1 Topic by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Topic: Brian/Gerard: it's a gem

To Brian/Gerard/all,

I just went today to look at the '69 Bug I posted about a few days
ago. Paint is bad and there are a few speckles of surface rust (and
a few slightly iffy patches) but overall it's in good shape - the
glasshouse, pillars, heater channels etc all look A1 and perfectly
sound; and the factory rustproofing is all there and still tacky
(!).

The car is basically all original; only things I could see clearly
different were the seatbelts (interior is also original & almost
spotless). Drives well, stops OK, the original 1500 engine doesn't
smoke unless on REALLY high revs, gearbox doesn't jump or otherwise
play up. Cute touches like an old AA helpline sticker - so how long
ago did Auckland phone numbers have 5 digits?!?

What didn't I like? It needs one new headlight, some more chrome on
the bumpers & a couple of new tires, and there is a naff bumper
sticker to clean off...and it might one day get a radio that
works... I am gonna book it in at a garage this week for a
prepurchase check. All I have to do then is find a reason to bargain
the guy down from $3,500.

I just wanted to thank you lot for the help, & will keep updated on
how it all goes. Many thanks!

Cheers,

Sam F

2 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Brian/Gerard: it's a gem

Did you poke and prod at all the pristine factory undercoating? It's
not likely a problem if the rest of the car is solid, but the
undercoating can really hide (and cause) some big problems, so is
worth a close examination.

samf wrote:
>
>
> To Brian/Gerard/all,
>
> I just went today to look at the '69 Bug I posted about a few days
> ago. Paint is bad and there are a few speckles of surface rust (and
> a few slightly iffy patches) but overall it's in good shape - the
> glasshouse, pillars, heater channels etc all look A1 and perfectly
> sound; and the factory rustproofing is all there and still tacky
> (!).
>
> The car is basically all original; only things I could see clearly
> different were the seatbelts (interior is also original & almost
> spotless). Drives well, stops OK, the original 1500 engine doesn't
> smoke unless on REALLY high revs, gearbox doesn't jump or otherwise
> play up. Cute touches like an old AA helpline sticker - so how long
> ago did Auckland phone numbers have 5 digits?!?
>
> What didn't I like? It needs one new headlight, some more chrome on
> the bumpers & a couple of new tires, and there is a naff bumper
> sticker to clean off...and it might one day get a radio that
> works... I am gonna book it in at a garage this week for a
> prepurchase check. All I have to do then is find a reason to bargain
> the guy down from $3,500.
>
> I just wanted to thank you lot for the help, & will keep updated on
> how it all goes. Many thanks!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Sam F
>
>

3 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Brian/Gerard: it's a gem

I am a bit of a believer in the social side of a car's history. Why
is a one-owner car better than the other one? If you like the
previous owner, and believe their reason for selling, why not share
the risks with them. They don't really know when the next problem
with their car is going to turn up. It served them well.

Then on the other side.. the passion. Sam, you're a poet aren't you?
There's lots of cars out there. Best sleep on it before you make an
offer.

Sounds like you've got your teeth into a real one. Best of luck,
Brian


Der Bugmeister wrote:
>
> Did you poke and prod at all the pristine factory undercoating?
It's
> not likely a problem if the rest of the car is solid, but the
> undercoating can really hide (and cause) some big problems, so is
> worth a close examination.
>
> samf wrote:
>>
>>
>> To Brian/Gerard/all,
>>
>> I just went today to look at the '69 Bug I posted about a few days
>> ago. Paint is bad and there are a few speckles of surface rust (and
>> a few slightly iffy patches) but overall it's in good shape - the
>> glasshouse, pillars, heater channels etc all look A1 and perfectly
>> sound; and the factory rustproofing is all there and still tacky
>> (!).
>>
>> The car is basically all original; only things I could see clearly
>> different were the seatbelts (interior is also original & almost
>> spotless). Drives well, stops OK, the original 1500 engine doesn't
>> smoke unless on REALLY high revs, gearbox doesn't jump or otherwise
>> play up. Cute touches like an old AA helpline sticker - so how long
>> ago did Auckland phone numbers have 5 digits?!?
>>
>> What didn't I like? It needs one new headlight, some more chrome on
>> the bumpers & a couple of new tires, and there is a naff bumper
>> sticker to clean off...and it might one day get a radio that
>> works... I am gonna book it in at a garage this week for a
>> prepurchase check. All I have to do then is find a reason to bargain
>> the guy down from $3,500.
>>
>> I just wanted to thank you lot for the help, & will keep updated on
>> how it all goes. Many thanks!
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Sam F
>>
>>
>
>

