Just bought a...

[sharkbait]

karmann cab '71 beetle on egay! The aircooled division bit isn't working, it won't let me in! Feel free to move this to the relevant location if you can.

[1958 Harry]

Oooohhhh!!! Pics?????? :D

The 'Aircooled Division' bit doesn't work for me either - i've PM'd Charlie about it.

[sharkbait]

Only ebay.... I bought it without seeing it, but I figure the worst thing that can happen is negative feedback if it's not as advertised. It's RHD (converted from LHD as was cali import) 1 year MOT, tax exempt and.. flat screen which is what I wanted.

[Blugg]

Only ebay.... I bought it without seeing it, but I figure the worst thing that can happen is negative feedback if it's not as advertised. It's RHD (converted from LHD as was cali import) 1 year MOT, tax exempt and.. flat screen which is what I wanted.

ebay item number :confused: :o

[1958 Harry]

Only ebay.... I bought it without seeing it, but I figure the worst thing that can happen is negative feedback if it's not as advertised. It's RHD (converted from LHD as was cali import) 1 year MOT, tax exempt and.. flat screen which is what I wanted.

Don't forget to check EVERYWHERE!!! Heater channels etc etc :)

[markymark]

ebay item number :confused: :o
I dont think I would share that!

[Blugg]

I dont think I would share that!

Why :confused:

If you've already bought it no one can bid on it :)

Just a bit hard to imagine what it looks like without seeing it :) :)

[markymark]

Why :confused:

If you've already bought it no one can bid on it :)

Just a bit hard to imagine what it looks like without seeing it :) :)

Personally I just like somethings to be private, like how much I paid etc. Just all my opinion of course.

[Blugg]

Personally I just like somethings to be private, like how much I paid etc. Just all my opinion of course.

;) :)

Just thought.

It will be great to see it in the flesh in the My Dub Photo's bit when you get it. If you don't get it, it will be be a worthwhile wait to see what you do get when you do get one :)

[amethystbelle]

Ooohhhh congrats, i hope the car turns out to be a good one for you :)

[Shamrockez]

Congrats! :D

I'll move this into AD when you guys can get in. I can get in, but it would be a bit lonely just me in this thread lol

[Dub-Diva]

YAY! Well done! Pics, Pics, Pics!!!

[Special K]

I want to get into the AD Too !!!

K

[sharkbait]

Thanks guys! Yeah I don't want to blag about price etc, just saying in PM if it's as good as they guy claims it to be, then I think I got a bargaroonie. If not, then hey, you live and learn! Gotta take a chance sometimes :o) It's yellow with a black hood, you can kind of picture that, hahah. Totally standard, nothing modified other than being converted to RHD. Will check it over thoroughly (heater channels, battery tray, door drops, spare wheel well etc etc) and if it's cool it comes home with me at the weekend. I'll keep you all posted and I won't really get too excited (yeah right) until it's checked over and sitting in my garage.

[sharkbait]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/53c4_1.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/fa55_1.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/ef35_1.jpg

Not sure if that's gonna work... believe it or not I've not posted a pic since the site had its makeover, lol

[Graham]

That looks very nice :cool:

Look better with some nice yellow bits of trim inside though ! :laughing: :p ;)

[Blugg]

That's a Cab Beetle :eek: :confused: :eek: :laughing:

I thought you mean't one of those Dubs that looks like an old volvo things. Lucky i saw a picture now :o :laughing:

That does look coolio :)

[1958 Harry]

Wow, that looks REALLY nice!!! :D :D :D

[Shamrockez]

Looks ace! Fingers crossed it's as good as described :)

[1958 Harry]

That's a Cab Beetle :eek: :confused: :eek: :laughing:

I thought you mean't one of those Dubs that looks like an old volvo things. Lucky i saw a picture now :o :laughing:

That does look coolio :)

I think you were thinking of a Karmann Ghia Dan.

