Aircooled VW South Africa

Hi Guys,

Before anyone asks, I introduced myself already

I am on the prowl for a project car and would like to know your experience around this. The way that I see it, there will be one of 3 scenarious when I buy a car.

1. The car is not on the road, no papers etc. This will obvisouly have a couple of challenges, but can be done, so no real issue here!
2. The car is registered and on the road, and will pass the road worthy. This means I buy it and register it on my name, before I start the project.
3. The car is registered and on the road, but will probably not pass the road worthy test. This is the one I'm not sure how to handle. If getting it road worthy is an easy, in-expensive task, I will so this and transfer it to my name. If it is a mission to get road worthy, can I still get it registered on my name, but scrap it, then after the rebuild, register it again?

Any advise will be appreciated!

You can register a car in your name without a RWC. You still must pay the licence, but you won't get a disc until you have a RWC.

I wouldn't scrap it, as you would just create a lot of extra work to reregister it, and it will be registered as a Code 3(?) rebuild. Rather spend your money on licensing a non-roadworthy car.

Your best bet is to buy a roadworthy car and make a rolling restoration. That way you get to enjoy the car while you restore it. Far too many projects are abandoned because they consume endless time and money and give nothing back.

Great advise, thank you!!!

I have built a couple of cars from scratch. Yes, you do have the satisfaction of having it perfect, but it is tricky to keep yourself motivated.

If it is drivable at least you get some joy out of it while working on it. But obviously a perfect restoration is highly unlikely.

JohnHoffe wrote:I have built a couple of cars from scratch. Yes, you do have the satisfaction of having it perfect, but it is tricky to keep yourself motivated.

If it is drivable at least you get some joy out of it while working on it. But obviously a perfect restoration is highly unlikely.

Shouldn't you be working instead of trolling the forums?

Where are you and what type of project are you looking for. The price of the project usually dictates the amount of work required. We can then keep our eyes open for possibilities & challanges..

beetlefanatic wrote:

JohnHoffe wrote:I have built a couple of cars from scratch. Yes, you do have the satisfaction of having it perfect, but it is tricky to keep yourself motivated.

If it is drivable at least you get some joy out of it while working on it. But obviously a perfect restoration is highly unlikely.

Shouldn't you be working instead of trolling the forums?

On the Trolling subject:

How's it going?

Bushpig wrote:Where are you and what type of project are you looking for. The price of the project usually dictates the amount of work required. We can then keep our eyes open for possibilities & challanges..

Hi,

I am in Jo-burg.

I did a ground up rebuild Baja project around 15 years ago, so I have a fair idea of the work and motivation bits involved. The next project was a ground-up rebuild of a 1988 Toyota Corolla 1.6 GLi. More recently I built a 23 T-Bucket street rod (also from the ground up) approx 3 year project!

The obvious things I will recondition and fix-up where required: Engine, gearbox, body, paint interior, other mechanics, electrics, etc.

On a high-level I plan the following modifications, at this stage:
1. Disc brakes all round
2. Suspension dropped (adjustable)
3. Shaving the trim, boot and bonnet handles (maybe door handles)
4. BIG maybe, suicide doors

That is where I ended up for now!

I am going to view a '71, registered, for around R6000-00 tomorrow!

Since you're planning to extensively modify the car, I think it would be prudent to get the RWC before you start any major custom work.

fig wrote:Since you're planning to extensively modify the car, I think it would be prudent to get the RWC before you start any major custom work.

Thanks for the feedback, why would you specifically suggest this? All the changes that I am planning will not make it illegal (baring the shave of door handles)?

Unless you have a very good relationship with your local roadworthy testing station or you plan to "buy" the RWC, a modified car is likely to attract closer inspection.

I don't know what the law says, but I do know some traffic cops who believe lowering is an illegal modification.

I'm not saying you will have a problem, but if it were me I'd get the RWC out of the way while the car looks stock, then you can go crazy with mods and not have to worry that some officious tester is going to pull out the rule book when your car arrives.

fig wrote:Unless you have a very good relationship with your local roadworthy testing station or you plan to "buy" the RWC, a modified car is likely to attract closer inspection.

I don't know what the law says, but I do know some traffic cops who believe lowering is an illegal modification.

I'm not saying you will have a problem, but if it were me I'd get the RWC out of the way while the car looks stock, then you can go crazy with mods and not have to worry that some officious tester is going to pull out the rule book when your car arrives.

That is also my biggest concern!