Getting the Bug

Original Craig's List Ad
11.14.2008




For sale is a 1971 VW super beetle project car. I bought this car 11 years ago with the intent to restore it. It was a daily driver when I bought it, and the front end and brakes were just replaced by a mechanic. This year of superbeetles are unique in that they have the bigger motors, better suspension, and all the other great things, but it has a flat windshield like the older standard bugs. I drove this car around town and on the freeway for a month before I started restoring it, and it had no issues. This car is completely stock and I have all the parts I removed with the exception of the fenders, bumpers, and cloth top. I have all the glass, deck lids, original radio, taillights, seats, convertible frame(pictured in back seat), even brand new deluxe carpet from Ovals($175). It was all stored in a dry barn until last week when my dad said it had to go (needs room for hay), and I can’t take it at my house, so here is a chance to pick up a great car cheap. Serious inquiries only.


Barn Find

11.14.2008

Hello from Hulda!

Hi I was born in Germany in 1971, but have lived the last eleven years in this barn in Enumclaw, WA. My previous owners purchased me in the Seattle area, began my restoration, but never were able to complete my makeover.

Recently, I was displaced by some hay bales, but a new family is making room for me. One of their ancestors was born in Germany, too, and I'm named after her (Hulda). I may not look like much now but I do have most of my parts. Looking forward to getting back on the road soon!

Auf Wiedersehen!

PS. Here's what I looked like fresh from the barn:

How It All Began
11.15.2008
Hulda is the name of our new bug, and also the great-great-grandmother of Julia who turns 16 in a little over a year. Julia's dad (Matt) is a car guy who was looking for a project, when the idea came up to take the next year restoring an old VW bug for Julia to drive. Why a beetle? It's a vehicle that Julia has always seemed to enjoy -- as seen in the picture below. The pic was taken at the local LeMay's car museum when Julia was in 4th grade. After viewing hundreds of cars that day , she was asked to stand in front of her favorite.

Here's Julia the day we took delivery of the car, still smiling.

Where to Start?

11.16.2008

When I (Matt) went out to check out this barn find, I asked David to tag along since he is far more mechanical than I am (just ask him about his dune-buggy project!). After a brief assessment of the car's current condition, it became clear that the rust areas would need to be cut out and patch-paneled before it ever came to my garage, so we asked Lance to deliver it to David's High-tech Auto and Welding Shop (a.k.a. his home garage).

The plan is to repair these areas and then see if we can get the engine started up so I can drive it around the neighborhood and stir things up. Below are the main rust areas that need to be addressed:

This package tray behind the rear seat wouldn't hold a watermelon!

Typical rust found in convertibles in front of rear wheel arch (passenger side).

The driver's side is even worse!

Shoutout!
11.16.2008

Big thanks go to Lance who, not only sold us the car, but also delivered it and all the boxes of parts that went with it. We couldn't have made the purchase from a nicer guy (pictured on the left).

Also, we could not have even started this project with out the help of David and his torch skills to help us address the typical rust areas found in these convertibles (pictured on the right).

Unloading Hulda off the trailer..."Don't get run over, Julia!"