1971 Volkswagen Beetle baja bug conversion running and driving
Description
Hello and welcome! Up for consideration here today is my 1971 Volkswagen Baja Bug. Please read the listing thoroughly as I'm going to tell you everything I know about the car in it.
I've owned this bug just about a year now. The ONLY reason I'm selling it is because I just had my taxes done and I owe quite a bit of money this year and this is a sellable asset to help make up the money I need. Needless to say I was not prepared for this. I've always wanted one, and I'll get another one in a few years once I'm better financially. I had the bug titled as an antique in Pennsylvania (which means no state inspection ever), currently registered and insured (as an antique via haggerty) in my name. It sits in my garage. I drove it a few hours last weekend just to make sure that it's in drivable condition before I sell it and to see if there was anything I missed. It turns heads wherever it goes and people love it, gets tons of compliments even in its current condition. Over the course of the year I've owned it, listed below is what I've done to it:
-New alternator-New bosch voltage regulator-New carburetor-New clutch-Converted it to an electric fuel pump with a heavy duty sealed relay off of the key switch. Also put the fuel filter before the pump so no fuel filter to break near the engine.-New fuel level sender-New fuel gauge (not installed)-New NGK spark plugs-New distributor cap-New distributor rotor-New points and condenser-New german ignition coil-New rear swing arm support plates/mounts-New hidden key switch under the dashboard-Battery is a little under a year old-Front tires are newer-Did the title process and paid to have it as titled as antique-New paper air filter-New Dansk muffler which is as close to OEM as you can get (which means the carburetor pre-heat tubes actually work and you can drive the bug in the winter frigid temps)
I'm listing the things below I'd address in the near future-Fuel gauge still does not work, I installed the sender and I've narrowed the problem to either the gauge voltage regulator or the gauge itself. I have the new fuel gauge which goes with the car but not the gauge voltage regulator-Replace the hoses going to the fuel filler neck or replace the fuel filler neck and all new hoses at the same time. It tends to smell like fuel inside after you fuel it up so I suspect the hoses or the neck itself. -Everything is there for the heat to work under the rear seat. Would just need to replace the heat select cable and add the hoses and collars from the engine blower housing to/through the exhaust heat exchangers.-Front windshield has a crack, on the passenger side and is not in the drivers line of sight at all-Rust repair, all bugs of this vintage have rust especially baja's. Please look up common rust areas and repair before asking about rust on a bug. The battery box area and under the seat are could use a little more attention/replacement. I don't think the heat tubes inside/under the doors would work anymore as they have holes in them. I didn't care about heat as its a baja bug, I like to drive it around in the summer and maybe a lap or two around the yard in the snow.-I think the carburetor jetting is too rich. If it idles too long it seems to load up before its fully warm (driving it around for 15 minutes). With the open paper style air filter I have it jetted a little rich, and once warmed up it doesn't seem to load up so I left it alone. An old engine is happier fat than lean anyway. Could use a little more tuning or tweaking for your tastes. -The interior shows wear as do the seats. The seats still work but under the drivers seat cover it shows quite a bit of wear and tear, missing vinyl etc.-I would re-bleed the braking system, I think it could benefit from it
When I initially got this VW, it was not running and I had to drag it home. I've pieced it together and this is how she sits now. I have about $2600-2700 into it, mostly because I thought I'd never need to get rid of it and I could just enjoy it and fix it up over time (childhood dream car). All of the exterior lights work on the car, the speedometer works and the indicator/oil pressure/alternator lights work too. The parking brake also works.
I'm not interested in entertaining any low ball offers, if this one doesn't sell I do have another car I can sell as well, I'm trying to be an adult and not sell the practical SUV lol but focusing on selling the "toys" first. You won't come across a baja bug in the northeast that's not totally trashed, I know I tried before I found this one. If you don't feel comfortable enough to drive it home, I do have a E350 diesel van and a big trailer and I could trailer it to your home. This would not be free, but I'd at least need fuel and toll money round trip and probably lunch :) which I'd be more than happy to talk about before the auction is over. And the title gets transferred into your name BEFORE the bug leaves my property. Out of state buyers can get a transit tag/registration at the notary, which would need to be done to get it legally out of my name in Pennsylvania. There is no exception to this, and I'm not taking less money for the car when we stand at the notary because you did not plan for this.
Please take a look at my feedback, I really dostrive to be as honest andforthcoming as I can be about the items I sell. I don't hide anything, I encourage potential bidders to come and take a look before making a bid. Cash at pickup works for me. I'm notmaking any shippingarrangements, if you want it shipped I can be here for someone to pick it up, but thats about the most I can do.
I won't entertain a million requests to take various different photos overand over again of different areas of the car. Please come and look atthe car if you are interested even remotely. That way you'll seeexactly what you are looking for. Some people don't care about rust and patina because "it adds to the survivor look",and some people get bothered by a tiny scratch "ruining its value". Please stop by and make your ownassessment. I'm more than happy to show it to you and drive you around for a bit and chat with you for awhile, I love talking about classic cars and showing mine off. There is no warranty on this car, it's being sold as-is where is. Please ask me anything you want to know, and I can be available to show the car so you can see it before you bid.
This is the third classic VW bug I've owned, I do own a really nice 1974 convertible bug as well. I do know a thing or two about bugsand have an idea of their value. Please no low ball offers. Do some research on what bugs and baja bugs go for. I'm pricing it pretty reasonably already.
Thank you for looking and good luck!
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