For Sale 3 Hours ago
VW BEETLE 1100cc RHD: 1958. Collector"s item. Black. Original from Germany. Small modification. R.xxxxx "
I read the add and notice there is no Cell number, and I figure, who doesnt have a cellphone? Must be older people. I'll call them in the morning. Also remember, at this stage I have my heart set on Lowlights 59, and monday we are talking money and payment.
Saturday: Get up and give them a call, YUP, older gent, its his daughters car that she got from an old lady. I am welcome to come take a look. Car has some non-original bits fitted, but is pretty solid. Needs a full restore, but a good base to start from. Front was in a smash and not fixed very well, that needs the most attention. But the car is fully original, never been resprayed, interior untouched, original (1200) engine -36 hp if I am not mistaken. So I figure, its worth a look. Get my wife in the car and off we go.
Get there and this is what I found:
First, the bad news, the car was in a bumper bash, and the repair was not great, first two pics below.
at least they have the missing silver trim and the rust is only surface
and then the second worst part of the car:
The rear dogbox trim is shot and the car needs new carpets, the inevitable glue stains on the headliner.
Bear in mind, this is original 51 year old interior VW trim:
Now the good bits:
You will notice those aren't original 58 tailights, not to worry, they are in a plastic bag in the car, in PRISTINE condition, and will go back on during the restore, the old lady just wanted bigger safer brake lights.
The semaphores are also both still there, and I will do my utmost to get them working again.
Those ugly late beetle indicators on the fenders will also be removed - they were added when the semaphores were disconnected, also need a wolfsburg badge.
Side view - note the stone guards and mudflaps behind the rear wheels:
Original 1200 (lack-of) power plant:
By this time I am fairly excited, but then think to myself, what about the floorpan, the car is 51 years old after all:
This is the worst part of the pan, behind the drivers seat, some surface rust flakes where the battery is: But look at it, ORIGINAL! Rest of the floor looks same or better!
The rest of the pan is PRISTINE, I crawled underneath, its cleaner than the '78 I used to own. Will post pics once I get her.
Interior:
Not bad for an old doorcard, just needs a clean.
Seats have split a seam here and there, but once restitched and cleaned they will be A OK:
How cool is that parcel tray.
Dash is unhacked, final straw was that the car still has the ORIGINAL key opening the door, turning ignition and opening the ice pick engine lid lock!
I Couldnt start the car as I did not have a battery, will be doing that tomorrow when I go and fetch her.
My wife thinks I am crazy, I think it was one of the best buys of my life. What do you guys think ? Lowlight, apologies again, hope you can see why I went with this one and had to pass on your 59.
Some more on the car. Story goes that the old lady and her husband bought this via Capital motors in Pretoria, but only took delivery in HANOVER GERMANY! They then went on an extended camping trip throughout Europe with it, and brought it back to South-Africa with them. Even the VIN plate says, MADE IN (WEST?) GERMANY, I checked. They kept this car through the years, and when her husband died, sold it to the current owner. This only happened a couple of years ago. She never used the car and never bothered to transfer the car to her name. Original registration papers still have the old ladies name on them (she is still around for a transfer signature). This means I will be the 2nd registered OWNER!
How cool is that.Plans for the car:
I don't want to respray, although you cant see it on the pictures, there are a lot of marks, chips and dents, as you would expect with an original old car of this vintage. So to the casual observer you would feel a respray is in order, but there is almost no rust anywhere, except for those front wings. This is what makes me think, stick with the original faded paint.
The idea is to replace the carpets with the original German quality, same with the running boards and hoodliner (still felt on this one). Have the accident damage properly repaired, give the rest of the car a PROPER polish, clean the engine bits, remove all the non original lights, fix the semaphores, then drop her on 20" Porsce Rimms, KIDDING on that last one, this is a stocker if ever there was one. Will perhaps consider some Fuchs or Flat 4's.
Wishlist so far would be:
Wolfsburg badge.
German NOS carpets.
Felt Hoodliner.
Albert Swan mirrors (WISHING).
White walls on Restored Stock wheels/BRM's or Fuchs.
Late fifties quarter window latches - left and right.
Someone with skills to help restore the seats, three seams need to be sewn up again. Only 3, Unbelievable.
As you could gather I am very excited, so I might be blinded by the heat of the moment and my own optimism.
All your suggestions and advise will be greatly appreciated.