4 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Brian/Gerard: it's a gem

Thanks for the tip DB. I did have a good look under and around most
of the car; mainly round the engine & heater channels, but also
under the pan. It all seems pretty tidy and so far prodding the
undercoating hasn't revealed anything nasty. I'm still an amateur at
inspecting Bugs, but this one does look the best I've seen so far.
Hopefully the local VW garage will be able to have a closer look and
give their yay or nay. So 'undercoating' is going alongside 'heater
channels' & 'front fenders' on my personal checklist for the
mechanic...

Sam F

Der Bugmeister wrote:
>
> Did you poke and prod at all the pristine factory undercoating?
It's
> not likely a problem if the rest of the car is solid, but the
> undercoating can really hide (and cause) some big problems, so is
> worth a close examination.
>
> samf wrote:
>>
>>
>> To Brian/Gerard/all,
>>
>> I just went today to look at the '69 Bug I posted about a few days
>> ago. Paint is bad and there are a few speckles of surface rust (and
>> a few slightly iffy patches) but overall it's in good shape - the
>> glasshouse, pillars, heater channels etc all look A1 and perfectly
>> sound; and the factory rustproofing is all there and still tacky
>> (!).
>>
>> The car is basically all original; only things I could see clearly
>> different were the seatbelts (interior is also original & almost
>> spotless). Drives well, stops OK, the original 1500 engine doesn't
>> smoke unless on REALLY high revs, gearbox doesn't jump or otherwise
>> play up. Cute touches like an old AA helpline sticker - so how long
>> ago did Auckland phone numbers have 5 digits?!?
>>
>> What didn't I like? It needs one new headlight, some more chrome on
>> the bumpers & a couple of new tires, and there is a naff bumper
>> sticker to clean off...and it might one day get a radio that
>> works... I am gonna book it in at a garage this week for a
>> prepurchase check. All I have to do then is find a reason to bargain
>> the guy down from $3,500.
>>
>> I just wanted to thank you lot for the help, & will keep updated on
>> how it all goes. Many thanks!
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Sam F
>>
>>
>
>

5 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Brian/Gerard: it's a gem

Sam

It sounds like a goodie alright...the garage is a good idea though,
the mechanics won't be swayed by the "ambience"! I know how
appealing those original touches are!!

Good luck mate.

Gerard


samf wrote:
>
>
> Thanks for the tip DB. I did have a good look under and around most
> of the car; mainly round the engine & heater channels, but also
> under the pan. It all seems pretty tidy and so far prodding the
> undercoating hasn't revealed anything nasty. I'm still an amateur at
> inspecting Bugs, but this one does look the best I've seen so far.
> Hopefully the local VW garage will be able to have a closer look and
> give their yay or nay. So 'undercoating' is going alongside 'heater
> channels' & 'front fenders' on my personal checklist for the
> mechanic...
>
> Sam F
>
> Der Bugmeister wrote:
>>
>> Did you poke and prod at all the pristine factory undercoating?
> It's
>> not likely a problem if the rest of the car is solid, but the
>> undercoating can really hide (and cause) some big problems, so is
>> worth a close examination.
>>
>> samf wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> To Brian/Gerard/all,
>>>
>>> I just went today to look at the '69 Bug I posted about a few days
>>> ago. Paint is bad and there are a few speckles of surface rust (and
>>> a few slightly iffy patches) but overall it's in good shape - the
>>> glasshouse, pillars, heater channels etc all look A1 and perfectly
>>> sound; and the factory rustproofing is all there and still tacky
>>> (!).
>>>
>>> The car is basically all original; only things I could see clearly
>>> different were the seatbelts (interior is also original & almost
>>> spotless). Drives well, stops OK, the original 1500 engine doesn't
>>> smoke unless on REALLY high revs, gearbox doesn't jump or otherwise
>>> play up. Cute touches like an old AA helpline sticker - so how long
>>> ago did Auckland phone numbers have 5 digits?!?
>>>
>>> What didn't I like? It needs one new headlight, some more chrome on
>>> the bumpers & a couple of new tires, and there is a naff bumper
>>> sticker to clean off...and it might one day get a radio that
>>> works... I am gonna book it in at a garage this week for a
>>> prepurchase check. All I have to do then is find a reason to bargain
>>> the guy down from $3,500.
>>>
>>> I just wanted to thank you lot for the help, & will keep updated on
>>> how it all goes. Many thanks!
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Sam F
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

