That's a Beetle, this is a Superbug

Joel · 2012-06-03T07:34:44+00:00

When it comes to Aussie 1970s Volkswagen Beetles alot of confusion exists about the different models available. Most of the literature floating around for Volkswagen Beetles, particularly on the interwebz is based on European and North American vehicles where things were alot different to Aussie production. Unless you are a fairly knowledgable VW enthusist or just grew up with them when they were new, to 99% of the general public a bug is a bug, they all look the same to the untrained eye. Alot of people are unaware that there were 2 very different models sold from 1971 or they are just not sure which they have as there is alot of misinformation thrown about and they look very similar at first glance. This is not an indepth 100% accurate guide, just a quick run down which will hopefull give people a better idea of which Bug they are looking at. Beginning in early 1971 Volkswagen released a new deluxe model beetle with the double jointed rear suspension commonly called IRS (even though all Beetles are technically IRS) first seen in 1968 Semi-automatic beetles and an all new redesigned McPherson strut front end as opposed to the traditional Torsion bar front end used since day dot. More confusion is caused as they went by a variety of names in different countries. In Europe they were known as 1302 (1971-1972) and 1303 (1973 onwards), In North America they were simply known as a Super Beetle and in Australia they were known as a Superbug. The 1971-1972 1302 with the flat windscreen and dash being a Superbug S and the 1973-1975 1303 with the larger curved windscreen being known as a Superbug L, over time Aussie slang has dubbed them Sbug and Lbug. Our market was too small in the 70s to produce an Australian owners manual so the LHD European 1302 and 1303 ones were supplied instead so alot of newer owners have also taken to calling them 1302 and 1303 not knowing. At the same time the Superbug was offered, the standard Beetle everyone was used to was still also available. It was still the same 1500 Beetle that had been around since 1968 but to make it a cheaper "no frills" beetle the 1500 engine was swapped a smaller 1300 engine and the front disc brakes were swapped for drums and various trim removed like the chrome in the window rubbers, rear passenger ohshit straps and the door arm rests. I notice it most on Ebay and various car classifieds, where the VWs being sold are mainly just daily drivers owned by people to whom bugs are just a mode of transport so they don't always know or care whether it's a Beetle or a Superbug they have which results in alot of Beetles being advertised as Superbugs and vice versa which can cause new owners many headaches come parts buying time. Over the last 20 odd years I've heard all sorts of crazy comments from people. It's got big round tail lights, it must be a Superbug There's vents behind the side windows, it must be a Superbug The chassis number starts with 111 or 112 same as a Beetle, it can't be a Superbug The Windscreen is flat, it can't be a Superbug The dash is a plastic padded one, it must be a Superbug The engine is a 1600, it must be a Superbug. It's got disc front brakes, it must be a Superbug. The engine lid says Volkswagen S or L, it must be a Superbug. You get the idea...... Some of those were true when the cars were new, but after 4 decades of parts swapping aren't always an accurate thing to go by. A few weeks back I came across a bug advertised on ebay as a "1600 12 volt superbug" by a clueless owner who was adamant it was a Superbug as many passers by and mechanics had pointed out how much wider it was.... The car?? a 1962 6volt beetle with a 12 volt conversion and a Carrera kit 🙄 Almost no Superbug parts were compatible with it, but a newbie to VWs isn't to know that. From the rear Beetles and Superbugs appear the same aside from engine lid badging and even from the side, it's only at the front with the wider bonnet due to the strut front end (and larger curved windscreen on Lbugs) that the difference becomes more obvious. The wider bonnet and bigger Lbug windscreen don't become real obvious to most people until you put a Beetle next to an Lbug: Also in the boot will give a definitive answer. ALL standard bugs with Torsion bar front end have a spare that sits upright like this: Where as ALL S and L Superbugs have a spare tyre that lays flat due to the front struts like this. Aussie 1970-1975 1300 Standard Beetle. The 1970 onwards 1300 standard Beetle was just the existing 1500 Beetle sold from 1968 to 1970 with torsion bar front end and swing axle rear. They were first released in March 1970 just prior to Superbugs being released in April 1971, but fitted with 4 wheel drum brakes and a 1300 single port engine. This was replaced by the new twin port 1300 engine in 1971. After that the 1300 Beetle remained basically untouched only gaining a few safety items at the same time as Superbugs did. The new flow through cabin ventilation system with the inside rear…

Olive1975 Learner Dubber

19 posts · joined May 2011 · 12 Sep 2012, 8:41 pm

#921920

Good article Joel.

Cheers

John

TOPCAT69 Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 6 Nov 2012, 8:11 pm

#929961

Great read Joel ,thanks for the info .cheers TC🥷

You got nothing I want - COLD CHISEL 🙅
thread killer 🥷

thechubybear Learner Dubber

7 posts · joined Oct 2010 · 26 Mar 2013, 12:59 pm

#948961

Cheers mate i purchased a 1970 bug for my mum and i have no idea what it is here is a pic
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/551177_10150944031744617_1221643904_n.jpg

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Jun 2013, 12:44 pm

#959947

4 bolt wheels and no crescent air intake.
My guess would be a 69-70?

Futue te ipsum!!!

montybug Slammed & Awesome Dubber

93 posts · joined Aug 2014 · 4 Sep 2014, 11:25 pm

#999552

a wealth of information...helped me figure out what to look for.

