new to the bug family

[super beetle]

Hello
Six months ago, a co-worker/friend bought a Baja project car. Prior to that time, I could tell you the difference between a 1968 Beetle and a 2008 Beetle, 8 out of 10 times. As gas prices started to rise, I thought about a car with better mileage to the gallon. (I hate the new cars... A $2.00 sensor that puts you on the side of the road... and after a tow, Diagnostic test, and remove all the parts in the car to access "said sensor"@ and a bill of $1500.00)....So I started looking for a Beetle..
Drove an hour and half to a guy, that sold the car 15 minutes before I got there. (he knew I was coming and when I was going to be there) Then E-mailed about 5 guys on Samba, with the reply of "I just sold it"!!! Then I found HER “Bluebell” a 1971 Super from a guy that had it listed @ $3400.00, I drove the 2 hours and bought her for $1600.00 (it had more rust than he listed, he had parked her under some kind of berry tree and the berries ate the paint and rusted), and drove it the 2 hours home (stopping every half hour, for a cool-down and walk around) occasionally coaxing her up to 75 MPH. Now I know a "WHOLE" lot more about Beatles than I did. (I still realize, that it is a drop in the bucket).

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All the research I am doing said "I should have a production plate painted the same color as the car, under a small data plate next to the trunk latch". That will give a paint code and a "Born-on" date. Bluebell doesn't.. She's got a big data plate with a lot of German on it and the Vin # (which matches the tunnel, and the windshield plate, and the title, and the owner's manual had it entered in it) that was in the glove box the with a guy's name, and address and the date of 11-1970 Typed on the inside cover. Since then I have found on “the web” that, by my Vin number “SHE” was born in August of 1970.
I wire wheeled all the spots, navel jellied and then primed. And found that the little pin head spots in the rear quarter panels after hitting with the wire wheel, turned into 1 inch tall by 6 inch long holes, I pulled the seats and carpet and found surface rust in the pans but they are still solid.
My co-worker/friend said that Beetles are like "Cockroaches" They multiply... He bought another, a month later. And wouldn’t you know it, a month after that I bought a 1971 Super Convertible Shell (Yellowbell) with “most” of the parts. No windshield, no rear seat. It came with a brand new cloth top, head liner, seat covers, the “rusted froze hinges” convertible top frame, 2 new pans welded in (which, I had to re-weld one as it was welded 3 inches higher on the passenger rear than the drivers rear), extra fender, extra deck lid for $600.00. She's got a big data plate in the trunk with a lot of German on it and the Vin # (which matches the tunnel, and the windshield plate, and the title). Will send more Photos as sone as I figure out how to shrink them to fit.

[super beetle]

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This yellowbell at the guys garage where I bought her

[Stray Catalyst]

He's right about them multiplying - welcome to the madness! The best thing you can do for yourself is buy the Bentley manual for your year of car, they're fairly cheap for the later-model air-cooled bugs and superbeetles. Also look for "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" by John Muir - easy to read, not quite as technically accurate but good enough to keep you going.

Stray

[crvc]

The Muir book is stuck in the '60's which makes it my favorite but the VW service manual for that year might be necessary.

This guy did a ground-up restoration of a '67 bug. He's a professional photographer and detailed every step with pictures. I used it as a guide when restoring my '67.

http://www.cirkut.com/bug/

[super beetle]

Hello
I hope these photos show up. these are how I got Bluebell

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This is after I started to temp fix the rust spots from the berries.

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And found the side rust

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And the point that I decided to look inside

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and then bought Yellowbell and put Bluebell on hold

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I will continue Next post with Yellowbell

[super beetle]

And the stripping and sanding and priming begin

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and the story continues

[super beetle]

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This was the start

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As soon as I get the bottom done I will re-attach the body chassis and then store her to get back to Bluebell
Will keep updates coming as they happen