Back in the late 60's, I got a job which required me to use my vehicle and get paid a mileage allowance, so I looked for a cheap VW and found a 61 in the common darker blue color with a blown engine. I paid $150 for it, towed it back home, and had a friend help me remove the motor, and found a 50 HP bus motor for $200. That car was surprisingly fast on the highway (once I disabled the speed governor). The 61 was the first 40 hp beetle, and it had its own bugs. The early motors were not as reliable as the 36HPs. The all synchro transmissions also went bad as mine did later. It was also the last year for the reserve lever to the gas tank in lieu of a fuel gauge. A junk yard gas tank from a later year bolted right in, and the car had been the same color as mine, so the fuel gauge panel on the dash matched perfectly. It was also the last year without factory installed seat belts, so I had mine bolted to the floor on both sides. Starting with the 62 model year, the transmission rod tunnel hump had mounting points for the seat belts. I liked the smaller tail lights and the clear turn signal indicators that came with the car. I notice the previous owner had updated the ones on your front fenders. Your restoration obviously brought back some fond memories, and you did a great job!
Amazing story on this 61 beetle, my grandad had a 61 ragtop marina blue rag top and running boards were the same color blue, this year beetle inspired me later on to have my own 65 beetle when I was 14. Thanks for a excellent story.
Mike, you've done a nice job on that '61VW, a nice usable example, and I like the philosophy of not doing it to absolutely concourse standard, but kept original, because as you say you would be reluctant to use it if pristine. I bought a '59-36 HP pretty much the same blue as that, (in Australia and too long ago to be exact on the shade), that was way back in 1969, and only paid $150, at only 10 years old then it it had been badly abused and was in a sad state, (no rust but lots of dings), it served me well for a few years as an ultra reliable car for commuting to work, (another Vdub I wished I still had today).
Been watching your channel for a few months now, and this bug easily has to be my favorite of your collection. You did such a beautiful job on the restoration and the Pastel Blue is such a beautiful color on that Bug; the crosshatch trim also complements the color beautifully :) I’ve always had a fascination for Bugs ever since I first watched Herbie The Love Bug, and have always dreamed of finding a Pearl White ‘63 Ragtop to restore as a Herbie replica. It also helped too that my Grandpa was an owner of two Bugs long before my time; the first was a Black ‘60 Rag, and then a Pearl White ‘63 Rag (a numberless, stripe-less Herbie so-to-say) both of which he absolutely loved. The only reason he sold them off was he & my grandma ended up having 3 kids, so a Bug wasn’t practical for them anymore. Between my grandpa’s advice and listening and watching your content, I’ve been learning a lot about the art of restoring a Bug and hope to apply what I learned for if/when I get the chance to restore one. Keep up the great content Mike! :)
thanks so much for that. I really love to drive this car. it really makes you feel good. I also love the 60 ragtop I have. I didnt like the color at first but now the mango green has really grown on me. The story behind both are pretty amazing. This blue car is close to home and just the fact it was used for so long in the san bernardino mountains is really cool.
G'day Kevin from Australia. Beautiful restoration. You've shown if you are prepared to put in the hours you too can have a good looking driver . It's not always about the trailer queens and the 10s of thousands of dollars to have a classic vw beetle. ✌
yea sorry about that I was going to put a headphones beware in text before that but a lot going on with that edit so I forgot sorry. I did the same when I watched it raw.
I love the colour. I really think the steering wheel is great. You did a fantastic job. I don't have your experience with painting and body work. I don't have a swap meet near me that has old VW parts. There is not any way that I could restore a beetle for your costs. I would expect that it would be expensive for me to do the restoration. I would not be able to restore a beetle and sell it for a profit
I’m still waiting to paint my car. Has to be on a Saturday and seems like I’m always busy on Saturday. It’s cold here now I may wait till spring to put it on the trailer to take to work and spray in paint booth. I think I will get more fun out of my patina 66 . And buy the way it’s a Arizona car. I love the turn signals on your car.
Well done Mike two thumbs up👍👍for this amazing restoration. For curiosity sake do you know why VW used certain colours for a short period of time like you mentioned only 6 months? Based on popularity? Thanks for sharing this with us.
That is a beautiful restoration, and very inspirational! Very much enjoyed this video. When you opened up the engine did you find what was causing the loud tapping? I have a similar situation.
had back fees. So I middle fingered them and went to AZ. now they have the rule if your car is over 25 years old. there is a rule number you can give them and they have to wave it. You need to know the rule number and make them look it up. then they will wave them otherwise they will charge you anyway.
