1963 VW Beetle First Drive!

Empi Insider / empiinsider
Things are coming together for our 1963 Beetle. We finally get it out on the road for the first time after 6 shop days working on it!
Also, We know that this car will not qualify for a Class 11 since the body and pan don't match. So we'll have to find another car.
Buy a VW Life Bus Sticker here - tinyurl.com/VWLifeStickers
Buy a VW Life Bug sticker here - tinyurl.com/VWLifeBugSticker
Order shirts here - www.bonfire.com/store/vwlife/
VW Stickers from Corndog Graphics - www.ebay.com/str/corndoggraphics
Subscribe to our channel - kzbin.info?sub_...
follow on Facebook - / vwlifevw
Join our Patreon and support the Channel! - / vwlife
Support us on Amazon - bookmark this link and we get a small percent - amzn.to/2M0iD8t
All our music is from Epidemic Sound get a month free with our link! - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
- Gear We Use ! --
Sony a6600 Camera - amzn.to/3nE6W5B
Sony 10-18mm Lens - amzn.to/3h5uXA5
GoPro Hero 8 - amzn.to/3h76pXc
Head Lamps We Use! - amzn.to/2N11BUj
GoPro Hero 7 - amzn.to/2DhKclU
GoPro Mic Adapter - amzn.to/2TFfREP
ETM-001 Microphone amzn.to/2MTdTxW
Mavic Air Drone - amzn.to/2tkVoK9
Lane Russell LLC • Restoration of German Vintage VW Engine Components - lanerussell.com
VW Channels you should check out below!
Classic VW Bugs - / brighteyefilms
Old Volks TV - / @oldvolkstv
Kombi Life - / @kombilife
Mustie 1 - / @mustie1
5150mxVW - / @5150mxvw
CT moog - / @ctmoog
DuckmanCycles and VW Garage - / @duckmancycles
vwnut 1967 - / @vwnut1967
marcijunebug - / @marcijunebug
Off Axis Builds - / offaxisbuilds
TorkWerks - / @wolfhausmotorwerks
TheEZGZ - / @theezgz
Mileage Unknown - / @mileageunknown8910
JW Classic VW - / @jwclassicvw
Mike F - / @mikefngarage
CB Performance - / @cbperformance
VolksAmerica Magazine - / @volksamericamagazine
Good Old Mike - / @goodoldmike
Haptic Garage - / @hapticgarage
Dust Buggy - / @dustbuggy
VWJawbreaker - / @vwjawbreaker
Airkewld - / @airkewldvws
Wolfsburg West - / @wolfsburgwesttv
Wolfgangint - / @wolfgangint
Gotta Split - / @gottasplit5707
Vw Rosstorations - / @vwrosstorations
Volkswear - / @volkswear
Straight Axle Dubs - / @straightaxledubs
MicBergsma - / @micbergsma
Dan Love - / @busman5429
Go Westy - / gowestylo
VINTAGE SPEED - / @vintagespeedtaiwan
Big W Adventures - / @bigwadventures7061
E-man Deluxe - / @emandeluxevlogs
Vané Pinstriping - / vanepinstriping
clark underwood - / @clarkunderwood
Volkswagenplanet - / @volkswagenplanet
Matt Lundquist - / @mattlundquistvw
DubWerks - / @dubwerks
Hot VWs Magazine - / @hotvwsmagazine
Froslife & Just' Buggin Restorations - / @justbugginvw
VochoTalacha (spanish) / @vochotalacha
Dub World - / @dubworldvwadventures
Zimm’s VW Garage - / @zimms-world
Backyard Kombi - / @backyardkombi5466
if we missed someone let us know!
#VWLife #VW

[@staylorjr1980]

Everyone rants about ‘67, but ‘63 has always been my favorite year. And an early ‘63 with the Wolfsburg crest…very nice!

[@TateReggie]

Short window Bugs are so sexy. Another one saved! Thanks for sharing.

[@VWLifeVW]

we agree!

[@nosajselrauq9438]

Man I just love the excitement people get from their first vw bug! No other car gives you that feeling of looking at it, being inside and working on it!! Got a 63 turbo myself!

[@enriquelopez9124]

Awesome 1963 Volkswagen Beetle

[@dougcurtis578]

You guy are having the time of your life! Makes me eager to get back to my Beetles in the Spring.

[@BaliBroda]

Still love this bay.

[@VWLifeVW]

Soon

[@riverbluevert7814]

Don't hang out the back window! Get back in the Bug Matt!! ;) Great fun. Great video.

