I've Owned 10 VW Beetles: Here's What You Need To Know Before You Buy One!

[@travisp11]

If you are considering a VW Beetle, get a copy of How to keep your Volkswagen Alive. It is a classic that still holds it weight today. It was also one of the earliest car books I remember reading that sparked my curiosity about the Beetle.

[@toddadams8420]

havent owned a beetle in 30years and i still love that book

[@mperez5920]

Yup got one, old, worn out and beat but I got one.

[@Emens_Travels]

Yes! I found one online, bought it and love all the little notes that the original owner made throughout it on some of the pages. Great book!

[@travisp11]

@@Emens_Travels Right on! I know that KZbin videos basically offer the same advice but I still like the book better.

[@colescarkingdom]

Working on a Beetle opened me up to the world of cars. Small jobs turned into big jobs. Before you know it, you're doing everything yourself and it's extremely rewarding!

[@gsxr419]

Did you say rewarding or overwhelming?

[@levifurney8661]

Try a small block Chevy that rewarding noth this junk

[@Patrick-Mckinney]

all cars are junk pieces of metal and no ones interests are special @@levifurney8661

[@Bbbuddy]

I had a 1972 Beetle in the early 1980s. During the very cold (20 below zero) winter of 1982 or 83, mine was one of the few cars in the railroad station parking lot that would start at the end of the workday. The battery under the rear seat was protected from the weather, and there was no coolant to freeze.

[@nunyabidniz2868]

I'm old enough to remember the old VW tv ad w/ the tagline: "VW Beetle: how the snowmobile driver _GETS_ to the snowmobile..." 🤣

[@davidkoehler136]

had a 69, live in WI , you just have to dress warm and keep an Ice scrapper inside

[@anusername8350]

@@nunyabidniz2868 that’s genius lol

[@3EP0]

@@nunyabidniz2868 I read it with the voice of a vintage radio narrator.

[@campervanbug7658]

Just drain the 2 1/2 quarts of oil and bring it indoors when its cold out

[@IntoTheWelderness]

I love that he made this big point of the car having a bunch of “wrong” parts when he finally got it, and then showed off all the “wrong” parts that he installed because he wanted them. Lol.

[@dragon2knight]

Right?? There are too many of these losers who have more money than sense. Pity, could have been a great restoration, this is as far form it as it gets.

[@fishes74]

Never been a fan of removing the trim and emblems on a classic VW.

[@doginu]

He didn't want to buy them....I can't find them

[@eliotvancil]

Not a fan either.. A lot of them were done this way in the 80’s and 90’s.

[@AnakNi_Mina]

Dechromed is the California Look signature trait.

[@fullmetalfreedom]

Agreed

[@Procooktip]

Agreed. I miss my classic window trim. It still looks cool without it.

[@Desertfox92308]

I think this is called the California Look, lowered, different wheels, brakes. Not much original '56 left in this one. But it was well executed.

[@Emens_Travels]

Right?! Yet the dude was hellbent on having all original “parts” don’t get me wrong, I Love the build.

[@friendlypiranha774]

I think the VIN plate might still be '56😂😂😂

[@cattnipp]

I've got no love for that thing.

[@ready4sea301]

We would have called it a Cal Bug (HBHS ‘80)

[@Paulinthewyld]

Dude, he owed you a ride in that thing. A built motor like that deserves to be heard and felt!

[@all-flat-engines]

Love the beetle. Wrenching on these little guys is the perfect gateway drug to tackling more ambitious projects your own (i.e. Engine builds or complete restorations )

[@jcsrst]

My first car was a 72 Super Beetle and it taught me so much! This restoration is stunning, so well done! I so wanted to hear it...

[@Mikefngarage]

THIS IS MY EXPERTIESE......I have had hundreds of vws. and I have a VW channel. Thanks for posting this

[@BrendenPragasam]

Subbed :)

[@HughJashole69]

@@BrendenPragasam nbc

[@bldontmatter5319]

Hundreds? Dude, you're destroying so much history. Get one and be happy with it.

[@Mikefngarage]

@@bldontmatter5319 over 40 years yea I dont still have them all. they were restored and recirculated.

