Big Mods with big $$$. When Mods don't make sense. What did the CAR WIZARD do to this '66 VW Bug?

Modifying a car takes serious money. When does a mod make sense and when does it mean wasting money. This 1966 Volkswagen Beetle in the CAR WIZARD's 🧙‍♂️shop runs into this problem. See what the customer wished for and what they decided was the right mod for them.
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👕 CAR WIZARD MERCH: teespring.com/stores/carwizard 👕
📷 INSTAGRAM @therealcarwizard 📷

[@stuartstuart866]

You don’t need a tachometer, the little red slash marks in the speedo tell you at what speed to shift gears. Back in the era when Volkswagen made cars that lasted, and we’re serviceable by the owner. They are very primitive compared to a modern car, but so much fun to drive.

[@kattcasel9730]

AhhHaaa! A beetle owner, you are right about the slash marks on the speedo! Could be a trivia question.

[@circuitsandcigars1278]

@@escapecar my 1979 Scirocco had them

[@OG_Jack]

I had a Beetle with no gas gauge. Run out of gas? Flip the lever, on the floor, and drive to a gas station.

[@richardbell9656]

@@OG_Jack my 65 had reserve tank also , you just reminded me.

[@dranoelr]

@@escapecar the MK2 Golf had it in the cheaper versions till the end

[@Daemonarch2k6]

This beetle has SUCH an amazing sound. It would be a crime to electrify it. I'm happy that in america there is an huge beetle scene, here in Germany it's almost extinct, and the parts are extremely expensive

[@davidhollenshead4892]

In Germany the Beetle reminded people of the post war years of poverty...

[@MrTheArtico]

In Italy there are quite a few actually

[@e30m3bimmer]

They are very common in northern Sweden, plus there are a few of classic VW only car meets

[@loco156al]

Mexico has a huge surplus of them and I’m sure parts are cheap over there

[@haroldsmith3607]

There were two indentations on the sun visor. Those took me back to my first two VWs, a 58 and a 59. In those days many of us kept our car's registration in a holder with a transparent front and two stiff spring clamps on the back to attach it to the visor. No gas gauges, when your car started sputtering you reached under the dash to turn the lever on the firewall to reserve. You had about 30-40 miles to find a gas station.

[@jpdj2715]

And then I forgot to turn the lever back to normal after filling with gas. So the next time the engine sputtered, the tank and fuel line were empty. A 1.5 gallon fuel can in the frunk and a screwdriver. Open the engine compartment. Loosen the air-filter from the carburettor. Fill the carburettor's fuel bowl from the can and empty the can into the tank. Replace the air-filter. Start. Drive. The underlying problem? The fuel tank in the frunk bottom is lower than the fuel pump and carburettor. That fuel pump, mechanically driven by the engine, dependent on engine RPM, does not have enough oomph to suck up gas into the fuel bowl - its not "self priming". So, a bit of gas in the carburettor's fuel bowl did the trick. Or, wizardry, fit an electric pump and solve the problem "forever".

[@brianchisnell1548]

My Mom's '61 with the lever, she had a manual odometer on the sun visor. She would set the miles on the odometer and when the car hit 200mi, time to fill up soon. 300 mi. Range

[@CensorshipGenesis]

@@jpdj2715 - Somehow I felt like you were telling my story! LOL 😂 😂 I know all that ritual way too well. 🙂

[@fenceman53]

I my days of owning Beetles (4) we called those bumper replacements “nerf bars”

[@ralphiewyowyo]

I love the concept of this video. Client thinks they have to do a huge conversion and all it takes is someone with expertise to say, no, there is a much better solution when the client didn’t think it would exist.

[@bikeman1x11]

many vehicles can benefit from a FI or elecrric fuel pump conversion

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

@@bikeman1x11 It would be a shame to take such a clean little car and screw it up with weird modifications. Get ANY other little car and electric it.

[@bikeman1x11]

@@bunsonhoneydew9099 I was only talking about modern fuel pump and fuel injection- NO car should have batteries they are for toys

[@USCNative]

That year Beetle was my first car. Got the car and two engines for $300. Had to use one for parts to repair the one in it. I'm still kicking myself for ever parting with it, loved that bug!

[@heiner71]

My first car was a 1965 Standard model. It did not have any chrome, no fuel gauge (pet cock instead), 6V and 1200CC with 30HP. The passenger seat was screwed to the floor with no adjustability. The passenger door was only lockable from the inside (no key hole). They did not sell these base versions in the USA. It also was upgraded by my uncle, who bought it new, with Porsche 356 rims, which allowed for "enormous" 165 tires. Unfortunately, when I bought it it was already 18 years old and had many rust holes. It survived 4 more years before it made it's last trip to the junk yard.

[@artkincell]

I worked in a garage that specialized in VWs in the mid 70s. I had a 66 Beetle as my second Beetle, my first was a 71. I loved my 66 the best, it was red like the one in the video. I paid 50 bucks for mine and swapped a 1600 dual port engine into it. I was fortunate I had easy access to parts, I even bought a bunch of parts cars CHEAP to create the motor. A 69 Squareback donated part of its engine.

[@tony_25or6to4]

I knew a guy who could change out the engine, by himself, in one hour. He kept a rebuilt engine oiled and covered in a plastic bag in the corner of his garage. When something went wrong, he'd swap the engine. Over the next month, he'd rebuild the old one in his spare time, oil it up, cover in a plastic bag, and shove it into the corner of the garage. Eventually, he started collecting Porsches and doing the same thing.