[@VWLifeVW]

Too late :)

[@kylekyleson373]

Greetings from Monmouth County , New Jersey. Enjoying all your video. Informative and funny.Keep up the good work and restorations

[@VWLifeVW]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jennysolomon-haase9103]

I love your projects and ideas. I'm getting ready to put in a hotter engine in my little 69 beetle. You all inspire me!

[@VWLifeVW]

You can do it! we love hearing this post a picture of it on our facebook page - facebook.com/VWLifeVW/

[@chris.erwin02]

I found you guy's channel after buying my 69 beetle and looking up videos about how to work on it and general VW tips and tricks. Love all the content! I also very recently found our you guys do Harvest! I'm just finishing getting my bug daily driver ready. Look forward to meeting and seeing you guys this year!!

[@tommiesmith3369]

Bring it on! See you at the HARVEST!

[@VWLifeVW]

Nice see you there!

[@Happyhoot04]

You guys I am very jealous of y’all!!! That is a pretty rare bug y’all have!!! Keep on enjoying it and looking forward to following the updates y’all make. 😊✌️

[@vw_beetle_dave]

took my bug out for a ride in the sun today . always fun never misses a beat . great video

[@VWLifeVW]

Good stuff!

[@awsomeassistantthebest1825]

Just can't get enough of you guys working on vw's every video is custom made.. 🐝 Safe..

[@VWLifeVW]

More to come!

[@kevinengland8209]

This one was great !! Driving Around in a bug on milk crates just having fun enjoying your work is the real Austin. The way it should be !!! Good Times !!!!

[@VWLifeVW]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@nonelost1]

6:24...Love those safari windows on that bus! I don't think they were allowed on US export versions. But I LOVE that '63 QT bug even more! This is coming from someone who owned 4 early '60's bugs back in the day.' 6:30...Great drone footage! 8:36...This gives new meaning to "giving a shot of gas."

[@VWLifeVW]

we've seen buses with safari's Charlie has original ones (we think) :)

[@dalewyatt1321]

A race car. Something different and looks like great fun.

[@VWLifeVW]

yeah we cool like that!

[@mistrhatt]

Always love the milk crate seats 😂😂 Gary is like a little kid on the first drive! The joy on his face haha I know that feeling!

[@VWLifeVW]

so true!

[@UwUmaster2002]

Looking at my first vw beetle tm. Been driving my dads 69 beetle and gonna try to get this 62 beetle ☝️

[@farrah2253]

You guys are the best! Wish I lived in your neighborhood. I so need help with my 72.

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks!

[@naenaew.7442]

I had a 74 Super Beetle n I. Drove On A Bucket!! For Some Time. Miss It So. Luv U All. Blessings n Peace To You n Family

[@naenaew.7442]

PS. You Can Never Have To Many Cars LuV!!

[@VWLifeVW]

hey that's true #VWLife right there!

[@thevwnetwork50]

Congratulations on the 63 test drive and the EMPI deal. Great video.

[@VWLifeVW]

More to come!

[@brodie_lienemann]

I really see this evolving into a business

[@VWLifeVW]

maybe

[@EmpiInsider]

Awesome job guys and cant wait to get started on your class 11 build. Thanks for the shout out on the show too

[@tommiesmith3369]

Yea we have to fix our first hiccup .. the car :) I messed that one up --HAHAHAHA

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks! we loved the Crandon recap video !

[@awesomeguy8392]

Someone's a master drone operator!

[@VWLifeVW]

maybe :)

[@leonardramsey3458]

Love the 63 since y'all drug it out of the storage unit. I'd love 💕 to have this car. My much older cousin Jimmy had one very much like this 63 Bug when I was 3 or 4 years old. I called it Herbie because it hadn't been too long since I had seen the 🍿 Movie The Love Bug. I was hooked, Loved these VW's Ever since 💕❤️💯💪🏼👍🏻💯😆😎👍🏻

[@VWLifeVW]

very cool

[@johnnewcomb1128]

That's the ultimate milk crate challenge guys. Looked like alot of fun.

[@VWLifeVW]

you got that right!

[@mayinnlin1879]

Thank you so very much for sharing guys! Fun and love Enjoy watching VW Life. Awesome work guys. 👍❤️

[@VWLifeVW]

Our pleasure!

[@curranhouse]

Love these project videos, gives me a Boot to get on with my VW's! 😂

[@antoniorivera6187]

Awesome video guys the 63 bug lives can’t wait to see you guys finish it all up god bless you guys and stay safe please 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks! You too!

[@mistrhatt]

Yes!!!

[@VWLifeVW]

yes sir!

[@jenny80myles]

Great to see it run and drive.

