Identifying models & options...

Howdy all

I am going to buy the Idiots Compleat Guide this week, used to have it years ago and it is brilliant, but for now was wondering how I would identify what models got what.

As mentioned, I will be looking for a 68 or later to get IRS. However, I have seen a couple of cars that don't fit the "little box". One was a 70 1500 but it had swingaxel. Is this normal? Is there any definitive guide out there on what year came with what options in, for example, engines, suspension etc?

Cheers
Bruce

yup thats normal, the only bugs that have IRS in australia are 76 beetles which are fairly thin on the ground and 71 onwards superbugs but they also have strut front ends

oh yeah and semi auto bugs but those arent to common either

Joel wrote:yup thats normal, the only bugs that have IRS in australia are 76 beetles which are fairly thin on the ground and 71 onwards superbugs but they also have strut front ends

oh yeah and semi auto bugs but those arent to common either

Oh shite, that throws a spanner in the works. From what I have seen so far 76 beetles are way out of my range, especially since I'll only pull it to bits anyway. Maybe time to re-evaluate what I want to do.....

Cheers

if your planning a full on resto then with the body off swingers can be converted to IRS

my rotary bug had this surgery while the body was off
theres a bit of welding involved but its not brain surgery if you can get all the parts and a jig to locate the brackets its not to painfull

Joel wrote:if your planning a full on resto then with the body off swingers can be converted to IRS

my rotary bug had this surgery while the body was off
theres a bit of welding involved but its not brain surgery if you can get all the parts and a jig to locate the brackets its not to painfull

Ah, better news 🙂 Yup, this will be a full body off tear down. Welding is fine, had plenty of practice (and burns!). Will research conversions and see what I can come up with....

Cheers

if you are planning a full resto then i would suggest not spending alot up front to purchase the car... make sure the base is solid to start with then you can go from there.
i did that with a 74 bug that i bought for my wife.. planned a full rebuild anyway so hunted for 6 months to get what we wanted. bought it cheap then rebuilt it.
be prepared for some hidden surprises during the rebuild too.. 🙂
good luck with the hunt and project.

blutopless2 wrote:if you are planning a full resto then i would suggest not spending alot up front to purchase the car... make sure the base is solid to start with then you can go from there.
i did that with a 74 bug that i bought for my wife.. planned a full rebuild anyway so hunted for 6 months to get what we wanted. bought it cheap then rebuilt it.
be prepared for some hidden surprises during the rebuild too.. 🙂
good luck with the hunt and project.

Good advice and pretty much spot on with my plans. I did see this on ebay but didn't bid (forgot about it) and the winning bidder got it for .99c!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=230332012702

I was just re-reading Damo's (66deluxe) thread again and noted he bought a pan etc to start then topped it off with another shell. That could be one way I could go to start things off....

Hi Bruce

Is this the sort of thing you were after?


What Year Is It?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/76whatyearisit.php


It runs through each year and what changes were made so you can tell what you are looking at etc..

Thanks Des

That is sort of what I was after (have downloaded all of them 🙂) but was more after suspension changes between models/model years....

Cheers

not trying to be a downer Des, but those guides off samba arent overly usefull
they're US spec and american bugs differ pretty significantly from aus bugs

they got most things well b4 us and things we didnt even get like fuel injection yet other things went backwards like they never got disc brakes

Bruce theres not much to the suspension changes

pre 67 had king and link pin front end and swing axle rear
68 on had ball joint front and stayed swing axle rear

the exceptions are
71-75 superbugs (S and L) had IRS and mcpherson strut front
semi autos had the BJ front but IRS rear cos of the gearbox
and the 76 bugs were a bitsa with IRS and BJ front

hope that helps

Thanks again Joel.

I am tempted to post a wanted thread but have to rationalise my back yard first. Am eager to get going on my Bug but need a little more control....

Cheers