1965 Volkswagen

Sportster Other

4 - Cyl.

Manual

DRF110711

Gasoline

1965 VW Empi Sportster This vehicle was a “garage find” in Northern California which I purchased and began its restoration a few years ago. I had to get it re-registered and it is now current with custom California plates - “EMPSTER.” It is licensed as a 1967 special construction and is smog exempt. 1967 is the original construction year and it is built on a 1965 platform. The Empi Sportster is the Original Dune Buggy! It pre-dates the Meyers Manx and is historically significant. I am the third owner of this vehicle. The original builder kept this vehicle until the mid-eighties and drove it on a regular basis. The second owner kept it stored in his garage and drove it occasionally until I purchased it in 2007. When I bought it, it was well used. It ran & it smoked it bit, but it was drivable. It has not been run for about two years and I had intended on rebuilding its original 1200cc as part of its restoration, but now I am in the middle of a divorce and am unable to complete it, so it must go! I have invested around $4500, including its original purchase price and in new parts. And, this does not include all the hours of my time! The body and pan had only some surface rust in parts, which I spent countless hours removing and prepping. Then everything was treated – inside & out – with POR 15. The steering, suspension, and front beam were all de-greased and repainted. It has all new lights and front and rear axillary lamps as well – all are 6 volt, as is the rest of the vehicle. It also comes with its original front headlamp assemblies which need to be restored should you decide to change them. This Sportster was repainted in flat “Desert Storm Tan.” All the body hardware was replaced with stainless steel nuts, bolts, and washers (very costly). It has a new Empi Dune Buggy wiring harness, but all the connections need to be completed. It comes with the wiring schematic to help the process. It has new tires & Empi wheels. As well, it has new seats with brackets, sliders, harnesses, and new Empi floor mats, new carpet, new steering wheel, new turn signal switch, new KYB gas shocks, new steering dampener, new ceramic coated exhaust, new points, condenser, cap, rotor, and ignition wires; new coil, new Empi belt shroud, New Empi pedal covers, new stainless steal passenger grab handle, new Empi aluminum “quick-fill” gas cap, new aluminum diamond plate, new parking brake boot, new side mirror, new fire extinguisher, custom built lockable removable wood chest (for tools, beer, whatever..), a new Empi short shifter, and new chrome Empi valve covers. The brakes need to be gone through and it also comes with new front brake drums, shoes, and wheel cylinder kits. The brake lines should be flushed, too. I also have a good wiper motor, wiper arms and their linkage. A new windshield still needs to be cut for it, but any good glass shop can do this and install it with universal molding which is readily available. The roll bar still needs to be painted (I was going to paint it white to match the wheels). The speedo with it's gauges works fine, but it would be nice to have its face restored (there are plenty of shops that do this kind of work). I also have its original rear-view mirror, which has been repainted. There is also a new rear license plate lamp and bracket, and a very cool new Empi license plate frame. This Sportster also comes with a complete set of plans and a huge binder full of magazines (10), a copy of the original patent by its inventor – Joe Vittone, and several pages of Empi catalog parts, history, etc.. There are two parts which will need to be made from the plans to make everything complete: A wiper motor cover (I'll supply matching diamond plate to make it from), and a hood mounted spare tire bracket, & spare tire & wheel. I may still have the original side bars, but they may have been discarded – I'm not sure. I was going to fabricate a swinging style bar (like a Jeep), but never got around to it. It will also come with its original tow bar, but it needs restoration. And, last - there is some spare paint, too! Basically, you will get everything to finish this Sportster except for the few items I've mentioned, at a fraction of what I've put into it. I will require a $500 deposit via Paypal within 72 hours of the auctions close and the balance is due when everything is picked-up. It must be picked up within 10 days of auctions close, unless other arrangements are made with me. I would recommend that the new owner pick everything up on a flat trailer. Please contact me if you have any questions. Check my feedback and bid with confidence! No reserve.