How to build a VW Bug on a budget

[@mranimal2543]

That's what I did. I bought a 62 that was sitting in the garage since 98. Custom paint CAL look car. When I bought it I was handed $15.000 in receipts. Wish I could post pictures of it on here.

[@gazzafloss]

That's a lovely VW resto Mike, it looks really great and I like originality, what you say is right, you can spend a fortune getting the job done by someone else, much more rewarding to do it yourself.

[@JosephDR]

Yup. I did my car myself and easily spent 20k. Took 4 years.

[@kevscottie]

Great tips. I just picked up a really cheap bug that i hope to fix up on a budget this year. Thanks for the videos, they help a lot!

[@Mikefngarage]

right keep it cheap leave some money for that interior at then end. Dont buy an empi headliner though. their door panels are ok. but the headliners suck.

[@Helpsmallbusinesses]

Thank you for the video! It was really informative.

[@NELLFSU28]

Awesome video Mike I'm restoring a 73 vw bug. I'm new to Vw and you have gave the best advice From this video thanks from on Vw man to another

[@Mikefngarage]

work with what you have got. DIY and live with what you did if it is in your budget.

[@splintertherat5383]

you dont really need the trans buildup unless you are going for over 200 hp. the old vw trans are built tough.

[@ivorwm2291]

Your video is very sobering and realistic. I intend to do my Karmann Ghia as close to stock as possible. I have an 88 mustang gt convertible that i can drive if I want to drive fast. Your video makes a lot of sense. Thanks

[@andrewhutchinson5490]

This is so true I have a year in on my Squareback and it is because cash and most of all good planning.

[@Mikefngarage]

sounds like you will be driving it soon.

[@brianandrews7099]

The man speaks the truth! You can easily spend $18000-$30000 getting the car together, then you have a car that you can’t sell for $19,000 (people will actually look at you because they think your trying to rip them off when they ask how much your asking). If your not committed to seeing the car through to completion. If you not planning to keep the car for the long haul, or you can’t afford to sell it for a loss, forget it and just buy a car that someone has already restored. It will save you alot of time, money, and frustration in the end!

[@richardmarkham8369]

Great Video! I am so sick of youtube videos showing peoples stunning cars without ever letting on what it cost them or more likely, their sponsers. Especially tuned up cars! (Typically: "Look at my 8 second lambo, it only cost me £200k and now its worth £75k" LOL!)

[@Baker5695]

I’ve got around 5000 in my car right now and I don’t even have a motor my project is going to be a drag car so I’m definitely expecting this to take years and a whole bunch more money the only thing that’s complete is suspension lol thanks for the video

[@Mikefngarage]

it adds up quickly and sometimes it is hard to believe you spent that much money.

[@aaronhudanich9563]

It’s alarming how many people think paint cost 750 bucks 🤣and they want a color change Your engine part was killing us my wife has a 1641 with baby dels it’s great I’m the 1500 30/31 pict or a 1600 duel port I just need to Cruz 60 and drive it daily Built mine my self and I’m in it 13-14k zero labor Won’t even touch a bug paint wise for 3500 Base clear near zero over spray for a hobby guy Wish I could post my budget build we are doing now seeing how nice we can go on an crazy cheap budget

[@brandonsmisek]

Mike, you have some valid points. Thanks for the vid.

[@Mikefngarage]

hope it helps get you to the end of your project.

[@paulhaggard8237]

Found an interior kit on craigs list, door panels, headliner, seat covers for $200, sewfine maker...

[@christinewoodruff255]

This is why I only buy running, driving cars that only need small things, costs me a little more but I don't wind up in a stressful, financial mess that I have to bail out of.

[@kyungi1]

Great vid not to mention great facts.. I got a 58 vert over the summer. The car was in pretty good condition except for the drivers side heater channel and both support rails. That alone is about 2k including parts and labor since I have no welding skills. I am lucky because the brakes shocks and front end all in great condition and the interior is still fresh. Where the expense is going to kick in is Engine being redone or new motor Like Mike says ur looking at an easy 1k rebuild maybe half if you diy. I want disk brakes up front another $ hit. I got a hookup on paint and body $1000 including materials. Just spent $1400 on 1973 15x6 Fuchs but that was a must for me :) . So I'm already at around 14 -16k including purchase of the car but when I'm done the value should be around 23-25k depending. Man it adds up fast especially when you can't diy on the big jobs.

