I’ve been holding off on buying some necessary parts, as I’ve been planning a trip to the nearest beetle graveyard – a place called The Beetle Barn in Central Ohio. From the highway you can see around 100 or so Beetles and busses as you pass this place, so it’s been on the top of my list to go. Hey, if I can find some parts there, that’ll cut some costs, right?
Well, I got my brother to go along with me, as he has been looking for a VW Thing, and was hoping to maybe find something drivable or a lead on one. We pulled in an immediately saw two restored Beetles 70′s Type 2′s. So I knew I was in the right place. However all of the “Beware of Rottweiler” signs convinced us to head strait into the main building rather than loiter around checking out the rusting museum of parts.
The workshop was an amazing mixture of bug parts, motor oil, and assorted things under wraps. The owner was skeptical at first, which I was warned about by a few friends that he could be a little rough, especially if you are building rail buggies and not actually restoring bugs. I heard tales of his refusal to sell parts to people because they wanted to use them for something other than restoration.
Well, after the ice broke, I had my shopping list; radio antenna, taillight assembly, windshield washer tube, original bumper parts, ’68 seats, any chrome I could find, and anything for early 60′s model I could find.
I quickly found out that if you were restoring a 70′s model Super Beetle, you would be in heaven. However 60′s parts were hard to find, even here. The majority of wrecks in the yard were Super Beetles, and come to realize, most of what was there were Supers and busses. Cross the antenna, seats, and bumper parts off the list.
After an hour or two of looking through 3-4 buildings, shelves of spare parts, crawling over engine parts, we could only muster one-and-a-half taillights.
There was one item in stock, the windshield washer pressure tube from the spare tire, brand new and in the original German box!
While looking around, I found this behind some things, and couldn’t believe it. A manual for early 60′s bugs. My brother gasped, he was amazed, as he can’t stand the Chilton’s manuals and has always been looking for other things.
This manual was awesome, besides needing a wheelbarrow to carry it, it was complete with hand-drawn illustrations of how to do anything. It was very complete and very detailed. That alone made the trip worthwhile.
This little trip cost me $180, but I did get the manual and the original taillights. I’m wondering if I’ll ever find an original match to the one that I bought, so now I have a quest.
I’m going back to the Sew Fine catalog and starting my shopping list. The antenna is very high on the list, as it is getting boring not having anything to listen to, even if it is AM.
I am looking for Either; The Beetle Barn, or the Beetle Farm. I passed it last summer off of 70 west, or 77 south, around Cambridge or St Clairsvills Ohio. Any Idea Where I could find it? My buddies and I are looking for some shells to buy. Split and oval windows.
Thanks
heyy im just restoring two beetles of my own, i have a 1975 and a 72 super beetle, looken for 2 new floor pans, a left heater channel, and the hole back seat thing for the super wondering if you could help me find these.. i also need 4 new or used rear wheel wells, (they fit on both cars) any helpwould be really apriciated, oh also i have a fiber glass tub i may build and was wondering if any one has any good websites were i can find some chrome… or any parts for either bugs, lol i got my hands ful with my bug projects =P
The Beetle Barn can be seen from Interstate 77, south of the 70 interchange. Take the Cambridge exit for Route 40 –
Turn right off the ramp onto Route 40/East Wheeling Ave. Turn left at the second light (between Speedway and Marathon/Wendy’s) on Byesville Rd. Stay on Byesville Rd traveling across RR tracks and then under the Interstate continue another 1/2 to 1 mi. to where the road “Y’s” off Turn left onto Vocational Rd.
The Beetle Barn is just ahead with its entrance on the right.
61581 Vocational Rd.
Cambridge, OH 43725
Phone – 740-685-6566
hey i am in a bit of a pickle i spotted a vw beetle on the internet i live in ireland and i was suprised to see this bug came in from japan with 50 thousand miles on it, it also came with air conditioning but other than that it looked like a straight beetle it had 1303s markings on the back it is a 1.6cc the speedo is in kmh and the rear engine lid looks like something from a californian model i was wondering can parts be got for this right hand drive model?
