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Posted: 5/2/2016 8:28:23 PM EDT
I was recently given a 1971 super beetle, lightly modded, in almost-but-not-really-running condition.  I'm torn between a proper restoration or going for the Cal look.  I'm open to other ideas, but Baja is out.

This will probably be a fair-weather funmobile, but it may go to my little daddy's girl (12 y.o. right now) who wants to learn how to wrench on a car.

Give me some inspiration GD.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:30:32 PM EDT
[#1]
German look all the way.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:36:48 PM EDT
[#2]
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Quoted:
German look all the way.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
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Yup oem+
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:36:59 PM EDT
[#3]
71 was the start of curved windshields yeah? Slam it, get some wider fenders and run wider wheels.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:37:28 PM EDT
[#4]
Super Beetles are nice but the older style front end is easier to work on and take abuse well.

Vdubs are getting hard to find. Restore it or go the Cal look.

I keep my eye out for a decent 65 or 66 for a Baja bug. There used to be a ton of them, now, nada.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:39:16 PM EDT
[#5]
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:40:05 PM EDT
[#6]
Leave it as is and drop in a 13B-REW with a GTX3582R
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:44:26 PM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History









Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:47:25 PM EDT
[#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Super Beetles are nice but the older style front end is easier to work on and take abuse well.
Vdubs are getting hard to find. Restore it or go the Cal look.
I keep my eye out for a decent 65 or 66 for a Baja bug. There used to be a ton of them, now, nada.
View Quote



This. I prefer the original Beetle to the Super.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:47:28 PM EDT
[#9]
Ditch the Super with MacPherson front ends....go beams and slammed with some Empis 5's.

Then go crazy with the motor...at least 1776cc with duals.


If I had more garage space, Id have another Type 1.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:50:55 PM EDT
[#10]
The wife's 1973





Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:51:15 PM EDT
[#11]
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:52:09 PM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
71 was the start of curved windshields yeah? Slam it, get some wider fenders and run wider wheels.
View Quote


71-72 were flat windshield, small taillights, regular bumper, early front struts.
73 was curved windshield, large taillights, regular bumper (one year only rear fenders). Late front struts were a mid year change, so there ate some oddball 73's with a weird front structure.
74 up was curved windshield, large taillights, 5 mph bumpers, late struts.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:53:19 PM EDT
[#13]
Go original. I loved my '73 SB.

The heater even worked.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:57:00 PM EDT
[#14]
My first car was a '73 super beetle convertible. Loved that car.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 8:57:06 PM EDT
[#15]
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Quoted:
Go original. I loved my '73 SB.

The heater even worked.
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HA!  When I first met my wife, she asked why I had blankets in my car.

It was a '70 that had spent it's entire life in Ohio and it's winters.  There wasn't any bit of those heater tubes left.  
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:00:17 PM EDT
[#16]
I had 2 of them, a 6 volt one, and a 12 volt one.

Neat cars, but I was glad to get rid of the second one.

I'd had enough.

Having to hold your hand on the windshield to melt the ice so you can see, gets old after a few times.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:01:30 PM EDT
[#17]
you should totally baja the shit out of it!!!
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:01:42 PM EDT
[#18]
Fun cars, I've had a ton of them
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:02:38 PM EDT
[#19]

Always liked 'em. Never got around to getting one.

Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:02:53 PM EDT
[#20]
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Quoted:
Fun cars, I've had a ton of them
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Probably more so in GA than in New England.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:03:35 PM EDT
[#21]
What I know of the car:

Wide 'glass fenders all around and no running boards

Flat windshield.  The curved glass would have been later that year or 1972 model I think

Porsche 924 wheels (phone dial I think they are called)

Single carb setup with (supposedly) all parts for twin carb (not sure what flavor)

Front discs on adjustable struts

No obvious rust, but I think the floor pan has been replaced

Front seats are tan corduroy from a SAAB and have to go.