[sharkbait]

It does look lovely doesn't it? All I have to hope is that it really is as good as it looks. Just a bit of crust on the bonnet, that's no biggie! I've bought a bug with no floor and a tree growing through it before, this is a breeze, lol

[1958 Harry]

LOL! I hope its a good as it looks - its your sunshine bug :D

[Duggy]

That looks like L10B Texas Yellow from the pictures. I hope it turns out to be a good as it looks in the pictures. Very nice. :cool:

[sharkbait]

That looks like L10B Texas Yellow from the pictures. I hope it turns out to be a good as it looks in the pictures. Very nice. :cool:

Well, after a 400+ mile round trip we're home! The bug is even better than I thought... only faults being an oil leak (tho it drove home fine, no oil pressure probs), needs a new petrol cap seal cos it leaks when the tank is full and you go around a corner, and a couple of rust bubbles on the lower doors and on the bonnet. Other than that it has had a full resto and is rock solid! It's got a new hood, which I see as a bonus, and everything works, even down to the two speed fans which I've never seen on a bug before.
Drove all the way home with the roof down :o)
Am cream crackered, but here's a couple of pics I took when we got home... better ones to follow if anyone's interested.
Oh and I STILL can't get into the aircooled bit ?

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/DSC00179.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/DSC00183.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/DSC00182.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/DSC00181.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/DSC00180.jpg

[Shamrockez]

2 speed fans?! Our Aussie Bay had them - normally refered to as Ambulance Fans and fitted as an option to vehicles in hot countries.

Glad it's better than you thought too :D

[sharkbait]

That would make sense because it started life in California. There's some humongous thing under the bonnet that's fan related. I don't know, it's so much more modern (newbee aside) than any other bug I've ever had. Lucy will know what I mean by that, lol

[Shamrockez]

Lol yep! The most 'modern' we've had is the Aussie Bay - he was a 73.

My red shed at the end of the garage is a 71, so if there's anything you want to know, or check, i'll go and have a look on mine for you :) He's pretty original, even if he is bodged :(

He used to do the smelly tank thing too - I used to just fill him up to 3/4 instead lol

[sharkbait]

Thanks honey, no doubt I'll come up with loads of questions as usual. I'm still taken with the novelty of being able to wind the rear windows up and down, hahaah!

[Shamrockez]

Yeah i like them on my mum's! :D And the clips which hold the hood in at the top.

[Blugg]

http://www.beingdavid.com/pictures/surprised%20monkey.jpg



New fuel cap seal and it's originally from California AND it's in great condition. You sure now how to pick em :eek: :eek:

Set out to buy a Cab and the Sun even comes out for you :eek: :eek:

Really Happy to hear it's everything you wanted :o From the pics it looks lovingly cared for too. Now you know you have no excuse not to come to a Show(it off) now :D :D

ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! :)

[sharkbait]

Thanks for all the positive comments guys. And guess what? The sun's out again today :)
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/top_bunny/DSC00186.jpg

[Shamrockez]

Very jealous! It looks gorgeous! Has it got a name yet? :)

Dog seems to like it too :D

[sharkbait]

The dog loves it, though I didn't take her out in it because I worried that she might leap out! It has rear seat belts so I'll arrange something so I can thread the dog harness through, then she can come cruising.
I can't decide if it's a boy or a girl (car not dog) so I called it Sunny. I figure that works both ways :o)
TBH I'm amazed at what I got for my money. Seems like there's still bargains out there to be had!

[Shamrockez]

There sure is! I think the lack of decent weather this summer has helped with the prices too.

What's the dog called? :)

Sunny is a good name? My sister had a pony called Sunny when she was younger - he was a really nice pony :) Ironically we also had him at the same time as a pony called Herbie! (her twin had Herbie)... then we sold Sunny and he was replaced by another pony called Herbie - but she was a girl Herbie :)

[sharkbait]

I just took my friends out for a cruise... nothing better than a bug full of people. The glovebox popped open and someone said 'it's Herbie, what's it trying to tell us?' To shut the glovebox properly I would imagine, lol
Dog is called Rhubarb. Ruby for short :)

[1958 Harry]

WOW WOW WOW!!! It looks awesome!!! I love it!

I am SOOOO glad it was as good as the ad said! You got a bit of a bargain by the looks of it too!

Wow 2 speed fans! Harry doesn't even know what a fan is :lol:

I cant wait to see this in the metal! You bringing it to Reading (weather permitting)?

[1958 Harry]

Oh and if you want an A1 place to sort out the little bubbles, the guys who did Harry are excellent!