6 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: Brian/Gerard: it's a gem

Oh yeah the mechanics are a good idea I agree; I'll need some more
skilled/objective eyes to maybe save me some grief. "Ambience" is
definitely the word. I got suckered by teeny period things like the
orange & silver 12-volt sticker by the door, and the AA badge -
everything looks, feels & smells almost like it might have in May
'69. So yes, I'll sleep on it, but not for too long!

By way of comparison tomorrow I'm going to look at a '71 for sale up
my road, going at a similar price. It's had about 5 owners (the last
for less than a year!) and it had to have some rust repairs done for
WOF. But it DOES have a working radio, and a hopped-up 1600 with
custom 'zorst system. This, you see, is the driver-under-25 instinct
coming through...

Sam F

(PS: Brian - what gave me away??)

Gerard wrote:
>
> Sam
>
> It sounds like a goodie alright...the garage is a good idea though,
> the mechanics won't be swayed by the "ambience"! I know how
> appealing those original touches are!!
>
> Good luck mate.
>
> Gerard
>
>
> samf wrote:
>>
>>
>> Thanks for the tip DB. I did have a good look under and around most
>> of the car; mainly round the engine & heater channels, but also
>> under the pan. It all seems pretty tidy and so far prodding the
>> undercoating hasn't revealed anything nasty. I'm still an amateur at
>> inspecting Bugs, but this one does look the best I've seen so far.
>> Hopefully the local VW garage will be able to have a closer look and
>> give their yay or nay. So 'undercoating' is going alongside 'heater
>> channels' & 'front fenders' on my personal checklist for the
>> mechanic...
>>
>> Sam F
>>
>> Der Bugmeister wrote:
>>>
>>> Did you poke and prod at all the pristine factory undercoating?
>> It's
>>> not likely a problem if the rest of the car is solid, but the
>>> undercoating can really hide (and cause) some big problems, so is
>>> worth a close examination.
>>>
>>> samf wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> To Brian/Gerard/all,
>>>>
>>>> I just went today to look at the '69 Bug I posted about a few days
>>>> ago. Paint is bad and there are a few speckles of surface rust (and
>>>> a few slightly iffy patches) but overall it's in good shape - the
>>>> glasshouse, pillars, heater channels etc all look A1 and perfectly
>>>> sound; and the factory rustproofing is all there and still tacky
>>>> (!).
>>>>
>>>> The car is basically all original; only things I could see clearly
>>>> different were the seatbelts (interior is also original & almost
>>>> spotless). Drives well, stops OK, the original 1500 engine doesn't
>>>> smoke unless on REALLY high revs, gearbox doesn't jump or otherwise
>>>> play up. Cute touches like an old AA helpline sticker - so how long
>>>> ago did Auckland phone numbers have 5 digits?!?
>>>>
>>>> What didn't I like? It needs one new headlight, some more chrome on
>>>> the bumpers & a couple of new tires, and there is a naff bumper
>>>> sticker to clean off...and it might one day get a radio that
>>>> works... I am gonna book it in at a garage this week for a
>>>> prepurchase check. All I have to do then is find a reason to bargain
>>>> the guy down from $3,500.
>>>>
>>>> I just wanted to thank you lot for the help, & will keep updated on
>>>> how it all goes. Many thanks!
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>>
>>>> Sam F
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>