Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

Volkswagen Baja Bug (1972 Body On 1965 Chassis) on 2040-cars

Year:1965 Mileage:100127 Color: White /
 Black
Location:

Burbank, California, United States

Burbank, California, United States
Transmission:Manual 4-Speed
Body Type:Coupe
Engine:1600
Vehicle Title:Clear
Fuel Type:Gasoline
For Sale By:Private Seller
VIN: 115855890 Year: 1965
Interior Color: Black
Make: Volkswagen
Number of Cylinders: 4
Model: Beetle - Classic
Trim: Baja
Drive Type: RWD
Options: CD Player
Mileage: 100,127
Sub Model: Baja
Exterior Color: White
Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

Bitter-sweetly saying farewell to this 1965 VW Baja Bug


If you're familiar with the classic beetles, you'll notice the body is post-1965. It is a 1972. The chassis is a 1965, and the car is registered as such. The VIN is based as an ORV identification. It took me forever to figure that out when I was working through the registration process after this ride came to be in my hands. 

I'll be as forthcoming and honest in detailing what you're looking at. I have a 100% positive feedback, and aim to keep it that way, so please feel free to ask any questions you have. 

I've done a lot to this car, but there is plenty left to do, depending on what you'd want it for. It has its good, its bad and its OK. Because of that, I'm setting the reserve at less than what I would if I put another 20 hours into working with it. 

To briefly state it: I'm selling it because I don't have space to work on it at my current residence. When I purchased it a year ago, I planned to take it to the next level. Not a month later, a huge career project began to take shape and grow some wings, and my Baja project just became a fun car to tool around in. So, it's time to clear some space, and offer this bug to a new owner. 

This is a street legal bug with a clear CA Title. The valid CA registration is good for another 11 months, through 2013. I kept wrestling with selling it, so I have kept the registration current. 

The benefit of owning a 1972 or earlier model year car in CA is that it's SMOG EXEMPT under current law. 

The car is a bit of a rat-rod, but a fun drive. No bells and whistles...No horn. (Seriously, the horn is disconnected.) For moms and pops looking for a great first car for their 16 year old...? This is probably not it. For those who know the air-cooled beetles, and love them cut to baja style, this little bug has wonderful potential. 

The Good

  • This car is a strong runner. I've put a measly 3,000 miles on it over the past 12 month period. Before I purchased it, a complete tune-up was offered. New plugs, distributor, etc. It could use a good valve adjustment. I had them adjusted with an oil changes 100 miles back, but it's popping/backfiring a bit on throttle deceleration...it could be that it's running a little rich, too. I wanted a little more low end power zipping around the streets, so adjusted the carb. These are all minor, routine maintenance things that I'd suggest when buying any car. 
  • 95% of the body is in solid shape. Very workable. The nose was backed into by a not-so-friendly neighbor. I patched the fiberglass with 3 layers on the inside, so it is solid, but it could use another couple on the outside, and a sand-down. (Pictured) A new fiberglass nose would cost around $80. 
  • Interior: As shown, headliner is in good shape. The same perforated material was used in the rear storage area, and it's a little rough. Needs to be re-glued. (Pictured)
    Seats are in great shape. Front two, and rear bench are without tears and comfortable. (Pictured)
  • Floor pans: The pans have some spots of surface rust, but no holes or weaknesses. They're solid, even near the battery box. The passenger side was cut and replaced beneath the seat before I purchased the car. It was riveted, and sealed. It's not beautiful, but it's functional, and has presented no issues. 
  • Kenwood, Detchable Face CD Player and Four Kenwood speakers. 
  • I've been running good ole, 87 octane, 20/50 oil, with Lucas-Oil oil conditioner and stop leak. It's the best stuff out there, and I find that this bug leaks less oil, and runs with better compression than any other air-cooled, push-rod operated vehicle I've ever driven/ridden...even on cold (for California) mornings. 
  • 8x15s in the front, 10" wide in the rear - running good rubber. Lots of miles to be enjoyed on the tires. 
  • Full size spare. (Pictured)
  • Glass is good. Front pop-out windows are awesome for air-circulation. 
  • Parts are CHEAP and ACCESSIBLE. Working on this car has been fun and therapeutic -- though an interesting introduction to the air-cooled VW. If you're unaware, I can provide you with some great parts suppliers. 
  • Added new rear drums/brakes: less than 700 miles. 
  • Changed clutch cable: less than 1,000 miles
  • Don't know the actual mileage, though the odometer just rolled over. Obviously, this car being a cut of two different cars, I don't know what to guesstimate for the mileage. I know that I took it to a mechanic, who I didn't think wanted to give it back. He drove it around the block four or five times. Said what I've felt and feel to be true. It runs strong. It's fun. 
  • It is painted white...this kind of falls in the so-so category. The paint ins't good. There are chips, mismatch spray jobs, etc. What you'd expect on something that was used for outdoor fun. 
  • I'm including a tire iron with the car. 
The Bad (which isn't so bad)

