'66 1300 beetle for R5k? Is it worth it?

[davetapson]

Hi Guys

I've been looking at a '66 1300 that the guy wants R5k for. The car has stood outside for many years, unfortunately without a rear window. The rear window frame and inner sill on the inside has rusted through, I'm assuming the floor pans are going to be vrot and the body work has lots of parking lot type dings. Fenders are pretty bashed, but I suppose these can be replaced.

Door posts don't look great, but also don't look rusted through. The vehicle should run (was running before it got parked up) but is still 6v so I don't have a battery I can chuck in to test.

Gutters have some rust, but don't look rusted through.

Could you guys who know this sort of thing give me an idea of whether this is reasonable value?

Regards
Dave

[BUGGOFF]

I'd say 5k is a bit too much. Offer him 3.5k. If its got papers and is up to date then 5k may be ok.

[ZeroAxe]

I am optimistic when it comes to body repairs...., but I must say, to me, you mentioned ALL the most difficult places to repair As usual, it comes down to your budget.... Will you do the repair work yourself? Or are you going to a$k $omeone el$e to do the repair$$$$?

[davetapson]

Well, I'm aiming to do them myself, but don't have all the lekker stuff to make it easy - mig welder etc. So it's going to be normal arc welding or scrounging around etc. Also going to need to get a compressor etc for painting...

Looks like I've managed to source a '63 body with pan, so maybe the work will not be as major as it might have been.

[ZeroAxe]

Are you a professional welder of trade? If not, I would NOT recommend you to try arc welding on body work!! You WILL make a mess of it. Get to know wome of the fellas on this forum better and see if you can borrowa Mig welder for a small fee for a Saturday or so.

By no means do I want to let you think that I am not encouraging you to take this job on. But dont step into this project, like I did, and NOT finish it. Make sure that your budget allows for the tools needed to do the job. Welder, compressor, spraygun/s, sander and the consumables. There is NOTHING more furstrating not being able to get on with a job because the lack of proper tools. I talk of experience, and only now, things are coming together in regards to tools etc..... Keep the faith, but be realistic!

[davetapson]

Yep, for sure.

[davetapson]

A couple of images...

[Dutch_Diver]

Looks earlier than a 66 as it has the front emblem on the bonnet. Look like surface rust and with the sunroof and being complete, well worth the 5k asking price.....parts alone.

[karmakoma]

Dibs on the roof rack if you take it and dont want it!

That should be a 66, as the 1300 engine was only introduced in 66 (if that is the original engine and bootlid). Does it have a semi-circle horn ring, lever type heater controls ? then it has to be 66/67, 67/68 the bumpers were changed to the later style.

Dutch is correct though, that wolfsburg crest should have disappeared by then, but who knows what VW was doing with bits and pieces (or subsequent owners for that matter).
It also looks like the bigger rear window model introduced in 66.
My humble opinion,anyway, real answer to your original question, if you have the time and the passion, BUY IT.

[Bad Ass Bob]

Go for it, live life, no regreats !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bugspray]

These dudes couldnt be righter. Buy her, name her, love her, fix her, care for her. KEEP ACVW's on the road.
Hey if it does come too much to handle, sell her to another fanatic, you'd def.score.

[mahleu]

Get a 6V motorbike battery to see if the engine turns/starts.

One thing in your favour is the number of parts and people who know how to sort Beetles out.