[@ianjones1118]

My mom bought my brother and I a 66 as our first car so she wouldn't have to drive us to the ski hill anymore. Never let us down. She knew what she was doing.

[@artkincell]

@@tony_25or6to4 When I worked in the garage, all of us were really quick at changing motors. My record for taking a motor out was 16 minutes. Once, one of our good customers was on her way to a Dr's appointment and drove in with one of the heads almost falling off the block. We got her car in, we swapped the motor out of my car so she could get to her appointment in a half a hour. She returned two days later to a fresh motor and I got mine back. I didn't mind letting her use my motor.... I got to borrow one of the cars we had for sale, a 1972 VW 412 two door 4 speed. I wanted to buy that car so badly, but my parents thought it was "too fast" for me.

[@crxdelsolsir]

Back when you were connected to the car. So connected your "Tach" was your ears and your feelings. You knew how the car felt, if it was stressed or unhealthy. It was actually more convenient, instantaneous and natural.

[@richardbaumgart2454]

the butt dyno works with these cars..you can just feel it thru your ass

[@1blisslife]

That beetle is well taken care of & I'm glad it will remain mostly stock. The start up 😲 and muffler noises are simply amazing! These beetles bring back so many childhood memories for me. 😊

[@TannCo2]

That startup was so satisfying.

[@rlw127]

Great VW video. Earlier Beetles didn't even have gas gauges. You had a wooden dipstick in the trunk to measure the amount of fuel you had. There was also a fuel control lever on the floor to activate the reserve portion of the tank. Just don't forget to return the lever back after refueling.

[@machtschnell7452]

Tripping the lever freed another 1.5 gallons.

[@sonofuberton]

We called it the kickover tank lever on our 1960 beetle. One night I was at my girl friend's house when the door bell rang. It was my Dad. I had turned the lever, failed to refuel and he had run out. He was not amused. The first and only time I forgot.

[@colinprice712]

And that sinking feeling when you realised that the lever was in the wrong position

[@hottlimited]

I had a 57 beetle, when i was a teenager. My father paid 300 for it back in the late sixties. Wished I never sold it!

[@gilbertvehicleservices]

The fuel gauge became standard in 1962

[@TechNWRO]

Ah yes the torsion bar suspension. Good enough for a Beetle and also good enough for a King Tiger II.

[@TheStefanskoglund1]

Torsion bars is good enough for most tanks including the M1. Why: hint : available space inside.

[@VWdude278]

I've got 67 bug that I'm doing a pan off restoration on. Just got the motor back. 2276cc with 185hp @flywheel. 4:12's w/a super diff in the trans. Gonna do a pair of weber IDA 48's. 4 wheel disc convention. 2 1/2 drop in the front. Thanks for posting this wizard!

[@blizzyblob]

Nobody asked

[@VWdude278]

@@blizzyblob Wow. Troll much?

[@TrayJayRecords]

@@VWdude278 ignore the troll. that car must be pretty fast. I just don’t know if I could get over the death factor!

[@VWdude278]

@@TrayJayRecords No worries. I like to mess with trolls. ;) yeah my bug is gonna rip!. The motor isn't in yet. Waiting on the body work to get done first, and then I'll install it

[@L8nitedave]

K well, mine was converted to IRS and had a re-geared Porsche 5 speed.

[@atodaso1668]

I have used Stabil in all my gas engines for years and never had a fuel problem.

[@willb3018]

I second that. I generally try to run my classics at least once a month but that doesn't always happen in the winter. Between Stabile and battery maintainers, I never have starting issues no matter how long they end up sitting. I also use Stabile in the daily drivers and my emergency generator.

[@atodaso1668]

@@shawnwest3779 I just watched it, that was not scientific.

[@rustler08]

@@shawnwest3779 And I did a person 1.5 year experiment on it and it worked like it had fresh fuel in it. I'll take my anecdote to their shit experiment.

[@ianmontgomery7534]

@@rustler08 (Ii had a Superbug which spent a year at a time sitting in my mates driveway while I was in China. I drove it when I came back for holidays and it never was a problem starting. I don't know if fuel in Australia has an additive in it or not but I regret selling that car.

[@molson0430]

Used to use stabil in my motorcycle but now I use racing fuel when I store the bike for winter

[@maxw576]

A light blue 1971 VW Fastback introduced me to auto mechanics. The saying "education is expensive" applies here. A lot of great memories and stories came out of it. I still love these old VWs.

[@GlycerinZ]

I love the old VWs also

[@oldb-1kenobi]

This was a great video, thank you. I had a 73 Super Beetle, pretty much all original, just a great little car, comfortable seats and loads of fun to drive. Drove it many times back and forth from VA to TX, super reliable. Everyone needs to own a Beetle at least once in their lifetime.

[@bmwloco]

The bride and I were talking about it today; when was the last time you saw a real Beetle on the road. She drove one back and forth to college, up and over mountains. Those were the days... Happily we have zero Alcohol fuel available. For our boat and our old air cooled motorcycles.

[@ppeterson9359]

My tastes lean towards the keep it original side. Good to see the owner hasn't done anything that can't be undone. That said, it's their car and they can do what they want. Have to admit, the electric fuel pump makes sense (along with that alternator).

[@fabbricaitalianaautomobili5859]

Alternator And 12v conversion 😜

[@uliwehner]

@@fabbricaitalianaautomobili5859 after '65 they most all were 12Volt, all mine were, the Split Buses, too

[@MariusStrom]

@@uliwehner nope, VW Type 1 became 12volt in '67. Even the '67 Beetles have a generator, not an alternator.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

@@uliwehner '67 was the first year for 12V Beetles, at least here in the US. 6V Beetles were still sold in Europe for a while after that

[@uliwehner]

@@chrisfreemesser5707 i may be a litlle rusty on the beetles but my split busses were 12 volt from the factory. Even the US Models.