i have a 1965 vw beetle 1200 very orignial
i am in South Africa – there is no parts
i would like to set up a import link to supply these spares since in SA there are many beetles spares are just a problem
Please help
I have a 1965 beetle 1200 i have it for approx 7 years i now have a problem i dropped a nut via the carb manifold, it has a valve miss
this is the best car i ever owned i have 2 other brand new cars but this is really the best i need parts and here in South Africa it is very difficult please advise how can i buy these parts from overseas by the safest means
I’m in the process of buying a ’71 beetle to redo myself. My friendly local VW mechanic is getting one road-worthy for me, then I’m going to do the interior and possibly the paint. The dealer that I use is in Maryville, Tn. and the shop is Bill’s Bug Shop. He’s a great guy and has a wide variety of VW’s including some Dune buggies and several Karmann Ghias. He even had the only SP2 in N. America for a while to do some work on it. My roommate and I have a Meyers Manx that is our daily driver. It’s on a ’64 beetle frame and has the original engine. Bill has acres of VW’s of pretty much every type.
looking to buy a beetle for my first car, however do not have any mechanical knowlege… would you recomend it?
Definitely. A Bug is one of the easiest cars to learn on and to work on. I bought an old Camaro for my first car, and I should have done like my brother and bought a Beetle.
Usually you can find people who know things about cars, but I would recommend learning as much as you can to do as much as you can by yourself.
Buy some good tools, a good manual, and just start taking it apart (take pictures to know how to put it back).
Thing Fan
hey…I have a 1976 VW Bug called “Ladybug”…I’ve had this car about 2 yrs and it was a daily driver. I’ve been trying to learn all I can about it…The person who had it before had started or had redone this bug…as things don’t add up and now I can’t get it started. I need to charge the battery as its been sitting because I’ve been ill for some time. Any suggestions on how to identify what year engine is in this car??? I was told that whatever it is and they believed it to be a ’69..air-cooled, I need to figure out what to do to get it running…gets about 40mpg…
As for working on them….I’ve found the car to be like a lawn mower or go cart engine….putt-putt with speed! The air cooleds are not complicated at all, unlike others I’ve had…and forget the newer vehicles with all the computer junk!
The door jam on this vehicle says Beetle, May 1976, Germany
i have another question. how do i get a front license plate onto my front bumper…in virginia a front license plate is required and the bumper has no holes to add one. Any suggestions ???
Thanks,
Karen
I just bought a 1969 VW bug, cute little thing but we have motor probs and the idiot chilton guide doesn’t seem to have the right motor in it. i have the numbers off the engine but i can reference them anywhere do you know where i can look to identify an engine by its numbers??
number 1:Zun diolge 1-4-3-2
number 2: H5691767
thanks
buggy Cat
Buggy Cat
Your number 2 is your case number which indicates that your engine case is for an Aug, 1968 – July, 1969 1500cc engine. The number 1 is the engine firing order.
Also, if your chassis number (underneath rear seat) is between 119000001 and 1191200000 than it falls into the same date range. This can be very useful when ordering certain parts.
I hope this helps.
Hello,
I’m looking for a German Kübelwagen Type 82. Do you have any idea how to get one ?
Regards
Andreas Vogt
Andreas, I’m looking for pretty much the same thing. Well, a Thing at least. Finding original Kubelwagen’s is a pretty hard thing to do, but your best bet is to look in Germany.
Kubelwagen’s, and Thing’s are becoming more rare everyday.
Thing Fan
what yrs is same as 1972 beetle
I am 48yo male, 100% disabled veteran, and have wanted an old Beetle since 2000. My 1st car was a 1967 Bug that I loved. My 2nd car was a blue 1971 SuperBeetle that became part of me. I’ve owned a number of cars with manual trans. But now mydisabilities make a stick shift too much 4 me. On my fixed income, finding a Bug and having it customized for me to drive is a just a dream. Do you know of a way to put either an auto trans or a CVT in a 1970 to 1975 Bug??
At 70,+. Was in process of building a electric car, using a bug front and rear axels. was bought by gas co, rep. they heard about it from our local electric co? I am now in need of parts, for something different, My need consist of a floor pan from behind the pedals forward including the front axel. Only this one will be built in private.. Would you please let me know if you sell such? I always see you from the interstate, when I go to Marrietta to see my three generations. son, grands and great grands. Don W.
Hi,
I am urgently looking for an original cream / white steering wheel for my 1974 beetle. Please can you assist. Thanks
i would like to buy an cheap beetle engin if somebody can help me out please email me at johannes.moller16@gmail.com but the engin must be in running order
I have a solid triple white ’79 beetle, but i’m trying to find a high quality (reasonable cost) renovation shop….. i know what i’m doing, but just don’t have the time to bring it back to full life…. anyone have any ideas in the mid-atlantic / richmond / dc area?
