Tempted by a 1979 convertible

Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Thing.

Moderators: Sluggo, Amskeptic

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covelo
Old School!
Location: Fairfax, CA
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Tempted by a 1979 convertible

Post by covelo » Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:50 pm

I am intrigued by this 1979 beetle convertible on Craigslist.

Image

Does anyone have experience with these late-model FI beetles? I think this would be a fun commute vehicle for my new job. I think it's a little pricey but it's been on CL for a while so they'll probably take a little less than $7k.

(Always looking for excuses to visit the Bear Republic brewery in Healdsburg).
‘80 Vanagon Westfalia - 54,400 miles
'91 Toyota Pickup (4WD long bed) - 199,960 miles
1987 Alfa Spider Veloce - 166,400 miles
2017 VW E-Golf - 5,600 miles

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dtrumbo
IAC Addict!
Location: Mill Creek, WA
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Post by dtrumbo » Sun Jul 05, 2009 6:46 am

I have one and absolutely love it! I use it as my commuter car when I don't ride public transit. Very fun, and easy on the gas (I average 22 and I have a pretty heavy foot). The steering is fantastic, the FI runs great and is very reliable.

The car you're looking at is absolutely beautiful! Make sure you check underneath for rust in the floor pan and heater channels. Pull up the back seat and look under the battery. I paid 7k for mine a few years back and I bet you're right, the down economy might work in your favor here.

If you didn't figure it out already, my vote is a resounding "go for it"!
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

... as it turns out, it was the coil!

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Sluggo
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Wishin' I was Fishin'
Location: Portland, Or.
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Post by Sluggo » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:52 am

Is that a "Super White"?
:vwgauge420:

1977 Bus with Sunroof - "Lucky '77"
2000cc Type IV w/Dual Weber 36s,
Aircooled.net SVDA w/Compufire,
Redline Weber Fuel Pump,
Holley Regulator,
Half Ass Brush & Roller Rustoleum Paint Job,
Incomplete Custom Interior,
Dual Batteries,
Crunched Slider Door.
------------------------------------------------------

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zblair
The Zster
Location: ATX
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Post by zblair » Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:38 am

Beautiful car!
1974 T1 Super Beetle "Fweem"
2017 Honda HRV "Domina"


"Love something? Serve it."
~Roshni Mitra

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IFBwax
IAC Addict!
Location: PDX
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Post by IFBwax » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:26 pm

That's what I'm talking about. Let me know if you don't jump on this Hans. I might have you check it out for me... if you pass on it.

Wayne
The best navigators aren't sure where they're going until they get there. And then they're still not sure.

Frank Bama

http://www.partypickle.blogspot.com

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covelo
Old School!
Location: Fairfax, CA
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Post by covelo » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:48 pm

IFBwax wrote:That's what I'm talking about. Let me know if you don't jump on this Hans. I might have you check it out for me... if you pass on it.

Wayne
Wow, enthusiastic reviews! I'll contact them tomorrow if it hasn't sold over the weekend. I could probably make it out there later this week. If he's in a hurry I'll pass him right on to you Wayne!
‘80 Vanagon Westfalia - 54,400 miles
'91 Toyota Pickup (4WD long bed) - 199,960 miles
1987 Alfa Spider Veloce - 166,400 miles
2017 VW E-Golf - 5,600 miles

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covelo
Old School!
Location: Fairfax, CA
Status: Offline

Post by covelo » Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:53 pm

Couple of engine pictures. Any red flags?

Image
Image
Image
‘80 Vanagon Westfalia - 54,400 miles
'91 Toyota Pickup (4WD long bed) - 199,960 miles
1987 Alfa Spider Veloce - 166,400 miles
2017 VW E-Golf - 5,600 miles

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
Status: Offline

Post by hambone » Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:57 pm

Geez lookit all that crap. For ME, it overly complicates a very simple car and engine.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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dtrumbo
IAC Addict!
Location: Mill Creek, WA
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Post by dtrumbo » Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:21 pm

hambone wrote:Geez lookit all that crap. For ME, it overly complicates a very simple car and engine.
They (VW) had to do it to meet emissions standards. They wouldn't have otherwise. Besides, that 'crap' makes for a smooth, easy-to-start-in-the-cold and otherwise very reliable engine. It's not at all complicated if anyone dared to read the last chapter of their Bentley (Beetle or Bus) manual that everyone swears they've read. But that's just ME.

Those pictures are beautiful. The only things I see are that there are no clamps on the brand new black paper hoses and, more importantly, no rubber seals around where they pass through the tin. Otherwise, that's exactly what a 1979 fuel injected Beetle engine should look like right down to the green cloth-covered hose for the vacuum lines. I wish mine looked that good.
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

... as it turns out, it was the coil!

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
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Post by hambone » Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:41 pm

Hey we all have different points of view, doesn't make any of them "correct". That's why I capitalized ME.
Neither of my Volkswagens have any of that stuff, but both start and drive and are reliable in all sorts of weather and conditions.
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

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dtrumbo
IAC Addict!
Location: Mill Creek, WA
Status: Offline

Post by dtrumbo » Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:12 pm

Sorry man. I guess I took offense to your use of 'crap'. For the record, that 'crap' does nothing but make the car more fuel efficient and reduces emissions, both ideas I would think you support being the outdoor enthusiast you are. I agree that we've gone way too far with idiocies such as heated and cooled seats and cup holders. :roll:
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

... as it turns out, it was the coil!

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chitwnvw
Resident Troublemaker
Location: Chicago.
Status: Offline

Post by chitwnvw » Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:52 pm

dtrumbo wrote:cup holders. :roll:
Now you've gone too far, Dick. The Super Big Gulp was something that the fine engineers at VW did not forsee. I am an avid stock enthusiast, but not all new ideas are bad ones.

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dtrumbo
IAC Addict!
Location: Mill Creek, WA
Status: Offline

Post by dtrumbo » Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:15 pm

I have no problem with cup holders. I do have a problem with heated and cooled cup holders. I meant to lump the cup holders in with the seats in my original post.
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

... as it turns out, it was the coil!

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hambone
Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
Location: Portland, Ore.
Status: Offline

Post by hambone » Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:37 pm

Ok you're right I shouldn't have used that word. "Stuff" would have been better.
I'm just so opinionated, ya know?
http://greencascadia.blogspot.com
http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat

User avatar
dtrumbo
IAC Addict!
Location: Mill Creek, WA
Status: Offline

Post by dtrumbo » Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:44 pm

So Covelo, didja buy it? Didja, didja didja?
- Dick

1970 Transporter. 2015cc, dual Weber IDF 40's
1978 Riviera Camper. Bone stock GE 2.0L F.I.
1979 Super Beetle convertible.

... as it turns out, it was the coil!

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