[cabb77]

Thats one really nice cab, very well done with your purchase.
Can't beat a Karmann Cab what ever the weather. Have you done the rear view mirror trick yet??

[sharkbait]

Ooh no.... what's the rear view mirror trick? I hope by 'trick' you don't mean... not being able to see anything when the roof is down, cos I've done that one already, lol!
Tell me!

[cabb77]

The very clever peole at Karmann designed the rear view mirror to sit at two heights. When the roof is up you have it in the position shown in the photo above. When the roof is folded down you can turn the mirror over which raises it over the the folded roof, if that makes sense.
Before you do this however for the first time squirt a little wd40 on the ball joint at the rear of the mirror. Sorry if this is not clear, if you need photos let me know, it makes a massive difference to driving with the roof down.
:)

[amethystbelle]

Gorgeous cab, i'm so glad it turned out to be perfect :)

[sharkbait]

The very clever peole at Karmann designed the rear view mirror to sit at two heights. When the roof is up you have it in the position shown in the photo above. When the roof is folded down you can turn the mirror over which raises it over the the folded roof, if that makes sense.
Before you do this however for the first time squirt a little wd40 on the ball joint at the rear of the mirror. Sorry if this is not clear, if you need photos let me know, it makes a massive difference to driving with the roof down.
:)

Ha! it's little things like this that really please me (sad, I know!). But I do think i'm gonna need pics for this one, cos I'm not entirely sure how I'm gonna turn it around?
And thanks Amethyst, I'm really pleased with it, can't wait for next summer, gonna go to lots of shows next season :)

[Shamrockez]

I think he means adjust the mirror 180 degrees :)

[cabb77]

Here we go hope this helps
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb58/cabb77/Picture333.jpg
Hood up

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb58/cabb77/Picture332.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb58/cabb77/Picture331.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb58/cabb77/Picture330.jpg
Hood down, this raises the height of the mirror.
Make sure it moves freely and don't force it.
Worth it as it makes life with the hood down easier.

[1958 Harry]

Ahhhhh very clever - I assume this is to stop the glare of the Sun?

[cabb77]

No, the mirrors are anti dazzle, but this function is to raise the height of the rear view mirror as the roof does cause rear vissibilty problems when folded down.
Another top Cabriolet tip is motorway driving with the roof down! Be careful of your engine temperatures as the folded down roof acts as a spoiler preventing the air from going over your engine lid. Fit a temp guage and keep an eye on it.
But most of all enjoy it

[sharkbait]

ooohhhh okay I tried it and it swivels around just fine... didn't have to force it at all. Thanks for the top tip! The motorway thing makes sense as well, I'll try to avoid motorways anyway, lol. There's a joke in here about going topless. but I don't think I'll go there... I just love my bug soooo much. Hurrah

[sharkbait]

PS I spy a hood cover..... I so need one of those!

[cabb77]

They do tidy things up when the hoods down, also helps keep the roof lining etc clean. Not cheap though, VW Cabriolet Club offer good deals on that sort of stuff.

[sharkbait]

No worries... am going to the states on Saturday so I'll probably see if I can find one out there. $2 to the £1 at the moment or thereabouts! Failing that, I'll get my gran to knit me a cover.....niiiiiice!
lol

[cabb77]

Lucky you, always wanted to do the states. I'd empty my suitcase and fill in with parts on the way back.
The knitted idea sounds good, never seen one done like that, just don't get it wet as it will slow you down:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

[Dub-Diva]

How's the bug doing? Going ok I hope :)

[sharkbait]

Hiya Roxy, the bug's going very well... have missed it while I've been away, lol. Just got to get the engine oil leak prob fixed before I start using it more, and I can't really do that till I sell the newbee so just playing the waiting game at the moment! Hopefully will have enough left over to buy the old bug a new engine and it'll be totally sorted. Next I guess I'll think about changing the wheels, and possibly get the front lowered a tad, other than that, it's staying stock!

[1958 Harry]

Wheres it leaking oil from?

Pushrods/rear oil seal are all fairly easy to fix :)

[Duggy]

It looks really great. Just right for the sunshine.

Small oil leaks are annoying but not necessarily serious. Remember everything is replaceable / fixable on the mechanical side. It gives a certain kind of satisfaction repairing things yourself too. Almost as if you have a kind of affinity with it...like a bonding session only sadder!! :rolleyes: :D

[Shamrockez]

It looks really great. Just right for the sunshine.