I know of a funny looking 62-67 VW. Before I buy it I’d like to know what it is. It has a hump trunk and a sedan looking long front end.
Is there somewhere I can go to look for pictures of 60′s VW’s to find out what it is?
I was watching a VW history show and seen one that looked like it but, that was a 40′s model.
Where are some VW Graveyards around Chicago? I have an idea for a project.
I have a 1961 Beetle ragtop for sale and it must go soon! beautifuly restored 10 years ago to factory specs. any pics or questions email me
scottwooldridge1@yahoo.com
Only asking $10,000 but will take best offer
Hi,
Any chance you can have that manual scanned to a
PDF file. Would be willing to have it done for you. Please email me.
Hi, Im looking for a 60′s vw bettle title and vin off the frame do you have one and or can you help Thanks Lou
If anyone and help Please email me at Krazie8papalou@yahoo.com
Looking for a driver’s side-view mirror for a 1972 bug convertible. This mirror is different from the sedan side-vie mirror. Can’t find on that fits properly in the aftermarket
The Beetle Barn is off of Exit 41 on I-77.
Does anyone know of a VW graveyard in michigan?
Please email me at tknurick@comcast.net thank you
I own a 1967 vw beetle. It has very low fuel efficiency. What should be the normal???
I have a 1969 VW 1300. it has some oil leek problems. Can i get oil seal for that. or any other alternative method for stopping it? I am from Sri Lanka.
Am looking for all engine and body parts of Vw beetle oldies bumpers ,alluminium parts.etc
looking for types of engine and body parts new or remaufactured.
Hi Iam looking for a left rear glass on a 2000 V W Beetle. Do you know were I can get one?
Thank you
Boeta
if any one is looking for parts on vws there is a website for a car graveyard in tulsa, oklahoma its http://www.eastwestautoparts.com, also there is a small beetle graveyard in mobile, al at gordans auto salvage off schillinger rd.
i need a title to a late 60s to late 70s vw bug for a rail buggy
A few years back I was able to get together Jim at the Beetle Barn and secured the nicest Westy that he had available. This 1975 Campmobile had been stored in the barn on a wood floor for the past 13 years. Before storing the bus, Jim and his son-in-law did an engine rebuild and put in a new tranny. After securing a deal with Jim, he spent a week or so with the bus going over the mechanicals. When I came down with my flat bed to pick it up, the bus started right up & shifted smoothly. The gas gauge didn’t work so it will ned to get fixed (new sending unit) and it needed painted. All of the cabinets were there along with the sink and other original camping accessories. The windows had been removed and the bus had been sandblasted. While the sandblasting may not have been the best thing to do (as I have had to take a few additional steps in the painting process), it did allow me to see that there was absolutely no rust on this bus…anywhere! It has been in the paint shop for more than a year and I am finally getting it back with a great new coat of orange. KEJO in Uhrichsville has completed the paint job. Joe from KEJO is a great guy and has done a great job! He took his time on this one to get eery detail just right. There is a guy in Euclid who is going to recover the front seats in its original orange plaid and then it will get a new hemp blend pop-top. The seats aren’t too bad but they are a bit beaten down. With all of the other restoration work, I am going to spare nothing in this project. All windows are going back in with new rubber and all door seals…and every other piece of rubber will be new from Bus Boys. I look forward to posting pictures and hope to have the bus ready for the summer VW show – VOLKSFEST 22 — SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2012 at WATKINS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL in PATASKALA, OH. This may be a bit ambitious…we’ll have to see.
Jim from the beetle barn might come across as a bit grouchy but he is a good guy and is a wealth of information. He has made his mark in helping preserve the classic air-cooled VW.
-Dr. Welty
l am the owner of the beetle barn automotive mentioned as for some rumors mentioned iam not dead nor did i pass away iam open every day mon thru fri. 9.00 to 6.00 and sat. 9.00 to 1.00 as for dr. welty story all my buildings have concrete floors no wooden floors i sold him a perfect 1975 westfalia camper all it needed was a paint job he got a real good project for the price i have been in business for over 42 years. i have painted and restored more volkswagens than some people will ever see.most of my customers are pretty good people. i try to help everybody that comes in my shop. if some people dont like my prices then they start rumors like iam grouchy and mean what a bunch of crap i do this for living i give everybody the price i can STILL ALIVE JAMES GOMBEDA THE OWNER.