Missing back bumper and tail lights.  I think I have the elephant-foot lights in a box of parts.

Bad 2nd gear synchro

Sticking valve.


I plan on tearing the engine down and starting from the ground up.  I've never done transmission work, so I don't know if I should rebuild myself or swap for a rebuilt.

I cut my teeth on water-pumpers in the 80's and 90's and never really considered a bug, so I don't now much about them.  I didn't know about the German look and I'm intrigued.  With the collection of parts I've been given, it may be a good option to consider.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:04:46 PM EDT
[#22]
Unsafe POS for young drivers.

The ONLY air cooled VW I ever liked that our family owned was the Karmann Ghia. [71 or 72]

Still SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Horrid understeer.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:06:44 PM EDT
[#23]
I guess the next relevant question is: What's the ARFCOM of beetles?
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:08:11 PM EDT
[#24]
There used to be a Beetle club here called "Flat 4 Fettish", I don't know if they are still active.







They all had restored Beetles as well as other makes.

















 
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:11:09 PM EDT
[#25]
I still play doodle bug with my kids.  Extra points for an original bug.


Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:11:53 PM EDT
[#26]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
What I know of the car:

Wide 'glass fenders all around and no running boards

Flat windshield.  The curved glass would have been later that year or 1972 model I think

Porsche 924 wheels (phone dial I think they are called)

Single carb setup with (supposedly) all parts for twin carb (not sure what flavor)

Front discs on adjustable struts

No obvious rust, but I think the floor pan has been replaced

Front seats are tan corduroy from a SAAB and have to go.

Missing back bumper and tail lights.  I think I have the elephant-foot lights in a box of parts.

Bad 2nd gear synchro

Sticking valve.


I plan on tearing the engine down and starting from the ground up.  I've never done transmission work, so I don't know if I should rebuild myself or swap for a rebuilt.

I cut my teeth on water-pumpers in the 80's and 90's and never really considered a bug, so I don't now much about them.  I didn't know about the German look and I'm intrigued.  With the collection of parts I've been given, it may be a good option to consider.
View Quote


Sounds like the PO might have been going that way.

My 72 KG vert is awaiting a transmission and engine from a 2.0 liter 914, with a flipped ring gear and a 901 nosecone, 944 front brakes, 944 rear trailing arms with brakes, and a Megasquirt system with gutted 36 IDF's for throttle bodies.

Of course, it's been waiting over 10 years...

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:12:31 PM EDT
[#27]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I guess the next relevant question is: What's the ARFCOM of beetles?
View Quote


Thesamba.com

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:18:38 PM EDT
[#28]
Stock or go home.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:19:02 PM EDT
[#29]
Stay original. I had a 69 convertible. Fun fun cars.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:25:57 PM EDT
[#30]
The most important question is how is the rust in the pan ?
Have you put it on a lift or pulled the rear seat?
How is the battery hold down.

80/90% of bugs have major deal killing rust in VIrginia any place that has snow is worse.

Oh I love the samba for type 2 and bugs
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:26:49 PM EDT
[#31]
Paint it white and slap a "53" on the side.  
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:31:07 PM EDT
[#32]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Paint it white and slap a "53" on the side.  
View Quote




 





Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:39:59 PM EDT
[#33]
Slow, noisy, unsafe, and uncomfortable. What's not to love?
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:45:51 PM EDT
[#34]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Slow, noisy, unsafe, and uncomfortable. What's not to love?
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Kind of what I say when I'm flying this - but I don't care.....

 





Link Posted: 5/2/2016 9:51:22 PM EDT
[#35]
Bugs are rad, but supers are kinda yucky
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:00:58 PM EDT
[#36]
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:02:31 PM EDT
[#37]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Slow, noisy, unsafe, and uncomfortable. What's not to love?
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The history.  The history is to be loved, cherished, and passed on to the next generation.  

