*** Must Sell! ***
03/27/2021 -> Moving very soon. The latest pictures are its current state. Except for an aluminum plate and touch up paint, it is finished. Take advantage while still exclusive to this site.
03/09/2021 -> ...
12/22/2020 -> Now that the top end is broken in and adjusted, it is running very well. :)
08/22/2020 -> Still need to do a bit of painting, but the conversion is otherwise complete. New pictures!
06/18/2020 -> Vehicle is currently being converted to a street Baja Bug. Details to follow soon.
02/03/2019 -> ...
04/13/2018 -> ...
Newest entries at the bottom and/or highlighted.
- Omaha Orange body with flat black hood. Black trim, with dual black stripes on sides
- 1641 4 cylinder air cooled engine, recently rebuilt, with block replaced with Mexican one. (Returned to 1585cc with new quality pistons and rings).
- Runs well, with surprising power
- Stainless Steel exhaust headers, with very good condition heater boxes, channels, etc.
- Solid rod front suspension with newer air shocks.
- Little to no rust. Interior in good condition. Newer glove box, fuel release handle, and hood release. (Hood being converted for Baja Bug)
- Seat modified to accommodate taller people as well. :) -- (Was able to add even more leg room)
- Carpeted floor with vinyl interior. (Returned to proper front and rear rubber mats)
- CA windows with newer hardware. (Replaced by proper doors and windows)
- Some fiberglass body parts, including flared rear fenders that need work (Front and rear fenders being shaped for Baja Bug)
- Minor rust discovered under the paint on left front fender (corrected and repainted).
- CA bumpers. Original bumper mounts available. (Change to front and rear dual pipe bumpers for Baja Bug)
- Dual carburetors, with better than average linkage. (replaced with new linkage and homemade air box, including manual choke)
- Newer spark plugs and quality wires, (replaced with E3 spark plugs),
- fuel lines in engine compartment protected from heat with sleeves. New fuel filter (under car). (Replaced with electric fuel pump back at the tank with inline fuel filter between the pump and tank. Rerouted fuel line for more efficiency. Pump controlled by a relay and in dash shutoff switch.) Sleeves are no longer required with fuel line reroute in front of the engine. (Line from rear pipe exit from tunnel to fuel regulator is authentic German hose)
- Electronic ignition distributor with single vacuum, dual advance (SVDA).
- New rear (oil) shocks.
- Four new tires. Spare tire did not need replacing.
- Custom steering wheel.
- Newer master cylinder reservoir with hoses instead of metal lines to the master cylinder. New dual brake warning switches.
- stainless hoses on front (disc) brakes and rear (drums). Brake lights now controlled by a switch under the pedal, providing other drivers earlier notice of brake use than stock. The brake warning switch lights up when the brake lights are on for extra piece of mind.
- Strong transmission and clutch, with solid shifting. Linkage bar modified to prevent shift issues. You should never have to change another bushing for the gear shift. (Replaced clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing.) (New stronger rear transmission mount for Baja Bug.)
- All electrics work well.
- Retro (modern) radio with mini speakers in rear. (Radio replaced with new model to add space behind dash.)
- In dash GPS speedometer.
- Newer windshield wipers with after market electric washer.
- Close to five thousand miles on rebuilt engine. (Top end has been cleaned, inspected, and properly adjusted.) (Pistons and rings changed. Solid rockers for higher RPM.)
- Odometer turned over, so actual mileage is not accurate (estimate about 135,000)
- Full documentation on previous owner rebuild, plus full documentation on the changes I have made as well.
- Many original parts still available that were used prior to customization, such as ashtray, jack, manual, hubcaps, wheels,.
- Two single window (California) doors were replaced with proper stock doors.
- This vehicle has been properly cared for since I purchased it. Any questions, just ask. :)
- Price is based on value, plus estimate of costs to restore it to a more authentic version. (Price has been adjusted for partial restoration and various new parts installed). (Price estimate unknown when Baja Bug project completed.)
- Quite a bit more invested in this beetle than the asking price. This little bug turns heads all the time. :)
- "Gramps" is looking for a new home.. ;) A nice owner to take good care of him is most important.
- Update: vehicle engine checked out by Affordable Automotive in Gulf Breeze, FL, very experienced in air cooled engines.
- Update: new fan belt (replaced when new pulleys were installed)
- Update: new window regulator for passenger door.
- Update: Reduced to $6500! Still OBO. (Now asking $6000 OBO.)
Recent updates:
- Doors have been converted back to standard Beetle, with the chrome trim removed from the door.
- This process revealed some body issues.
- No issues with the chassis, drive train, etc.
- Look for new pictures in the near future. (Pictures have been updated)
- Can be used as a daily driver.
Latest News
- New clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing
- New transmission and flywheel seals, inspected gland nut
- New electric fuel pump with dashboard safety switch. Mechanical pump removed and blocked off.
- new dual carburetor throttle linkage improvements resistant to changes due to engine heat expansion.
- various pieces of new tin, stainless steel screws. Sealed engine top from bottom to reduce heat. Baja Bug project currently in progress.
- New E3 sparkplugs
- Authentic cardboard air hoses. Added an aluminum hose to get heat from under cylinder 3 and 4 for air box.
- New oil pump gaskets,
- replaced transmission gear oil. No evidence of any transmission issues from the old oil.
- Replaced dip stick with oil temperature warning device. Removed but still available. That device was allowing oil to be deposited on the engine tin. Engine runs very cool now, so no need for more than the temperature gauge already present. Temperature gauge removed in favor of oil temperature dip stick and tachometer.
- New crankshaft and alternator pulleys, fan, and belt. Belt replaced after conversion to 1585cc.
- No trace of oil leaks
- new intake and exhaust gaskets and bolts.
- Inspected and cleaned heads
- inspected and adjusted lifters and rockers
- new stainless steel performance push rod tubes and rocker covers
- high quality push rod tube seals added when converted to 1585cc
- installed Mexican thermostat, linkage, and special mounting bracket.
- New oil cooler with gaskets.
- New front and rear engine tin seals. Added air tube seals. Weather seals used to seal any gaps in tin or holes in fan shroud.
- Engine now runs very well with smooth gear changes
- New tires
- New rear drum brake shoes, cylinders, stainless steel hoses, springs, etc. Both drums in good condition.
- New driver side emergency brake cable (passenger side is fine).
- New emergency brake mounts and clips.
- Car floor is covered in sound proofing materials with an R-3 insulation factor. No floor board rust detected.
- All old carpet removed. Cargo area behind rear seat has a washable polyester mat.
- Old carpet replaced with period correct rubber mats. Currently no carpet on the other areas. Period correct would be the 5 piece carpet for use with rubber mats. I also built a passenger foot rest which was not present.
- Added a manual choke and an air box that feeds the dual carbs. The manual choke is using the lever for the rear heater control, since it was removed by the previous owner, who installed booster fans in both heater pipes. The manual choke when closed provides warm air from the underside of cylinders 3 and 4 for cold starting. It does not impede actual air flow. (Rear heater control removed, replaced with push/pull choke control for better reliability.)
- Additional driver seat track modifications can provide over 42 inches of leg room, but can still be used at the closest stock position as well.
