New to Aircooled: '63 build

[Lt. Crash]

I just picked up this '63 from my parent's neighbor. It's been sitting in the corner of the garage for over 30 years (since 1978).



Yes the odometer is correct!

Bath time

This isn't even 1/2 the stuff that was in the garage attic that I picked up in the purchase... Stay tuned for the classifieds.

[zzzdanz]

....WTF...dude you scored!!!

[justing1234]

such an unbelievable score. how much?

[trbodubn]

Most def keep posted on what's for sale I see quite a few things I need.

[Schell R32]

yeah dude you suck!!


seriously, dude great score!!!!

[LooseNuts]

Seriously. Damn what a score..


Please don't tell me you fooken got it all for a $1000 either..

[justing1234]

i spy dual port heads... WANT.

[DIE TRYING]

ill give you 20 bucks and a box of clicky pens for the whole lot! no?

[zzzdanz]

Clicky pens make the world go around.

[justing1234]

ill give you 20 bucks and a box of clicky pens for the whole lot! no?

when i saw this i thought


"i'll make him an offer he can't refuse"

[zzzdanz]

Bro's gonna make $ on the deal with all those parts...dude basically gonna score a free ride and get paid to take it.....The Fooker!

[David802]

in for what OP payed

[DIE TRYING]

when i saw this i thought


"i'll make him an offer he can't refuse"

this actually made me LOL in real life.

[4supreme2gambino0]

Personally, I dont kiss and tell...

[Lt. Crash]

Please don't tell me you fooken got it all for a $1000 either..

Personally, I dont kiss and tell...

Thanks a lot guys for all the positivity! This car was buried in my parents neighbor's garage for over 30 years. They've had 3 bugs over the years. This one was bought basically new (I have original title.) I made him an offer on the car thinking the parts would be included since it had been discussed before but had to make a separate deal for the parts. I told him since he no longer had any VW's that I'd take all the dub parts and help him empty the garage, only thinking it was the parts I could see... Boy was I wrong! There is a ton of stuff in the loft of the garage (borderline hoarder) and he informed me yesterday that he has more parts in the basement! Holy $hit! I've already taken away a full trailer load and there's about another 2 loads left in the garage, I'm hoping there's really good stuff in the basement.


Car has no rust, but a couple dents on hood and fenders. The car was hit in the rear by the owner's son (rear ended at stop light) and was "repaired." The motor is out for the repairs and he said the transaxle is making noise but I can't confirm. I plan on rebuilding a stock motor and trans for now to get it on the road then swap for street/track use. The overall plan is a nice dropped stance on widened steelies with enough power to have too much fun on the streets (I'd like to put my buddy's mk3 s/c VR6 to shame.)

Are there any problems or things that need special attention on a 63 compared to other years? Any suggestions on motor size to get the kind of power I'm looking for (figuring 150-200hp)?

[LooseNuts]

first off that deck lid is not stock its a vert deck lid and worth some money its. dont change it out tho. .

IMO since its from the original owner i would ONLY install an original motor and tans in it. Chop up a non OG car IMO.

sweet Jesse what a score.. man congrats.

[4supreme2gambino0]

Holy Santa Claus sh$t!!!! Dont you daaarrreeee cut that thing up!!! Seriously, dont you dare!

I cant believe the condition this thing is in for being an east coast car, wow

Bring it back to life man! Keep it OG with a lil slammerton...lol

Screw ur buddys vr6, this is wayyyyyyy cooler than any VR, regardless of power.

[DIE TRYING]

im usually the first guy to tell people to cut something up, and other people to shut up and let the owner do what they want... but it really would be a crime to put a VR in a car that clean. coming from a VR guy, aircooleds are really fun even with 40 hp... trust me.

[Superveedub]

I dont think he wants to put a VR6 in it, he said he wants to put his buddies S/c VR6 to shame.

Either way, great find, hope to see more pictures!

[Lt. Crash]

I dont think he wants to put a VR6 in it, he said he wants to put his buddies S/c VR6 to shame.

Exactly! I would never chop up a standard with a VR. I did think about it with a super though...

I'm mainly looking for advice on any problems or things I should change on the 63 (eg. 64 turn stalk works better...)IDK
AND what size motor I should run to keep up/ whomp on my buddy's s/c VR. Should I just bore out a 1600 or stroke to 2275cc? Type of gearing I should be looking at?

[Superveedub]

I think it all depends where you want to put him to shame, drag strip? Auto cross? Just looks in the parking lot? (The last one should be the easiest )

[zzzdanz]

A VR6 like the gazillion other VR6's that are out there...game over man...you win.