[@cosmicgoatslap]

"We gotta remove the engine" As if that's a difficult task on a Beetle 🤣

[@hrcvf7505]

I've owned over a dozen vintage VW sedans and buses ... I got to the point I could remove the motor by myself, in my garage, in less that 45 minutes ... same for putting it back in. Love the old VWs.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@hrcvf7505 haha yep ,I was gonna say 45mins-1hr and it should be on the ground.

[@hurricanesrule4959]

I was thinking the same thing. Lol

[@ianmoore322]

@@hrcvf7505 Yep, me and my dad were able to carry the engines with just the two of us, no cherrypicker or furniture dolly, all the accessories still bolted on.

I used to remove them, on the street/back alley, by myself, and I am a small man.

[@jo_magpie]

my granddad had a 55' Beetle, it was so early for cars here in Norway(due to post war rationing), he had the next licence plate number after the kings motorpool: B-1

[@davidadams007]

Really like the upgrades on the Beetle. The entire car is now a beauty and starts like a champ. Thanks for the video Mr. & Mrs. Wizard.

[@jasonmorris9066]

I only put E0 (ethanol free) gas in my '73 VW Thing. Runs smooth and never had vapor lock issues with it. Also known as recreational fuel depending on what part of the country you're in. Averages around $.50 more per gallon but worth it for any classic car you plan on driving on a semi regular basis

[@RyanKlapperich]

Also good for small engines like mowers and trimmers. Though it can be hard to find sometimes

[@rpavlik1]

Yeah when I was in Iowa, ethanol free was 87 octane only (at limited stations), here in Wisconsin it's 93 (also at limited stations). Interestingly my small engines like the 93 better, run smoother. (Especially the snowblower, less backfiring, etc)

[@familyfun9474]

I use ethanol-free in my Audi TT. It sits significantly more than it is driven. Never gives me a problem starting. I run the E/F in my daily driver too. A little more expensive but never worry about seals and hoses. Gas mileage goes up a bit too. All gas, no syrup.

[@archygrey9093]

Thats just regular petrol in Australia, I've got cars with 3 year old petrol in the tank and they still start and drive just fine.

[@clivewilliams3661]

In UK our standard 95RON fuel is E10 by law and many people are extracting the ethanol out to get pure petrol but then waste a minimum of 10% of what they paid for. Superunleaded is either ethanol free or E5 depending where you live and that works fine. The premium paid for Super is offset by the extra mileage and then there is the smoother running. My 1303S Beetle runs on nothing else and I have had no issues starting. I originally used an old competition electric fuel pump in the Beetle that was not rated for modern fuel and it disintegrated after a few months, changing that to a modern one solved the problem. Also, I have the fuel pump on a hidden switch so that when the thieving b*****ds attempt to drive away they get about 1/2ml down the road before the fuel runs out. Also, the relay for the pump is controlled by the oil pressure light so that in the event of an accident the fuel shuts off. A little bit of cranking gets the oil pressure up and energises the fuel pump.

[@c7uk]

Lovely. That car has been restored although I suspect the inside hasn’t been repainted but the interior is a new reproduction. The front beam, floorpans and heater channels are also new. Beautiful car - enjoy as is, no need for EV!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Yep. Very doubtful those are the original miles.

[@gabrielochoa5829]

No AC fuck that

[@ddddsd20]

This car brings back so many memories, my first car was a 1965 Beetle, 40 HP engine and totally stock, I wish I could find one similar to the one you have here, it’s a keeper.

[@NVRAMboi]

'66 was a great year for the US Beetle. Friend had one and it was my impression that it was far better built (and running) than the '71, '72 and '75 models in our family.

[@NICK-uy3nl]

Built like a little tank, no wonder so many of them are 'steel' around

[@electronicengineer]

I see what you did there... Fred

[@eppyz]

These bugs/beetles, are timeless. My Dad still has my Grandfathers 1960 Convertible that my Dad still drives several times a week. It is mostly original, engine, trans, but interior had to be replaced and the convertible top is not in the best shape. It still runs like a sewing machine. Been in the family since 1963. Just really fun cars. Not very safe. But very fun.

[@VicOrlando]

Selling mine. They're worth 30k+

[@eppyz]

@@VicOrlando the bug that my dad has was my grandfather's and when my grandfather passed my dad kept it it's pretty much original and my dad has it appraised by haggerty and I think he has the insurance up to $50,000 on it he's been offered up to $40,000 just from people around town where he lives and my dad will never sell it it's been in the family for 60 years it's become a heirloom and it still runs with its original engine and transmission to this day 👍

[@noshot8494]

@@eppyz me and my dad just rebuilt my grandfathers 60 rag which was sitting in storage for 40 years, my grandfather bought it off the factory line. I will never sell that even with how much they going for right now.

[@eppyz]

@@noshot8494 yeah that's really great we will never sell ours either my grandfather didn't buy the vehicle brand new my grandfather was very frugal and didn't want to spend the money on a new car so he bought the 1960 bug convertible he bought it in 1963 and we have the original sales receipt all the paperwork with it we have the original license plates we have everything on the car's original it was repainted the factory color once in the mid 70s and the interior was changed because the original one was just rotted out and the top was changed because it got rotted out but everything else is original to the car and we will never sell it it's just now become a family heirloom 👍

[@accordinglyryan]

Man, everything on that car looks brand new. Beautiful.

