They are single port too, so should have good torque for hills. Fuel economy depends on carbs, driving style, condition of motor.
Highway it won't have a worry, Hitler said to Porsche that the vw (peoples car) must be able to sustain 100kph on the autobahn. And that was with the initial 1100cc? donks.
Bought a 1500 Beetle new, in 1968. It was IMHO, the best [stock] Beetle I ever had. Towed the Formula Vee, with tools, spares, etc., and the wife and 2 kids.......never a problem. The trip to Bathurst and back, via the Blue Mountains was a bit slow [except the down-hill bits], but overall, it went very well.👍
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
of course it depends how worn the engine is.
I have seen magazine articles where they have dyno-ed tired engines which were still daily drivers and they have recorded around 12 or 15 horsepower which is well down from the 50 odd hp when fresh.
Condition of carburettor, distributor, ignition leads etc are also a major factor when the engine is so old.
Check that it actually is the original 1500 still.
They had a great top end and a lousy bottom end, one of VWs worst type1 cases.
They're ok if they're looked after, mates 68 has done 200,000miles on the current 1500 with the bottom end untouched but they have their issues.
As to how it goes thats down to the operators expectations.
If you've been driving round in a 90s Excel for example a 1500 bug will feel gutless, but they do well for a car their age.
Drive one after a 1200 Beetle and they feel like a Veyron.
Our 1600 beetles keep up with day to day traffic with no problems at all. As to how well they go, that is in the eye of the beholder as it depends on what you want from it.
If you want to win the traffic light derby, you will be disappointed. If you just want to keep with the traffic, you are on a winner.
Yogie wrote:Our 1600 beetles keep up with day to day traffic with no problems at all. As to how well they go, that is in the eye of the beholder as it depends on what you want from it.
If you want to win the traffic light derby, you will be disappointed. If you just want to keep with the traffic, you are on a winner.
Yogie
you'll be disappointed at traffic light wars even with a oldish 6 or v8. those pesky 4 cyl hatchbacks of today and dam fast!
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE
My old 1500cc was extremely tired, ran 40W70 oil to take up the bearing clearances and had 70psi compression in #3 cylinder. It did the speed limit everywhere and I got it up to an indicated 86mph going downhill on a country road. It probably would have made it to 90 but I backed off because it was absolutely screaming! When I swapped it to a 1600cc twin-port, there was a noticeable performance increase, however the 1500 single port had served me well.
69bug wrote:Mine is tiredish and wont do 75mph in a straight line,
Go bigger if you can
That sounds about right. My 1500 would do 70mph on the highway at about half throttle, but if you put your foot down it would get up to about 80mph after about 5 minutes accelerating!
I drive mine just about everyday down the Ipswich motorway doing 100km/h with no worries. Once it's actually moving it keeps up with the traffic too. Hills are a little bit of a challenge to get up fast :-) I will eventually put something bigger in it but its pretty good the way it is. Only thing that has been done to it is an open air filter and I think it has a non standard exhaust.
If you need to get to the next set of lights before the other bloke, tow a caravan, or drive way over the speed limit.......forget the 1500, buy a fuel-guzzling V8.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
68AutoBugBeetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --
I'm very pleased with My 1500 beetle but the engine is now 1600... still single port.. extractors and a new SVDA distributor
and have only 3 gears... semi-auto beetle...
My diff is 4.375 to 1..
I do beat most cars from the traffic lights as most people aren't going to take off as fast as they can... lol
also a local hill on the Highway with 80kmh at the bottom then 100kmh limit, I can accelerate from 80kmh to 100 at the top... not fast acceleration but it can do it...
that is when i know if My engine is going fine... lol
[with 91 ethanol fuel it can be 70 at the top...lol]
plus I've found that the color yellow will give You lots more torque. .lol
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
gotthebug65 wrote:Hi dubbers just wonder if you all would enlighten me with your experience on vw's an give me an idea how a 1500 with an exhaust would go.....
up hills or on the highway , acceleration and fuel economy for example....
any info at all.... it has a 4 speed infront of it and its in my 65 beetle
cheers
Thanks all gives me some idea all i know is it sounds quite doesnt blow smoke and cant wait to test her out and go from there cheers all.
gotthebug65 wrote:Hi dubbers just wonder if you all would enlighten me with your experience on vw's an give me an idea how a 1500 with an exhaust would go.....
up hills or on the highway , acceleration and fuel economy for example....
any info at all.... it has a 4 speed infront of it and its in my 65 beetle
cheers
Thanks all gives me some idea all i know is it sounds quite doesnt blow smoke and cant wait to test her out and go from there cheers all.
well they went good with 1200 and 1300...
so much better with a 1500..
good torque with a single port engine..
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
