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Post by Volktales on Jan 9, 2016 20:01:17 GMT -8
And I do not mean "customs" as in modified cars... I am talking about the cheaper Beetles that were available other then the popular Deluxe models. In Europe, a "standard" model was always available for those who didn't want or have much $ to spend, but still wanted a Beetle. The Euro Standards were VERY basic cars, that had much less equipment and a lower mechanical spec then the Deluxes. For the Canadian market, VW also decided to sell a "standard" model, but it was quite different to the Euro cars. What "our" models contained varied quite a bit from year to year. To start this article, I will focus on one particular year, 1970, because there is currently one for sale right now...
Tom (busaddict) posted this ad recently, and 68IIIbuggy noted it was a Canadian Custom (this was not mentioned directly in the advertisement). See the original Used Victoria ad here:
www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/1970-Volkswagen-Beetle_26562526
Now here are pictures from that advertisement...
Looks pretty original in the picture. That is likely L60D Elm Green with cream/white leatherette interior.
So what distinguishes this car from the much more common Deluxe? The most obvious are the lack of chrome trim in the window seals. The hood does not feature a chrome strip down the middle either. Less obvious in the picture is the lack of VW emblem on the front hood, and no intake grill on the hood for the fresh air system. Not really obvious in the picture is that the door vent window frames are not chrome, but are in fact silver/beige paint. Also visible is the full headliner, normal on the Canadian Customs of this era, unlike earlier models. The running boards on this example have chrome on them, but it is likely this was added later.
At the back we can see the plain window seals. 1970 was the first year for a vented decklid on the sedans, but note that this one is solid. I am not sure if this was correct for a 1970 Canadian Custom, but I think it might be. Also visible is one of the original two reflectors mounted to the bumper brackets. This were found on all 1970-71 Beetles but most are loooong gone today. They are supposed to be mounted above the bumper however... Also note the ugly reflectors on the side of the taillight housings. Also original for this year, but often missing.
That plain steering wheel with no horn ring is correct for this model. Less obvious is the missing knobs for the fresh air system. Customs do not have this system (which was not very effective anyway). That door panel is likely original and will NOT be equipped with a map pocket. Otherwise the interior in the Canadian Custom will be similar to the Deluxe. A radio was not likely included when new, but they were all dealer added anyway...
Here is what really makes the 1970 Canadian Custom a bit special. You are looking at the original engine, a 1200! That's right, this is the correct engine for this model, and it is matched to a swing-axle transmission as well. Looking at the picture, it is very original too excepting that awful fuel pump setup... I am not sure what the horsepower rating for this unit was in 1970. The older ones were 40 hp, a 1970 1600 was rated at 57 hp in comparison. Overall this example looks OK in the pictures, and seems relatively unmolested. Hopefully someone will buy it, and give this rare piece of Canadian history the restoration it deserves...
As an aside, I bought some VW magazines today from my local Chapters. I do this enough that I recognize most of the staff, but today there was a new cashier. While ringing up my purchases, she stated she in fact owned an old Beetle and it was for sale. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be an Elm Green 1970 Canadian Custom! And NOT the one in the above description. What are the odds of two of these exact models up for sale at the same time? And it is located ONE street away from my house! AND I did not know it was there either! Anyway we talked a bit and it turns out I have seen this car in the past. It once belonged to a guy named Courtney Hook in Nanaimo and was a nice example. Anyway I hope to have a peek at it and see what condition it is now...
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Post by Volktales on Jan 9, 2016 20:07:42 GMT -8
Note that the air filter on the above engine has a Bowden cable attached to it to operate the flap door. This would be original to this model and the filter is not the same as the 1600 style at all. I would imagine this would be extremely rare to find one of these today...
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Post by tony on Jan 9, 2016 20:14:32 GMT -8
Russ , to house your new vw you could probably get a package deal with an addition put on your garage and some landscaping done too!  |
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Post by Volktales on Jan 9, 2016 20:23:48 GMT -8
Now I didn't say I was buying it, was I... I hope someone does and saves it. The one near my house sounds like it is currently partially disassembled. The young owner did not know that much about it so I left a message with her Dad. Will report more when I know more... It would be nice to see one of these restored stock for historical purposes. So many of them have been changed over the years, that it is hard to tell what they once were like... It would look good in your shed, Tony!