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you for saving this car. I'm all for EVs, but I'm also for keeping whatever we can still running on gasoline. I deal with carburetor issues every spring, when I want to start a new driving season for my Jeepster. But then, when I use it in a weekly basis in the summer, it runs very well. Well, well enough, since I'm the one sorting (not fixing, I guess) the issues.

[@lenny108]

4:50 This Beetle looks perfect and surely is a collector's item. Only one thing, these beautiful chrome Beetle bumpers are missing.

[@schutzhund3933]

Cal look T bars

[@lazyrrr2411]

ℹ shudder to see those worthless bars there , as i recall the incredible number of brain-dead other drivers who seem drawn to pulling in to your VW

[@brokebutfunctioninggarage]

Ive always loved the look of a beetle with no bumpers, i think it looks sooo clean.. but yea, the pre67 bumpers with over riders are some of the best looking bumpers in the world.

[@SonicBoone56]

Early 60s Beetle bumpers are so gorgeous looking

[@sydecarnutz972]

Running boards are gone too.

[@kerryrwac]

My Dad's second wife had a 72 Bug that I learned how to drive standard on. The heater wasn't worth a damn in the winter but with snow tires it had excellent traction and did great donuts lol.

[@laurat1129]

Yep, my Dad had a lt blue '71 Bug (or "Superbeetle") as our 2nd family car. He bought it used in '78, passed it on to my older sister in '85/86, then taught us both to drive stick on it, until it rusted out in '88 or so. What a fun little car, amazing to me now it lasted that long!

[@kerryrwac]

@@laurat1129 hers was faded yellow and all 4 fenders were dented. That was 1975.

[@bobbellendovich6825]

Best advice I ever got for my 61 Volkswagen was from a Volkswagen factory-trained mechanic who owned a custom VW shop: Stock is BEST. Ran the stock single port for over 100,000 miles. With nearly 40 years of ownership, except for an 009 distributor, alternator conversion, dual port heads, roller rockers, and dual baby webers, I have to agree. 320,000 miles and still going!!

[@Keith-rk4td]

Freeway Flyer Transmission? It will help any air cooled do better on the open road.

[@Rob-fx2dw]

I had a beetle 1500. It was slightly p later 1970 model. In addition to the rear suspension was a compensator bar as standard equipment which limited the movement of the rear suspension. It was an all torsion bar model and it's performance over unsealed corrugated roads was just amazing.

[@mxaexm]

I’m so glad this car is staying mostly stock. Loving those beetles !!

[@erikdikkers7931]

Yep. The only decent car vw ever made.

[@James-oo1yq]

My Dad had a 1960s Beetle 10 years ago, and he often had the gas station staff run out to him when filling up, I think he enjoyed it tbh

[@capt_beefheart4159]

Wonderful blog, brought back lots of memories. I've rebuilt several air cooled VWs and owned every variant except a bus, and have made several friends from air cooled VW events all along the west coast. We even had a Cal look '65 bug when that was happening. Thanks!

[@skipcampbell4226]

My sister had a '66 in the early 80's. Had a factory isolating dash fan the actually worked! But it wasn't enough in the Houston heat. 6 volt electric system. Never quit running! Just keep the oil changed and monitored. And the cooling fan belt changed with high detergent 30 weight. That was the only source for cooling the engine. It would run 60-65 mph all day long. She wishes she still has it. What a classic piece of engineering!

[@kentmckean6795]

3:19 Old VW's never came with a tachometer, the three red hash marks on the speedo (first at 15MPH) (second at 33MPH) (and third at 47MPH) are MAX up-shift points for the transmission. Another example of German engineering.

[@matthewhaddon599]

They were and presume, still are, low-revving and slow cars, get from A-B and rarely break down. The 1303s had a 1600 engine which went better I think.

[@Kohoso95]

Dang I posted the same thing after she said that. Love them old beetles.

[@garthlundquist3623]

I had several hot rod beetles. My 1960 came with a 36 horsepower motor with the same shift points. With a highly modified 1750 cc twin port motor I could lift the front wheels shifting 1-2. The new shift points with the stock split case transaxle and stock diameter wheels were 35 mph in first , 65 in second, and 115 in third. Top speed was just a little above that as the car got very light and wanted to blow over backwards like an unlimited hydroplane. A side silhouette of the beetle body is like a cross section of an airplane wing: it produces 400 lbs of lift at 100 mph. Beetle drag cars have the body modified to prevent blowing over at speed.

[@houseofno]

Love the classic Beetles. This Beetle came out just as the US Department of Transportation was being founded. Soon there were lighting and safety regulations. Seatbelts were mandated as well as headlights were required to come in one of four standardized systems (dual round 7", quad round 5.75 inches, dual rectangular, or quad rectangular). For that reason, the Beetle lost those beautiful ovoid headlights and it gained the standard US dual round headlights.

[@rolandthethompsongunner64]

And it still was a death trap. I watched one flip over just going down the expressway years ago. Piles of crap.

[@James-oo1yq]

I thought the headlights looked strange...

[@takemebacktothen]

@@rolandthethompsongunner64 most old cars are death traps

[@rolandthethompsongunner64]

@@James-oo1yq They look the same when the cars upside down in the middle of the highway though.

[@rolandthethompsongunner64]

@@takemebacktothen True. Some more than others.

[@stewharr]

I like that nice looking early 80's BMW 320i in the background.

[@kasuraga]

i had a 62 with the stock 40hp 1200cc. I used to love showing off to my friends how I can just TAP the key to start and it would fire right up. I could even start it just by shoving off backwards out of the parking spot and pop the clutch in reverse.

