The Type 1 had a great motor! I had so much fun with my old VW Bugs. My favorites were the mid 60's cars. But I did have a cool 1959 Bug European model with half the headliner. Other half was painted metal. and it had a large VW steering wheel that was stock but very different. I loved old VW Bugs! That is why I have a 911 today. And it smells the very same!!! ( and same dome lights).

Nick, cost of rebuilding engines is not related to just HP.
and neither is the value of a car related to just the HP of the car, contrary to what Ronnie thinks SmileWavy.
I was using NASCAR as an example of hugely more money engine but not much more HP. and really not the same as a SBC it is based off, Like a Porsche to VW engine.

I understand Ficke but $12,000 is just a joke. I bet I could get it done for half. It's still just a little upright. I loved my 356 BTW. But 75 HP was just not enough for me. Now they are left to the millionaires.

People that pay big money to buy or build low horsepower Porsches are definitely chemically imbalanced (not in a good way, either, and shart)! :D Chump change for chump cars is how the cosmos SHOULD operate!!!

How stressed can a 1.6L engine be when it's generating 75 HP ?

Surely, it can't be that difficult rebuilding with modern components.

Max, the stresses on the engine and the level of difficulty to rebuild one really has nothing to do with the costs. Part of it is the "low production" factor, but the primary reason for the high costs is that like other "high performance" companies (Lambo, Ferrari, Ducati, Aprillia, etc.), Porsche figured out long ago that owners will willingly grab their ankles and open their wallets when it comes time for parts and repairs. Porsche charges so much for parts, and shops that work on them charge such high rates, because they can get away with doing so. The same is true in the world of aviation; the consumer has established a pattern of accepting the absurdity.

.. and Pelican Parts was conceived and grew as a business to ease that pain.

I wish Mr Dempsey would go back to his air cooled Porsche roots (and first love) and reboot, release , rewrite , update or whatever his current body of air cooled 911 work, instead of expanding his universe to BMWs, MBs :confused: etc etc

I'm sure there has been lots of exciting updates and new info since 2003 when the last version of his books was released. How about some videos or workshops etc etc ?

Mr Dempsey ?

Do you own the last version of Anderson's Handbook that was published in the final days of his life? Bruce added a lot of updated and improved information.

The thing about Wayne's project book is that the actual steps to do the projects haven't really changed. Maybe there's a few more expensive and upgraded reproduction parts that have come out since then. But Wayne's how to books were largely to allow a DIY guy to understand how to do the job without paying the professionals and without spending thousands on the factory shop manuals. And he gives you hacks when he can that avoid having to buy special factory tools.

I think things like his Boxster book are pretty much the same thing for the newer cars. It really does fit his business model quite well.

No. I only have the 101 and Bentley.

Books might be fine for 101 type projects but not for more advanced work like rebuilding. That's why I suggested he expand the body of work to other forms of media. Make a series of how-to videos, for example.

Sure, what makes sense for the business. Hence my appeal to his roots and all that. At some point, that's what matters the most, what one enjoys doing. I haven't looked at his other guide books but I bet those will be irrelevant within 10-20 years.

he will be very happy with the profit on the flip... it's "coming soon" on his site. curious to see the $ ask, may be time to think about letting my 67 softie go.

Not necessarily.
Some "gentleman" offered me $30k on my '64C coupe because it has an unstamped case and is not matching numbers. Of course bottom feeders don't set the market and he was clearly trying to take advantage of an uninformed seller. :)