My 64 Beetle and why I sold the Malibu

[project hotrod]

For a few years I've had a craving to get a pre 65 aircooled VW. A few months ago I stumbled across one locally that I couldn't pass up. It was built about 10 years 2000 miles ago and appears have around 16k original miles on the body. Considering it has the original pans, and battery tray which are VERY solid I believe it.

Here it is the day I purchased it.







The run down on the car.

Basic "Cal look" Beetle.

2118 cc stroker
Dual 44 IDF weber carbs
Aftermarket heads
Old school real Centerline wheels


With a wheelie bar and a slick the car dips close to the mid 12's as it sits.

As it sat in the pics I hated the exhaust, and didn't agree with all the polished stuff on the engine, including the fan shroud so I planned some changes.

As it sits today.

I pulled the motor

Resealed everything

Replaced the header and exhaust

Normal tune up stuff

Replaced all the cooling tin with more efficient pieces

Removed most of the polished junk

Replaced the clutch with a Kennedy 1700 lb unit

Went through the brakes

And now I am driving it.

I still have a few things to do like replacing the oil cooler and moving it under the vehicle so I can put the deck lid back on the right way. Budget didn't allow the oil cooler yet but I should be able to replace it within the next month.

This is how it sits as of today.

By next summer I plan.
Disc brake conversion





I think the engine looks much better and should run cooler... So far it seems ok but I still need a cylinder temp gauge. Drove it to work last Friday with no problems but I do have to do a little tweaking. For some odd reason I get one pop out of the exhaust within 5 seconds after turning it off... It's odd, I've never had an engine do that before.
It sounds MUCH better too.



By next summer I plan.
Disc brake conversion

Changing the interior back to original and red in color. I don't care for the seats at all.

Installing blade style bumpers.

Changing the wheels. I'm not a fan of the rears sticking out like they do.

I guess that's it for now.

[gr868]

nice car i have a 1964 turbocharged 1914cc narrowed beam project i am working on slowly but surely while not busy on my camaro nice to see such a variety of cars on here and no attitudes

[Steve68]

So Cool!!!

Drop the rear, bring the Centerlines in, fix the engine cover, add a set of Euro Blades and you have the baddest bug rolling!

[AndrewNTX]

I've never owned one, but VW's are cool. Good job on the car.

When I was an 8th grader, me and a bud managed to borrow a flat four VW engine from a guy, disassembled it and won a prize at our Science Fair. No, we didn't get it back together, but the guy was doing us a favor and he needed it torn down any way. Fun engine.

[hechtrod]

Ah, that's sick! Mid 12's too! Yeah, needs different wheels and bumpers. Love me some Cal Look vw.

[gearheads78]

Sweet ride.

I owned lots of air cooled Vdubs in my late teens early 20's. Most fun was a 56 euro rag top /semiphore car on 66 pan. Red cal look with centerlines 2110 stroker with Fumeo heads. Wicked car for the late 80's. All the rich kids in school with new 5.0's hated me Now your bringing back memories. I better go to bed before I start cruising the Samba classifieds.

[b-man]

31 years ago my daily driver was a '66 bug with a 'glass one-piece front end.

Had an 1835 (92mm bore X 69mm stroke) with an Engle 130 cam (308 duration .460" lift)and my own home-ported stock valve 1600 heads (35.5mm/32mm valves). Ran a set of 48IDA Webers on it.

Had a close ratio 3rd and 4th gear in the trans (1.48/1.04) and 4.375 ring & pinion, had a Kennedy 1700 clutch. That car would get rubber in 3rd gear all time, got it once shifting into 4th when the clutch was brand-new on a slick street.

Ran in the 13.70s @ 97 MPH all day long on 165-15 Continentals, had a set of Centerlines too (15X3.5s & 15X4.75s) back when they were the hot new wheel to have.

Until you've driven one of these hot VWs you just don't know what you're missing.

I won a lot of street races against old-school musclecars back in the late '70s, they just hate it when that happens.

[Steve68]

I won a lot of street races against old-school musclecars back in the late '70s, they just hate it when that happens

Yes they do! I had about the same engine in my 68,

[Paul_J]

... nice to see such a variety of cars on here and no attitudes

Amen!

Nice car. I'm building a '54.

[project hotrod]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

It's cool to see all the stories pop up.

Ugh, I can't wait to get new wheels.

[Steve68]

What cha getting?

[project hotrod]

What cha getting?

I'm leaning towards these in the future but they are on back order.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails....9%2DC10%2D6659

But for now I might pick up a set of 356 style steel wheels with the slots, painted graphite metallic like my engine tin. Kind of stealthy looking with no hub caps.

Everyday the rear offset bothers me more. lol

[project hotrod]

Amen!

Nice car. I'm building a '54.

Rock on,

Any info on the internets?


I would love to have something that era.

[gr868]

shoptalkforums.com the samba.com have fun

[gearheads78]

I'm leaning towards these in the future but they are on back order.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails....9%2DC10%2D6659

But for now I might pick up a set of 356 style steel wheels with the slots, painted graphite metallic like my engine tin. Kind of stealthy looking with no hub caps.

Everyday the rear offset bothers me more. lol

Those look really good. I think I would have to do BRM replicas if I did a wide 5 car some day.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails....ode=C38-DR-710

OK thats it. I really need to stay away from this thread.

[billb]

Here's a pic of my 1963 vert with electronic fuel injected webers.
You have a good start! Bill
<a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/j...&current=9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...hoevette/9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Steve68]

Those look really good. I think I would have to do BRM replicas if I did a wide 5 car some day.
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails....ode=C38-DR-710

OK thats it. I really need to stay away from this thread.

Thats what I'd put on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I might have to agree with the statement above, I'd love to have a 65 DD,

[b-man]

Those front 3.5" inset wheels are sweet, I remember when they first came out. Back when I bought my set of 3.5s in '77 they only made the zero-offest ones, but they still looked great and fit perfect with 135 ZX Michelins.

I would buy a new set of rear Centerlines to tuck the rear tires in, you really don't even need a very wide wheel. I had my 165s mounted on 4.75" wide wheels and they looked perfect.

A big rear wheel and tire just saps the power on these cars.

I'd put a set of stock 1965 15X4" steel wheels on it before I'd put Porsche 'chromies' (wide-5 356 wheels) on it. Paint the centers black and the rims cream.

Not to hijack, but I thought I'd post a pic of my '66 VW Type II pickup. It's been trapped in the back of my garage for the last 12 years:

[DEIGuy38]

Nice looking bug. I always wanted one with the push back roof. Seeing the motor brings back memories of my sandrail. 2332 mid engine that made just over 200hp in about a 900 lb car. Talk about fun.

[project hotrod]

Man it's awesome to see the VW guys come out of the woodwork.

Nice cars to all those who posted pics.

I hate to say it but I'm not that much of a BMR fan. I think they are ok but don't see them on my car. I've always been a fan of the Rader style wheel or just stockers without the caps. I know the BRM wheel is the classic Cal look wheel.... Permission to bag on my granted.

I would only put the 356 wheels on the back though. Right now I have a 135 on the front but would like to go a little wider. Michigan roads SUCK!!!! Which is another reason I don't want to lower the front two much more than it is.

For the back I would like to run a 205 to fill the well a little bit.

I do need to look into adjusting the steering gear. I seam to have way too much play in the wheel.