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My '73 1300 - Update

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Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#902778
Well after selling my '71 Dual cab and living without an air cooled VW for a few months. It was time to start looking for a new toy.

I would have prefered a earlier bug but I didn't want to spend too much..so after a few weeks of looking I found my '73 advertised for $1400...

I actually looked at this car in the dark and offered the guy $1200 which he took.

The car is solid with very little/ no rust, its had a bit of a hit in the front in its life and was fixed a little rough.. but overal a great buy

So far I've:

Replaced 2 tyres
fixed the windscreen
new door rubbers
new ball joint
new shocks
new carpet kit
and I have new seat covers on the way..

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Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#902780
Last few as you can see I have a little helper most of the time I am out working on the car.

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beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#902785
Aren't those little helpers just the best.
From your ole' mate Jeff

TorxKiwi Officially Full-On Dubber

231 posts · joined Jun 2011 ·

#902800
Love the photo of the apprentice. Awesome.
"Ownership of a Beetle is not a destination it is a journey."

bugsandoil Slammed & Awesome Dubber

92 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#902806
Good to see the old one in the garage and that new stuff left out in the cold,...

More people should treat their elders that way.😂

dubster Seriously Crusin Dubber

196 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#902823
did you fit the retractable seat belts yourself? If so how easy was it to do?

Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#903581
The bug has only kicked one of the new cars out for the drive way.

the belts aren't retractable. i the fitted re tractable belts before nd it isn't a massive job.

i have now fitted new carpet nd the tmi seat covers arrived today. once they all go in I'll put up some more pics.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#903715
dubster wrote:did you fit the retractable seat belts yourself? If so how easy was it to do?
Buy a pair from a VW supplier and bolt them in, piece of piss 👍

Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#912715
So I've done a little bit to the bug in the last few months since I have owned it...

Thought I'd post up some updated photos of how she sits now..

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Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#912716
And one of how the seats came up

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Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#929927
I've recently done a little bit of work on the bug and lowered her a little and added a roof rack and visor...

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tar76 Custom Title Time!

1,622 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·

#929929
Looking good!
"Obey your Dreams"!


62 Std beetle.
65 11 wnd Split "The Cross".
6? coming very soon!!!!

TOPCAT69 Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·

#929945
Nice ride , just a quick question .Is it a 1973 with balljoint front end and how did you lower the front?I'm in the process of picking up a 1973 bug but it has a curved windscreen and the dash has a little ledge over the top of the speedo and large taillights (elephant ones).cheers TC🥷
You got nothing I want - COLD CHISEL 🙅
thread killer 🥷

Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#929949
Mine is a '73 1300.. so 1300tp engine, balljoint front end and swing axle rear with 4 wheel drum brakes..
So to lower the front I ust talled dusters into the front beam..since these pics I've also dropped the back one outer to spline.


You sound like you picking up an '73 L Bug which is a very different setup to my car...You'll run front struts like a more modern car..

haccc Slammed & Awesome Dubber

94 posts · joined Oct 2012 ·

#929950
What did you do with the old timber grain steering wheel?
I started out with nothing ,I still have some left

TOPCAT69 Officially Full-On Dubber

205 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·

#929955
cheers dude🥷
You got nothing I want - COLD CHISEL 🙅
thread killer 🥷

Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#929959
The old wood wheel is sitting on my shelf doing bugger all. don't think I'll be using it either.

haccc Slammed & Awesome Dubber

94 posts · joined Oct 2012 ·

#929969
do you know what diameter it is
I started out with nothing ,I still have some left

Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#929973
Its 35 cms across.

haccc Slammed & Awesome Dubber

94 posts · joined Oct 2012 ·

#929974
It would look good in the Sabre
I started out with nothing ,I still have some left

haccc Slammed & Awesome Dubber

94 posts · joined Oct 2012 ·

#930241
PM sent
I started out with nothing ,I still have some left

haccc Slammed & Awesome Dubber

94 posts · joined Oct 2012 ·

#932004
Thanks scot
I started out with nothing ,I still have some left

Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#937757
Just a new pic with the bum lowered a little now.
Still Think the front needs to come down a little though.

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Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#977457
So after not doing much on the bug I've finally got the ok to fix up the front end. I had trouble with the new balljoints I had fitted (they were super tight and steering wouldn't self centre and still are, after a yr of driving).
So I figure while it's apart I might as well lower it some more.

So drop spindles will go on and thinking of narrowing the beam and still run stock 165/80 tyres (because that's what I have and they are new).
So . Had a look at the net and there is a few cars that run like this with 4 inch narrowed beam and I kinda like the look they have going on.

So question is, what kind of clearance issues will I run into with stock tyres? Just headlight buckets? And what else do I need to think about. Do I need to narrow that much etc etc...

want to hear from people with experience on this kind of stuff.

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Barty63 Seriously Crusin Dubber

179 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#1003451
So this is how my car sits now.

Standard beam no adjusters and just drop spindles with 145's

I have just wrecked a '65 bug so have a stack of early bits and peices including a set of towel rail bumpers, guards, lights and panels..

So next plan is to swap over all the panels to early stuff bonnet and decklid included. I need new front and rear lower panels anyway. and then just spray the new panels to the colour of the rest of my car.

I'll then probably run 4 stud sprintstars or gasburners.

I know alot of people dont like late cars with early panels but oh well I like it lol..

I also am gather bits to put together a 1600sp engine. as I seem to have also accquired a couple of sp parts and engines..

Will keep people posted if anyone is interested

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oldskoolguy Officially Full-On Dubber

329 posts · joined Sep 2011 ·

#1003455
Looking very good. I like that you have kept the paint and panels as it came, little dings 'n' all. Character👍
Great pictures.
"The best trophies are stone chips"
1969 1500 Beetle "Otis"
2008 Golf GTI