Small oil leaks are annoying but not necessarily serious. Remember everything is replaceable / fixable on the mechanical side. It gives a certain kind of satisfaction repairing things yourself too. Almost as if you have a kind of affinity with it...like a bonding session only sadder!! :rolleyes: :D
and messier :D

[1958 Harry]

Also if you are going down the 'Brand New' engine route - be careful what you buy as some of these 'new' engines are ****e! Ask on VZi which are the best.

TBH if its only leaking oil (not burning it - ie blue smoke out the exhausts) why do you need a new engine??? ALso whats the end float like on the engine - if there isn't much you probably have a good engine there. Try and determine where its leaking from, like I said if its coming out from between the gearbox/engine its probably the rear oil seal (easy peasy to replace) like wise if its the Pushrods they aren't all that difficult either (Lucy has done them on Bella). Before you buy a 'New' engine (if you're going down the brand new route) i'd take your car to an engine builder - they may be able to build your engine repairing/reconditioning the parts as required - you'll probably end up with a better engine than buying new anyway!

That is unless you're going bigger and faster then hell yeah - change the engines :D

[Duggy]

even if your engine has end-float you can have it align bored and oversized bearings fitted to combat the free-play in the crank.

One way of telling if you have too much end-float is if the engine tickover speeds up a noticeable amount when you depress the clutch. If it does speed up, it may be because without the load of the clutch pressure plate on the flywheel the crank is able to move a few thousanth's on an inch in its bearings and advance the timing (end-float).

There are very few real engine issues that can't be cured by a rebuild of one degree or another. In the long run that may be a better option than replacing the whole thing with a new one. If you go to a good engine builder, they'll have it singing better than a new one anyway. As Luke has said, be very careful which flavour of new engine you buy if you go down that route as there are a number of lower quality ones out there, put together using mainly reclaimed parts. I think I would try and stay with the original engine and go for a rebuild if necessary.

Which-ever you decide there is lots of impartial help and advice out there so if in doubt always ask before you buy.

Lovely car though....it is L10B Texas Yellow isn't it? I luuuuurve Texas Yellow :D :D

[Duggy]

and messier :D

Yeah that's true! :D

It was a great feeling knowing that I drove all the way back up from London again last night without any trouble, powered by a 29 year old engine that 3 weeks ago was in pieces in my garage, passing modern cars and vans that were broken down! ;) :D

[Shamrockez]

:lol: I was nice going to get Joey out of the garage on Monday - he started up first time, ran perfectly into work and back.... he put Robbie to shame!

[sharkbait]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Unlike my knowledge of newbees (which is somewhat limited!) I've owned and restored old bugs since about 1988 so I kinda know a bit more about them. New engine to me means total rebuild, but I may go bigger, faster better, depending on the insurance costs. I musn't lose sight of the fact that this car is supposed to be more economical, lol. i've had 'brand new' engines in my cars in the past, and to be honest, have never had a problem with them, though I hear others have. Oil leak is not determined properly yet (have been away) but the bug hasn't made that much of a mess in the garage in two weeks. It's hard to tell at the moment until I clean it up properly, it's pretty gunky under there, but it's not coming from the engine/gearbox, and it's not burning any. Oil pressure light only flickers on idle, and goes out as soon as the revs go up.There's no oil spray in the engine bay.
I've only ever taken the car on one long run (on the way home from collection) and it never produced blue smoke, or I'd have mentioned that. It did run hot, therefore much more oil leaked out (left a puddle the size of three tennis balls in the time it took to fill up after about 100 miles) but since I'm new to cabrio ownership, it never occured to me that the engine doesn't get adequate ventilation with the roof down! DOH!
As I said, any repairs are on hold until the newbee is sold. Sunny is sitting smugly in the garage with a bowl underneath him for his little 'accidents' hah. Thanks for all the advice though, good to know people know what they're chatting aobut, lol.

[sharkbait]

Oh and Dugster, I think it is Texas Yellow though the respray is slightly off as the dash is a darker shade of yellow. Having said that, the dash is off another car (it was converted from LHD to RHD) so who knows??? I'm off to give it a hug.