What's the best car for Your first build? VW Bug!

Why choose a pre-1974 VW Bug for your build

1. Smog-Test Exemption in California: In California, gasoline-powered vehicles of model year 1975 or older (i.e., built 1975 or earlier) are exempt from the biennial smog check requirement. (Bureau of Automotive Repair) This means choosing a Bug from 1974 or earlier gives you less regulatory overhead and cost for emissions compliance.

2. Simple, Robust Platform: The classic Bug has a simple air-cooled engine or easily serviceable older design, abundant parts, a huge enthusiast community, and lots of aftermarket upgrades. That means lower cost, easier sourcing, and fewer surprises for your first custom build.

3. Iconic & Customizable: The VW Bug’s timeless shape draws attention, but because so many have been built, it’s also a forgiving platform you can modify suspension, wheels, brakes, body (drop it, widen it, bag it), and still drive it without aiming for concours levels. You get big style impact with moderate cost and complexity.

Estimated cost for a “nice mild custom” (not show car)

Here’s a rough breakdown of what you might spend to turn a decent pre-1974 Bug into a reliable custom driver (custom wheels, lowered suspension, disc brakes, refresh engine, interior upgrades) rather than a full-blown concours rig:

• Purchase of a good-condition Bug (running, decent body): $5,000-$12,000 (varies heavily by rust, parts, region).

• Engine refresh/reliability improvements: $1,500-$4,000 (e.g., service, maybe upgraded 1600cc engine swap) based on forum estimates. (Reddit)

• Suspension / brakes upgrade (lowering, disc brakes conversion): $2,000-$5,000 depending on parts and labor.

• Exterior / paint / wheels: For mild custom look (not show paint), maybe $3,000-$8,000.

• Interior & trim upgrades (modern seats, upholstery, updated dash, audio): $1,000-$3,000.

• Miscellaneous (wiring, registration, modern safety gear, small issues): $500-$2,000.

Total ballpark for a nice mild custom driver: ~$13,000 to $30,000 (above and beyond the purchase cost).

If you do a lot of the work yourself, you might lean toward the lower end; if labor and parts are high-cost in your region, you might hit the higher number.