In the beginning...

This is the start of a '63 Bug Restoration. I wasn't looking for a bug to restore right now but always wanted to do one. I was looking for a car for the winter though and almost bought a Passat but had the feeling to look around a little and see what is out there. I happened to look on Craigslist and saw a listing for this bug. The ad said it ran good and had 7300o original miles on it and would not take much work to be a nice bug. It still had the 1300 motor in it as well as was still a 6v system. I emailed for pics then got impatient and called the guy about 30 minutes later. I talked to him for a while and he emailed me pics when he got home. As soon as I saw the pictures I called him and told him I was on my way. That was a couple weeks ago and I have done very little to it. So far I have replaced the trunk seal and the door seals so I wouldn't get wind coming in while I drove, both were really easy to do as well. I have also changed the oil and wiper blades and am getting ready to change the gear oil in the trans. My brother Ben is also beginning to restore his '65 so it has been fun to do both together. The ultimate goal is to have a full restoration done and be able to give it to Jacob when he is old enough to drive. Guess I have 16 years to do it.

Bumpers will need to be replaced and some fender work as well as the chrome and of course paint.

I'm not sure if this is the correct deck lid for this year all the other ones I have seen have the small license plate light on it.

Side View. That mirror is broken and needs to be replaced. I do need hub caps as well.

The door needs a bit of body work and rust removal near the hinge and the antennae mount is broken but I have no radio in there right now so I need to find a working Sapphire to put in it.

You can see the rust near the hinge and the turn signal assembly is broken too.

Not much fender work other than the rust. See the turn signal is busted there the chrome portion.

Close up of the fender work that needs to be done.
Under the hood. The previous owner bought a carpet kit and put some of it in. The trunk liner is just sitting in there. The car was red originally as you can see.
Rear fender drivers side.

Shot of the engine, it runs great just needs some cosmetic work.

Interior under the dash. Need to get the carpet up.

The seats and door panels were recovered recently as well. That will probably be the last thing I do.
The horn was relocated to the dash where the radio should be. I have the original horn ring which is in great condition but the steering wheel has cracks in it.
Shot of the door panels, I do want to put armrests on, need to make sure they were stock though.


Visors, I had to switch them because the drivers was messed up and wouldn't stay up so I just switched them and made the other one stay up all the time.

Headliner needs to be replaced.
The hole where the seat belt goes.
I have carpet for there just haven't put it up.
Backseat looks great too.