My 1946 Willys is slow, noisy, unsafe, and uncomfortable.  I still spent a ton of time and money restoring it, mainly because it was my Grandfather's, but I got to spend a tremendous amount of time with my Dad I otherwise would have pissed away doing something else.  Sounds like the OP may do the same with his kid.  Now I have those memories to look back on for the rest of my life, and we still talk about it and tinker on it to this day.  One day I hope to pass it on to the 4th generation if I'm ever lucky enough to have kids of my own.  

But other than that... not much.  
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:09:30 PM EDT
[#38]
An old plane or Willy's I get. If I had a daughter I would never put her in an old Beetle.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:15:03 PM EDT
[#39]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
An old plane or Willy's I get. If I had a daughter I would never put her in an old Beetle.
View Quote


I've never driven a Beetle so I can't comment there, but based on driving my Willys the Beetle has to be immensely safer, even one from the same era.  Just the time spent together is great, especially since he said she wants to wrench on it.  No reason to not have it as a "fun" car restored and get her a more appropriate daily driver when the time comes.  

Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:15:42 PM EDT
[#40]
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:17:05 PM EDT
[#41]
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:19:55 PM EDT
[#42]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History


The foreign license plate completes that perfectly.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:24:56 PM EDT
[#43]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
What I know of the car:

Wide 'glass fenders all around and no running boards

Flat windshield.  The curved glass would have been later that year or 1972 model I think

Porsche 924 wheels (phone dial I think they are called)

Single carb setup with (supposedly) all parts for twin carb (not sure what flavor)

Front discs on adjustable struts

No obvious rust, but I think the floor pan has been replaced

Front seats are tan corduroy from a SAAB and have to go.

Missing back bumper and tail lights.  I think I have the elephant-foot lights in a box of parts.

Bad 2nd gear synchro

Sticking valve.


I plan on tearing the engine down and starting from the ground up.  I've never done transmission work, so I don't know if I should rebuild myself or swap for a rebuilt.

I cut my teeth on water-pumpers in the 80's and 90's and never really considered a bug, so I don't now much about them.  I didn't know about the German look and I'm intrigued.  With the collection of parts I've been given, it may be a good option to consider.
View Quote

Post some pics of what you have there!
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:25:03 PM EDT
[#44]

Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:25:23 PM EDT
[#45]
I floated a '64 Beetle across the South Bosque River twice and lost my virginity in the front seat of it.  I was never happier to get rid of a car than when a drunk nailed me in it.  I loved it and hated it when I was young and foolish.  Today I would like to have one in good condition but I would probably never take it out on the roads in Houston because it would not have enough power to work well in traffic.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:32:03 PM EDT
[#46]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Always liked 'em. Never got around to getting one.

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Same here.
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 10:52:01 PM EDT
[#47]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History


nice !!! appeals to my German side ....
Link Posted: 5/2/2016 11:01:08 PM EDT
[#48]
Quoted:
I was recently given a 1971 super beetle, lightly modded, in almost-but-not-really-running condition.  I'm torn between a proper restoration or going for the Cal look.  I'm open to other ideas, but Baja is out.

This will probably be a fair-weather funmobile, but it may go to my little daddy's girl (12 y.o. right now) who wants to learn how to wrench on a car.

Give me some inspiration GD.
View Quote


Yes. I have a 63 Single Cab with a 4" narrowed air bag beam, flipped spindles and the gear reduction boxes removed (67 bug trans.)
Link Posted: 5/3/2016 5:24:15 AM EDT
[#49]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


nice !!! appeals to my German side ....
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


nice !!! appeals to my German side ....


Then you should just go for this:




Link Posted: 5/3/2016 5:44:28 AM EDT
[#50]
Bug motors are so easy to rebuild. i did it in my dorm room one time.
If only I could buy a brand new 67 I would jump at it.
I have had 4 bugs one van and one camper van.

Slow noisy and cold or blazing hot in winter depending on th heater boxes.
But I loved um.
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