My first VW build... A Dune Buggy!!

jtwells

I am a new member to this site, but visited before when deciding on my next project. It had pushed me in the direction of a VW based dune buggy. I have never worked on, or even driven a VW until yesterday when picking up the donor car for my project. I bought this 1971 standard beetle, 1600cc DP, needs both pans but tunnel is in great shape, for $800. It is a little too far gone for an easy stock restoration (the picture is of the bug’s good side, alot more rust on other side as well as inside) so I don’t feel too bad turning it into a DB. I will post as I need help and move along on the project but I am currently in college so it may be a slow moving build.

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daanbc · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:29 am Post subject:

Congrads, and good luck. Enjoy the process.

jtwells · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:27 am Post subject:

Thank you. If all goes as planned I will start to disassemble this weekend and be able to get a better look at the overall condition of the pan. As well as some more pictures.

BIGMIKEY · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 12:16 pm Post subject:

Get your donor vehicle titled in your name now to avoid heartbreak when you finally register it as a finished Buggy. Read your states rules and regulations for registering a Buggy too.

Mike T
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BIGMIKEY

Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=

1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue.

mtnroads · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 12:21 pm Post subject:

Have you picked a body yet? Long or short? Short is cuter but long has lots of seat room. A long car will behave more like a stock VW while a short car will be a go kart! New & used you've got a lot of choices to make. Let the FUN begin!
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pax
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished....

jtwells · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 4:35 pm Post subject:

Good advice on the registration. I plan on getting the title work done next week before i spend any more money. The car did come with a clean title that matched the body and pan vin but i dont want to take any risks on it not being right after i finish the build. I plan on running the vw pan but have it shortened. That way i can have it registered as a 71 vw. In my state (MD) i should be able to get street rod tags for it. I am looking to get a new Berrien nostalgia body but will be keeping my eye out for a good used body on CL.

daanbc · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 6:21 pm Post subject:

Keep the VIN plate when you take off the body. Also might want to keep the tag in the door jam as well. Cant hurt.

MANXXMAN · Samba Member Joined: July 26, 2004 Posts: 207

studleyjay126 · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 5:14 pm Post subject:

I just registered mine (in MD) and got Street Rod tags. It is a highly modified VW Beetle. Nothing incorrect about it. I know is pretty lenient about historic and street rod tags. I also know PA is a pain about it.

Just get your Street Rod tags and don't look back! I would put money on it that you will never get hassled about it.

jtwells · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2015 6:02 pm Post subject:

studleyjay126 · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2015 7:22 pm Post subject:

I am using a VW chassis. You could also ask your local state police office about VIN numbers and registering. I know my local chapter are really knowledgeable about this stuff.

Dale M. · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 5:52 am Post subject:

In Calif and some other states you can not register it as a Beetle if it visually does not resemble a Beetle, ever if its registered previously using old beetle registration, it may be illegal... IN Calif it would be a "Special Construction" (SPCN)...

Just saying be careful what you do, in Calif if its improperly registered and cops pull you over its may go as far as impounding vehicle... You really do not want to go there with that...

Also it is a state and federal felony to tamper with VIN, just removing it from Beetle body and putting it on FG body as easy as it sounds can land you in jail and heavy fine... Any change of VIN numbers or assignment of new VIN has to be by a authorized agency (DMV - State Licencing bureau- Law Enforcement (state police))...

You may find this a interesting read...

http://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_MD.pdf

From this site...

http://www.semasan.com/page.asp?content=tag_title_toolbox&g=SEMAGA

For the few scoff laws...

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/511

http://www.justice.gov/usam/criminal-resource-manu...on-numbers

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

daanbc · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:10 am Post subject:

daanbc · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:34 am Post subject:

jtwells · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 4:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all of the good info. I will definitely have to make some calls. Update on the project, I went to the MVA (called DMV In almost every other state) and had an issue with the title. It was a dealer reassignment title from a small dealership in which I was apparently missing some paper work, so the MVA rejected it. I then today met up with the PO(he had never titled it after buying it from said dealership) got some more paperwork in order and went to a Tag a title place, in which they accepted it, so 7-10 days I will have the title in my name. Which means i can start tearing down the beetle when i have time, as well as keeps a shortened vw pan as an option.

Wetstuff · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:04 pm Post subject:

jt, Have as little to do with the DMV as you can.. I walked in the door like a proud papa with a car that had been titled/plated many years in both VA and OH and made the dumbass mistake of showing them a picture of a Dune Buggy. I went thru three layers of seniority, including up to Glen Burnie ..and the NOs just got louder.

I think you could possibly devalue the whole project if that title you have for the donor car does not match a custom frame.

Jim
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Manx #2614

daanbc · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:11 pm Post subject:

Why do the DMV's and Auto Ins. Companies make it so hard for this type of vehicle? Majority of the time the frame and motors are left intact, it's just the shell body that is replaced. Seems easier to get those new three wheeled motorcycles and now three wheeled cars registered. As for the Ins. I would think it is more of a risk to insure a young male on a crotch rocket, then one driving a Dune Buggy. Just seems silly.

jtwells · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:51 pm Post subject:

cbeck · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 3:24 pm Post subject:

In mo the inspection and paper trail is to prove where the parts came from, not what they are now. They will look for a vin, a mso for the body, and 88 pages of receipts. They run any serial #s they find. Safety inspection is done at your local station[almost every repair shop].

jtwells · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:20 pm Post subject:

Today i got alittle work done on the project. I got the fenders off, some of the wireing marked and the gas tank out. dont worry those fenders were not in anywhere near good condition, this car has been bumped,rubbed,and scuffed on every corner as well as caked with bondo as shown in one of my pictures. This car has a bad case of POS (previous owner syndrom) in the over 1/4 thick bondo all over, the jb weld to the bottom of the gas tank as well as gas and rear brake lines run on the drivers side floor. but the front part of the frame under the gas tank seems very solid.


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