1968 Car purchase (tips/help?)

"The Dummy Gummy" (dummygummy)
03/07/2016 at 08:58 • Filed to: None

I’m looking at buying an old car, but this would be my first time and it isn’t through a dealer. I know a few things to look for:

Working car

Vin number matches

Rust (Under the car, weak points in the panels, etc)

Odometer (if it even works), but the one I’m looking at the guy has a log book.

Have mechanic inspect

But what I’ve found is that some cars only come with a bill of sale and nothing else. Is there any way to guarantee legality of the sale so I’m not buying a stolen car that will be repossed months down the line? I figured I’d use a certified check, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still be scammed.

The car I’m looking at is out of town, has anyone purchased and kn0wn of a sure-fire way to find a good mechanic? Would it be smarter to look into a restoration shop in the area to look over the car since they may be more familiar with the older model.

I’m really excited/nervous for the prospect of a new toy. I’ve been saving a while for this and it seems the time has come.

Have a Chevelle for your troubles (no not the car I’m looking at unfortunately)

DISCUSSION (39)

TractorPillow > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 09:11

What state are you in? That determines whether a bill of sale is sufficient. In AL, all cars over 25 years old don't have titles, believe it or not. They are just sold with bills of sale.

OPPOsaurus WRX > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 09:12

maybe check with the police to run the VIN? i bet Steve Lento would have great advice if you try messaging him. What are you looking at?

The Dummy Gummy > TractorPillow
03/07/2016 at 09:13

Does it matter what state I’m in or where the transaction takes place? I’m in NJ, but the car is in NC.

Oh wow, that’s where I was getting confused in my search. I saw some cars had a title, but others only bill of sale for the same year. Makes sense now that it would be a state requirement.

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 09:18

Depends on what you want. Is it in good condition? Or a project?

Back registration due?

Why won’t the seller License, Title and Smog it?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 09:21

A big part of “what to look for” involves what car. Says guy who bought an excessively cheap 1968 Mercury off craigslist. Certain cars have certain things to check on.

What are you looking at so we can offer better tips? Don’t worry, no OPPO will steal the car out from under you!

The Dummy Gummy > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/07/2016 at 09:22

Old VW Bus. Very excited about this. I have not, I’ll look into doing that.

The Dummy Gummy > Burn-Spaz1966-Burn
03/07/2016 at 09:23

It is in good condition. I don’t have time for a project.

Good call on the registration. Didn’t think of that.

Not sure on that last part, but I can find out. Thanks!

The Dummy Gummy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/07/2016 at 09:24

1968 VW Bus. It’s okay it isn’t online. Someone found it for me and referred them to me.

camaroboy68ss > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 09:25

different brands of cars have different areas for rust issues you need to look for. Try searching forums of the car your looking at to get an idea where common trouble spots are. For example on my 1968 Camaro - around the base of the rear window and windshield are really common rust out spots, as well as around the rear wheel well.

If the car is painted finished take a weak fridge magnet and try sticking it in various points. If it doesnt stick than there is heavy bondo there that could mean bad bodywork.

I highly recommend you see the car yourself before buying, but if not possible try and find a shop near the car that specializes in that car because they would know what to look for.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 09:27

I can’t say I know much about them. I know there tends to be a lot of modification inside them so just make sure it’s done well and is in good shape. Price compare to others you find online to make sure the condition matches what you’re paying for it.

If it’s been sitting check for dry rot in all hoses. Make sure brake lines are still solid. Obvious Rust search.

Other OPPOS will know more about an old VW than I would.

TractorPillow > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 09:27

I only know the rules for the states I've lived, but yes it matters mainly what state you're in and what they require. I'd say find out all you can about the car and what paperwork it has and then talk to someone at the DMV. Once you buy the car, beg and plead to talk to that exact person again. I always try to do my paperwork with the person who told me the rules so that way we are both on the same page.

The Dummy Gummy > camaroboy68ss
03/07/2016 at 09:28

I’d definitely make a weekend trip of it. Too much money to not see it in person.

