1965 VW convertible

[atye]

I picked up this car up this weekend. I had planned to buy it, clean it, and re-sell it, but... I can't do it. I love early convertible VW's , I had a 1963 convertible when I was about 18 and hated selling it.

This car is a real 80's "Cal-Looker"... dechromed, baby turbo mirrors, 3-spoke aftermarket rims, stainless steel running boards, cal-look front turn signals, etc. It even had neon under it at one time! LOL

The car has been sitting (covered) for a few years. It has all of the correct convertible parts (decklid, rearview mirror, etc) intact. There is no front bumper, but that is really all that is missing. There are no obvious signs of crash damage. I hope to have the carbs un-gummed in the next day or so and REALLY wanna drive it to the Dyno Day and to Reynolds this weekend. We will see!

[56HAVOC]

I like this vert you got, it's a 65 or 63. Are you keeping it? Smart choice

[fluxcap]

Cool project Alex! I'll have to swing by one day and check it out if it doesn't make it to Reynolds.

[Attorney Isaiah Loophole]

Glad you are keeping it! Hope to see it this weekend!

[rpm750]

Glad you are keeping it! Hope to see it this weekend!

X2 I know you are excited about it.

[atye]

The only thing keeping it from running right now is ONE clogged passage on one of the carbs.

What is it with me and carbs lately? Geez!

[atye]

Well, I got it running last night, good enough for a quick drive around the block in my neighborhood. Top down, of course!

It was a funny thing about the clogged Kadron/Solex carb, one of those you would NEVER find without the help of the Internet. The air correction jet, which is pressed in (not made to be removed obviously) had separated into two pieces, clogging the passage. No amount of carb cleaner, ultrasonic cleaning, or anything else would have fixed this.

Here's a more detailed write-up with a couple of images:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4444888

Now to fine-tune the carbs and do a little more clean-up so I can drive this weekend.

[vw57drvr]

Early verts are certainly fun, and expensive. Looks like it will be a great project. I wouldnt sell my vert for the world. Its just a solid fun driver.

[atye]

This is my second early VW convertible and my 3rd vert overall (also had a '66 Mustang convertible back in the day). When I was about 18 or so, I had a '63 VW vert. Primered grey, select-a-drop lowering kit, re-indexed the rear splines, dechromed, baby turbos, wheel adapters with 8-spoke Empi's, and of course, a Thunderbird stinger exhaust.

Funny thing is, this '65 is also an '80's Cal-Looker. Most of those same exact mods. Times have changed, though, and I'm going for a different look. I'm gonna swap a lot of stuff off of my green '63 hardtop eventually.

I am SO ready to drive with the top down again!

[vw57drvr]

Do you need a rain tray for it? I would so love to trade it to someone for an earlier one. The one I have for my 60 is for like a 65 or so. It will probably fit, but just isnt correct I dont think.

[atye]

I would love to have a rain tray for it. What would you like to get for the one you have?

[vw57drvr]

I havent really thought about it. Im pretty sure it is wrong for my year. I will give it some thought.

[atye]

A couple of pics from this past weekend... I swapped the wheels and drove it 500 miles SAT and SUN. It only broke down twice (one Kadron float filled w/gas and sank in Senoia, and the fan came loose in Warner Robins). Other than those two things, the rest of weekend it drove great. It could use a new tie-rod end and some brake work, but nothing that is immediate.

[zabo]

ha I saw this there and didnt even recognize it with the new wheels- nice job

[atye]

ha I saw this there and didnt even recognize it with the new wheels- nice job

Amazing what a difference just the wheels make, isn't it?