This is very interesting restoration story. I watched some the bodywork/painting videos to get motivation doing my 70 sometime ago. I think you'll get more subs and views soon. I had 4 subs and even lost 1 :D
Well just before UA-cam I did I think 5 busses. I was putting pics on my facebook Then I found out about the youtube deal. Back when I was younger 18-26 I did some of these in 1 about every 3 weeks. lots of them. dont remember how many. One week paint and body, another week drive train. few days interior and work out bugs. The next week drive it while it was for sale fixing stuff while I started another. They were all mini restores. not many full wiring pulls and under hood paint. just black that stuff out and paint the underside of hood and all jams. Some were done complete some just motors some just paint and body and some interior.
hey Mike could you tell me (maybe privately) how to get around some of the fees of a CA car that hasn't been registered. I am looking to buy a CA bug and I live in AZ. TY
your comments are greatly appreciated. Please like or dislike the comments.
I love watching these old bugs find someone that cares enough about them to get them back on the road to be enjoyed by all
Back in the late 60's, I got a job which required me to use my vehicle and get paid a mileage allowance, so I looked for a cheap VW and found a 61 in the common darker blue color with a blown engine. I paid $150 for it, towed it back home, and had a friend help me remove the motor, and found a 50 HP bus motor for $200. That car was surprisingly fast on the highway (once I disabled the speed governor). The 61 was the first 40 hp beetle, and it had its own bugs. The early motors were not as reliable as the 36HPs. The all synchro transmissions also went bad as mine did later. It was also the last year for the reserve lever to the gas tank in lieu of a fuel gauge. A junk yard gas tank from a later year bolted right in, and the car had been the same color as mine, so the fuel gauge panel on the dash matched perfectly. It was also the last year without factory installed seat belts, so I had mine bolted to the floor on both sides. Starting with the 62 model year, the transmission rod tunnel hump had mounting points for the seat belts. I liked the smaller tail lights and the clear turn signal indicators that came with the car. I notice the previous owner had updated the ones on your front fenders. Your restoration obviously brought back some fond memories, and you did a great job!
Amazing story on this 61 beetle, my grandad had a 61 ragtop marina blue rag top and running boards were the same color blue, this year beetle inspired me later on to have my own 65 beetle when I was 14. Thanks for a excellent story.
Love hearing these stories, great save Mike!
Beautiful VW transformation. You have an amazing skill set and a very cool way of showing how you go about restoring what most would not even attempt.
stunning bug,should be a great daily driver
This car drives amazing because mostly it was one owner mostly I think not that they took care of it but at least they didn't do weird things to it
Yes love this build great job!
Mike, you've done a nice job on that '61VW, a nice usable example, and I like the philosophy of not doing it to absolutely concourse standard, but kept original, because as you say you would be reluctant to use it if pristine.
I bought a '59-36 HP pretty much the same blue as that, (in Australia and too long ago to be exact on the shade), that was way back in 1969, and only paid $150, at only 10 years old then it it had been badly abused and was in a sad state, (no rust but lots of dings), it served me well for a few years as an ultra reliable car for commuting to work, (another Vdub I wished I still had today).
Love seeing these beautiful cars saved and loved!!!
Been watching your channel for a few months now, and this bug easily has to be my favorite of your collection. You did such a beautiful job on the restoration and the Pastel Blue is such a beautiful color on that Bug; the crosshatch trim also complements the color beautifully :)
I’ve always had a fascination for Bugs ever since I first watched Herbie The Love Bug, and have always dreamed of finding a Pearl White ‘63 Ragtop to restore as a Herbie replica.
It also helped too that my Grandpa was an owner of two Bugs long before my time; the first was a Black ‘60 Rag, and then a Pearl White ‘63 Rag (a numberless, stripe-less Herbie so-to-say) both of which he absolutely loved. The only reason he sold them off was he & my grandma ended up having 3 kids, so a Bug wasn’t practical for them anymore.
Between my grandpa’s advice and listening and watching your content, I’ve been learning a lot about the art of restoring a Bug and hope to apply what I learned for if/when I get the chance to restore one. Keep up the great content Mike! :)
thanks so much for that. I really love to drive this car. it really makes you feel good. I also love the 60 ragtop I have. I didnt like the color at first but now the mango green has really grown on me. The story behind both are pretty amazing. This blue car is close to home and just the fact it was used for so long in the san bernardino mountains is really cool.
Good restoration 😎👍🏻👍🏻
👍👍😃 Great work!
Great work and attention to detail! My first car was a 63 Beetle. So, I am always interested to see them come back to life.
🚗
I really love seeing them come back to life! Great job Mike!
G'day Kevin from Australia.
Beautiful restoration.
You've shown if you are prepared to put in the hours you too can have a good looking driver . It's not always about the trailer queens and the 10s of thousands of dollars to have a classic vw beetle. ✌
👍
Beautiful! My folks had a 63’ Bahama Blue. Very nice.
Very cool!
Fantastic bug, huge credit to you 👍👍
Amazing job Mike!! Making want another one!
Anyone else jump out of their skin when that freakin’ phone went off?? Holy!
yea sorry about that I was going to put a headphones beware in text before that but a lot going on with that edit so I forgot sorry. I did the same when I watched it raw.
