Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: euro911 Aug 11 2013, 06:37 PM

Some friends of ours, Aaron & Donna, are moving away. Aaron got a better paying air traffic controller job at a large airport in Alabama ... he had been working ATC at our local Torrance Municipal for the past couple of years.

They were originally going to have their '67 bug ('Tomater') transported back there, but the cost was out of their budget, so Aaron recently decided to sell it. I helped him rebuild the engine last year, so he asked if I might be interested in it.




At first I said no, especially since I haven't been too active at the shop recently ... but my wife started thinking about it. We looked it over and started pricing what it would take to turn it into a nice DD for her (she says the Tundra is too big)




It runs well - what it really needs a lot of cosmetic work. The RR fender and rear apron need work (replaced) as well as some additional [minor] bodywork






... and the interior needs some attention. Headliner, complete (full) carpet kit (we'll get Oatmeal) and a driver's seat re-upholstery kit for sure ... passenger seat and rear seat still look pretty good








I'll also be looking into upgrading the front brakes to discs (approx $400.)




With about $1k +/- in upgrades, some clean up, a cheep $500 Maaco paint job, and new rubber seals, it should look pretty good

If I feel like getting a little more industrious, I do have a couple 'spare' 95hp 912 engines handy

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Aug 11 2013, 06:51 PM

I put a 66 1.8L 912 motor in a 66 bug and man that thing was quick!!

Posted by: bigkensteele Aug 11 2013, 07:02 PM

If you don't buy it you will kick yourself. If you do buy it and don't get into it, you can sell if for as much or more than you paid for it. They aren't making them anymore, and '67 is an interesting year. Half old, half new(ish).

Posted by: billh1963 Aug 11 2013, 07:21 PM

Very cool....love the '67's. my college roommate had a faded red '67 with the factory sunroof. He finally sold it when he was putting in more oil than gas!

Posted by: steuspeed Aug 11 2013, 07:43 PM

"TOMATER"... I love it. You should get the plate.

Posted by: FourBlades Aug 11 2013, 08:08 PM

Very nice...always wanted a bug.

Get it or regret it...

John

Posted by: solex Aug 11 2013, 08:21 PM

67 is a good year, one year only model, collectible

Posted by: zambezi Aug 11 2013, 11:00 PM

Those are the wrong disc brakes though. 67 was 4 lug. Much cheaper to convert to discs. Ghia rotors will bolt on I believe. Do you have the rear bumper? 67 was a one year only rear bumper also. Others will work, but to be correct the 67 is different. Good bones on the car though.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Aug 11 2013, 11:08 PM

My '67 was a five lug. As is this one.

Posted by: euro911 Aug 11 2013, 11:25 PM

It's the correct disc brake upgrade kit for this car. Late '66 and '67 came with shorter spindles so they came with the flatter hub caps (look like the 4-lug caps), but actually, the '67 was the last model year for 5x205 large bolt pattern wheels.

'67 was also the first year for dual-circuit brakes, 12 volt electrical system, sealed beam headlights and backup lights. I know the engine deck lid and lower apron were 1-year only, I don't know if the bumper is/was, or not?

I'll find out soon though ... I need to locate one

Posted by: Chris H. Aug 12 2013, 08:23 AM

Had a Java Green one (and 7 others but that's another story...) One of the best years, PERIOD. Old styling, 12v, low back seats. You STOLE that...(even though they set the price... )

You might try buffing that paint Mark...might clean up nice. Well...not the passenger fender but that's PATINA baby!

FIRST DIBS if you ever sell it.

Posted by: euro911 Apr 21 2015, 11:58 PM

Revisiting this thread - after looking more into what it would take to make this a nice car, decided it would take too much time away from my other projects. I told Dianne that I'd keep my eye out for something nicer that wouldn't require so much work.

Due th the rear end collision, the PO had cut the rear engine shelf and apron out (was thinking of making it a Baja), it also had front end collision and I found a 1/2" of bondo on the left rear 1/4 panel.

I installed a better R/R fender and rear deck lid, fixed a leaking feed hose to the M/C, bled the brakes, painted the wheels, installed a new rear main seal and set end play, cleaned up, painted and installed all the missing engine tins, hoses, etc., readjusted the front bumper, installed a Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo/cassette unit, cleaned it up inside and out and installed new wipers.

Sold it for a $2k profit in June of 2014

The buyer didn't want the compete spare disassembled T-1 motor, a fairly new extractor exhaust system and some Baja parts, so I just listed on the Samba last week

We picked up a pretty nice '70 Karman Ghia this week end, and Dianne is looking through a few VW parts supplier catalogs, although it really doesn't need too much ...

Posted by: Cairo94507 Apr 22 2015, 07:16 AM

Love the Ghias - Good find.

Posted by: euro911 Apr 23 2015, 10:18 AM