[@DomWeselnyBrzozieLub]

I did most of my bug myself, except spraying and upholstery, and have paid about $9000 for car, parts and material. Now I have nice and clean '66. However i stopped counting hours @ 1000.😀

[@Sam_mila]

No $$$$ but still getting it done, I will finish;)

[@sigmanfloyd7179]

Thanks Mike, a man with COMMON SENSE! Like the 'All You Can Eat' joint, sometimes our eyes are bigger than our mouths or in this case, our wallet! ☺ Just get it working and looking half decent so you can drive it cause you can always add things later, right?

[@Mikefngarage]

exactly. figure out what you want to spend and work in that budget. if that budget includes paint then paint it if not and you want it painted DIY. Build a small running motor and save up for the big one. you can always do something later. Just dont tear it all apart thinking it is going to be a dime store budget then you will be the guy with the stack of steaks.

[@nonelost1]

Great video and great bug! But regarding painting cars in a residential neighborhood, I don't think so. A few years ago, a friend of mine had a neighbor that painted cars in a residential neighborhood. It stank up the whole neighborhood with a foul paint smell so bad that I called the city to complain about it. It never happened again after that. By the way, check out uploader "Hannah's bug" on KZbin. A middle school girl is single-handedly doing a frame off restoration on a 1962 bug that was pretty much in the same condition as your bug was when she got it. She has a video using an electrolyte process to remove rust. In another video she uses a sandblasting process to remove rust from the rear deck lid. Side projects include a video of herself building a gantry crane, and then using it to single-handedly lift the bug body off the frame. In another video, she acquires four air compressors, and then builds a circuit system that allows them to all run in tandem. She wants to get the car restored by the time she turns 16. I expect that she will resume her videos in the spring as she is from Connecticut.

[@Mikefngarage]

sounds like a nice process on her bug. I used to paint in a residential neighborhood when I was 16. yea it stinks but it is only one time. Just need to talk around the day your going to do it and use low pressure. control over spray. Guys do it all the time. IN CA it is really frowned upon. but still talked to several guys at the shows who pulled it off. Or rent a booth take it to a friends house out of the area who wants to help. Lots of DIY options. you could do all the prep and primer at home then do the final job somewhere else.

[@lorenavalenzuela3572]

Marshall Curtis if you paint cars for other people you will get in trouble with neighbors and then with the city but if you do your own one time paint in your own car low the air pressure try it when neighbors are at work like during the weekdays the you probably be okay. But if you have a neighbor who you know he will complain just don’t do it.

[@Bugmason]

Where did you get the windshield wiper tank? Also those plugs from the wholes in the trunk?

[@jeffwoods5336]

My 64 was $6500. Rebuilt 1776 $2900. I bet i will have 16 to 18 in mine. Not pulling the body and i restore cars for a living. Honest to god i charge 10 to 15 grand for paint. Cars at my work go up pass 6 figures. Hope to have mine done in 5 months and wish i pulled the body but i got to draw the line. Drum brakes on my 64 but only a 1776. I want to go to a highway flyer. Old bugs are still cheap compared to muscle cars thats why i got one. You got one nice VW.

[@Mikefngarage]

Yea I get it. good you stayed real on it. Some guys spend too much on the small stuff up front and bite off more then they can chew. Yea people just dont know how much work it is to paint. I was at wolfsburg west and a guy was complaining how guys were ripping him off on paint at 10 grand. And I laid into him. Of course he was hiring an illegal alien because he was too cheap to pay that money. But I got a piece of him the cheap ass. Thanks for watching bud.

[@jeffwoods5336]

@@Mikefngarage no problem your car got my attention . doing my 64 i would not do the body and paint for 12 grand. I bet i got 200 plus hours in it so far and i hope to get paint on it in 10 weeks. Then the fun part. New tank wiring int and etc the fun part. I hope to have it on road this summer. Work on it every day its tuff.

[@reddmann2216]

But you can build a race car with only a cage ,hard fuel lines ,and well tuned stock motor and transmission axle ect. Plus seat belts ,and have fun....just stay in class....

[@EricStacy]

Nice 1961 DeLuxe!

[@trevorcrump9635]

good info....thanks

[@ToriTwinWasp]

Keep up the vids Mike! Good stuff!

[@Mikefngarage]

thanks for watching I plan on making at least 1000 videos on vws in the next year. I have 1 more bug and one more bus on deck. plus I will be working on putting the rabbit back together.

[@MRevilsnowman23]

Hi Mike, I'm looking into buying a project car. I was thinking about either a bug or a bmw e36. I'd prefer the bug since it's more lightweight and that means i can put a weaker engine in and have as much or even more fun with it. Bugs go for 2-5 000 dollars where I'm from. I'd probably buy 1 that is in not so perfect condition just because I know I will end up stripping most things off it. I would also like to put an engine that makes 100-150 Hp int it just to make it a fun sleeper-ish car. Considering I would buy a car that's about 3000 and do most of the stuff alone do you think it's manegable for me to build a bug for 7000 dollars with an engine swap? I'm also located in Europe so sourcing parts is not that hard. Regards, Vito.

