Now, as an aircooled guy I know NOTHING about this style of car, I've rarely worked on a newer car other than my 94 Jetta I had and I'm a bit intimidated but very interested. I've been reading these forums, watching videos and have been learning about these types of cars for a couple years now, so I'm not entirely blind to what I could be going into.
I'd like some advice on this one. It's supposedly a Monaco edition car, I didn't get a picture of the plaque (Number 734 or 749?) or the data plate (didn't know where it was), but from what I can tell it all checks out. The top looks to have been replaced or is sun bleached, but it's in good shape with no cracks so I assume it's a replacement.
Body wise the worst damage is the dent in the picture, the owner did tell me there's some quarter panel bondo and there is some surface rust and paint quite literally flaking off, but underneath is solid and I can't find any actual cancerous rust on the car. The interior is all there, just old. Everything works with the exception to the heater (The core leaks so the owner plugged it as shown), the clock and the radio. I didn't look for blown fuses, but I think both of those are genuinely in need of repair. I did feel the passenger side floor and it was slightly wet, the door weather stripping is just about ruined and I figure that's the cause.
While driving it nothing seemed wrong, the owner (who is a mechanic) said he redid the brakes and had new exhaust put on it as well as had the transmission resealed. Under the car nothing looks to be leaking, at least badly. The drivers side looked wet and he said he thinks its power steering from a old hose. He also said there is a vacuum leak, and that it does have a slightly hard time starting. He shot one small spray of starting fluid into the carb and in two short cranks it started and after a few seconds it idled without problem. The only engine bay thing that seems off other than the heater core hoses is the master cylinder cap was seemingly stuck on. I didn't notice any smoke, weird smells, nothing. The car has what I would assume is around 150,000 miles on it. The odometer to my memory says around 48,000 and an oil change sticker on the door from the 90's says 78,000
Not pictured is the wheel skirts, it has both sides in near perfect shape, nor is the air cleaner, which is in the trunk.
This car has almost no options, in fact I think the power drivers seat is THE only option. It has crank windows and no A/C as well as no sign of any other options I can note minus the Monaco trim. I kind of like that actually.
The only reason the owner is selling it is that he just moved, has too many cars and doesn't want to see this one just sit. Says he used to drive it to the bar for drinks and has had it for about four years, mainly sitting the last year or so. He told me he would take just about what I paid for my Beetle or maybe less, which isn't a lot at all.
I'm probably jumping in a bit too deep with this as my first V8 car, so I'd like a second opinion. I'm not looking for a show car, just a nice drivable car. Is there anything I've missed? Is there anything in these pictures or my descriptions that scream a huge red flag? I have two uncles who have about 80 years experience in the body/paint field combined so any of that stuff I could get their help with. I do also live very close to The Bird Nest in West Linn and my small town has about five different auto parts stores, so local parts and info is fairly easy.
Bonus Beetle picture for those interested
Thanks - Spencer
