1966 Volkswagen Beetle 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Terrible car with a great engine

Faults:

The brake master cylinder failed, and the wiper mechanism was so worn I tied some string to the wiper arms to stop them overshooting and locking up.

The heater never worked; it was the only car where I ever experienced the windscreen icing up on the inside as I drove it!

The lights were dismal, I never got them working properly.

General Comments:

I bought the car for next to nothing before they had become fashionable. I knew it was a rolling wreck when I bought it, so I had no complaints about its many faults or lack of comfort.

The engine was outstanding, I remember digging my way into it after it had been parked up for a week when it got buried in snow. In spite of the sub zero temperature, the 6 volt battery simply gave it a couple of turns and it sprang into life. It never used any oil and didn't have a big appetite for petrol either.

I sold it for a substantial profit to someone who only wanted the engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th November, 2014

1966 Volkswagen Beetle Deluxe 1.3 from North America

Summary:

A fun-to-drive time machine from 1966

Faults:

Totally restored from the pan up, nothing has gone wrong since restoration was completed.

General Comments:

It is a 1966 6 volt Deluxe (a deluxe had the chrome trim and interior floor carpeting) with a metal crank sunroof and pop-out side windows. It was restored to the original paint code (Sea Sand) and all worn components were replaced. The engine is a single port 1600 instead of the 1300, the transmission and swing axle are stock, the drum brakes are stock. It has a Sapphire IV AM/FM radio - also 6 volt. The interior roof liner was replaced and the seats were redone. It runs and drives like a new 66 Beetle, but the extra power of the 1600 lets it go 85 on the highway! The mileage is averaging 20-25 depending on how I use it. Following a semi-truck is an adventure as the VW is a light car and the wind wake from the truck really moves the Bug around - it's definitely a both hands on wheel moment! The interior is noisy at speed, but so was my 68 mustang.

It's fun to drive and I love it. There is nothing easier to fix and tune and diagnose faults on than an old Bug.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th July, 2007

1966 Volkswagen Beetle Deluxe 1.3 from North America

Summary:

Very reliable and easy to maintain

Faults:

Nothing that was the fault of the car. The engine spun some bearings due to a shoddy rebuild (broken piston and rod parts found to be rubbing up against the crank).

General Comments:

The car was incredibly reliable. It got me where ever I needed to go. It was not quick, but was much faster than my previous car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st October, 2004

1966 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8 dual port from North America

Summary:

Great daily performance car

Faults:

Engine seized at 80mph on the interstate.

General Comments:

Best, most reliable car ever built. The Germans don't build'em like this any more!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2004

13th Jan 2007, 17:31

I have one also. I wouldn't take my dog to the store in it for fear I would have to deal with him as we walked back home. It is so much fun to be in it during a rain. I have rolled the window down to see were to turn as the wipers go so slow; it is amazing that I am alive now. mlprovow@aol.com.

16th May 2012, 18:47

You really didn't have over a million miles on it did you?

17th May 2012, 09:35

I forgot to ask what kind of engine you put in this Beetle to actually consider it a "performance car" and to give it a 10 out of 10 in performance?

I would guess a Beetle of that era would take somewhere between 16 to 20 seconds to reach 60mph from a standing start, and would rate about a 2 or 3 out of 10 in performance.