Need advice on 72 Beetle

[speedog]

So my oldest (19) has got an idea on buying a 1972 VW Super Beetle - the car he's found here in Calgary has only got 82,000 original miles, runs very well, has a spare tranny, no rust but a bit of sun faded paint. Basically in very, very good shape for it's age and the price might be negotiable down to $2,500.

Certainly not my choice for a first car, but hey it's his money and it's a car he's been infatuated with for a while now. Now seeing as I don't know diddly squat about old beetles, I am wondering if there's any beyonders out there that could offer some sage advice - is the price in-line with the age/shape of this vehicle. Yeah, Yeah, I know about the questionable trannys and the winter heat issues, but he's only looking to drive this thing in the spring/summer/fall - 6 months of the year.

Certainly, I'd like to sway him towards something newer with a few more safety features - hell, it's older than any vehicles I've ever bought. Maybe the right thing to do is to sell him the 1980 El Camino I've had in storage for about 18 years - certainly that vehicle is one that I know the history of as I've owned it for 28 years now and parts for it are still relatively easy to find and still quite inexpensive. Anyhow, thoughts/advice on the Beetle would be appreciated from those in the know - what to look for, what to be aware of.

[sxtasy]

Not sure if they have four wheel drum brakes, but the beetle I have driven before had extremely weak braking power

[Guillermo]

i had a '72 super beetle about 12 years ago. it's a nice car, unique in that it's the second year of the super beetle but last year of the flat windshield - cool.

by far the MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE on these air cooled vws is to check the heater channels underneath - these are notorious for rusting out, and the only way to really fix them is a pan-up restoration. if those heater channels check out OK, then $2500 is most definitely a good price, and I would snatch that thing up in a second. check also under the battery, as that area has a tendency to rust out (not really a major problem, though, and an easy fix).

these are really easy things to check yourself (google it), but if you want to get a second opinion, take it to Bushmaster, and air cooled VW specialist www.bushmaster.ca‎

as for the engine, tranny, and other misc. parts - IMO that's not nearly as important as the heater channel issue. one can get the motor rebuilt for pretty cheap, and there is A TON of aftermarket support for these things at e.g. JC Whitney. just inspect the engine bay to make sure the rubber seal is intact all around the engine, since if this is ripped, the air cooling won't work and your motor will overheat.

keep in mind also that you're not gonna want to drive this in the winter... these things aren't water cooled and therefore don't really produce heat when it's cold outside, and what heat it does make is lost as it travels in those heater channels from the rear to the front of the car. you can get gas or kerosene heaters for them, but I've always thought they would be dangerous if you get in an accident. i haven't really been into air cooled VWs for about a decade now, so they might have some new options when it comes to heating, but IMO these are best as summer cars.

[tom_9109]

Definitely cheap to repair. It may look rust free but you need a beetle person to look over the floor pan and common areas. Most of them aren't on the 'outside'.

[Proboscis]

I wish your my Dad.