giro-pilot Commited Dubber
72 posts · joined Jun 2011 ·
hi im jeff what year did the last air cood beetles be in australia i after one
beetles
waveman1500 Also rides a Honda
1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·
Hi Jeff. The answer is 1976. Welcome to AussieVeeDubbers!
cam070 Custom Title Time!
1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·
76s were the last ones as wave man said. The best also in my opinion, but certainly not the easier to come by.
giro-pilot Commited Dubber
72 posts · joined Jun 2011 ·
ok thanks any on got one for sale
cam070 Custom Title Time!
1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·
With respect you might want to ask yourself what features you want in a beetle and compare models from there. In particular do you want a ball joint front end or a strut front end rather then just saying you want the latest air cooled. After all there's not much difference in age between 35 and 40 years old. They are all old!
68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --
11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Well Jeff,giro-pilot wrote:hi im jeff
what year did the last air cooled beetles be sold in australia
I'm after one
the 1976 beetle looked nearly identical to the 1968-69-70
Beetle...
flat type windscreen ..
flat type metal dash with plastic cover over it..
[most gone now]
IRS rear suspension with Constant velocity joints same as the
Super Beetle rear ends..
1600 twin port engine .. large round Tail lamps..
dash was similar to the 1971-72 super beetle...
1976 was a bad sales year for Volkswagen in Australia...
Volkswagen Australasia was gone....
so there isn't a lot of them about...
My 1968 semi Automatic beetle has the same rear end as the 1976 beetle...
cheers
Lee
1 attachment · Log in to view
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk
2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·
Hi,
I had a 76 model but the quality of the car was no way as good as my 70 model, thinner panels and in my opinion a cheaper build all round, depends on what you want from the car, build a performance car, standard resto or a daily driver, the later cars a prone to rust badly around the Rear window were the air vents are, earlier cars do not have this issue, good kuck with your search.
I had a 76 model but the quality of the car was no way as good as my 70 model, thinner panels and in my opinion a cheaper build all round, depends on what you want from the car, build a performance car, standard resto or a daily driver, the later cars a prone to rust badly around the Rear window were the air vents are, earlier cars do not have this issue, good kuck with your search.
Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds
2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Agreed. Nissan had already bought the factory and was controlling VW assembly. Aussie-built '76 Golf LS models were shite for the same reason. In 1977 the Golf, Passat and Kombi were fully imported.
The '76 Beetle ended production in July 1976 (it was unable to meet ADR27A), but it took until March 1977 to sell the last ones. Unsold Beetles clogged the dealer lots for months; no one wanted them. I can still remember Cloughs at Bankstown, and Swantons at Hurstville, having rows of them for sale. They were obsolete; the Golf was the star in 1976 (Wheels Car of the Year). VW Australia sold only 1,159 Beetles in 1976, compared with 4,429 Golfs and 3,945 Passats.
Read the Australian VW history here: http://www.clubvw.org.au/history/history.html
BTW, it's 'double joint' rear suspension, not 'IRS'. ALL Beetles, even swing axles, are Independent Rear Suspension.
The '76 Beetle ended production in July 1976 (it was unable to meet ADR27A), but it took until March 1977 to sell the last ones. Unsold Beetles clogged the dealer lots for months; no one wanted them. I can still remember Cloughs at Bankstown, and Swantons at Hurstville, having rows of them for sale. They were obsolete; the Golf was the star in 1976 (Wheels Car of the Year). VW Australia sold only 1,159 Beetles in 1976, compared with 4,429 Golfs and 3,945 Passats.
Read the Australian VW history here: http://www.clubvw.org.au/history/history.html
BTW, it's 'double joint' rear suspension, not 'IRS'. ALL Beetles, even swing axles, are Independent Rear Suspension.
Sunset Garage Officially Full-On Dubber
213 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·
Aww come off it Phil, give Lee a break, everyone knows when someone refers to an Aircooled VW as having 'IRS' they are referring to the 'double jointed' rear set up with four cv's, exposed axles and semi trailing arms...Phil74Camper wrote:BTW, it's 'double joint' rear suspension, not 'IRS'. ALL Beetles, even swing axles, are Independent Rear Suspension.
It has become the standard VW vernacular (worldwide) for describing this particular feature, irrespective of the fact that they are technically both capable of giving each wheel it's own freedom of movement, unlike a solid axle or 'live axle'.
Just because someone refers to it in this manner does not make them a technical Gumby, 🙅
Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds
2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
Well the term 'IRS' to describe the double-joint rear end is something that has only popped up in the last 5-10 years. Read old UK/US VW magazines from the '70s and '80s and they don't say 'IRS'. Volkswagen also never used the term. Their brochures of the time specifically say 'double joint rear end'. The kewl glossy VW magazines started the trend and everyone has picked up on it. No wonder VW newbies get things wrong when the experienced VW guys follow fashion rather than facts.