[@dustintunis9347]

If they want to be able to get in, turn the key and go, then they need a newer fuel injected car. Carburators and old ignition system require maintenance, period. Something that would probably help would be to wire a switch for the fuel pump so he can cut the fuel pump and run the engine until the bowl is empty if it's going to be sitting for an extended period.

[@nielsdebakker3283]

I do the same thing with motorbikes, shut the fuel cock and let them run out.

[@edlingja1]

I’m not sure that’s the best practice. I’d say it would be better to bleed the fuel rather than let it lean out. Can’t do TOO much harm though.

[@dustintunis9347]

@@edlingja1 - It's not a problem @ idle, under load if it leans out too badly you could actually melt pistons.

[@user-gdxt-7399]

I am sorry, but shutting the fuel off and letting it run unit it leans out only burns out very little fuel. No more than say 20%. The rest stays in the bowl. You really need to drain the bowl.

[@flamingtailpipe]

Correct. The fuel flows from the bottom of the bowl so it would run out. But with that additive it may not be necessary. Besides these carbs a super easy to get off s clean if needed

[@dannysutherland3690]

You are refreshing Mr. Car Wizard. I have seen your work and the work you approve from your videos and I must say you are fair and decent. If I lived near you, you would definitely be my mechanic. Honesty is rare and you have it. Good things will always come your way. May God Bless you.

[@CensorshipGenesis]

I did drive my VW's more frequently. But all of them, from several different years and models, had one thing in common. They all started on the first touch of the key. To this day I can't admit a car on my hands that's not like that. First start it as to run. ;-)

[@FACEBOOKS-WBDS]

I am glad you brought up that problem, I am working on a system to retro fit on to carbs to make the "vent's" closed until vehicle is turned on. making the fuel system a closed loop like in newer cars until time for operation and then it would vent through a soliniod

[@chrislowe5886]

I absolutely love seeing more of these classics coming in your shop, like you I love them original, I hate when they start modifying them, it ruins the car, I have a 1989 firebird that I restored and brought it back to all original right down to the original cassette stereo

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Hi. I ask around to see if someone would be interested in a lil Project of mine. Some people try to be the 180 Degree Opposite of Cancel-Culture and try to help KZbin become less... well, lets say 'Messy' to use nice words only... Interested to hear a bit more?

[@archygrey9093]

Personally i prefer modified cars, original ones are pretty boring. But i still think that mint condition ones should still be kept that way, i would only modify or change a classic car if it was already in un-original or sub par condition.

[@mountainmandale1587]

A gallon of gas and he rides a good while. Plus, everyone loves them. Well, mostly everyone. Cool old sled.

[@patrickclancy150]

Beetles of that era started very easily due to the low compression engine. I owned a 63 with the 1200 cc motor. The starter failed (I thought) and being poor as a churchmouse, I couldn't afford to replace it. For some weeks I got away with parking it on a slope or enlisting a couple of people to give me a push start. But then I discovered I could start it with a ratchet wrench. Emergency brake on, transmission in neutral, turn on the ignition, pump the gas once to set the choke, and then attach a spark plug socket to the generator pulley nut. One firm pull with the ratchet and the car would start. The rotation of the engine was in the direction of the ratcheting action, so even if I couldn't get the socket off quickly, there was no risk of breaking a wrist. I could "goose" the socket off the nut. I was very proud of myself. Of course when I learned nearly a year later that the starter was in good working order and all that was needed was a $2 replacement battery ground strap, I felt pretty dim.

[@justliberty4072]

For "bad modern gas", you might want to blame government regulations limiting vapor pressure as much as you blame oil companies seeking extra profit. I haven't been in a bug since my '64 which I got rid of as a complete rust bucket in '78. Seeing the little things like the ribs on the running boards, the knob for the ash tray, and just the curves, really brought back some tactile memories.

[@hadtopicausername]

Glad to see that after-market fuel filter outside of the engine compartment. The fewer chances of a fuel leak developing in there, the better.

[@Piracanto]

I missed that, where did you see it? In that model the fuel filter was probably near the transmission under the car, not in the engine compartment.

[@hadtopicausername]

I just spotted it briefly near the transaxle, not far from where the copper pipe leaves the frame. From the factory, the Beetle only had a fuel filter built into the fuel pump. Honestly, I've driven thousands of km in my own Beetle with just that stock filter in the fuel pump, with no issues whatsoever. But if you are going to mount an after-market filter, keep it out of the engine compartment.

[@bobsgunk1871]

The fuel filter should be between the tank and the pump.

[@toolzshed]

Wow that's the cleanest and rust-free Beetle I've seen 😲

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

Thanks for calling them door panels 👍😄

[@brucebelitz3451]

Love the bug, had many friends in high school with them! Great memories! Thanks Wizard!

[@tytrammell23]

I'd like to see how happy the customer is about this. I'll bet they're super excited.

[@uzivatel56]

They'll be pumped.

[@MichaelHampton-Whitney]

I love the fuel pump update on this! Great idea!

[@caduceus33]

Wizard, that is a great idea and a clean installation of the fuel pump relay and the shut-off switch!

[@domteewhy52]

This walk down made me want a beetle. Good stuff. The owner should now enjoy a reliable beetle . I’m always intrigued the little tricks and quirks people are dealing with on old carbureted vehicles. The analysis you have says it all. Great video

[@SterlingWheel]

Good to see a classic Beetle on the channel. I love my 67 and have it modified in a way that I like. I run Stabil too. You did the electric fuel pump perfectly

[@ericfleetwood6744]

The impact switch shows real concern for the owner. Not sure about the 30 GPH fuel pump, though. If the gas mileage falls as speed increases to say 20 MPG, the engine will start to starve as he approaches 600 MPH.