[@errolcain1780]

Hey greetings Bug Family from Jamaica it's so nice to watch you guys and you're all so far away, I have a 1973 German made right hand drive pickup and I need a set of sides and the tail, its twin cab,remember I'm in Jamaica so as close as possible, keep doing what you're doing its awesome, bless up.

[@VWLifeVW]

Very cool! good luck finding those parts, we don't have them though

[@errolcain1780]

@@VWLifeVW Big Thanks for your quick response and all the best in everything you do,any Idea which website I can go to find them?if an when I can travel again hope I can link up with the VW Life family, I am looking lots of parts,used or not,do you have any used disc for the rear ,bus ?

[@jamesquintana9137]

Such a good feeling to see another old VW come back to life! Thumbs up as always!

[@VWLifeVW]

Yes! Thank you!

[@gorillasnacks3393]

I love these videos! That 63 is absolutely gorgeous! Can't wait to see it when it's all done, and also looking forward to that class 11 build! 😄👍

[@VWLifeVW]

You and me both!

[@zimms-world]

Awesome video. Can’t wait to see the project racer come to life. Whenever I don’t feel like doing anything on my bug I always hear Gary say do 1 thing a day and that motivates me to go out to the garage and do something even if it’s spraying pb blaster on old bolts. Thanks guys

[@VWLifeVW]

Right on

[@davyboscart1089]

Good one guys! Love the projects... Had a idle jet problem last weekend on a cruise! Lucky i had my carb cleaner in my sos box! 😜

[@VWLifeVW]

Nice work!

[@oldtanker4860]

Outstanding to see the 63 getting some love. At least with the glass out the flow through ventilation made it more comfortable to work on the interior. Question for you gents. I saw the pans had surface rust. You going to use that rust stopping paint on the interior before carpeting? How about the underside. The interior heater tubes looked really nice. Going to hook up the heat system on the old girl too? Really stoked to see her run down the road.

[@VWLifeVW]

the heater parts will all be there but I don't know if we'll mess with getting it connected as far as making sure the cables are working. The next owner can work on that, pretty easy. If there is a good amount of surface rust we usually hit it with POR15

[@mxwlj6974]

Another great video . I'm gearing up to build a class 11 as well. Can't wait to see what you guys have in mind. Thanks for sharing.

[@VWLifeVW]

oh man that's awesome!

[@bigdaddykane8601]

Love these videos! Awesome 63! 😎👍

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you like them!

[@wadelewis6992]

Wow, look thinks for another great video. Looking forward to many more. I know that class 11 is going to be bad ass. Keep up the great work. ✌🏻❤️VWLIFE

[@VWLifeVW]

we hope so

[@matthewchilders5263]

The 63 is absolutely great! So excited 😁😎

[@VWLifeVW]

You and me both! such a great car

[@TheJorgSacul]

That was fun! I have a '63, so some of it seemed a little familiar. Until next time, keep living the VW Life! ©

[@VWLifeVW]

Right on!

[@train.sleep.eat.repeat5278]

Great vid!!

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks!

[@gustavopadilla9176]

You guys are the best, keep the videos coming 😉😆

[@VWLifeVW]

Thank you! Will do!

[@christianwernher9559]

Runs good! Perfect!

[@VWLifeVW]

yeah sounds great!

[@straightaxledubs]

Man what a beaut, cant wait to see the class 11 build!

[@VWLifeVW]

going to be fun!

[@muzzcovw7674]

Awesome guys! I'd love see this one back to the OG color! BTW there should be no need to bench bleed a master on these...its one of those strange things thats permeated the internet the last couple years and isn't necessary on most cars

[@tommiesmith3369]

I agree with your bench bleeding statement

[@VWLifeVW]

We agree!

[@deanrobinson3717]

Nice one gents

[@VWLifeVW]

Appreciated

[@jerryl4940]

Good job fellers #VW life👈😃

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks Jerry!

[@DrakkiiTheLittleDragon]

Great video love watching you guys work catching up on content right now since I found your channel anywho I get to put in a new fuel pump in my 73 super when I get home from vacation the guy I bought her from had the wrong fuel pump in her and probably had the fuel pressure way wrong anywho I'm going to shut my yapper up now lol 😂

[@VWLifeVW]

Nice! Post a picture of your VW on our Facebook page

[@livinthelife6056]

Good job !

[@VWLifeVW]

Thanks!

[@karlperry4878]

Looking forward to seeing the race bug come to life will be awesome 👀👍

[@VWLifeVW]

same here!

[@terryfleming7084]

Binge watching. Catching up on you guys. Could you show how to swap out a generator for and alternator. Can’t wait for the class 11 build.