I think it's funny when people write 'IRS rear suspension.' That means Independent Rear Suspension Rear Suspension.
I know what you're saying - it's something 'everyone does' - but that doesn't make it right. It's just a lazy habit, and one I for one am not going to fall into. If that makes me unkewl, so be it.
I think it's funny when people write 'IRS rear suspension.' That means Independent Rear Suspension Rear Suspension.
I know what you're saying - it's something 'everyone does' - but that doesn't make it right. It's just a lazy habit, and one I for one am not going to fall into. If that makes me unkewl, so be it.
vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk
2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·
All beetles are IRS
HappyDaze Superannuated
2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·
Exactly! However, not all Beetles are 'double-joint', and not all Beetles are 'swing-axle'.vwo60 wrote:All beetles are IRS
If suddenly some idiot started referring to Diesel engines as 'internal combustion' engines, and this caught on - we could have a similar situation. A petrol engine is also internal combustion.
Please think about what you are writing [or saying], and try not to confuse people who are perhaps not 'in the know'. It is understandable that many 'new' VW people have trouble comprehending the IRS thing. Just because the Yanks do something, doesn't mean that it's correct.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Sunset Garage Officially Full-On Dubber
213 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·
Well it looks like you have just called most of the local VW fraternity 'Idiots' because a lot of forum members on here (including myself) would refer to double jointed axle rear suspension with semi trailing arms as IRS, even though we understand the technical differences between the two.HappyDaze wrote:Exactly! However, not all Beetles are 'double-joint', and not all Beetles are 'swing-axle'.vwo60 wrote:All beetles are IRS
If suddenly some idiot started referring to Diesel engines as 'internal combustion' engines, and this caught on - we could have a similar situation. A petrol engine is also internal combustion.
Please think about what you are writing [or saying], and try not to confuse people who are perhaps not 'in the know'. It is understandable that many 'new' VW people have trouble comprehending the IRS thing. Just because the Yanks do something, doesn't mean that it's correct.
This has become a generic VW term whether the purists like it or not. (Even though I do respect, and even agree with Phil 74 campers opinion)
Back in the Eighties a DB & Hot VW's staffer used his own phrase 'Barndoor' when describing the engine cover on the back of an early type 2. This is now common vernacular when describing these vehicles. VW certainly never referred to them as such. Similar phrases such as 'pope's nose' have caught on, and evolved to describe any small licence plate light housing, even though it was originally phrased to differentiate a split Beetle's No. plate light housing. This term was never used by VW either. There are many more terms coined by magazines and the general VW populace which have just become the accepted standard. It may be wrong but that's democracy, or more exactly the power of a majority public opinion.
vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk
2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·
so there both internal combustion engines
Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds
2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·
They're not idiots, they just haven't been shown what is correct and what is not. There's a whole new generation of young VW fans out there (many who weren't born when some of us first bought a VW) who are happily calling double-joint suspension 'IRS' because they read it in the glossy VW magazines and they read people here using the term. Yes, we know it isn't 'stricktly' correct, and yes, we know that typing 'IRS' makes sense to we oldies and we know what you mean.
But then you tell a 20-year old with his first swing-axle VW that he also has an 'IRS' rear end and confusion reigns.
I agree with you about 'barndoors' and 'pope's nose' - US terms that have caught on, and that's all great. Nothing wrong there. Likewise, everyone refers to 'Mk1', Mk2, etc Golfs, terms VW never used. That's great too. Then there's VW terms that haven't caught on - the Type 3 sedan was promoted as the 'half-back' in the early '70s in Australia but whoever uses that name now?!
But what about the 'trend' to call the 36-bhp engine the '1100'? It's actually a 1200 - 1192cc, same as the 40hp - but magazines are now calling it the '1100'. Are they trying to 'differentiate' it in a way that VW never had to? Do they think their readers are too dense to work out that the same-sized 36-hp and 40-hp 1200 engines are totally different? Another one I hate - calling '68-79 Kombis 'Bays' or 'Bay windows'. They should be 'panorama windows' as real bay windows are mullioned, multi-paned and multi-sashed. But that UK term from the late '90s has caught on (but not with me). The Brits also call the T3 Kombi the 'wedge' or even the 'loaf' - no one has been silly enough to use those ones yet. But they do call the T3 the 'T25' - NO. The panel van is a TYPE 25 but the pickup is a TYPE 24 (check the VIN). They are BOTH T3s. Are they going to call the T4 Kombi the 'T70', or the current T5 the 'T7D' ? Didn't think so.