[@dsshowerpan]

Love your channel Mike, I live in Alta Loma. Listening to this guy, I'm not sure he's a true VW guy but his car is ok.

[@jastoddart]

Brings back good and bad memories I bought my 55 in calif in '71 drove it home to minnesota , was my daily driver for a few yrs . after a while it ended up in the barn. When the farm sold to a housing developer I pulled it out of the barn in about '88 went into the city to get a friends car haulier and turned around and went to pick it up, all in about an hour. Got back to the farm and it was gone. Because of the farm sale I had the funds to do a complete resto. To this day I still look for it, all I can say is I hope I like the color. Ended up sinking the money into a '67 Plymouth Barracuda Coupe, that just paid for the retirement cabin, so in the end, ya. But Damn I still miss that Bug.

[@santosh911]

Interesting! According to this video, if you see a lowered (almost all nowadays) beetle and the back wheels are cambered, it's likely a swing axle car, and if the wheel's vertical it's an independent suspension car. I just learned something new.

[@dalejones4322]

I'm not sure I understand why so much effort was put into getting original parts when this car has so many parts that aren't original. Not to mention the lowered stance. Very cool car though

[@brianchisnell1548]

Stock is rock. This car is so far from original.

[@royeinbar6116]

Indeed.He made an ugly bug from an amazing beetle.

[@aphex14]

The metal quality.. German fender vs. aftermarket, no comparison!

[@teemulax4066]

@@brianchisnell1548 yep..

[@teemulax4066]

@@royeinbar6116 yep for that too

[@kavanghia6908]

I've had 11 VW's over the years. All daily drivers. Working on my first ghia 69. Hope to see you on the road!

[@ericbitzer5247]

Those are beautiful cars. I wouldn't mind having one myself.

[@GeorgeMcNally]

Woulda been nice to hear the engine and maybe a small ride going up and down the gears.......

[@ProwagenPer4mance]

That 56 Oval is sweet!! So glad to see TFL giving classic ACVW's love!

[@royeinbar6116]

In my opinion,the best thing to do with classic cars is to bring them to their original condition,as they were new from the factory.The highest prices are paid for such cars ,so many car lovers have the same opinion.

[@aeomaster32]

Yes. My 1964 Beetle is all original and unmodified other than the outside (same colour) paint refresh. Has 33000 original miles. I have it on my channel

[@bdd1469]

As someone who has repaired, restored, modified, and built thousands of air cooled VW's I agree with everything said except that this is a restoration. This is clearly a resto mod/rod. It's been over two decades since I've touched an air cooled VW, but I could smell this car just by watching this video. They all smell the same if they have any of the original interior. I remember a time in the mid eighties we were fixing or restoring 4 busses at the same time. All 4 were sage green and all 4 were owned by guys named Kevin. The amount of mass confusion in the shop when trying to locate parts or talk to customers on the phone about progress on their buss was on a whole other level. I miss those days. But, I will never miss hanging wheels with lug bolts instead of studs, or grinding magnesium bell housings to fit 12v flywheels. Magnesium burns so hot you can't see it. Magnesium dust combined with a carbide bur and steel bellhousing studs makes for a very dangerous work environment....

[@samt6788]

This is one of the most beautiful beetles I’ve ever seen. Well done job he clearly knows his stuff.

[@kirbycairo]

Tommy called it a restoration. But it’s not. It’s a resto-mod because in is not put back into original condition. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great but I know lots of purists who wouldn’t.

[@aphex14]

Even the pan got switched out! (I.R.S.)

[@malekodesouza7255]

Agree.

[@mperez5920]

Sounds more like he customized a bug.

[@uprebel5150]

Customized

[@uprebel5150]

I drove mine in the winter for years. Plus mine had heat. Year round!!!

[@fredhinck9685]

Lived and breathed VW's from an early age as my dad worked in a dealership from 1956 till he opened his own shop in 65 due to eyesight problems. Dad fixed up a 54 deluxe complete with semaphore signal arms for my brother, shoehorned a type 2 gas heater in the front. Frikn' cold here in Canada. Had an Okrasa crank and dual 28 mm carbs 36 hp model in a 58 sunroof. Really had to be careful with first gear in the old split type trans, tiny gear on the main shaft. Hindsight tells me I should have saved a lot of the ones we discarded along with all the parts we sent to the scrapper. Big thing to watch for is end play at the pulley. Too much and you need an overhaul, the thrust flange on the # 1 main brg is worn into the block.

