Can someone tell me the diference between a Superbug and a normal one?
I'm looking to buy a bug (1971-1976) & I've been told not to buy a Superbug, and I'd just like to know whats the difference. Please help!!
ian.mezz ·
super bugs have irs , strut front and i find that a good super bug drives great , just find a year you like and try to find a good one remember most bugs are 30 to 40 years old and have done lots of work.:P
blutopless2 ·
is the windscreen curved on only the supers?
1303Steve ·
Hi
Whoever told you not to buy a super is a Luddite.
In supers you have the flat windscreen and were made from 71 - 72, these had the Macpherson front strut front ends and IRS rear ends (4 joint) and 1600 cc motor
Supers from 73 to mid 74 came with a curved front screen and the same front front suspension as the 71-72s. Then in mid 74 they changed the front end to a different sort of strut which gave better handling. In 75 the last super was made and this had much better steering, it had rack & pinion steering.
All supers have a horizontal spare tyre and have much larger boot than the standards. The standard spare sits up nearly vertically in front of the fuel tank
Standard bugs from 71-74ish were 1300cc, torsion bar front end, swing axle rear ends (this was the suspension that nearly had VW banned in the USA), 4 wheel drum brakes. The body from the windscreen back is the same as a 71-72 super.
In 1976 VW dropped the super sedans, all late cabriolet's were supers until production ceased in 1979. The 76 gained the IRS from the supers but went back to the torsion beam front end.
Some people say that supers rust worse than standards, I have seen very rusty and rust free examples of both types.
Just find a car your happy with that has no rust.
Steve
[ Edited on 3-7-2007 by 1303Steve ]
iluvbugs ·
Thanks Steve,
That makes it a bit easier to actually find one for sale that I like.
There is a few things I'm a bit picky about, but I'll see how I go
Thanks heaps!!
Bizarre ·
Rust is the main killer of any beetle.
From about 70 the steel was thinner on all bugs.
A super does come standard with more "niceities" than early beetles.
A 75 has the most "luxuries" as standard
* disc brakes
* dual brake circuit
* collapsable steering
* indicators you can see
* IRS rear end
* high back seats
* retractable seat belts
and
* parts are cheaply available.
If you are starting out in beetles and want a good daily driver a late Super is the way to go
Yeah, the 75 has the bits I want.
I would like to get one with little or no rust if possible to do up/resto a bit.
Thanks for your help!
blutopless2 ·
1303Steve wrote:Standard bugs from 71-74ish were 1300cc, torsion bar front end, swing axle rear ends (this was the suspension that nearly had VW banned in the USA), 4 wheel drum brakes. The body from the windscreen back is the same as a 71-72 super.
Steve,
Our 74 1300 had discs on the front. I thought discs were standard on them after a certain year? or has ours been upgraded at some stage?
Bizarre ·
All the 1300 standards i know of had ball joint drums up front.
Easy enough to change over.
I would bet a beer or 3 yours has been changed over at some time.
blutopless2 ·
cool... not that it mattered to me... we changed the rears to disc also.
MISS VDUB ·
If you wanna get a Beetle from 71 onwards, i would actually recommend getting a Superbug. I have a 1960 and a 1974 L Superbug. The handling and brakes are vastly different. The models i prefer are the 74/75 L Bugs out of the Superbugs. I like the dash and elephants foots tail lights over the early 70's superbugs.
Ash x
helbus ·
All preference really. I like the Super Beetle, being the early Super 1302 'S'
The looks of the beetle with the suspension and engine of a Super.
I will admit the power, brakes and handling are very different to our old 'Standard' 1300 Beetle. In a positive way.
Still if you only want to cruise, then Volkswagen 'Beetles' are a great way to go, any model.
1303Steve ·
Hi
The only thing I don't like about the curved windscreen models from 73-75 is the dash, if you fit a smaller steering wheel you cant see the top of the speedo and doing anything electrical on them is a nightmare as you cant get to the back of the dash as on a 71-72.
Steve
mscabrio ·
I was also told not to buy a super for some technical reason that I didn't and still don't understand. I ended up with a 74 1300 only because I couldn't find a 74 super. I love the look of the late bugs.
Good luck with your search
1303Steve ·
Hi
A lot of "experts" talked down supers because of the front end shimmy that they get. This is easily cured with some urethane bushes in the control arms.
Steve
vw54 ·
Whoever told you not to buy a super is a Luddite.
