Haha, I got your PM haz, good to hear you're really looking for one!
But ehmm...I am pretty sure that isn't a 1303. A 1303 has another hood:
http://www.flat4ever.com/modules/freecontent/content/images/1303.jpg
The hood is more wide, not pointy like that one (mine too) You can call it a short and long bonnet too.
So that's one thing...I'll give you a list of things to look for.
And if you can, bring someone who knows alot about beetles, they can be so much work after you bought it and you will regret.
*Ask him if that's really a 1303 (say someone you know doesn't think so because of the long bonnet)
*Check the profile of the tyres
*Check for rust under the fenders, the fender is bended towards the inside of the car, check if it hasn't rusted trough (superficial rust is acceptable, you can respray it later)
*Check the wheelcompartment (front) and get the wheel out, see if there is rust under the wheel, and make sure it's not rotten, can be quite expensive (read: fortune)
*There might be a reason why he didn't have pics of the rear, check for rust.
*See if the overall paintwork is good, if it has loads of scratches it will rust even when you look at it (if it's standing outside in the rain)
*Check the underside of the doors, notorious for rust.
*Under the doors there is a black plastic step, underneath it are sort of beams, (kokerbalken we call it) and they support the chassis, they have to look original, if it has been repaired badly you don't see a profile. The beam has to have a profile if you look underneath it.
Engine
*See if any hoses are cracked
*Get the engine running and see if it runs idle, it should run 'bobbly', so not as smooth as current cars, just a little off.
*Check if there is oil on the floors on the compartment
*Feel if there is coming enough air from both exhausts.
*See if the drivebelt doesn't wobble when the engine is running.
Transmission
*The gearleaver is not as accurate as new cars and it can move quite freely and still be good. But I just replaced some parts and now you can definetly tell the difference between neutral and gear, if that's not the case it's not a dissaster.
*See if you can get it in reverse.
Now go drive it:
*Does the gearbox synchronise good?
*Can you get in to gears good?
*Does the gearlever pop out of the gear while driving?
*Do a braketest, the car shouldn't sway to one side if you brake heavy. You have to brake a little bit harder than regular cars (no assistence) but you should not have a total workout.
*How does it steer? Is there lots of play? Can be dangerous, but not hard to replace (if its the steeringdamper)
*How does the engine pull? Shocky, or normal at every rev? Should be normal, if not there could be a problem with fuel/carbs.
*Does the clutch pick up the gear good? Do a test: Pull the handbrake, in 2nd gear and give throttle, the engine should stall slowly. If not it could be a problem with the clutch, and since the engine has to be removed, could be quite expensive, or timeconsuming.
*How's the interior? New seats can be expensive, unless you know a few people who do it for you, the leather or fabric is still being made.
And last but not least, get something off the price, I got 600 euros off.
Mine was 3000 euro but I first bid on 2000 euro. So we ended up at 2400.
But an even bigger advice, don't bring money, it will burn in your pants and you will give it away way too soon.
Give me a report (what you thought about above points) and I can help you make a good choice. As a rookie (myself included back then) it's very easy to fall in love and forget about the bad things. But point is with these cars, they're old and everything has wear and tear, so eventually everything comes to an end, you just have to find a beetle where the previous owner has done that or one that was taken care off.
Good luck!
and the price isn't bad either