[@charlesgraham9954]

my father was an old hippie that was obsessed with air-cooled VWs, he had a 59 Ghia, mother bought a new 67 Bug. i have it still today and I'm 54. so of course, this 67 has become a money pit over the years, especially back in the late 80s early 90s when i was young and dumb. i also have a 65 Squareback. people that think old Bugs are unreliable and breakdown a lot don't know how to work on them. thanks for the video bruh

[@jimlee2664]

Simplest way to add traction to any bug is add a piece of plywood under the front bumper. As it will create a ground hugging effect. I did it wish help from friend. Enable the car to go pedal to metal and even pin the speedo!

[@darrellborland119]

Bought a new '72 super...added EMPI exhaust, sway bars, etc., Bug spray carb, etc. Rebuilt it myself. John Muir's publications, "How to keep your VW alive" was the bible at the time. Thanks.

[@josefjuan-qui4164]

that last part when he said he wouldnt do it again,,,, mmmm that got me thinking, come on man, when youre passionate about something it doesnt matter if its tough, it actually makes it more meaningful.. cheers though.

[@mwyatt222]

l drove a 75 type 1 w/ an 1835 fuel injected from Dallas Tx to Argentina and back and from Dallas to Cabo san Lucas and back as well. My friend still has and it daily drives with its 3rd belly pan. Same motor had 450k on it last time l talked to him during covid lockdown.

[@kevinbarry71]

I absolutely hate it when somebody says something like, this car will probably do something in the race. Don't give me probably that's just wishful thinking nonsense

[@stevophillips4121]

My 1st bug was a 1965, in 1980. Was "12 volt" converted yeah right! just had 12 v battery in it. Discovered over time what a rust bucket is was (minor) disguised with tin plates n screws, then undercoated to hide @ foot well, etc.....Later I found by chance a '66 in a VW recycler / junk yard, a theft recovery, for $750, bought it 2 days later and towed it home. Swapped the parts off the 65 into the '66 n sold the 65 for $300. Owned a '55, '56, '65, '66 , Two "67's and last a '68 from the original owner. He was an uncle to buddies wife, I had that 15 years. 2 liter alloys dropped, a built 1776 with wilder cam (sounded like turbo spooling up @ 6000+ rpm's) My fave was a 1969 kombi walk thru deluxe, i bought off a friend for $2500. I also got a 2nd bus the same year/model rolling shell for parts. I'd just gas n drive lowered too on chrome 5 spoke empi's. Sold that 7 years later for $6,000 (burnt up cylinder 3 I think, had light knock) My 1966 was fastest of all, once I got divorced, I had pockets of cash to get it how I wanted it. And having friends and contacts, I got great deals on parts. I had Honda recliners with lowered tracks I made. Wide 5 Fuch's copies by American Eagle wheels (discontinued making years ago) studded wheels. Balanced n blue printed 1641, dual carbs, spinning a race trans with welded straight cut 2nd & 3rd gears.....Wind up the tach to 6 grand, snap the clutch, feel front end lift inches off the ground, and lay solid dual black marks thru 3 gears, with stock 4th gear chirp sound hahaha. Was fun as hell driving that for 8 years, all dialed in for speed. Sucks didnt take pictures of its start to finish (polaroid days, no cell cams) Learned a LOT over the 40 years into the VW scene ! Luckily the only rusty 1 was the first 1965 I traded for. Not many VW's over here in the Philippines lol or parts supplies

[@ScarabChris]

Nice VW. I'm almost 50 years old and my first car when I was in high school (1990-ish) my first car was almost a Bug like this. Lowered and custom. It has the Porsche wheels and super nice interior. The engine needed rebuilding but being in Auto Mech in high school this was not a problem. The only thing that made me go another route was in the Miami, FL area I could not have a car without AC. I know there were options to put AC in these Bugs but the cost of the car, the cost to rebuild the engine and the AC would have blown my budget. So I bought a 1978 Monte Carlo which was close to showroom condition and I turned it into a killer low rider. The MC came with a 305 V8 and freaking ice cold AC.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

Why do beetle engines make such low to engine displacement hp.....Example an air cooled 1203cc Buell engine using old engine technology of 2 valves per cyl & push rods can put out 100hp 90tq with a few mods up from stock 90-ish hp.