[@splintertherat5383]

Do it. itll be done easy. go with a subaru ej20 swap.

[@ramvanbobby3889]

Good info

[@flavorfave2601]

Hi Mike, really like your advise on the budgets for a project, do you specifically build VWs only?

[@Mikefngarage]

I have built lots of cars. I do have a nova ss convertable in the garage to restore again.

[@Hoodhistorian562]

Thanks!

[@JunkGaragehome]

this is how i got my current car. guy tore it down in 84 painted it just let it sit in pieces.

[@Mikefngarage]

yup I hear these stories at least 3 times at EVERY show.

[@carolgrant3556]

JunkGarage I

[@deandye3255]

will i don't live in CA and don't live in a housing area that's has rules they can kiss my you know what i am doing all the work including painting and i don't give a damn if my neighbors know or not However I'm respectful and stop grinding and sanding in the evening I know they don't have a problem because they have me help them all the time and they cant weight to see it on the road

[@DanTheManIOM]

Is this Zenith blue ? what a nice bug...

[@Mikefngarage]

61 6 month only pastel blue.

[@cadincaldwell2637]

Ayyy chief disk brake don't cost $1000 I did mine for like 5-600$ for all 4 corners

[@Mikefngarage]

good deal and did that include the e brake and dual reservoir master? early wide 5 and all hard and soft lines? I am finding 700 for all 4 plus master and hoses and hard lines plus tax or shipping

[@cadincaldwell2637]

@@Mikefngarage Yeah my beetle's lines and one reservoir tank were in good shape so all I had to do was add disk, calipers, and soft lines PLUS new wheel bearings for all four corners. I even had room to add a hyrdo handbrake because I'm turning it into a drift beetle.

[@Mikefngarage]

@@cadincaldwell2637 You didnt put on the dual reservoir master? (gotta have that to do it right) I am looking at around 200 dual reservoir master with dual tanks at least for a good one.. and that included the rear handbrake kit. those are usually close to 400 plus tax for the rear.... you gotta have an e brake some guys dont go there and it is a must for everyone.

[@Mikefngarage]

@@cadincaldwell2637 the prices I say are for wide 5 as well I am thinking you have a late model with 4 lug and those are cheaper.

[@alecmartins1583]

Good video but I'm not so sure if a paint job, whether it's an amazing or horrible paint job would cost 10 G. You can get all the rubbers for the exterior of the car online right now for real cheap

[@Mikefngarage]

Hey That is just what people are telling me that have estimates from Legit shops. Not Julio in a backyard somewhere. And those cheap rubbers add up I added up the total cost of all the rubber and some of the parts and lost count at over 3 grand. The cheap rubbers are also junk FYI. Pure trash you dont want on your car.

[@dogbounty6399]

all I I care about is mechanical ....so all is well . don't care the body or how it looks. Oh yeah....brakes don't care too much either. Daily driver is the goal... only the talented will survive?

[@Mikefngarage]

talent doesnt make the quality of the parts that are available good for daily driver. They just dont last like they used to.

[@danielbates3339]

Dude idk where ur gettin ur numbers but ur way off. I got a disk brake kit from jbugs complete kit for 329.00 so 1000.00 is way over priced. Actually i spent 1600.00 and got all new suspension, brakes,all seals,gear shift,alternator conversion kit,emblems,speaker boards,turn signals,engine chrome kit,and more so u might be getting robed on ur prices, just saying

[@Mikefngarage]

329 plus tax. and that was for front and rear. at 1000. plus brake hoses and master kit. Man when you get through the entire project you will be in my numbers. I have built a few. and the cheapest parts are not usually the ones I use. They have problems.

[@Mikefngarage]

wait till you get your nut and bolt bill. You need to count those too. I use stainless just a few cents more than the regular ones.

[@gregorytimmons4777]

@@Mikefngarage Yeah, me too. Restoring a 1976 Moto Guzzi motorcycle and I bet I have well over $300 in S.S. fasteners and I'm sure there will be more bought as things go back together.

[@familyurias1938]

Horrible way to get a point across lol almost felt like selling my bug at 1 point in your vid 8/

[@Mikefngarage]

just trying to stop people from making the mistakes in the beginning. Most people make the critical mistakes in the tear down and pan. eyes are bigger than their wallet. And to be realistic when getting paint work done. DIY is the best way to save on your budget. that is my main point but details are important as to WHY.