[@vonwesty3544]

"How far do you think these milk crate seats will get us?" "All the way to the scene of the crash."

[@VWLifeVW]

ha ha ha

[@slimpickins3425]

Love to see you guys clowning around like that! I have to admit I never drove anything with out seats!! But seriously you guys are doing a awesome job on the 63!! I dont know about that racer your gonna build but you guys do have fun, and thats the most important thing!

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks as always Slim, yeah it's something totally different, we aren't sure either

[@austinswallow]

Great camera work on the action shots, I did have visions of Martin's seat slipping out from under him, glad that didn't happen! Excellent progress, thanks for sharing! Greetings from the UK (location of Abbey Road!).

[@VWLifeVW]

Glad you enjoyed it, indeed Gary :)

[@simonbergvall7151]

Thank you for sharing! Great to see! One question from across the pond: do you guys ever cook your own food or do you always eat out?

[@VWLifeVW]

Yes we do but not on shop days. you've seen us cookout while camping :)

[@hded06]

OMFG! SAMITCHES! LOL! THATS A FIRST!

[@VWLifeVW]

Lol right!

[@tftlotuxz880]

Hello guys good day just wanna ask what kind or whats the name of sticker you used in body of beetle for anti vibration? Thank you keep rolling vwlife

[@VWLifeVW]

you can use any kind of sound deadener like Fat Mat but lowes sell "press and seal" which is good too.

[@argotamauricio]

I am thinking of calling the owners of the "friday i'm in love" royalties and propose the title change to "thursdays i'm in love"

[@VWLifeVW]

that would be a good cover song!

[@GT.Bugger]

At least you have window seals for the 65, not that it looks like you'll use them for what you bought it for lol.

[@VWLifeVW]

yep ! will keep them in stock

[@Elijah.L.1971]

Where are the most obvious spots for exhaust/vacuum leaks? Pretty sure my 71 bay has an exhaust leak, makes the same whirring sound the bug did when Gary said it had an exhaust leak, and it backfires like crazy. I’ve got dual carbs, made sure all my vacuum lines were hooked up. J tube clamps are tight too. Possibly just need new braided lines?

[@VWLifeVW]

Gary was joking because it's missing the pea shooters. Backfires could be an intake leak

[@ritchiepastrano857]

Any Videos On How To Put On HeadLiners.?

[@VWLifeVW]

Nope- we usually have Pablo at the local interior shop do it.. a little money to be done right goes a long ways for us :)

[@geetown3176]

What's the shiny insulation like paper for? Sound proofing?

[@VWLifeVW]

Yes it's basically like a rubber with sticky stuff on it for sound deadening you can buy it at Lowe's as a product called press and seal

[@Sci_fi_and_cars]

Great show guys! Question, I'm doing my own breaks and I'm not sure I bleed the master cylinder correctly. Can I bleed it while still in the car or do I need to take it out again?

[@VWLifeVW]

Yes you can!

[@Sci_fi_and_cars]

@@VWLifeVW Cool! Thanks :D

[@nicolasloud995]

And the projects keep on rollin! Great job vw life team and thank you for all the content you keep giving us! When is Gilbert gonna make an appearance again?

[@VWLifeVW]

gilbert is inline after the slammed baywindow

[@dirkjansen4309]

HALLELUJAH! It's VWLife-Day again. Is there actually anything, you guys don't get running? Does anybody of you know the meaning of the words FEAR, DANGER or IMPOSSIBLE? I guess not! Thanx again! And by the way: Good muzak from time to time...😊👍🙋‍♂️

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks Dirk!

[@Happyhoot04]

So I have a question?? So I’ve been saving up for one of these since I was 8 now I’m 17. I want to get one for my first car but my dad doesn’t want me to have an old bug as my first car. He wants me to get a new bug. But let’s face it the new ones arnt fun! I want something I can fix my self! I want to also learn how to drive stick! IDK to me it’s perfect. I think I’ll be saving on mechanic costs because the engine isn’t hard at all to get around. I can learn so much and have fun. Do you think it’s okay to daily drive an older bug??

[@jamie-r2034]

Awesome! What camera do you guys use for the 360 video?

[@VWLifeVW]

insta360 one X 2

[@jamie-r2034]

@@VWLifeVW Nice! Thank you!

[@carlbarton772]

Another live Q&A please :-)

[@tommiesmith3369]

NICE... I'd love this.. we need to go live and get a TON of people involved.. great community get together .. :)

[@carlbarton772]

@@tommiesmith3369 be amazing to get stuff sent in from VW life fans projects all over the world.