[@greathornedowl3644]

Thank you, Tommy and Joe. Love TFLClassics. Sadly I am old enough to remember when "classics" were brand-new cars. Thinking of the original VW Bug, remember how many mods there were. Can not imagine doing that to newer cars (Corolla, Civic, Impreza).

[@Mikefngarage]

You have tall tires on there and 3.88 gears 1100 RPM at over 70 is way too slow. this will run hot......2200 to 2800 is the best RPM...but you can go as high as a max of 3500 on the freeway.

[@shugertits]

Couldn't oil pressure be an issue? Surprised he didn't mention '67.

[@brianchisnell1548]

You drive the fan, not the car. That's why they have shift points. Stock engines and stock gears is what the Germans designed. A stock 40hp can do 72 floored. One of the only cars that the cruising speed and the top speed are the same speed. (Owners manual). They never ran hot until people got got their hands on them.

[@sdc5683]

Ya. 1100 rpm at 88mph doesn't sound right to me.That's not much more than idle rpm.

[@Mikefngarage]

@@sdc5683 I think they misspoke or something. probably 2100 which would still be too low at 88mph. I see it has pretty big tires. and 3.88 gears I have never seen anyone run that low RPM. I dont think it is possible. even with 3.44 gears I dont think those numbers work. 3.44 with short tires and like a fiberglass body works well too.

[@volkstroke]

@@Mikefngarageit’s bs so is the 200hp 😆 3100 at 80 ok I see that with a 082 and 388

[@moosemcknuckle5078]

I got to enjoy my 65 bug with its stock 1200, with "forty horses of fury," and it wouldn't pull 70mph. Now it cruises at 70 and easily runs out at 125ish, speedometer stops at a hundred. She's got a hundred horse 1641 with big valve aftermarket heads, Scat counterweight crank, Scat rods, Engle 100 cam, 1.25 ratio rockers, single Weber 44 IDF two barrel and a merged header with a single chamber Flowmaster. All going through a Rancho freeway flyer trans, with a Super Diff and 3.88 ring and pinion. It doesn't take much to make a bug fast, the car only weighs 1600 pounds. It's a good time "walking" Honda kids and Mustang bros from a stoplight, even with that little motor. 😄

[@LebronPhoto1]

In 1986, I had a 73 that was all original except that the engine had been modified and it was much faster than stock. I drove that car in the Winter in New England. The heater box worked well once the car warmed up, but it was a bit pathetic deicing the windows. I eventually traded it for a more modern vehicle. Now that I am older and getting close to retirement, I would like to find another baby blue 1973 at some point. It was a fun car and thankfully when I do, I no longer live in New England, so I'll likely enjoy it more.

[@cafn8ed74]

No windshield wipers means no need for a spare tire. 👍

[@payton5759]

At around the 13:40 mark, i have to say that was quite an honorable decision to make regarding parting out that '56. It sounds as if the guy had great bones for a rebuild, but he chose to part it out and help others who needed that missing, crucial part.

[@Queensizemusic]

I love the story behind and the finished product is great. Nicely done.

[@ambienteterrazas]

Although not considered classic or collectible, here in Mexico they made them until 2003 so there are alot of modern 90s and early 2000's models for sale, a really good example, ready to daily drive can be found for around 3k-5k, thats what a project bug from the 70s cost in California. I used to own and look out for 60's/70s bugs but now I rather look for late 90s-early 2000s models, way less rust and in better condition, with the added bonus that it doesn't hurt to modify them like it would with an early model.

[@AFTER_MIDNITE]

Yes, that’s something I’ve thought about for a couple of years now… get a relatively modern Mexico Beetle. A few months ago I came across a nice Beetle at a stoplight and the guy said he got it from Mexico.