[@Paul-jp5xf]

This style of “hot rod look” is called Cal Look from the way the Cali guys used to set them up back in the day.

[@bradcollins9647]

Cal Look means (besides many other things) that you remove the quarter windows and replace them with a one-piece-window. That's why my '57 oval never went to this, I loved the quarters too much. But then you should decide (which isn't done here): chrome at the windows or not - a Cal Looker is off chrome there, normally. This mixture with chrome at the doors and no chrome at the other windows leaves the car unfinished.

[@philtowle4683]

I always thought true cal look had white window rubbers

[@bikeman1x11]

all the JC whitney bug accessories from the 80's catalogs!

[@Paul-jp5xf]

@@bradcollins9647 right…. We could go down the list of the 18+ items, I was generalizing. I think the BRM (99.9% aftermarket) and the raked angle speak to the essence of the Cal-look… glad to know I’m not the only one in the know 👍🏻

[@noshot8494]

@@bradcollins9647 Yea, my grandfather turned his 60 rag into a one piece. Man I wish he was still alive so I can kick him in the ass for that one. I prefer the quarters too but kept the one piece while rebuilding it just for the old man.

[@richardparnell8402]

That fuel stabilizer works great, I used it on my motorcycle. I ran it through the carb and put the battery on a shelf, come spring I pumped the gas a few time to prime the carb and the bike started right up. The bike didn't even need a jump.

[@dholga1970]

Man, Car Wizard offers a master class in car maintenance!

[@Nightfall4.3]

Love your vids car wizard, always entertaining and informative in a great way. Something about you and Mrs Wizard is just so wholesome and comforting to watch, you both are awesome and I love the way these videos come out. Keep on rocking!

[@Amerikanskis]

Im glad that stayed original. I knew it was something you could solve wizzy. hope you and crazy D and Mrs wizzy n fam are doing well.

[@josephmayotte8879]

1966 was the last year in the U.S. for the six volt electrical system in Volkswagens. That's a later twelve volt radio.

[@vin9114]

Yes, its been converted to 12volt. The generator he pointed to is actually an alternator. (12volt)

[@telecomgear]

My dad had a 64 Beetle and I can still remember the smell of the interior.

[@chuckcts-v3460]

One solution to starting issues on old beetles is: the push rod for the mechanical fuel pump gets varnish on it and when it is hot the rod gets stuck. Clean the varnish off the rod and it should work as designed.

[@getthebrewsin6258]

Also the plastic/Bakelite housing that the rod runs in can expand and pinch the rod. This can be helped by sanding down the exterior.

[@uliwehner]

this problem has been permanently remedied.

[@looncraz]

That helps only so much - after sitting long enough that the bowl and lines have evaporated to dryness and you will need to crank the engine for quite a while before fuel gets in the bowl and you will often have a false start or two. I helped fully restore a one-owner 1974 Super Beetle and we went with an electric fuel pump and a tach-based relay for pre-purge and crash cutoff (so the pump wouldn't just keep running with the ignition key on)... it will run for 3 seconds or while there's a tach signal. Also has an electric ignition and rev limiter and dynamic advance. Car starts just like the one in this video. Uses dual carbs, though, which I think was a mistake... I would have preferred fuel injection (the car also has A/C and practically all modern amenities... it's pretty insane).

[@eddiea3782]

That is a beautiful Beetle. I'm glad the car was kept with a gas engine. It sounds great. Electric cars are not all that. I don't like them myself. I have a '93 Buick Century that sits all winter in storage. I too have problems with my engine. I am gonna start using Stabil too.

[@lesterparker1594]

I’m thinking if we give it maybe 15 year’s EV will really be a viable option. However, it’ll never replace the feel and smell and sound of a good ol Combustion engine

[@robbiemer8178]

Grew up in a Beetle. In my family, we always called that storage area behind the back seat "the way back". And while I was still kid sized, it was the spot I'd pick for long trips. (There were four of us kids) I could just sit back in the way back and have all the room I "needed" for my junk and not have the younger kids taking up any of my space. :D This was nice to watch, thanks for showing us around this cool survivor!

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Lovely Beetle that's been tastefully updated. I have a '68 Euro-spec Bug with the 1300cc engine that I've kept pretty much 100% stock. Amazing how many people smile and wave when I drive by. Non-ethanol gas and Sta-Bil work really well for Beetles...I get my fuel at a gas station near a marina that's a few miles away that offers ethanol-free 91 octane.

[@mrpoohbearlvr]

Lil Wizard just looks right in the Beetle.....just like in Wurtle😁😁

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

That fuel pump is class. Well done wizard.

[@samwhitnell1370]

I assumed when he first talked about it taking a long time to prime the carb, that he would keep the original pump and just add an electric fuel pump with a vacuum switch to cut it out once the engine had started. But I guess the little motor wouldn't need much of an electric pump to feed it 100% of the time.

[@johnstine1987]

I love your videos and how everything you do is the correct way and safe way. My uncle was an example of no inertia switch on an electric fuel pump he passed away in a fuel fed fiery crash it was on a toggle switch and relay only he lost control and rolled over I will never forget that day it was a 70 dodge swinger with a 340

[@angelbankslopez577]

Car wizard thank you for not letting him Ev that Volkswagen. It's in beautiful condition..

