If you’ve been following along, you know we recently listed, and helped market a very original L518 Java Green ’67 Beetle that had been sitting patiently in a barn for the last 25 years. It sold quickly. In fact, I watched as the listing went live, and CC-ed myself on all incoming correspondence to see how fast word would spread. Honestly, I’ve never seen so many people from around the world flood my inbox at once; just amazing. Vintage Volkswagen barn finds are still out there!
This L518 Java Green ’67 Beetle ’67 Beetle is a special car with a unique story a lot like my own. Reviewing the photos this morning, I was admittedly a bit emotional. It’s going to be saved, properly restored and put back on the road where it should be.
“Started at pickup it up Saturday morning, the 13th of February.
After 25+ years in an open shed on a 1100 acre historical Texas farm. It started out by chasing a large rat out of the decades old safe and warm engine compartment with sticks and a determined dog. Airing all the tires that hadn’t had air in over 25 years, to pulling the car from the open sided shed, and loading it on the U haul trailer. It took great help from Geoff the son of the original owner.Geoff’s mother bought the car in the spring of ’67, new in Germany, and shipped it home after her college years in Spain. Geoff and his good friend Troy worked hard in helping Judy and I to get the car out and loaded on the trailer.. It took determination and help from all!
The car went straight to our local self car wash, where we pressure washed the outside and then proceeded to fill up one and half of the extra large vacuums with the sticks, seeds, bones and stuffing from the engine compartment, to its first wash, so we can get this original, 15,287 mile engine out for a rebuild and a complete restoration. To continue on…. stay tuned for the rest of the story with many more pictures to come!”
They say a photo is worth a thousand words.
I can’t honesty say I’d even wash it. Would you? Kudos to the new owner! I’ll update as the journey continues.
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Congratulations to the new owners. What a great find. That’s a gorgeous green machine. I wish you good fortunes in getting her running again. You definitely have a winner here.
Love the car wash pictures.
The paint on the front part of the car still looks very nice.
Even the engine cleaned up nicely, especially considering what a literal rat’s nest that it had been
My favorite photos of all of these is–the Rat peering from “its home” in the engine compartment! Gotta luv it! Let
the restoration begin! jay
What a GREAT job ! My dad worked for V.W. as a service writer for years, I remember him driving a 67 leaf green one. I wish i still have it. GREAT piece !!!!
IF–this car has been sitting for 25 years BUT has only 15K miles on it..why not try to start the engine–BEFORE rebuilding it? I once took a 1962 Karmann Ghia, which had sat for a documented 22 years, cleaned the engine bay of pecan hulls, cleaned the plugs, lubricated the cylinders while the plugs were out, cleaned the distributor, points and rotor, installed a fresh battery, and–guess what. The engine started and ran and did not even smoke. The person who restored the vehicle did not even rebuild the engine–it ran so well! What will be lost if the car is summarily “restored” without examining the factory parts throughout the car? These are valid ponderings. jay
IMHO, it’s likely 115,000 miles. The generator has also been replaced, so to me that’s an indication the odometer has rolled over at least once.
The rat peeking out from behind the fan housing, is a classic shot..makes me laugh everytime!! Oh what a gorgeous ’67!!!
Wow! That must have been a bit exciting finding and picking up this car. Java Green is my fave Bug color, mostly because I have a sunroof one. It will be a beautiful Bug when restored. And, I agree with previous comment that you may wish to see if your 15k mile engine is still healthy before rebuilding it. 15k miles is not much for that engine. Nice find!
Amazing find. What was the sale price??