[@scottyellis3442]

Nice & clean. Good job. My brother bought one in 73 (new) I'd love to have one just for the memories of riding in his.

[@nonelost1]

14:30… “In 55 they started coming out with the oval window.” It was March 10, 1953, when VW made the last split window and then made the first oval window bug. It is a particularly famous day in VW history.

[@67looker]

It’s amazing how many “Vw Experts” don’t really know that much about them. I restore them and specialize in making them as correct as possible, and most people that have done it longer than me, don’t know as much as I do. I like all Vw’s, but there’s nothing better than a correctly restored one.

[@67looker]

And 1953 is also the first year of a “factory” right hand drive. I restored a beautiful RHD ‘53 oval ragtop. It was fun to track those parts down.

[@JohnnyRebVlog]

I bought mine in 1999 and still have it. Still finding ideas to change, modify or replace. It's staying with me till the end. Probably more till my end than the bug's end...

[@thomasrossi31]

Is the drivers door out of alignment?

[@bonejo4]

I wish i never sold my 56 oval about 30 something years ago, but i still own a 61 Ghia, really enjoy VW's.

[@jontg429]

1100 RPM's at 80, yeah right. Very nice car, I am hoping he just misspoke

[@brianchisnell1548]

VWs need R's to keep cool. They get no benefit of cooling from moving through the air. The guy has stand offs, so you know it runs hot.

[@richardhall292]

Agree. I think he misspoke.

[@Nickwillfixit]

The one thing I learnt about owning a VW Beetle several of all ages the only one I regret selling was my Alpha Romero engined Baja Bug my third the next will be with a Subaru engine, my Rover V8 engined one was a lot of fun but a running disaster.

[@Santor-]

What made it a "disaster"? Did the power break other components?

[@soilmanted]

This is not making a lot of sense. I can't understand what the rear window has to do with the gas tank. The rear window is separate from the gas tank. The gas tank as shown in this video does not look like any Beetle gas tank I've ever seen. However there is no reason you can't combine any rear window with any gas tank. The man says he is unhappy with people putting the "wrong t parts," parts from a different model year than the original car, then he says he has been putting all un-original and un-original style parts on the car. He looks all over for an original style gas cap like the kind that the car came with, but he is putting after-market disk brakes on the car, he is putting on double-jointed rear axle from newer model years instead of using the original single-jointed rear swing-axle. Yes the double-jointed axle offer better road-holding and decreased likelihood of the car tipping over when taking a curve at high speed. But what happened to not wanting to mix parts from different years? He contradicts himself. One of the great advantages of this car was its high ground clearance. So why is he lowering it? I can see increasing horsepower from 36 to 50, 60, or 70, but 200 - what for? With 70 horsepower he could easily go 85 mph all day without strain. He could accelerate from0 to 6 mph in less than 10 seconds, so why add more?

[@tkx86]

Got my Volkswagen Up! 3 door for my daily and planning on getting a 61 bettle or there abouts soon. the 1960s models were my favorite then they turned abit to square during the 70s and less rounded and desirable for myself.

[@Luca5387]

This is a very nice custom beetle. The only thing that actually makes me mad hearing him say: he got to professional welders and experts, and then you see the “two fingers” 61 to 67 front apron…….everything else is custom but quite easily changeable. But seeing late metal panels welded to an older body, that is a huge mistake for me.

[@walterhorton9963]

He basically did salvage style modifications and calls it restoration. It's so chop suey that it isn't even funny.

[@GATORADDAM]

I love old bugs. They were my thing back in the day.

[@ariesmight6978]

After watching a very well made video. We didn't even get to hear the engine. Start up and run. ARRRRRGGGGG

[@malekodesouza7255]

OG German metal is getting harder and more expensive to find. But generally, it fits much, much better than the repop stuff. On this oval body, German is the only way. I have a Type 3 Notch and that is all German OG metal. Re-pop does not exist. Even more challenging to build.

[@wayneclose5299]

Forget the purist comment….this is much better than the original..

[@dadbodincorporated4411]

Beautiful old school new school oval. I helped a buddy do a 57 the same way.

