1970 Volkswagen Beetle - Classic

I found this 1970 VW in sad condition. The odometer showed 63850 (unverified). The previous owner had it for a couple of years to restore but it never happened. I have no other history. The blue paint was bad from exposure and the rear window rubber had deteriorated. The aftermarket velour type headliner was damaged around the rear glass and the flat part of the rear baggage deck behind the seat was rusted. Seat covers to match the headliner were not badly damaged but were old. The carpets were shot and the dash also. The engine started but would not run. There was previous front end damage as indicated by green paint on the inside of the front trunk lid (obviously replaced) and repaired wrinkling at the body where the front bumper brackets mount.

I towed it home. and after a hard wash the oxidized paint didn't look too bad. I removed and cleaned the gas tank and added a new strainer sock. blew out the lines with solvent and air. replaced the hoses. replaced the fuel pump. cleaned the carb. cleaned the air filter and added fresh oil. cleaned and reassembled the Bosch 009 distributer and added new points. changed the engine and transmission oil. adjusted the valves. and cleaned the plugs. With a fresh battery and fuel it started right up and. with adjustment to the carb and timing. idled just right. New tires (5) were added.

A compression test showed 1-100    2-100    3-100    4-105. The engine did not smoke and there was no blow-by. I repeated the compression test last Spring ( 3-19-36 ) after about 2100 miles of driving and got these pressures  1-125    2-125   3-120   4-120 using the same gauge.  The current odometer reading is 67500+. I have changed the oil 4 times in these nearly 4000 miles. I have added a half pint of oil when needed but the changes have been often enough that I can't quantify the oil usage. The frequent changes are to help clean an unknown engine (with a little MMO added before the change) and to replace the sump plate with a heavier aftermarket plate. I clean the bottom of the engine at each washing but it stays wet and leaves its mark. Just like the old days. The engine ha a '71 case with a dog house oil cooler but single port heads. It was assembled without the warm-up air deflector vanes in the fan housing. as a lot of rebuilders do here in the warmer states. but I have a working set with a good thermostat to accompany the car. The main oil pressure relief spring and piston were replaced just as a matter of course. I have a new secondary pressure relief valve also but can't get to it on my back (OUCH!). Included for the next owner to replace. The oil light comes on only at start up. Even in the day. I remember many of these cars would have a dim oil light when idling.

I replaced the master cylinder. cleaned and repacked the front bearings. The L outer bearing and race were replaced but the rest were good.  I replaced the front brakes with current manufacture disc brakes. (MUCH better than drums. ) The only rust was the rear baggage panel. The body was not rusted and the pan has only surface rust.

The body shop did a little more work on the front wrinkling. even though the hood closed well.  They fabricated a flat panel to replace the baggage deck. The paint was 2 stage to the original blue after sanding and repair of dings. The fenders were removed and painted inside as well. The windshield was replaced (new) and all new rubber was installed to glass. doors. fenders. lights. etc. New interior was installed-headliner. seat covers. carpet. door panels. visors. and dash. The car had retractable seat belts but I found original manual seat belts and installed them. My goal was to return it to as near stock as I remembered. The exceptions are a late model electric windshield washer reservoir and pump and of course the front disc brakes.

The headlights (high and low). marker. nbsp;brake. and backup lights. and turn signals and flashers all work and have new lenses. I got the radio from a repair shop in Dallas and found a NOS speaker IN THE BOX! from a guy in Holland. He had four of them! The interior light comes on with the passenger door but not the driver's door. The buzzer works with both doors open but not the pass door only. Haven't fixed that yet. still on my list. The replacement fuel sender worked accurately for about 3 months. but now reads 1/3 tank low. (They're cheap! My experience has been that 1 out of 2 seems to work well. ) The wipers have a two speed switch but only one speed. Haven't fixed that yet either. I include a set of pop out rear windows. and other new and used odds and ends to keep you busy.

This car will soon be 50 years old and less than perfect. but parts are still plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Its been fun but I am retiring and have three 914's to finish before I can travel and I need the room. I have over $10K in it and will include the paperwork for your reference. Of course its worth much more. of course my reserve is much less. Its been fun and I hope someone else can enjoy it as much as I have.

https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=Zst4L8zaOqo

https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=TjGAN4JwlNI&feature=youtu. be

On Jun-12-17 at 09:24:14 PDT. seller added the following information:

https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=2G-JUmUOTA4

You'll notice in the videos a dent in the trim on the hood. At a friend's house there was a plastic sign leaning against the garage that was blown over to the hood of my car. Next time he wants to borrow a wrench I'll remind him.

And the body shop put some sound deadening on the floors. and on the inside of the doors. When the weather is hot I'll clean off a drip on the running boards. Also I didn't show the pop out rear windows that I have to go with the car.

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