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Post by busaddict on Jan 9, 2016 21:01:49 GMT -8
Fascinating Russ, funny how these coincidences pop up...or maybe it was meant to be. Would love to hear more about that VW near your house when you get more info  |
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Post by PICTUP on Jan 9, 2016 21:11:45 GMT -8
Very cool. If the rear axle is swing, what kind of front end does it have: ball joint or king/link? Oh yeah…why are they "elusive". Could they be considered "rare"? And, no, I don't need a Beetle…..or do I? How would one of these look as a Class 11?  |
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Post by busaddict on Jan 9, 2016 21:21:21 GMT -8
And, no, I don't need a Beetle…..or do I? How would one of these look as a Class 11? Are you serious? After seeing Chris's Class 11 now I want one, though I think if I got an original bug I would probably keep it that way. |
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Post by Volktales on Jan 9, 2016 21:38:59 GMT -8
They are ball joint front ends in this model. And they certainly are rare. Except today it seems... And sometimes rarity does not exactly translate into desirability. Deluxe models are nicer with their bigger engines, added chrome, and nicer interior to most. I would guess most surviving Canadian Customs have seen upgrades over the years and lost their identities anyway...
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Post by 68IIIbuggy on Jan 10, 2016 9:31:46 GMT -8
I would like to add that all Custom models till 1977 had a swingaxle rear end, not available on any cars sold in the US after 1968. The 1200 Custom was available till 1970. After that all customs were 1600, but still featured the spartan interiors and lack of chrome. The 71 and later customs are actually more common than you would think. My first beetle was a 71 custom, and I currently have a 72 rusting away in my back yard. I know of a 73 sitting not far from me too. This green 1200 Custom is only the second one I've seen locally.
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Post by 68IIIbuggy on Jan 10, 2016 9:40:28 GMT -8
A slight correction: the fresh air system was introduced in 1971, not 1970. My 71 Custom had this feature.
Another note: the 72 Custom which I have features a dash pad with no radio cutout. It also has a little chromed plug where the antenna mounts.
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Post by Volktales on Jan 10, 2016 21:51:10 GMT -8
So 1977 was the last year for the Canadian Custom? That was the final year for the Deluxe Beetle as well in Canada too. So I guess 1970 was the final year for mechanical differences other then the swing-axle transmission... Anyway I looked at another Canadian Custom today...
Yes another Elm Green 1970 Canadian Custom!
This one has seen a few changes in its 46 years of use. The bumpers are not correct, and neither are those Euro style taillights... The decklid has been replaced, but is the correct non-vented style.
The engine is however the original 1200, and is largely correct. The generator is a later design, and the electronic ignition and distributor cap are not original. And don't forget those tasty plug wires...
The interior has had some work done. The seats and door panels have been replaced with likely TMI products in the original cream white colour.
Panels are nice. Ironically the non-original window cranks are the same as those in the OTHER Canadian Custom currently for sale.
The steering wheel is obviously not original and the current owner does not have the correct part. The current owner bought the car as is and all modifications were done by the previous owner. Note that the dash pad has been removed from this car. It looks odd because the original knobs now all stick out too far. You have to buy European knobs and vents for this conversion to look right. And weld up a few extra holes too!
Overall the car looks to be a good project vehicle. It has had a few patches underneath in the past, but nothing too drastic. It will need heater channels in the future as these are starting to rot through. You could probably run it as is for awhile. The owner states it runs well although a dead battery stopped us from trying. The car features brand new tires on Porsche 914 rims (don't know if original or repros). There is a front disc brake conversion and the car has been lowered 2 inches all around (drop spindles in front). The car looks high in the back due to being jacked up to replace the tires and not moved since. There are some extra fenders, bumpers, etc. to go with the car. The owner is going to contact me later with an idea of asking price for this project... I know I don't need another VW, but this is kind of a cool piece of Canadian history up for sale. For long term Nanaimo people, this is the same car once owned for quite some time by Courtney Hook. It was his baby then... |
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Post by busaddict on Jan 10, 2016 21:56:28 GMT -8
Would be nice to see it go to someone local.
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Post by 68IIIbuggy on Jan 10, 2016 21:58:53 GMT -8
Nice! I'm curious what engine case the "later" 1200 used, and whether it featured any of the improvements, especially in the lubrication system, that the 1600 received.
I was told by one of the mechanics at Ellice in Victoria that the Custom was available until 77, alongside the standard.
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Post by Wongai on Jan 11, 2016 9:04:46 GMT -8
Oh man! I've been trying to avoid looking at that add since it was posted. I've kinda had my eye on it, but the last thing I need is another car. I know my wife would love it. This narrative makes it even more interesting.
I might have to block this thread. I can't be tempted!
Thanks for the info!
B
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Post by 68IIIbuggy on Jan 11, 2016 9:24:27 GMT -8
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