Agree with your points, but would clarify that the design is 86 years old.
Volkswagen Beetle. A classic car on a budget?
- Thread starter Kurtatron
- Start date
Thanks for the suggestions. I am always looking for alternatives that match your suggestion. Affordable, parts availability, and able to repaired by a hobby mechanic.
Even just a decade ago most Beetles were a dime a dozen, the past 5-6 years or so they've kinda skyrocketed.
2008ish we bought one for $200 to beat around my friends property, floor pans were gone but wish I kept it now lol
2008ish we bought one for $200 to beat around my friends property, floor pans were gone but wish I kept it now lol
I bought my new 1972 Beetle for $1,995, long gone though. Enjoyed driving it a lot. But being 18 it was not the car for
Drive-In-Movies, had to borrow Dad's 1966 Custom 500
.
Drive-In-Movies, had to borrow Dad's 1966 Custom 500
.Out of curiosity, where are you getting an 86 year old design for the MGB?
It was introduced in 1962. Yes it is in a way an evolution of the MGA, but there are some pretty significant design changes that I think merit considering and IMO make the MGB a distinctive design.
In particular, the MGB is a unibody vehicle, where the MGA is body-on-frame.
It does share a similar ox-cart rear suspension with the MGA(live axle on leaf springs) but the fully independent front suspension was a totally new design for the MGB and honestly quite advanced for 1962.
Where I would consider it to be most like the MGA is in the drive train. The last MGAs used a 1622cc B series engine, and the MGA through its whole production run used a 1798cc version of this same engine(with some changes along the way, including a switch to a 5 main bearing crankshaft in 1963 and a drop in compression for the US market in 1972 to help meet increasingly stringent emissions requirements). The MGA and early MGB both used a 4 speed transmission with synchronization on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. I think the MGB transmission was beefed up a bit, had different ratios(the final drive was different between the two cars also), and offered optional electric overdrive The MGB did get a totally new design 4-synchro transmission in both overdrive and non-overdrive flavors, but again I'd call this more an evolution of the drivetrain.
Still, though, I'd consider the MGB a 61 year old design at this point, not 86 years(which would take it to back before the MGA was on the market).
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Saw this one … Kodak moment !
I had a 64 and my family had a 67. That 67 was pretty quick. You grabbed the stick at its base for quick shifts.
I would like to get a 60’s model with no electronic ignition parts for when the emp’s hit.
1990 Nissan Pao
Here you go: classic styling with "modern" Japanese underpinnings. Plus, you'll NEVER see another one on the road!
Or, if you prefer a 4-door:
1996 Subaru Vivio Bistro
Here you go: classic styling with "modern" Japanese underpinnings. Plus, you'll NEVER see another one on the road!
Or, if you prefer a 4-door:
1996 Subaru Vivio Bistro
I think if I wanted something from that era, I would consider a late model Chevy Corvair, or a Plymouth Valiant with a slant 6 engine.
What makes the Corvair a good choice? I see lots of them for sale and for cheap prices. Isn’t their oddball boxer engine design a recipe for parts scarcity?
The later Corvairs had a redesigned rear suspension to make Ralph Nader happy. Options on the later ones included turbocharging for a performance boost. They have become somewhat of a cult enthusiast car, so aftermarket suppliers are a source of parts and upgrades.
+1 They made a turbo Corvair from 1962.
The Corvair was a flat air cooled 6 built earlier than Porsche built one, the Corvair could have been the game changer for GM and help keep the Japanese out during the first oil crisis. IMO some more development could have made it an American success story instead of the freak show buyers came to view the little car.
Rust is a big issue with these making solid survivors very scarce, most are bondo buggy's.
Look at this car. I’m considering checking it out tomorrow. What do you guys think? The price is very appealing to me.
1949 Plymouth super Deluxe
1949 Plymouth super Deluxe
Go take a look and see what you think. I kind of like it.
If you don’t know much about working on older car systems, you will soon.
For $6500, its probably not a bad price for an antique car with low demand. Just make sure the body and undercarriage is solid.
Parts for old Chrysler products are out there, but its not the same as an old Chevy or 66 Mustang.
The Beetle, and later the Golf were truly classless cars. It was the first car not to carry the stigma of being a status symbol. Regardless of wealth or lack thereof, many people would own a Beetle or have one as a second or third car. The same thing happened with the Golf in the '70s and '80s. The question is why this happened. The Beetle was a very basic car, seating four in very basic comfort. The car was frugal for its time, maneuverable, easy to park, and thanks to its decent ground clearance it could handle even bad dirt roads. I was born in 1976 when the Beetle was still in production. When we were living in the UK my mom often drove our other car, a red Beetle. Back then I didn't care much for the car. Familiarity breeds contempt. I thought she should drive a classic Healy - never mind the high chance of the engine setting the wooden frame on fire. I enjoy seeing old Beetles on the road. I would not like to end up in a smashup with one, especially if I get squished like a bug in the Bug.
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