[@whatchu_talkin_john_willis]

Guy’s a goof. Only bug out there going down the highway at 1100rpm is one idling on a trailer lmao

[@carlnilssonyoung8961]

I had a 72 super convertible, rebuild in 89 sold in 90 becoz of moving to another place. Regret till this day. Really curious how do the young people perceive this car nowadays.

[@dieterlesreptiles]

80mph at 1100rpms? I would like to see proof of that.

[@Gt3johnmac]

This brings back memories of SoCal buggin’! 😎

[@highplainshollarhomestead3188]

I admire the effort and end product. I personally like them to look factory.

[@walterharp1773]

Bought a New 72 Super Beetle in 72, loved that car.

[@gurnblanston3210]

The "Super Beetle" is known within the Volkswagen community, as "the fat chick".

[@BipolarBear777]

I’ve owned 4 bugs and my oldest was a black ‘56 Oval I wish I still had. 😎 👍🏻

[@jeremychristian1282]

One of my dream vehicles is a restored 74 super beetle with ac!

[@kukku1974]

Mine too!

[@Viernes_Cigars]

Maybe I gave up too quickly but after 7mins of watching this video I didn’t learn anything before I buy a beetle. On to the next informative video

[@manuelrivera6873]

1776 motor...wow..just BYB's. Coming from another VW enthusiast and someone who had a 57 sunroof and who was trained by a German who worked in the German factory back in the 40's after the war. Worked at his repair shop in mid to late 60's and then mid-70's at 1 VW,Porsche,Audi dealership and 1 specific VW dealership. Here is a question that you might find interesting. What part in the 1100 engine was made of wood? Good luck.

[@BuntMeister66]

Nice video of cool old stuff! Nice job Tommy!

[@GT.Bugger]

You know someone paid to have the car done when they say the hardest part was finding parts for the car 🤣. Great looking bug though.

[@martinharris5017]

agreed. finding parts is a piece of cake. Everything is readily available! The hard part is actually restoring a rusted out old car with warped and dinged panels and rebuilding the mechanicals. I can proudly say i did EVERYTHING on my Beetle and I'm pretty sure you can too;)

[@GT.Bugger]

@@martinharris5017 yes sir. With the exception of paint which I'm having done professionally soon. But I'm not a trained automotive painter and it's a skill I can't afford to learn, plus I don't have a clean environment to do it in.

[@jamesyee4143]

Nice job on the VW 😊

[@tiyukitv6508]

Awesome car! loving the rims. keep safe everyone. Keep Buggin. 😊

[@oakcor]

It would have been nice to hear it run, or for Tommy to take a ride in it.

[@doginu]

69 pan.......? That's a 55' Gas Tank. The bullet signals are off, driver door doesn't close correctly. That white pearl hides how bad that body is.....

[@eliotvancil]

All the same thoughts. Oval’s actually started in 53 also.

[@eliotvancil]

All the same thoughts. Oval’s actually started in 53 also.

[@Ingmar72]

smartass: It's a 56 Oval Beetle, so the original motor was a 30HP 1200ccm. Not 1100ccm and not 36HP. A 2 liter Type 1or Type 4 engine without fully programmable ignition and injection never ever does 200HP in a road car. If it's a really well made engine, it should have around 140 or 150HP, but not 200. To do times in the 13s, you'll need 170-180HP and more than 2 liter. The motor in my profile picture is a 2.3 liter Typ 1 with 48 IDAs made by one of the best Type 1 engine builders in Germany, Udo Becker. This one might get into the 13 secs on a quarter mile.

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

Love my VWs, great thing is I was born near Wolfsburg Germany in '67 PEACE LOVE n HIPPYNESS ✌💖☮

[@cyprianskiba8768]

This was a great video. Glad you made it and shared it

[@charlesharper7292]

WOW. I remember back in the day, if you didn't have much money for transportation you could get a Ford Falcon, or a VW bug. Now either one will set you back a small fortune.

[@shaolin224]

I think he meant "freeway flyer" trans. I always converted my windows to one piece but this bug looks great with the og windows

[@davidscales1464]

Nice!!!! One of the best VW resorptions on the web

[@benwright6330]

I still have an original ignition with the VW key just like that one in my parts box from many many years ago..

