Heres another for ya,dang this vitamin water is good!!! :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

So you didnt listen to anyoneones advice and you found some ole crusty bugin a barn and your determined to put it on the road. Here's a quick list of to do's that will save you some time and embarrasing stops on the side of the road along the way.

As they say Safety First:so put that beast on jack stands and open up your wallet.

1) Inspect and replace your brakes. Likely this will include:lines,wheel cyliders,master cylinder,pads and hardware. You may be able to turn the drums and save them.

2) your wheels are off already so go get some new rubber on them while your tinkering around.

3) Fuel system! Inspect the tank and lines if you have corrosion aka rust replace them now! In the carb department alot of old carbs are hit and miss find a nice one from a reputable source or buy a new one and save the drama.More than likely your fuel pump is caked with crud from sitting as well.Time and money spent here will save you headaches later!!!

4)electrical: go ahead and clean all the connections and get new fuses and bulbs for starters. This will help eleminate a few problems later.Most all vw wiring problems are ground problems or the previous owner hacked sumthin up.When it comes to electrical components it's Bosch or nuthin!!!
Regulator?Alternator?Generator? BOSCH!!!!!!

5)Engine. Kinda complicated here I say pull it regardless and go through it.
If the end plays ok you can probably just rebuild the top end. But  It's better to rebuild it all now since its out already. It's the heart of your car for Pete's sake. If it's not 100% how can the car be reliable??Stay away from tricked out parts unless you have someone already running them and just have to have it. CHROME WONT GET YOU HOME!!!Stock is your rock! :roll:

6)Trans  Give the tranny a good cleaning whlie everything is out. Drain the trans and refil it while your at it.Also check all the trans mounts while the motors out and replace them if their junk. Also go ahead and put some new German boots on that puppy while you under there. A new transmission seal and throw out bearing aint a bad idea either.

Once you get the lil beast back together you can concentrate on that funky interior and all the lil goodies. You can skip alot of this depending on the car. I've just gotten to the point these days where I consider replacing any suspect parts is best. Regardless of the car I always go through it before putting it on the road.

Another thing to watch for since were tri-state located,Alabama and Georgia do not require titles on old cars. Tennessee does! If the car has been off the road more than 90 days and you dont have the most recent registration anyways have fun at the DMV!! Just something to think about when buying one without paperwork. Alot of times you may have to go back and register it in georgia or whever you got it and then turaround and do it again here.

Now all thats left to do is figure out why you cant get the interior light to work or what that funky smell is? :lol:

This is not an all inclusive list theres alot more to each of these steps and possibly alot more steps. This is just a giude for new folks who are considering a "project" bug. It's a lil food for thought and as you read it make cha ching sounds in your head and think about how much each step is costing you along the way.

 I have had 2 friends recently buy "cool lil bugs they found". I warned them both about what they would need to be roadworthy again. Both of them puttered out on their "projects" within a few months leaving me with  half dismantled bugs to dispose of. :lol: My advise is for your first one get a good reliable daily driver that someone else spent way to much on and just need it gone for whatever reason. There are alot of real decent bugs for sale between 3 and 5  grand that are completly relible and need very little at all to enjoy them.

Trust me My cars are ratty lil cars and I have a ton in every car I build . I have a $3000 car with a $1500  front end under it and a $2000 motor in it.The parts are worth more than the car so believe me I get it. I dont mind,it's a hobby and by definition alone hobbies are a money pit. A way to spend money on something you enjoy. Just take a moment before you empty your wallet to insure it's really what you want.
Happy motoring yall.