I wouldn't even let him park his POS VR6 next to that car.

[Schell R32]

loose...vert deck lid too!!! he's killin me!

i think you suck....

[LooseNuts]

loose...vert deck lid too!!! he's killin me!

i think you suck....

i know. the OG owner must have just found a deck lid to replace the one after the accident. not sure if he knew what he was doing but if not Damn did he FK up right.

[4supreme2gambino0]

A VR6 like the gazillion other VR6's that are out there...game over man...you win.

I wouldn't even let him park his POS VR6 next to that car.

[DIE TRYING]

Exactly! I would never chop up a standard with a VR. I did think about it with a super though...

my bad man, totally read that wrong. like i said.. im all for cutting cars up but that would have been a stretch for me even. lol. you're car already stomps his VR. every time you go to fill up, park in a lot or drive down the road you will get more conversations, compliments and thumbs ups than he ever will. but if you really want to beat him in a straight up race a turboed motor will do the job!

[Lt. Crash]

Thank you all for the great comments! Before purchasing the bug I was torn between leaving it stock or modifying it. Upon receipt of the car and getting the full story on the accident I've decided to add my touches to it. The car was hit in the rear, PO removed engine and said trans was making noise and could've possibly been damaged in the crash. Based on the fact that engine & trans need to be replaced and it is no longer numbers matching; and the amount of parts that came with the purchase, I can not verify whether or not the PO modified anything else with the car.

My best friends recently completed their builds and now it my turn. My best man Marco built the green MK3 jetta below and my friend Anthony is wrapping up his Westy jetta coupe w/ VR swap in time for H2Oi this weekend. I plan to have my bug be on the speed level if not faster than these cars because it's always a rivalry between friends. That being said this car is not just about speed but bringing the history back to life too. I'd like to go with an OEM+ look mixed with a little bit of the cal-look. I'm going for big motor lowered on widened steelies.

A VR6 like the gazillion other VR6's that are out there...game over man...you win.
I wouldn't even let him park his POS VR6 next to that car.

It's no POS... We damn near built a full resto.

Big valve head w/ port & polish, eng & trans built by Joe Pinto @ The Raceshop

I think it all depends where you want to put him to shame, drag strip? Auto cross? Just looks in the parking lot? (The last one should be the easiest )

Im def not worried about beating him in the looks dept. Nothing beats a classic! I'm just wondering what size motor I should be looking to build to get the power I'm looking for. From what I've read I should be aiming for 150-200hp. I don't want a track or auto-x car, just have a fun street ripper that will beat my buddy's car off the line.
Do I go for a 2275cc or turbo a 1600cc??? Will a 1900cc deliver with what I'm looking for? I'd like a more reliable combo. What's the breaking point on the swing transaxles? Any recommendations for gearing?

[zzzdanz]

" It's no POS... We damn near built a full resto." Well I guess that's a matter of opinion. :thumbup

[4supreme2gambino0]

" It's no POS... We damn near built a full resto." Well I guess that's a matter of opinion. :thumbup

Its some nice work but I gotta agree with dannyboy.... MK3's are meant to be used as daily whooped on beaters....vr6 or not

By widened steelies, I sure hope you mean this....





And SURELY NOT something like this....



Please.... its not watercooled, dont make it look like one...

[Lt. Crash]

Ok let's argee to disagree on the mk3.
I was looking to use these influences.

[zzzdanz]

I guess we will...good luck with ya build man.

[Lt. Crash]

So I've finally started to work on her. Sadly she's had to sit in the corner of my garage since I picked her up. The wife and I have been working on the new house...
She's cleaning up nicely!

The buffer comes out the end of the month.

Chrome is coming out, 1500 grit to knock off the bulk of oxidation & polishing ball

Back seat progress.
Some of the details have started to work out. Current plans are to:
Polish factory paint (patina'ed paint included)
Disc brakes w/ drop spindles, upgraded master cylinder, narrowed beam
Rebuilt drums, freeway flyer trans, indexed torsion splines
House built 1776cc by my cousin, 12V conversion

Any other suggestions?

[Superbeet]

I have dreams about coming across sh!t like this.

[basti-FSI]

have fun with that lucky gift

[Lt. Crash]

Some more progress. Buffer was out. Practiced on an extra lid, before & after:


Haven't started polishing yet but most of the car has been buffed.

Painted wheels and polished OG caps. Whitewalls next.