[@underashadytreemechanic4754]

To use the word "restored" is a bit of a stretch, to say the least. This Beetle was NOT "restored" but it was "resurrected" in sorts. "Restored" would be All Original with Numbers Matching on this beautifully Built 56 car. I've done a couple restorations on some older VW's including my last one, a One Year Only 1967 one owner before me, 99,980 original miles, sat in a field in Lake Elsinore for 2 1/2 decades after the original owner passed on with me finding it and putting it back together with all numbers proper material from INTERSTATE VW PARTS also in the Lake Elsinore area with his collection of much earlier than even this 56 and later air cooled parts available along with other suppliers in the So Cal area. This one is a very nice and cool build. That horse power rate he gave this one would be a lot of fun to drive and "sleeper drive" around! My stock through life has been 1970 bus, 68 bus, 71 squareback, 64 Ghia (baja), 70 Ghia (original restoration), many Beetle's from 1968, 69,70 and a couple 71 with the newest being a 73 Stuper Beetle. One of the 70s turned into a Rat Rod with the turbo charged 2332 engine. This one is a beautifully built toy. Not a "restoration".

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

I've owned one since 1992... Europe, Super Beetles are big. Memminger Cabriolet builds are 50k for them.

[@AFTER_MIDNITE]

That’s interesting, because in the US, the Super Beetle is the least liked.

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

@AFTER_MIDNITE look up url feine cabriolet Dot de or Google memminger feine cabriolet. You'll see. Supers are the best.

[@johnchampion7819]

I still do noty know what I need to know to buy one. A completely wrong title to this video.

[@kcfujii]

Great video and awesome that the owner was so informative.

[@nunyabidniz2868]

One thing to know is that if you own a Beetle with an original parcel shelf option [a light weight basket weave shelf that ran across the cab beneath the dash from driver to passenger side at about knee height] you *have* to park it inside a secure garage or some sh!thead *will* break a wind-wing to unlock the door and steal it some night. DAMHIK... 🙄🤬😒

[@dog01b52]

Would have been nice to put it back as original as possible, Guess I like the original look as it was manufactured. Think they call it being a purest. Joe complains about the person parting out his old VW, but his is nothing but parts, 56 body with a 69 pan, so the Chassis is a 69 to be titled as that, so why worry about the rear apron you have a hood extender on it anyway. Really sad it was lowered, It's me just don't like the lowered look and rough ride, but that's what people do. Porsche's design of the VW Beetle was to allow it to go anywhere. Yes, it takes a lot of hard work to get it nice looking as Joe has done, but the extra effort would have been nice to be original and the heaters in all my VW work great, never had a problem, just maintain them.

[@Apodalont]

Beautiful beetle. Tasteful and I'm sure it's a pleasure to drive.

[@bookooc5605]

'wanted to pay homage'. Sorry, this guy is full of it. From the engine to the wheels, he changed everything. he has to be from California. sounds like he just has a bunch of money, and payed other people to do the work. Didn't care much about keeping the original parts. Check out Mustie1 if you want to see someone who knows these cars and does the work himself. He sounds like a VW version of OCC choppers, where they were ' fighting against a deadline for the big reveal at some show. Oh, and as a owner of a new 1970 in my school days, I didn't learn anything I need to know before I buy one.

[@71195]

I need motivation since I saw a video of a guy saying that the beetle has been so bad through out the years that everyone that had a vw never buy a new one

[@feelgeorge]

Its nice to see Wolverine driving a bettle

[@ScarabChris]

Was hoping to hear it run.....

[@jesusguerrero6385]

Second time I’ve watched this! Great video, interview, and vocho!

[@HishamAhly]

What i strongly believe that 71 1302 is the best bug ever. 🏆🥇

[@bellwethertrucking3650]

"It didn't have all the correct parts." ...I don't even understand what that means. I couldn't possibly care any less about period correct parts. Whatever gets me down the road quicker and/or more reliably than 60's technology is the "correct part" for me! Hot rod 4 life!

[@rajiv4972]

Would have been even better with the hood handle and top badge

[@TheRealMonkeyrogue]

So lesson here is, buy three of them at a time of the same year, and hope they have more original parts than less.