I talk to many young VW guys who didn't know VWs were ever made in Australia (no way! really?!) Sure most of us know VWs pretty well, and we know what's 'accepted' in our clique. But there are lots of newbies checking us out. I agree with Greg - let's try not to confuse them straight off. Why don't we set a good example instead? How hard is it to type 'double-joint' instead of 'IRS rear suspension' ?
I don't know if democracy has anything to do with it. Like the 'carbon tax' - when do we get to vote on it?
But then you tell a 20-year old with his first swing-axle VW that he also has an 'IRS' rear end and confusion reigns.
I agree with you about 'barndoors' and 'pope's nose' - US terms that have caught on, and that's all great. Nothing wrong there. Likewise, everyone refers to 'Mk1', Mk2, etc Golfs, terms VW never used. That's great too. Then there's VW terms that haven't caught on - the Type 3 sedan was promoted as the 'half-back' in the early '70s in Australia but whoever uses that name now?!
But what about the 'trend' to call the 36-bhp engine the '1100'? It's actually a 1200 - 1192cc, same as the 40hp - but magazines are now calling it the '1100'. Are they trying to 'differentiate' it in a way that VW never had to? Do they think their readers are too dense to work out that the same-sized 36-hp and 40-hp 1200 engines are totally different? Another one I hate - calling '68-79 Kombis 'Bays' or 'Bay windows'. They should be 'panorama windows' as real bay windows are mullioned, multi-paned and multi-sashed. But that UK term from the late '90s has caught on (but not with me). The Brits also call the T3 Kombi the 'wedge' or even the 'loaf' - no one has been silly enough to use those ones yet. But they do call the T3 the 'T25' - NO. The panel van is a TYPE 25 but the pickup is a TYPE 24 (check the VIN). They are BOTH T3s. Are they going to call the T4 Kombi the 'T70', or the current T5 the 'T7D' ? Didn't think so.
I talk to many young VW guys who didn't know VWs were ever made in Australia (no way! really?!) Sure most of us know VWs pretty well, and we know what's 'accepted' in our clique. But there are lots of newbies checking us out. I agree with Greg - let's try not to confuse them straight off. Why don't we set a good example instead? How hard is it to type 'double-joint' instead of 'IRS rear suspension' ?
I don't know if democracy has anything to do with it. Like the 'carbon tax' - when do we get to vote on it?
HappyDaze Superannuated
2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·
I have not called ANYONE an idiot - read it again, DOKA Dave. It was hypothetical, i.e. [What if?]
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell
3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-VW-BEETLE-1976-1600-cc-AUSTRALIAN-MODEL-/290574349962?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item43a794b68agiro-pilot wrote:ok thanks any on got one for sale
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲
Sunset Garage Officially Full-On Dubber
213 posts · joined Feb 2010 ·
OK HappyDaze, no worries it's all cool with me, my apologies for the misunderstanding.
back on track, This just came up for sale, and looks like a good car for the money. Genuine Fuchs 16s, plus it's not yellow!
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=3&R=10675428&keywords=&trecs=342&__sid=12C1348524D7&__Ns=pCar_YearMade_Int32|1||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0&__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&__No=225&seot=1&__N=834 1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294961272 4294962746&silo=1011
back on track, This just came up for sale, and looks like a good car for the money. Genuine Fuchs 16s, plus it's not yellow!
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?Cr=3&R=10675428&keywords=&trecs=342&__sid=12C1348524D7&__Ns=pCar_YearMade_Int32|1||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0&__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&__No=225&seot=1&__N=834 1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294961272 4294962746&silo=1011
Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!
1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·
It looks like a good car in the photos. Even the dash looks to be in good nick.
Yogie
Yogie
cam070 Custom Title Time!
1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·
X2Yogie wrote:It looks like a good car in the photos. Even the dash looks to be in good nick.
Yogie
cam070 Custom Title Time!
1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·
$10k for all these 76s, wish mine was worth that much.ian.mezz wrote:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-VW-BEETLE-1976-1600-cc-AUSTRALIAN-MODEL-/290574349962?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item43a794b68agiro-pilot wrote:ok thanks any on got one for sale
vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk
2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 ·
Its only worth what you can get, the yellow 76 has been for sale for months, even with the low Klms
cam070 Custom Title Time!
1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·
I thought I may have seen it before. Looks like the owner may not be desperate to sell by the house where the pics are taken.vwo60 wrote:Its only worth what you can get, the yellow 76 has been for sale for months, even with the low Klms
Anyway hopefully mine will be worth more than 10 grand by the time it's finished. When that is, is the 64 million dollar question.