[@yudodat1630]

I hope you replaced the fuel filter too. Since you had concerted to an electric fuel pump, I certainly hope you had relocated the fuel filter from where it used to be w the mechanical fuel pump. That old location was known to cause engine fires, since it was located right above the ignition distributor. Btw those door panels are not stock. That bug has obviously been restored w them front disc brake conversion and the vintage speed stainless steel exhaust. And that intake didn't tell me that the engine is still the original 1300. Most likely an updated 1600 single port.

[@maxxmich]

I see Mike in the background working hard

[@djmech3871]

The Wizard is busy fucking around with his Boat instead of helping in the Shop.

[@charlesbranch4120]

I added a copy of the John Muir Publications manual for the air-cooled VWs to my reference collection when we helped clean out a hangar that had been sold by the owner's widow, and their kids had divided his collection of VWs, and left all the service manuals. Good to see the speedo cable remaining connected to the front wheel. That was a great indicator of the drum brakes locking up in the winter, as happened when I pumped the brakes coming down Lost Trail Pass one afternoon. When the speedometer suddenly drops to zero, heading downhill, "Hey, I'm just along for the ride!" and wait for the wheels to start turning...

[@mike9rr]

I bought a used '63 Sun Roof in 1968 and had it for three years. Every day driver. Work, school (100 mile round trips). Although many, many things went wrong it never left me stranded. At family gatherings I tell all these stories...I could go on for hours. It will introduce you to adventure for sure.

[@armandopatane5343]

Beautiful work of OLD ART

[@Ford_Guys_Videos]

Car wizard you look so great in the 1960 beetle, it fits you like a glove. You look so amazing in the Volkswagen Beetle, Car wizard your videos are amazing and very inspiring.

[@davidcabessa5489]

This is such a big help I have a 78 Volkswagen Type 2 camper and it sits a lot, will definitely use this method to keep fuel fresh from now on thank you so much car wizard.

[@kmlammto]

Back in the early 70’s (I think) my brother bought a ‘63 VW bug. He ran it for about 1.5 years before he started having firing problems. He brought it back from VA where he was stationed in the USAF. My father tore down the engine to find the problem…a cotter pin was in one of the cylinders. It was too big to have come through the fuel system so it was there from the factory. The car had been purchased, originally, in Germany, driven down through Europe then ferried over to Africa where it was driven to South Africa, shipped to Argentina and driven across South America before being shipped to Mexico (again, I think it was Mexico, not sure) before being driven into the US and finally sold to my brother. It had over 100,000 miles on it when he bought it. There was documentation showing the car’s travels that my brother saw, but he let the owner keep. Over 100,000 miles before the engine started to miss. This is why people loved the old Beetle.

[@vw5056]

Wow, talk about a globetrotter. Wonder what happened to it.

[@elliotcutliff7779]

Love the beetle, very tasteful mods. I am though interested in that Esprit on the lift.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

I owned a completely stock 1966 VW 1300 Beetle that was 100% original, imported from West Germany with the European headlights, kilometer speedometer and still 6 volts!

[@drivewaygarage1561]

My brother and I went to visit our family in Connecticut when I was about 12 and our ride home fizzled out so my Aunt loaded up her 4 kids and my brother in ger VW bug and I and we took a road trip from Connecticut to Nebraska. Best road trip ever.

[@Bugricua]

Awesome Bug, love it. The 1300cc sounds flawless. VWs are my jam. I have a 1973 full custom, four wheel disc brakes, wider rear fenders, lower all around, Rancho Pro street trans, dual Webered 1835cc engine, 18" wheels all around.

[@chuckyducky237]

I’d love to see a video on that E21!

[@Oblithian]

My great grandfather had a forrest green beetle, that my grandfather sold when his father passed away. I feel I need to find it and buy it back, it was all original and in great shape. (I was a big Herbie fan at the time).

[@danielsmith9500]

Love the Lil beetle!!! I’ve always wanted a yellow one. When I was 13 years old there was a yellow one with dark tinted windows and a massive stereo system in it that pulled into the state park we was at. Every since then I’ve wanted one

[@seanoreilly6551]

Brings back memories of my grandfather cracking the window before shutting the door. He also kept his super clean. No such thing as eating on the go... He once had a horse drawn steam driven thrasher. I remember how dainty the steering wheel looked in his humongous hands.

[@XvS6-Lemaza]

I remember peeing myself in one when I was 5.

[@martinmicheal4595]

Been there 🤙🏽

[@joshuagibson2520]

I hope it wasn't cold out.

[@Flies2FLL]

Well, that's probably better than emptying the other side of you out...

[@joshuagibson2520]

@@Flies2FLL oh, some of us had that happen as well at one point or another. Lol.

[@martinharris5017]

11:31 You never mentioned that those adjusters aren't stock. They are an aftermarket item and do affect the car's handling and bump-steer. Ideally, drop-spindles are a better option if you want a lower front than stock on a daily driver bug.

[@d.r.j9051]

Yep. And there's no front sway bar either. EMPI makes 2 inch shorter sway bars now.

[@Bondovw]

If he puts drop spindles on it his tires will rub the fenders. Then he will have to install a narrow beam.

[@martinharris5017]

@@Bondovw You get the same tire-rub issues with adjusters but with added bump-steer. Adjusters are fine and I know plenty of V-dubbers who use them, usually with 135 or 145 tires. I was just pointing out that they have their disadvantages compared to drop-spindles on a stock beam. As someone else pointed out, there's no sway bar in sight either, which is a major oversight on a street car.

[@Bondovw]

Adjusters are fine when used with a drop spindle depending on the location of how they are installed. Adjustable beams are good for about 2 1/2 drop. Vw bugs front ends are pretty stiff. When they are dropped they don't need a sway bar.