I resemble that remark
Iluvbugs you shouldnt go over to the DARK side u really need to get a bug with Torsion bar front end prior to 71 or say a 76 would be good
iluvbugs ·
Thanks everyone for your comments.
This has helped heaps.
All I need now is to actually find one for sale!
Thanks again,
Tracy.
If it is a 75 (and not a 74 registered in 75) then it is good value
Ship it down or fly up and drive
johny rotten ·
Superbugs are Heavier than a Beetle, the front end body tin doesn't look as sleek as a 1500/1300 and to top it off the front suspension is more like a Ford than a Vw, lots of bushes and pivot points etc that need regular attn. Some suberbugs shimmie and shake that much it defies belief, even with poly front end rubbers fitted.
luddite 👍
1303Steve ·
Hi Luddite or should I say "cool VW model police"
Its up to the guy buying the car as to what model he wants, I was only pointing out the differences. The super front end style is used in many cars including Porsche, is that a bad thing? I happen to love all VW models, but i prefer to drive a super. As for the weight factor, I've done jobbies that weigh that much.
And as far as beautiful sheet metal, hows this for beauty?
Steve
ian.mezz ·
beautiful :P:P:P:P
[ Edited on 6-7-2007 by ian.mezz ]
ang3lsholocaust ·
Not sure of how much you want to spend or if this car is still for sale.. But i remember this car being fairly nice.
or we have a clean original 73 model here in brisbane.
if you wanted to come up and have a look, we could sort out delivery to newcastle on the cheap for you.
ie: i will tow it down to my home town for you on a weekend.
The orange 75 looks good.
A 75 L differs from othe Ls in that it has rack and pinion steering over the traditional steering box.
They also have their indicators in the bumpers.
Odds are that IS a 75.
The 1303 badge on the back is what the car REALLY is ie a 1303. The flat screen super is a 1302.
It doesnt refer to motor size.
They are a hard to get badge - some one has gone to a bit of trouble.
One down side to the L is cracks in the dash.
Pain in the bum to change. but you "can" get then re-skinned.
The orange one is already NSW reg.
Either look good value
1303Steve ·
Hi
The orange one looks nice, if its a only a 1303 it maybe a pommie import, so beware of rust. The 1303 in the UK had 4 wheel drums, 1385 motor and a low final drive. The 1303S had the 1600 motor with front discs etc. Leigh's fiancée bought a pommie 1303 and it was very rusty, it was so bad it had to be re-bodied.
What about the red bug in WA, that looks like a good car with lots of tasty bits and all the hard stuff has been done.
Steve
MISS VDUB ·
Mmmm, that orange one looks very tidy! Maybe worth a look if its near you?
Ash x
Craig Torrens ·
johny rotten wrote:Superbugs are Heavier than a Beetle, the front end body tin doesn't look as sleek as a 1500/1300 and to top it off the front suspension is more like a Ford than a Vw, lots of bushes and pivot points etc that need regular attn. Some suberbugs shimmie and shake that much it defies belief, even with poly front end rubbers fitted.
luddite 👍
Lots of bushes...:duh:duh and why do they need more attention than balljoints?
Go the Super, preferably with rack and pinion :thumb
Didnt know that about the 1303S
I thought all 1303s were Ls and 1302s were S's
1303Steve ·
Hi Bizzare
This is getting like superbugs 101, the poor guy only asked for advice on models.
The "Volkswagen L" & "Volkswagen S" is an Australia only thing.1302 or 1303 with nothing at the end is the base model 1300 motor povo pack etc, 1302S or 1303S is the better model, 1600 motor etc. The LS is a Cabrio in either model.
Steve
Bizarre ·
1303Steve wrote:Hi Bizzare
This is getting like superbugs 101, the poor guy only asked for advice on models.
STRUT whever you can!
ian.mezz ·
superbugs 101 I've got one and i didn't know all that extra stuff thanks:P:thumb
VWCOOL ·
1303Steve wrote:Hi
The orange one looks nice, if its a only a 1303 it maybe a pommie import, so beware of rust. The 1303 in the UK had 4 wheel drums, 1385 motor and a low final drive. The 1303S had the 1600 motor with front discs etc. Leigh's fiancée bought a pommie 1303 and it was very rusty, it was so bad it had to be re-bodied.
What about the red bug in WA, that looks like a good car with lots of tasty bits and all the hard stuff has been done.