I don’t know if this is the correct area to share it but it is very much big my creative outlet even if I’m just following a Auto Repair Manual right now so I thought I’d share it here. I got this Beetle for my 24th birthday 2 years ago and it was a dream come true. I’m planing on making a Herbie the love Bug replica out of it, my dream car since 2005. But as I was prepping the car for a make over I realized how simple this little car is and how easy it is for me a none mechanic to fix.
So easy in fact that I’m giving the engine rebuild a try for myself. I’ve been working on rebuilding the 1200cc Sears rebuilt engine (yes sears sold a rebuild vw engine crazy)and low and behold the threads were stripped for the Rocker arm studs now I’m waiting for a machine shop to make me new ones because the 1200cc parts are hard to come by because everyone has moved onto the 1600cc. Other things have been replaced of course like I’ve big bored the cylinders so they went from 77mm to 83mm to help get more power from this engine so I should be making 1385cc now once it is up and running.
I used to upload my updates on my Herbie Project on my social media accounts but I haven’t in a while due to nothing much progressing due to set back after set back. Since then I’ve also started to distance myself from those sites as well. So I’d like to also share the car restore here for anyone curious about a tech nerd deciding to rebuild his dream car. It’s a long process but after the engine rebuild is complete
I plan on fixing up the Pans (the chassie of a vw beetle) then after that it’s paint time plus other car things so I’m still a ways off. I’m hopping to have the car done by spring of 2027. Here is the Project so far with before and afters
Auto restoration always feels like a wizard’s hobby to me; the amount of space and complete “it does not work until you rebuild it” just feels so inaccessible.
Sometimes I dream of having my dream ~85-87 Camaro but I can’t imagine putting the time in.
My dad’s been restoring a 1967 Mustang for a few years now, been a lot of work.
Yeah it’s a lot of work for sure, I really feel out of my element at times. I’m just glad 5 year old me latched onto a very simple car lol. Now I’m not doing it all myself, body work has been done by a local body shop so that really help jump start the project. But it’s very expensive so I had to take back the car before it got painted, so ol herbie is sitting in primer right now.
And that’s awesome, the 60’s model mustangs are some of my favorite models. I hope your Dad’s mustang turns out great, keeping these classics on the road is fun even if you wanna pull your hair out working on them.
This kicks so much ass. I’ve got a real soft spot for cars myself, even though I’m not into repairing much myself either. One summer break during High School I got a job at a local car museum, which with my prior love for racing video games, really cranked up my appreciation for cars. I was a huge sucker for 90s JDM & Street Mod culture, since I was young and grew up during it’s waning years. One weekend there was a huge German car show, and I got absolutely head over heals with some of these late 80s/early 90s VW Rabbits & Golfs. Even early 2000s I think look sweet.
I feel this so much too. In many ways I feel like it’s not too far off from tech repair & restoration, since they’re in a similar vein of tinker mindset. It’s just the space and (typically) financial requirements required to get into it feels so incredibly inaccessible.
@SethMan53 Super interested in seeing how this develops over time. Know it’ll take a while, but I’ll always be stoked to see an update when it comes through.
I like going to car shows and playing racing games but a little backstory, I was saving for another car before I found the bug, a Toyota GR 86. I just wanted a cool car to drive around in but at the same time I told myself that if I found a beetle that I would get that instead so here I am now. I’m so glad I got the Bug in the end.
I’m a entry level '“car guy” I really don’t know much about the specs of everything (hence why it has taken me almost 4 months to rebuild this engine) and I tune into a race online every once in a while but my true love is for Herbie. Ever since my mom showed me Herbie Fully loaded in theaters when I was 5 I’ve loved the little guy. since then I’ve always wanted a 1963 vw beetle so when I saw one on Facebook marketplace near me I jumped at the opportunity. I don’t know what I really wanna do for a career in my life but I’ve always known I wanna make someones day so at least with me driving my Herbie around I might put a smile on someones face.
I’ll be sure to upload more updates as they come in, I’ve been debating on uploading on youtube as well but time is already thin with the car resto and I don’t wanna be a restoration channel too. I’d rather be the channel giving life advice or showing something cool off with Herbie in the background.
@SethMan53 This is awesome! I wanted to buy a second gen Chevelle when I was just out of high school back in 2011 but 10 grand for a car that needed a bunch of work seemed so expensive at the time. I really regret not grabbing one back then, they’re so expensive now.
Did you plan on buying this if you ever came across one or did it kind of just happen in the spur of the moment? Did you go looking for the beetle or did you catch wind of this one beign for sale and think “I gotta have this”? Have you been working through the project with anyone? I’ve always wanted to restore a vehicle with my pops.
I have been playing with the idea of buying a used 3rd gen Challenger or 7th gen Charger since you can find one relatively cheap. Only issue is we have a full driveway as is. We’ve toyed with the idea of trying to move gym equipment out of the garage to free it up to store a project car but I don’t quite remember where that conversation left off
I was saving for another car a GR 86 but told myself if I found a 63 bug I’ll get that instead. I found it on FB marketplace and was the only serious buyer from what the guy told me. He for sure over priced it but I wanted a 63 because that’s what Herbie is.
Me and my dad are working on it, mainly me though but he is helping me when I get stuck but he is there to lend another set of hands when I need them.
Yeah I’ve I think the one bug is good enough for me. for now at least. Now that I’m working on it i really like how simple it is so I could see myself getting another one for fun. not now though this house also does not have the space lol.
Is the bug going to be your daily driver? If not would you be looking to get the GR 86 as a daily driver someday? I drive a Tundra atm and have had a few 4runners in the past. I love Toyota, they’re so reliable and pretty easy to work on!
I’m big on Toyota’s too, and the GR 86 is a real beauty. I’ve been super infatuated with the GR Yaris, just seems likely I’ll never see one in the US. Something about small cars that punch above their weight really does it for me, and the GR Yaris has that perfect mix (plus the standard model is kind of dweeby, which makes a suped up one with a slight body mod feel all the much cooler. Like an IYKYK sort of pick.)
Do whatever feels right for you. I’m eager to hear about your progress none the less.
it will probably run 3-4 days a week but for sure not the daily. I’ve got a 2016 GMC Canyon that I plan on driving into the ground and and then maybe rebuild that because i really don’t wanna get a new car lol. I’d like to get a GR 86 later but I really need the truck to tow the bug if it ever breaks down.
Yeah it’s funny both my dreams cars, the bug and GR 86 are both boxer engines. It’s a cool car but I really wanted it in that Neptune blue that is on the 24 year model but they got rid of it. and thanks if i ever do start uploading I’ll for sure post something here about it.