[@martinharris5017]

​@@Bondovw They added the front anti-roll bar to the beetle to increase understeer. This was to increase the handling safety of a car that frankly has oversteer "issues" with it's rear weight bias and/or swing axles. It's why it's generally a bad idea to remove the front bar or to add a rear bar that is stiffer than the front. A dropped front is no stiffer on a Beetle than stock; it just sits at a different angle :) I can see this debate could go on ad-infinitum Tim so I'll leave my opinion/input at that.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Yep, engine behind the rear wheels worked great when the engine is so light that you can pick it up and put it on the workbench all by yourself, or, if it's in a bus. BUT in a sports car with high BP and a big water cooled flat six hanging out there? Nope. Then you drive yourself backwards into a tree. Love the bug though. Had a '74. Great little commuter car. Got me back and forth to college dirt cheap... what was that commercial they had? Oh yeah: 'TWO PENNIES A MILE, TWO PENNIES A MILE!' I don't even think it cost me that much, since I got mine used for $300.

[@jayo7799]

I run my equipment almost or completely dry and fill with VP or something similar with no ethenol and run it, store as usual. No more problems. Alittle expensive but it's worth it

[@SeshanTM]

The shining nostalgia intensifies

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

The engine would run better with the right distributor.

[@Scott_6666]

Not really. Most owners swapped out the stock vacuum advance distributor for a centrifugal mechanical advance distributor. That was probably the single best modification you could make to the 1200cc & 1300cc engines for improved performance and drivability.

[@L8nitedave]

Seems like literally everyone put the 019 in with a blue coil. Go figure. I mean on my 1st ten or so Beatles I did.

[@MichaelThomas-be7gq]

Wow... that is one very sweet classic. Great job on the fuel system, I learned a lot. I have nearly three times the displacement, double the carbs, and my car is three years younger. Leaving it standing is a major issue, it's due to go into the shop as I'm going to electronic timing for the eight cylinders. Definitely looking to get an electric fuel pump as well now, same reasons, it runs off a cam as the engine turns over. I have a hell of a battery to make it run and run before it fires up.

[@racekorthings7165]

Omg the noise it made when wizard opens the hood!! My dad has a 69’ convertible beetle with a built up dual carb 1.8 and a crazy exhaust set up, sounds like a wrx at low rpms haha. Awesome car for the channel!

[@zeketaney5567]

1967 was the last year the Beetle had the fuel filler inside the trunk. Also, as someone who owned a '66 Beetle I can tell you that interior is not original. The ride height adjusters are not stock, either.

[@bikeman1x11]

my thoughts too but it def looks and works as a driver and a survivor -

[@Thuddster]

Agreed, lots of non-stock parts in this bug. I had a '67, did a ton of mods to it back in the mid-70's. So. The Wizard completely failed to mention that this '66 has been completely converted from the stock 6 volt electrical system, to the 12 volt system that were introduced in 1967. The disc brakes on the front end are from a 1500cc model, also not stock for a '66. The interior, while well-done, has been almost completely replaced with a later-model interior. Also, no frikin' way that is the stock headliner, either, and the elastic in the door pouches absolutely would not be still taut and stretchy after all these years. Maaaaybe the sun visors are original...but even then, may have been replaced. I could go on and on, but while this is an excellent, rust-free (!) example of a late-60's Bug, stock it most definitely ain't, and a lot of it is not OEM.

[@bikeman1x11]

@@Thuddster is the owner using it as a bone stock example for car shows? Or is it a fun cruiser and weekend car? It is an excellent example of a classic that is meant to be driven Im not impressed by museu examples

[@Thuddster]

@@bikeman1x11 Consider the title of this video from TCW, specifically the 'when mods don't make sense' part. When fitting later-model parts to an earlier model car as 'modding', One would think it's pretty important to mention the 'mods that *do* make sense, too! While the video was a very enjoyable trip down memory lane, it blew right past quite a few mods that were made to this '66, that do make sense. For example, the disc brake mod. Hell yes, fitting the front discs to an earlier model bug is a very sensible mod indeed. Another example: the 6v to 12v conversion. Not only did the 6V systems truly suck (if you have spent any time at all with European cars with 6v systems, you will already know...), fitting the 12V system from a later model makes everything better, and the car much safer. 6V headlights are terrible, dim candles compared to a 12V headlight system. The 6V systems also had and have awful compatibility with almost any aftermarket electrics, from radios to boost-blowers to augment the stock, weak-a** minimalist 'heel-burner' heating/defrost system, to electric fuel pumps...btw I heartily endorse the fuel pump upgrade down by TCW here was/is an excellent upgrade to the vintage Beetles like these. As another poster here pointed out, the adjustable front torsion-bars were definitely not a stock item, but again make sense to retro-fit, if for no other reason than to increase ride-height and wheel-clearance for winter-season snow tires (pro-tip: back-in-the-day, a Bug like this one fitted with a full set of Vredestein Snow tires was mind-blowingly good at getting around in the worst of winter conditions, I know from personal experience). In no way was I criticizing the mods done by TCW, just pointing out that he missed or was unclear about some VERY worthwhile mods that had already been done to this Beetle. Cheers!

[@rafaeltorovip]

Awesome car. I wish I could have one just like that one 👍

[@blkpopeye]

The first driving lesson that I experienced as a kid was with a vow beetle.1972.

[@carlseiler6441]

Funny he starts off with the wheels and the first thing I was thinking was “wow, ugly wheels.” 🤣 clearly have different tastes.