MissTB Casual Dubber

21 posts · joined Jul 2012 · 20 Nov 2014, 5:25 pm

#1003781

Im new to this, I've just purchased this Beetle off eBay. Can you guys confirm if its a superbug?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271648242802?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 20 Nov 2014, 5:36 pm

#1003782

Yes, it's definitely a Superbug S (or 1302 in some countries).

Enjoy!

Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder

MissTB Casual Dubber

21 posts · joined Jul 2012 · 20 Nov 2014, 7:09 pm

#1003799

Thats for the fast response, you're the best!

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Nov 2014, 7:16 pm

#1003800

Welcome & nice score

Start asking questions

Futue te ipsum!!!

Afab Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Nov 2014 · 24 Nov 2014, 1:27 pm

#1004076

Thank you very much for this article!

I always thought my bug was just a bug but now I know it is in fact a super bug

Andrew

Buger Gary Seriously Crusin Dubber

159 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Jan 2015, 12:01 pm

#1006355

Very informative article 🙂
I have had a 72 super and now a 74 L super I have replaced the floor pans on both bugs and i just brought any beetle pan halfs and unpicked the seat runner spot welds and swaped the runners with the super runners they are usually still in good condition compared to the floor. I haven't has any dealings with the 75 seat mounts though they are completely different.
That thermo engine lid vent I have never come across one of them in my travells but I will be keeping a look out for them from now on.

cheers Gary

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 5 Jan 2015, 8:44 pm

#1006383

Thanks Gary, those 3 point runner seats are a PITA.
the bushings on the back legs fall apart and they rattle around.

cabidas Casual Dubber

40 posts · joined Dec 2006 · 15 Mar 2016, 9:09 am

#1024585

Thanks for the breakdown.

I had just finished reading the Club VW breakdown of Aussie versions, which was the first time I was aware of the two models running side by side. I had always just thought that the superbug was the successor to the dub. I did however know that the superbug had the Macpherson strut front, and I found this to be the best descriptor when it did come up in conversation, but that was about it.
http://www.clubvw.org.au/austvw001

It was the picture of the last Mexican one that rolled of the production line (and last type 1 ever), which had the standard bonnet that sparked my curiosity to start investigating.

After reading your write up here, it more clearly paints the picture of how things traveled. I grew up in a 1970 1500 bug (which still resides in the families backyard amongst the chooks), and I've just came to realise that it was the last of the 1500 beetles before they created the two separate models and downgraded the engine on the standard.

I recall ma going on about it being a 1500, but never really understood the significance of it until reading this thread.
It had front disks too (as you've illustrated).

It has all been really interesting and informative so thanks for putting it together.

=====

What you may be able to answer, is I think some superbugs had a grill in the front valance, yet your picture earlier illustrates one that does not.

So where was the air intake for the heater vents for those models that didn't have louvers in the front valance??
Where is the air intake on the superbugs given it's not at the top of the bonnet like in the earlier and standard models?

shawbug74 Casual Dubber

20 posts · joined Apr 2014 · 26 Nov 2016, 7:00 am

#1031758

Great story, thanks. Do we know if L had a meaning ? People have asked me.

njg02 Seriously Crusin Dubber

145 posts · joined May 2005 · 26 Nov 2016, 2:23 pm

#1031767

Do we know exactly when high back buckets came in? I have a 8/71 super with high backs and have seen others with low backs.

71 super in progress.

AA003 Custom Title Time!

1,189 posts · joined Oct 2011 · 26 Nov 2016, 3:28 pm

#1031768

njg02 wrote:Do we know exactly when high back buckets came in? I have a 8/71 super with high backs and have seen others with low backs.

They are interchangeable. Over the years many owners have swapped parts. High backs weren't until '72.

I read it on samba, so it must be correct.

Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂

BRUTUS Officially Full-On Dubber

255 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 26 Nov 2016, 4:17 pm

#1031769

ADR 22 for Head Restraints applied from 1 Jan. 1972.
Some cars may have had them before that.
eg. The "1972 model" type 3 had them -- it supposedly dates from Aug. 1971.

ACE 30 & 40 oils: specifically engineered for your Air Cooled VW
delivered (free del.) throughout Yarra Valley / Ranges, & Gippsland areas. Also ACE 20, 50 & 90.
FOR SALE: ACE 30, 40 etc. Oil formulations & Trade-names.

njg02 Seriously Crusin Dubber

145 posts · joined May 2005 · 7 Dec 2016, 1:02 pm

#1032101

Took me a while to find where I posted this.
Thanks guys. Might keep my eye out for some low backs when the time comes. I have a new interior now but want to change maybe to red instead of white /blue.

71 super in progress.

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 7 Dec 2016, 1:20 pm

#1032102

cabidas wrote:What you may be able to answer, is I think some superbugs had a grill in the front valance, yet your picture earlier illustrates one that does not.

So where was the air intake for the heater vents for those models that didn't have louvers in the front valance??
Where is the air intake on the superbugs given it's not at the top of the bonnet like in the earlier and standard models?

US Market Super Beetles had a grille in the front valance for the Air Conditioning that was an option (dealer fit I think). The A/C condenser was installed behind the valance. Australian Supers never had those vents, but some have had the US front valance added.

Flat screen 71-72 Super Beetles (1302 in Europe or S in Australia) had the air intake in the bonnet the same as a standard Beetle. Curved screen Super Beetles 73 onwards (1303 in Europe or L in Australia) had a small grille between the windscreen and bonnet. Pic:

Hpe this helps. 🙂

Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder