std3 wrote:Hi all!
I am new here, and would like to ask a few questions. 68'-70'
Beetles were made in Germany and assembled in Australia? If so, the rust protection is better?
No offence, just want to learn as much as possible, because planning to buy a bug in the near future. My heart is set on the 'slope' headlight model, but they are crazy expensive and seems rust badly.
So I turned to early 1500s and eager to know if they are identical with the European ones?(important when ordering parts and bits).
Sum it up, despite late 60's bugs are less attractive but they worth the money? I had 3 german made standard beetles back in Hungary and miss them.
Here is something my wife found that you might be interested in regarding local VW Bug supply. There is a lot more, but this was one of the eras you mentioned.
1968-1977
The Australian Deluxe Beetle was discontinued in march, 1968. The Custom continued on for a while to use up local parts. CKD assembly kits were not yet available, so the decision was made to fully import German built manual and semi-auto Beetles until CKD assembly of the manual car began in September. Semi-autos remained fully imported. All cars were therefore 12 volt. Manual cars were swing axle, like those in all other markets except the US, where double-joint trailing arm rear suspension was introduced in this year. Cars of this era had wheels with cream rims and black, 4 stud slotted centres and all the up-to-date European features; bigger, flat bottomed tail lights, 1500cc engine, 12-volt electrics, bigger windows, dual-circuit brakes with discs on the front, collapsible steering column, stronger bumpers of the later style, external fuel filler, etc. After many years of being "Australianised", however, the imported/assembled Beetle now had wipers that parked to the left and the bonnet release was on the left side of the car.
1970 cars, now locally assembled, were largely unchanged, but featured the two rows of five louvres in the engine lid. These cars had silver painted wheels.
Acknowledgement;
Condensed from: "Knowing Australian Volkswagens" by Phil Matthews and Dave Long. Published and available from Bookworks Pty Ltd, Ph (02) 9740 6766.
Thanks also to John Moore, of Coffs Harbour, NSW, who worked for the House of David Volkswagen dealership at North Ryde in Sydney during the period covered by this history for his interest and input.
website -
http://members.netro.com.au/~vwcc/index.htm
