My 1970 Custom Bug !!!

[CGK]

Hi everyone,
Well, this past weekend, with the help of two of my brothers, we pulled out my 1970 bug that I have had since 1972. I built this from a bone stock '70 that had it's nose totaled. I bought the car for $300.00 and put $1200.00 into it to get it the way you see it now. That was in 1972. I drove this car as a daily driver until 1986 and put 276,000 miles on her. I rebuilt the engine, )which is still the original case,crank,cam,rocker arms, and carburetor), at 100K and 200K miles.
For the past 18 years, it has been sitting in my garage waiting for restoration and we decided, now is the time to begin. Once we got her out of the garage, we wanted to try and see if it would run at all. The oil level was perfect, a bit black but full. The battery was 18yrs dead as a doornail of course. So, we put a set of jumper cables on it and turned the key. The engine turned over like it had been run yesterday ! Not seized and no metal to metal noise. There was no gas in it so I checked the fuel pump. No pump action. The diaphram in the pump I'm sure is shot. So, we took a cup of gas and fed it directly into the carb, turned the key and on the third crank she fired right up and ran until we ran out gas !!
Unbelievable after all that time she sounded like a new engine !!
Well, now the complete ground up restoration will begin. It will take a while but I can't wait to dig into it and start the rebirth of my beloved bug !
Here's some pics:

[Red Rider]

Brings back memories - I got one in 1970 and drove it for a few years


Looks very nice

[from Margaritaville...]

It's amazing what a little TLC and detailing will do...

[bugsy98nb]

Sweet old BUg !!!

[73standard]

What happened to the trunk?

[Angel0910]

WOW!! It looks great already Have fun and make sure to post more pics along the way.

[CGK]

Originally Posted by Alan Margosian

It's amazing what a little TLC and detailing will do...

This comment put a grin on my face because that last pic was taken right after i pressure washed all the dirt and crud off.

The car wasn't detailed at all. What's really funny is that the water actually beaded up on the hood and side panels while washing it. !!

Thanks

[from Margaritaville...]

Originally Posted by 73standard

What happened to the trunk?

Mebbe is preggers?...

[CGK]

Originally Posted by 73standard

What happened to the trunk?

The front end is a replica of a 1937 Ford front grille. There were only 4000 of these "Wunderbug" front ends made by Liefring Industries in St. Louis.
At the time, I really loved the look, and still do, that this gave to the bug. It also was a way for me to get some additional storage space since I travelled all over New England with this car.

[73standard]

oh.

[AmyJane]

Originally Posted by CGK

This comment put a grin on my face because that last pic was taken right after i pressure washed all the dirt and crud off.

The car wasn't detailed at all. What's really funny is that the water actually beaded up on the hood and side panels while washing it. !!

Thanks

Where are the pics of it after you washed it? Before and after would be cool to see

[Ghia_Roadster]

more pics!!!please!!!

[Herbie3Rivers]

Oh My God! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! I've been trying to find a set of those wheels for my 72. Same with the fanfare horns. Lots of Formula Vee goodies in there. Shifter, steering wheel, exhaust tips, wheels, wood dash......*full blown seizure*

[CGK]

Thanks Herbie !!
Those wheels were actually made by Superior Industries as a genuine VW accessory. They are really very rare now and I bet it would cost a bunch to buy. (BTW, mine are not for sale) The caps are chromed Wolfsburg Crests!!

The next step in the restoration is a complete body off tear down, sand blast and panel replacements for rusted pieces etc.
I'm not in any rush but it will be a fun project to dismantle.

[Ghia_Roadster]

im restoring my 70 also! its gonna be a blast from the past, cal-look/resto-mod show and go!right now i just have to get it out of the woods!