Duifie (so name for the Dove Gey colour) is a 1970 Beetle that still has the original white on black black Transvaal number plates.
(Does any one know where TAF was in the old Transvaal)
Black on yellow plates (starting with BBB 000 T) were introduced in 1978 in Tranvaal, so we suspect that Duifie went off the road before then.
The car is totally complete and unmolested. It was just VERY dirty. It was stored in a closed barn, with the windows open.
Temperatures in the barn got so high that the numbers started to melt off the number plate, so it seem like the open windows were a blessing. For some reason, the rats also stayed out of the car.
This is what it looked like on the trailer, just after its release from the barn.
A quick blast with a pressure washer restored some of its former dignity.
The interior was covered in untold years worth of dust.
Andre got stuck in with some upholstery cleaner and then the true nature of this gem started to be revealed.
The wiring is untouched and even all the vent pipes are in good codition.
Andre even found the original jack when he cleaned the interior and it was promptly returned to its allocated spot.
When the interior was finally clean, we started to get a bit ambitious and wanted to check the electrics.
All the fuses were pirated by "Them" and had to be replaced, the indicator globes were stolen and needed to be replaced, but the lenses were found on the ground in front of the car. Unfotunately "They" broke the rear lenses and lamp holders, so these will have to be located.
By hotwiring the car we confirmed that all the lights worked and then we got really ambitious.
Seeing as the engine was complete, we were curious to see if it would run.
(Check out the original splash guard on the decklid)
We checked the fuel, but the smell eminating from the filler indicated that the petrol was really VROT.
But we are Boere, we can "maak 'n plan"
The oil level was checked, and it indicated full. The oil did not smell funny or felt gritty, so we decided to go for it.
So we fed the starter wire and it swung the engine.
We hotwired the ignition again to chect that we had power at the engine, and everything checked O.K. Even the dash lights for ignition and oil pressure came on.
We rigged up a temporary fuel supply to the pump and with ignition off started to crank the engine. The fuel pump was working and after a few checks with the ignition, we noticed that the oil pressure indicator light had turned off. So, it was time to go for broke.
We turned on the ignition
The choke butterfly was stuck, but when I wiggled it, it came loose and the choke closed as designed.(BTW the oil bath air cleaner is still filled with oil to the correct level)
Andre cranked the engine and after a few seconds there was a slight splutter. I adjusted the choke opening and we tried again. The engine swung for about two revolutions and burst into life setling at an idle speed of about 1200RPM.
There was no smoke, no noise, no drama. We let the engine idle until the choke opened fully and idle speed stabilised at about 800RPM. Only once in my life have I heard a Beetle engine this smooth and quiet. It literally sounds like a sewing machine. Absolutely perfect.
The fuel tank was not such a pretty picture. It still had about half a tank of vrot petrol.
The fuel sender died in the battle against corrosion.
With the fuel discarded, the tank shows some rust inside.
For me, this is the stuff of urban legends.
To find a complete, unmolested car and to have the engine start without issues and run so beautifully is only heard of, not seen in real life.