Lol... so funny!
I jumped
Mike Fn Garage all good brother. Hahaha My ears stopped ringing today. ;-) J/k
Thanks for putting this up Mike!
I love the colour. I really think the steering wheel is great. You did a fantastic job. I don't have your experience with painting and body work. I don't have a swap meet near me that has old VW parts. There is not any way that I could restore a beetle for your costs. I would expect that it would be expensive for me to do the restoration. I would not be able to restore a beetle and sell it for a profit
😀
NICE WORK !!
I 2ND that wow!! Great job!
Great job nice looking 61 bug, awesome
Love the Hydrate interior accents on those 61's.
Me too!
Quedo hwrmoso vacano hno felicidades disfrutelo....
Wow! What a beautiful job !!! 🤙🏼
Amazing restoration👌🏽
Yes fantastic job Mike!
😀
New subscriber
thanks for coming Lazaro.
I’m still waiting to paint my car. Has to be on a Saturday and seems like I’m always busy on Saturday. It’s cold here now I may wait till spring to put it on the trailer to take to work and spray in paint booth. I think I will get more fun out of my patina 66 . And buy the way it’s a Arizona car. I love the turn signals on your car.
yea the front turns were in the trunk. Forgot to show that stuff I think it was starting to rain that day or just stopped.
Great restore job !
Yes wonderful work!
😀
using COVID lockdown to enjoy some older videos. This is a great story, the ugly and unwanted brought back to pretty and fresh. Great job.
Well done Mike two thumbs up👍👍for this amazing restoration. For curiosity sake do you know why VW used certain colours for a short period of time like you mentioned only 6 months? Based on popularity? Thanks for sharing this with us.
I really dont know this color was really nice. lots of people love it.
@@Mikefngarage
Thanks Mike do you have a more detailed video of when replacing a front apron and aligning it to the fenders. Thanks for help 👍
nice save , car came out awesome , well done 👍
👍
just found your channel and looking at all the old episodes
Very nice!
📢😀
Looks great!
I know its not my car but i think it looked better where the white showed on the wheels. But great save on that car
Beautiful bug what did you call the dress rings on the hub caps?
cross hatch wheel trim. Original equipment accessory reproduced by flat 4 sold at Wolfsburg west.
I really like those beautiful rings
I watched this series the first time through. Great stuff! You do awesome work! I like your attitude. Keep me coming;)
thank you Sid
Mike does amazing work!!
Very nice vw bug
Your a fast talker, LOL. I ENJOYED IT
the readers digest version of the restoration.
Lol... yes so good... super speed
Great job! Bug turned out very nice!
Thank you! Cheers!
Hi Mike, Cool video! I have a 1974 Volkswagen Thing 1600cc engine. I was wondering what tire size you recommend for my Vw thing!
Love the VW things, I would love to get one someday!
Simply gorgeous!!
😀
Great job Mike!!
Great colour
That is a beautiful restoration, and very inspirational! Very much enjoyed this video. When you opened up the engine did you find what was causing the loud tapping? I have a similar situation.
Amazing restoration!
Awesome build. You did a great job on a beautiful bug.
Looks awesomely... just found tour ch😎going to be in the market for one here in a few months
Thanks for sharing!!
Nice color
nice car
Great restoration and story. Beautiful car. Just curious, why the Arizona plates ?
had back fees. So I middle fingered them and went to AZ. now they have the rule if your car is over 25 years old. there is a rule number you can give them and they have to wave it. You need to know the rule number and make them look it up. then they will wave them otherwise they will charge you anyway.
This is very interesting restoration story. I watched some the bodywork/painting videos to get motivation doing my 70 sometime ago. I think you'll get more subs and views soon. I had 4 subs and even lost 1 :D
thanks and lots of new hepful videos coming on how to do some of the repairs on that.
Time is money.
Don’t be fooled he spent 20-30k worth of time.
How many Restore have you done.?!
Well just before UA-cam I did I think 5 busses. I was putting pics on my facebook Then I found out about the youtube deal. Back when I was younger 18-26 I did some of these in 1 about every 3 weeks. lots of them. dont remember how many. One week paint and body, another week drive train. few days interior and work out bugs. The next week drive it while it was for sale fixing stuff while I started another. They were all mini restores. not many full wiring pulls and under hood paint. just black that stuff out and paint the underside of hood and all jams. Some were done complete some just motors some just paint and body and some interior.
hey Mike could you tell me (maybe privately) how to get around some of the fees of a CA car that hasn't been registered. I am looking to buy a CA bug and I live in AZ. TY
Nice job! Did you take out the windows and put In new window trims before painting?
Yes I did
padlock on grab bar ?
yea and all these keys and none fit it weird.
you do know that Hitler ordered the making of that car right?
Colour code please?
I commented