[@eliotvancil]

Oval window beetles actually ran from 53-57.

[@TheLettich17]

And splits 49~53 1/2

[@anita-di2fb]

Re semafores!-I think I,m starting to understand! Here , presuming the side windows are original to this year V.W.-bigger windows in the side make for more light-because of small "oval window!- no "meat' in the "frame" to hold semafore there! I had a '59(?) V.W ragtop registered as a '62 in N.Y. in the late 60's. it had semofores(to comply with U.S.)(N.Y.) regulations) but theywere non-functional because of operational smaller taillights! It was a great car-until my father seized the engine by leaving the choke fully pulled out in January in N.Y. It didn;t have a fuel gauge-until I obtained one from a wrecked K.Gbia (along with the sender?)

[@generalvoltage1821]

That is a beautiful restoration. I'd like to see you review an EV converted bug or Porsche from EV West or Zelectric. They do amazing body restorations as well as some hot EV internals.

[@Mike_Costello]

Plus one for this!

[@bldontmatter5319]

Ah yes, destroying history just to bow down to the EV political movement. Nice.

[@martinharris5017]

Sacrilege!!

[@kevinbarry71]

Even as a child, when these things were still in production, my uncle bought one new, I never understood the attraction for these under powered, uncomfortable death traps

[@bldontmatter5319]

Yeah, they're weak, slow, horrible fuel mileage, and ugly

[@cheetohair4481]

@@bldontmatter5319 its what you think but you are wrong about the mpg i average 25-30mpg all day in mine and if you think about it for that time period that was unheard of

[@martinharris5017]

Very misleading title! This was more about one guy showing off his full=tilt custom bug than a guide to what to look out for when buying a Beetle. (Don't get me wrong, it's a superb car). VW Beetle parts and body panels for all years are readily available and easy to track down, even here in New Zealand. Sure if you want original items rather than reproductions you have to pay more. If the "hardest part" was tracking down readily available parts then this guy got someone else to do all the actual work. Personally I take pride in doing iy all myself and learning skills along the way.

[@mikesievers1482]

Yeah, it's interesting that those gas caps are so hard to find in the States of all places. I've got a couple of those out in the shed. Owned around a dozen early VW's since the early 90's, including a 66 split window panel. I've got an all original 56 (was registered as a 57) that I purchased back in 92 for about 2k (from memory). I reckon if I put it up for sale I'd be lucky to see between 16 - 18k. Roughly 11k Usd. Recently purchased a 69 for $1800. Put in some fresh fuel, a new battery and drove it home. It's surprisingly solid, with a bit of rust in the usual places, but I've restored worse. If you look around there's still some bargains to be had. At least here in NZ.

[@martinharris5017]

@@mikesievers1482 Whereabouts in NZ are you Mike? I'm in Christchurch.

[@mikesievers1482]

@@martinharris5017 haha small world .. Banks peninsula. Yeah I've been out of the vw scene for a few years, but recently started getting back into it 👍

[@martinharris5017]

​@@mikesievers1482 I've been in and out of VWs all my life. Done British cars, Jap cars, hot rods, and keep going back to VWs for their growing appeal, rising value, availability of parts and ease of maintenance. Plus the VW scene seems a lot more laidback and family friendly than the rodding scene. Might bump into you cruising around. My '68 custom bug is easy to spot. Two tone white and yellow primer with Anime murals on the sides!

[@mikesievers1482]

@@martinharris5017 haha yeah, all of the above, with the exception of hot rods. Got friends in the rod scene, infact I bought my first vw from a well known local rodder back around 89. Funny how a lot of the hotrod guy's also own or owned VW's Yeah if I see you around I'll chase you down for a chat 👍

[@tirebiter1680]

If you have an old one without a gas gauge, can you add one yourself? You can add a new Weber carburetor, Is it worth the money for that?

[@michaelpalus7929]

The problem I had with 71 Super beetle is the link from the gas pedal to the engine broke twice.

[@themeteam2702]

i have 4 old bugs but my problem has been trying to find a motor

[@jessnevares7861]

The car looks good. $60k ? 😮 I’m not sure about that. Maybe if the car was left with the original pan with matching numbers. 😊