  • The wiring is a bit sketchy. It's there. It works. But it's temperamental. (I've noticed humidity and temp have a lot to do with it.) One thing I planned to do was rewire the entire vehicle, and install a new fuse box. Unfortunately, no time. I've got all of the front lights, signals, etc. working (Pictured), and the rear turn signals are working; however, I've only got one taillight working on one side, and the brake light working on the opposite. I WILL continue to fiddle with this, as I've made some progress over the last couple of days, but I believe it to be a bad relay or wire, so please bid knowing they may not work without your own effort. 
  • Subsequently, the stereo stopped pumping out sound. I checked all fuses--they're good. The receiver is getting power, but somewhere in the mix, no signal is being pushed to the speakers. I'm not a car stereo guy, but I'm looking into it. Again, please bid with this understanding. I just don't have time to deal with these issues, and that will be reflected in the reserve price. 
  • Needs a front bumper. These range in size, scope and price. A good steel tube bumper can be found for less than $70. Or you could drive it around without, as I have. Just know that the front end will very much appreciate some protection. 
  • Very slow leak (I believe it's a valve leak, never goes flat) on a front tire. I add air every couple of weeks. 
  • Trim pieces/seals could use some TLC. E.g. Fender beads for the front. Door seal foam is worn. Window seals. 
  • Driver side window/door handle works rolling window up and down, but is working toward its final days -- I've got it set with some JB Weld, and I help the window up with my hand. Rolls down rapidly and with no issues. 
  • Passenger side sun visor is missing its clip. 
  • Windshield  wipers are operated by a toggle switch. And original is probably available somewhere. At present I have the wipers disconnected, while working on some of the other electrical. Can be reconnected. They do work...frenetically, I might add. 
She's no show car, but she does get up and go. If you're looking for a great foundation to get off the pavement and onto trails, this may be the right option for you. Best wishes in the bid.  

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Updated J.D. Power APEAL study shines on VW Group, Chevy

Wed, 24 Jul 2013

J.D. Power has just revealed the results of its 2013 APEAL Study, which looks at which brands have the most appealing cars based on sales figures, dealer inventory, brand loyalty, transaction and trade-in prices. The study was revamped for 2013, and places a larger focus on the new tech and infotainment options available to customers. All told, study participants gauged their vehicles on 77 different attributes, delivering a score out of a 1,000 points.
The Volkswagen Group had the greatest success of any corporation, topping the APEAL rankings with the Audi Allroad, Porsche Boxster, Porsche Cayenne, VW GTI and Passat. Chevrolet had the highest number of awards for a single brand, though, with the Avalanche, Sonic and Volt all taking home a prize.
The best brand overall was Porsche, which scored 884 out of a possible 1,000 points. The top Japanese brand was Lexus with a score of 847, while the top American brand was Cadillac, at 841. The best mainstream brand was Ram, which received a very respectable 817. The industry average for this year's study was 795, with 16 brands, all of which were mainstream, falling below the average.

Porsche 911 with VW turbodiesel prepares for LeMons assault

Fri, 21 Mar 2014

LeMons racing is a wonderful example that setting limits can actually breed creativity. The series mandates that all entries must cost $500, not counting safety equipment, and that cap forces teams to be ingenious in how they build a racecar. Take for example this diesel-powered Porsche 911, which its creators have dubbed Ferkel the Nein-11, that will be racing in the Sears Pointless race this weekend in Sonoma, California.
This Frankenstein combines a 911 chassis that was originally bought just for its European powertrain and a Volkswagen TDI diesel engine mounted in the rear. After deciding the shell could still be of some use, the team decided to go racing. "We began brainstorming what replacement drivetrain to use for maximum offense and there was really only one answer: a diesel," said Philipp von Weitershausen, one of the team captains, to Jalopnik. They bought a 1998 Jetta TDI on the cheap and started figuring out a way to hack the engine into the bay. To pay respect to the donor, the VW's trunk was highly modified (and drilled) and grafted onto the back of Ferkel.
This team isn't a newcomer to LeMons. Its last car was a classic VW Beetle with a Subaru engine and dual controls, named Ferdinand the Bug, which could be driven from the left or right side. It's quite a sight.

VW looking to MAN up, ditch Mercedes van deal

Wed, 16 Jan 2013

Unlike the US, the commercial truck market throughout the rest of the world is chocked full of competitors from many different automakers. Since 2006, Volkswagen has had a fullsize van called the Crafter that was a result of a partnership with Daimler AG and based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This partnership is supposed to last through 2016, but Reuters is reporting that VW might be looking to end its relationship with Daimler and create its own van in cooperation with German truck and bus maker MAN.
The article says that VW AG has more than a 75-percent stake in MAN, which would essentially be keeping the new commercial vehicle in-house. Even if VW bolts, Daimler still has a deal worked out in the commercial truck industry between its subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso and Renault-Nissan to supply the other with different trucks.