I found one I loved on eBay, but it was in Cali. Too far for me to go and check. If I hadn’t been screwed so many times on eBay I would have just trusted the system.

Thanks for the tips!

crowmolly > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 09:39

You need to call the NJ DMV and see if you can title a car with just a bill of sale. If they say no you may need to contact a place like Broadway title and find out if they can write one for you.

Be sure to mention that this will be a historic registration (I am assuming that’s what you are going to do).

The Dummy Gummy > crowmolly
03/07/2016 at 09:40

Good to know.

Thanks!

The Dummy Gummy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/07/2016 at 09:42

Thanks. Price is below what I’ve been seeing for this particular model, which makes me weary on what I’m not seeing in the pictures. But that’s just the pessimist in me I suppose.

I appreciate the advice.

The Dummy Gummy > TractorPillow
03/07/2016 at 09:44

That’s a great tip, thanks!

Slant6 > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 10:16

Any car from 1968 is going to be a project. Show cars-barn find everyone of them.

E92M3 > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 10:16

If the person has registration in their name it’s likely not stolen. Most tag offices will check VIN’s from “Bill Of Sale” sales against a database of stolen vehicles before they issue a tag. If the seller never tagged it, I would be leary.

The Dummy Gummy > Slant6
03/07/2016 at 10:27

Well what I mean it is running and rust free. I don’t need to do any work in terms of that. I’m okay with regular fixes here and there. I’m not looking to bring a car back to life is what I mean.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 10:29

I recently helped a friend check out and buy a 1968 VW Bus. Is the one you’re considering a panel bus, passenger bus or a Westfalia?

The Dummy Gummy > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
03/07/2016 at 10:31

Oh wow. That’s awesome. Westfalia.

(I’m actually open to looking at all of them, but the one I’m currently looking at is a Westfalia.)

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 10:36

Okay there’s a lot of stuff to consider with a westy seeing as it’s a house and a car. The big one is rust. RUST! These things rust from the bottom up. Crawl underneath it and check the floor at the front where the pedals go along with the condition of the frame “outriggers.” These conenct the frame rails to the rockers.

Want to know if it was stored outside? Check the condition of the cabinet near the sliding door. It has white rubber trim that ALWAYS warps if it’s been outside for months or years.

Also give the cushions a thorough scrub before living in it. They usually smell like weed and after-sex. Damn hippies ;)

Slant6 > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 10:38

As long as you don’t plan on depending on it you’ll be fine. Where in NC is it? I’m back in Raleigh for spring break and I could check it out for you.

The Dummy Gummy > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
03/07/2016 at 10:47

Haha, these are fantastic tips. The Westy I’m in currently looking at still has the cabinet, but I’ve found many without them. Is this a normal occruance? Removing the cabinet due to rust/rot? I just figured being old the functionality ceased, so the owners would remove them for more space in the bus.

I was actually going to buy new bed cushions for sure. I was also going to modify it a bit to make a little bit safer inside.

I really appreciate these tips. I’ve been looking for a long time, but never found one in the right condition to pull the trigger. Also, I’ve some how convinced the boss (wife) that it would be fun to get one.

Elumerere > TractorPillow
03/07/2016 at 10:49

That’s great advice.

The Dummy Gummy > Slant6
03/07/2016 at 10:50

Oh no, definitely not. It was at most going to be something to travel around town in, possibly with on vacation if I feel it has the legs to do so. It will be the third car for sure. I just don’t have hours upon hours to fix one up. I wish I did. I think it’d be fun to do over a year or so, but I think my wife would send me to an early grave if I attempted haha.

I’ll message you once I get more details. I really appreciate the offer!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 10:50

Kinja'd!!!

