1963 Volkswagen Beetle 2 dr from North America - Comments

Brake shoes replaced.

Clutch replaced.

Oil filter never replaced because the '63 doesn't use an oil filter.

Tires replaced.

Spark plugs and wires replaced.

Front seats replaced.

Front end suspension, tie rod ends/ball joints all in need of replacement.

Extremely low technology in this early model of Beetle. Brakes were really skinny shoes that did not provide the bite needed to stop safely. To drive at 55+ mph was to drive on pins and needles; very unstable. Rebuilt engine would heat up badly in the summer. This car would was not suitable for long distance driving. 65 mph was top speed. Carburetor required pumping and priming to start. Heater manifold used radiant heat directly off the engine to function. This was extremely dangerous as the manifold was of thin, rusted metal. I could smell engine compartment fumes blowing into the car thru this system. I wonder if anyone ever died of carbon monoxide poisoning while sitting or sleeping in one of these VWs. Parts for these cars were cheaper than they were for the later liquid cooled VWs.

Many of the parts for VW during the 70s were true German import items, and they were dirt cheap compared to today's VW replacement parts. Kids could buy these and fix them up really good. The early 60s VW bugs only cost $1000 or so new so don't complain because they were made with quality control in Germany not Mexico like all the expensive VWs are now.

Obviously this beetle owner did not appreciate the simple beauty and ease of maintenance of a fine automobile such as this.

The 63 Beetle had a 40 hp 1200 cc engine which gave it a top speed of 72 mph at 3600 rpm. Incidentally, this was also its cruising speed. In 1966 my father and I drove his 62 Beetle from Toronto to Edmonton virtually non-stop in just under 48 hours. A few years later I repeated the trip solo in my 66 Beetle, so don't tell me that long distances can't be done in relative comfort.

As far as being on "pins and needles" you probably don't know how to really drive a rear engined car which takes a bit of getting used to. After being really hot stuff with VWs for years, I drove a front engined Celica for a couple of years then bought another Beetle while in Europe. It took me about 10 days to get the feel back and relearn how to drive it quickly and competently again. Remember the original Beetle is just a higher and slower Porsche 356.

I have a 65 bug, love this car. drives as fast as any new car. People that have problems with this car are often lazy about car care. Who cares if you have to adjust the valves every 3 months. A bug motor only gets hot if you don't take care of it. They worked fine in Africa in ww2. It was the first car to reach the south pole. junk eh? try that with any water cooled car.

Have fun. don't hate something that you could not handle.

As far as I know, there weren't any water cooled Volkswagen Beetles until the 1998 VW New Beetle. Volkswagen Beetles are sensitive, simple and classy all at the same time. Keep it nice, or you usually pay for it anyway.

Mistreat them, any you will be stuck owning a money pit. Most of the cars I have owned, when they didn't get taken care of, they became trouble. The cars have personality. New cars don't. Volkswagens were well built, but It depends.