Classic VW Beetle - best place to find a clean one?

[johnfm]

Looking at getting my daughter one for her first car - I refuse to pour money into a Ford Ka or new Beetle or Citroen C1 etc!

So, apart from the PH classified, is there anywhere in particular to look for a clean pre-74 Bug?

I don't mind a bit of work, but don't really want to do a full restoration.

[Parabola]

Have a look at some owners club websites.
Specialist magazines usually have classifieds sections. VolksWorld etc.

[johnfm]

Cheers

Having a look on Volksworld now.

[C. Grimsley]

There is an oval windscreen 1957 one near me, great condition up for £18k. The missus liked it till we seen the price.

Carl

[Nickyboy]

Does she want one though? The problem with classics is that unless you really want one you'll find it hard to warm to it.

[johnfm]

Nickyboy said:

Does she want one though? The problem with classics is that unless you really want one you'll find it hard to warm to it.

Agree - but will take her to see and drive in a few.

If not, she can stick with the bus for a couple more years...

[Nurburgsingh]

+1

At the moment my kids love that I have a 69 beetle even if it is a race car and they can't go for passenger rides in it. Both of them currently want one and I'd love it if they still did wen they are tall enough to drive but alas I'm sure the allure of an MX5 or something else will take over by then.

If she does want one then good on her!! I had to endure a metro city for a year before I could get my hands on my bug.. But it's been a lifetime obsession with me, hence the racecar.
You either love them or hate em!!

Ps saw a new one today in what looked like a classic met brown with alloys that looked like the old chrome hubcaps.

[johnfm]

Nurburgh

If I was to get one, what is a decent engine worth? I would probably want to make sure it is reliable and have a spare to tinker with!

£500 for a decent runner?

[Nurburgsingh]

That sounds right for one thats already had some tinkering.... The trouble is that there are so many variations in the stock engines that once you start looking at what you can and cant use it soon becomes a minefield of engine codes and what fits and what doesn't... I
Dont discount the engine exchanges that Volkspares etc do, its very easy to spend lots of money when you start tinkering even on old VW engines!!

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/

is where to start...

You'll more than likely find a decent car here as we'll, and all the help you 'll ever need....

[N Dentressangle]

Plenty of nice ones here:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/43/beetle/



http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C316839# looks purty for £2.5k!


It'll be rot that you'll want to watch for - doubt she'll 'warm' to one with rusty heater channels...

[Trevor450]

^^ Mine ('74 1303S) was that colour.

I lived with it for a year or so.