Friend’s”new” Westy for reference. Well there isn’t one cabinet in a westy. The whole thing is full of cabinets! Standard ones are alongside the passenger wall and around the bed. But the optional one was directly behind the passenger seat. This could be spec’d as a sink, stove, countertop, or nothing at all. The sink is the most desirable configuration as a coleman stove can be used in lieu of a proper in-car stove. Also 45 year-old gas lines are scary. You’ll want to beware of regular buses that have been “converted” into westys. These are almost never done 100% right and will never have the same value or (IMO) charm of the real deal.

Elumerere > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 10:52

My friends are looking to sell their Westy here in NYC, just saying. But it’s an 80s car.

The Dummy Gummy > Elumerere
03/07/2016 at 11:01

Do you know the color/condition/price range? I prefer the older style for sure, but I’m open to taking a look. The 80's Westfalia’s always reminds me of Back To The Future .

The Dummy Gummy > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
03/07/2016 at 11:04

That is beautiful. I should have clarified. I meant where the sink is right when you open the sliding door. That tends to be missing from most I go to look at.

Do you mind if I ask how much your friend paid? That looks like it is in fantastic condition. Doesn’t look like there is any rust in the usual spots. I was biddingon this beauty, until it jumped really high at the end http://www.ebay.com/itm/3317923117… . Just couldn’t afford that much unfortunately.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 11:13

He doesn’t like to say how much he paid but I can tell you it’s well north of that blue one you linked. That thing is a bargain! But sadly, the Canadian dollar means that $15k one you linked is a $20k car in our dollars. Yes, the sink is optional and not all came with it. BTW, only the earlier style buses are called westys. The later 80's ones are called Vanagons. I know pretty much nothing about those. Where in US are you located?

Elumerere > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 11:53

Totally Back to the Future, yes. It’s a white Westy, somewhere in the 16 - 20 k range. Condition is decently working, with some rust (as do have most/all of them). If you like, send me an email at my name without the last two letters at gmx dot ch and I’ll connect you to them.

The Dummy Gummy > Elumerere
03/07/2016 at 13:54

I appreciate the offer, but I’m looking more sub $12k. Best of luck with the sale!

Sean Costello > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 13:57

Even though you already said it: rust, rust, and rust. I have a 66 Mustang, luckily it had all rusty bits replaced before I bought it. Also check if the brakes are all drums or if it has discs in the front. Conversion kit’s aren’t too bad, I think I paid around $700ish, and it was fun to install myself. Just be ready to be fixing and fiddling with everything, even if it’s a good car, nothing major but there tends to be a lot of gremlins with older cars.

Elumerere > The Dummy Gummy
03/07/2016 at 14:18

Oh, it’s not mine, so no skin in the game. Thanks though!

deekster_caddy > The Dummy Gummy
03/31/2016 at 09:59

Rules are different from state to state but... a bill of sale is often not enough. In many states a title is required. I’ve owned my ‘73 since before titles were a requirement, so I don’t have a title for my car. But if I ever wanted to sell it, I would need to title it first. I’m in MA.

Also, look for rust on the frame. All over the frame. The body is replacable sheetmetal. The frame is much more critical, and more difficult to repair. There will be surface rust, but you want to look for very thin metal or swiss cheese rust holes.

The Dummy Gummy > deekster_caddy
03/31/2016 at 10:07

I’m glad you commented on this as I totally forgot to give the update. Thank you so much for the tips. It’ll be super helpful going forward.

You nailed it the frame (and the base of the vehicle) had many rust spots that looks like they could really be a problem down the road. I was even told before heading down that rust wasn’t an issue. Maybe they thought I wouldn’t look under the rug or under the chassis? The car did look impecable other than those two areas, but it was too much of a gamble for the price that was being asked. I rather a fixer upper with no rust than have a beautiful car with rust on critical areas that will be very expensive to fix.

deekster_caddy > The Dummy Gummy
04/01/2016 at 09:14

Phew! I found this post when I was reading the post you made yesterday, looked like it was still relevant.

The Dummy Gummy > deekster_caddy
04/01/2016 at 09:22

I really appreciate you sharing tips! Will definitely be helpful as I continue to look.