[@VWLifeVW]

we need to figure out the logistics of a stream with the data, video and audio :)

[@carlbarton772]

@@VWLifeVW You tube live stream or Free OBS software will let you add photos and link your you tube. Mat Jackson will have some ideas lol.

[@tommiesmith3369]

@@carlbarton772 Yea Matt Jackson stop holding up Progress and get your act together !!! 🤪

[@vayabroder729]

Looking good but you’re right; there’s an exhaust leak or something wrong with the muffler; something doesn’t sound right.

[@tommiesmith3369]

no pea shooters- sounds way meaner than it needs to -

[@VWLifeVW]

as tommie said :)

[@daveglick5152]

green is ground red is positive. (battery felts).

[@VWLifeVW]

thanks

[@VWbugger]

Where is the empi insider link

[@VWLifeVW]

whoops thanks we added it!

[@monkeyspank2270]

So where can you get a fuel syringe like Martin was using?

[@CapnTexan]

I picked it up at Gibsons Five and Dime store. It's used for injecting meats. Best purchase in a while!

[@monkeyspank2270]

@@CapnTexan Gibsons, that means I will have to make a trip to Kerrville. Will have to look local.

[@VWLifeVW]

Or check ebay

[@tommiesmith3369]

Mr. Spank- You can swing by my house and I can give you one or a few.. if you ever need.

[@hectorzapata4295]

@6:10 Aren't the battery cables installed wrong?

[@tommiesmith3369]

No being that the 63 is now 12volt.. the poles are in different positions .. we changed the ground also to make it work more properly .. the way it was when we brought it home wasn't good .. it's all working great now..

[@VWLifeVW]

as tommie said :)

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

Nice. Not sure why someone would want to paint an L380 Turquoise beetle...beige??

[@CapnTexan]

We all figured it was ol Earl Scheib and their $99 paint jobs back in the day.

[@VWLifeVW]

it was wrecked at some point, that's why

[@jeffbannon1345]

What brand of sound deadening did you guys use?

[@tommiesmith3369]

fat mat

[@VWLifeVW]

as tommie said :)

[@Sir_Matticus]

I gotta say, the one thing that has been drilled into me from some of the older guys near me is relocating the little pod fuel filter out of the engine bay and away from the coil to mitigate the chances of a fire. Is that something you guys are planning on doing?

[@tommiesmith3369]

Probably not 😜🤙🏼

[@RRmeanmachine]

I think there are 2 schools of thought on the fuel filter placement. I like them off to the side of the coil, sorta tucked in behind there. When you buy fuel filters, BE CAREFUL, get the real Bosch ones. Ones I have found were made in Israel, they are so much better than the cheap ones you see posted for sale on eBay and other places. Also, I like being able to see and make sure I am getting good fuel delivery with the filter in the engine bay. Ands change the fuel hose early and often!!!

[@VWLifeVW]

what they said :)

[@mattthehandyman]

@VWLife Great fun and memorable times with friends! Remember when i got my ‘67 Ghia running for the first time since ‘88. It’s now my Daily! Check out the videos on my channel! ✌️☮️

[@VWLifeVW]

okay that's awesome will do!

[@AirCooledArmy]

Hey can anyone here help me ? I have a 1974 standard beetle and it’s my first vw I replaced the pedal assembly with a brand new empi one and when trying to connect the clutch cable to the clutch shaft (part on transmission) I have to push the shaft towards the front of the car is this normal ? I’m assuming not as wouldn’t the clutch be engaged at all times . Should I get a longer cable or something ?

[@RRmeanmachine]

Yes, you do have to push the clutch arm back on the tran forward to help get on the clutch cable wingnut. Once it's on, you want about 1/2" of free play in your pedal before you feel resistance.

[@AirCooledArmy]

@@RRmeanmachine ok awesome thank you so much

[@VWLifeVW]

what gary said :)

[@AirCooledArmy]

@@VWLifeVW also found out my Bowden bracket was upside down too LOL

[@mikehammer4546]

More fun than a barrel of monkeys 🤪

[@VWLifeVW]

yeah mike!

[@tommiesmith3369]

Mike- I think we actually are a "Barrel of Monkeys" 🤪

[@markhagge8646]

What! No tacos for lunch?

[@VWLifeVW]

Not this time

[@tracyanderson3518]

Usual (VW) Suspects

[@VWLifeVW]

indeed!

[@luischavez5572]

Harvest beetle ????????

[@VWLifeVW]

no sir, this one will be for sale

[@VWJawbreaker]

Milk crate racers!

[@VWLifeVW]

that's right you can do it on the sickxty!

[@johnm.withersiv4352]

Filmed on a private course in an undisclosed location. Do not try this at home.

[@VWLifeVW]

in "mexico"