Quote:
Originally Posted by vwnate1
Bought one ! .
Attachment 139363
1959 # 113 DeLuxe Beetle with 1192 C.C. 36HP engine .
_very_ original , filthy and tatty, I spent all day every day this week getting it road worthy again and loving every minute  .
Driving this thing makes me fell like a young man in 1972 again !  . |
Nate, happy birthday!
I was brought home in Dad's '64 Beetle he bought in '68 from the first owner. As his College friend said, the apple didn't fall far from the tree, as bought her '71 Squareback in October 2008.. I grew up with both of them, so jumped at the chance to own something that was familiar and a type 3 (wanted to own a classic Volkswagen but having grown up with a type 1, wanted more comfort). Dad and I both sadly parked ours for various reasons, but still have them.
My Dad rebuilt the engine in the late 1970's I.I.R.C. and after that, drove no more than 45M.P.H. as best efficiency, get to work about same time as if drove "fast", and less wear on the engine. Was right, as over 200,000 on the rebuilt engine and was going strong when parked. Point is, us children never forget those long rides on the freeway, sometimes all day to go up to Bakersfield to see relatives (that also remember as wanted as a young lad to nap, but the lack of headrest, hard door, and engine vibrating my ear with it resting on the door, just couldn't). But as an adult, didn't mind it, as meant got to be with Dad (he worked the government schedual so hardly saw him).
B.T.W., I taught myself how to drive manual transmission on the Squareback. Just got in and drove her, despite never having learned. I so miss driving her, but needs to go on a frame machine and be pulled.
That '59 looks to be a good start. Any more pictures?
To me, looks to have no dents and not even to the bumpers, everything there, but can't see the rear. Having strait bumpers is a huge bonus as a fortune to straiten. With Dad's, the rear is a Brazilian (bent from not at fault accident German original in his parents garage rafters) and the front was hit hard (body will also need to go on a frame machine). Figure be less cost to go with a Wolfsburg West set, as now also only a few places in the U.S. that do chrome plating.
Also like the fact the paintwork is beat so know nothing hiding. Going to keep ivory? I think good color, never seen it before.
How is the engine? Any modifications?
6 volt or 12 volt? Dad's was converted, though in many years when I get her, going to convert back and go halogen for the front lamps. Most likely L.E.D. rear bulbs as by then will have the pattern fixed. Once the headlights and rear lights converted, not enough reason to stay 12 volt. Us children remember how the windshield wipers go super fast.
He was going to put in a an adjustable switch from '67, but never did.
Continue to have fun!