AUS vs D
std3 - April 17th, 2016 at 03:12 PM
Hi all!
I am new here, and would like to ask a few questions. 68'-70'
Beetles were made in Germany and assembled in Australia? If so, the rust protection is better?
No offence, just want to learn as much as possible, because planning to buy a bug in the near future. My heart is set on the 'slope' headlight
model, but they are crazy expensive and seems rust badly.
I know, at this age, I buy condition not model year, however a fairly good looking KÄFER from the mid 60's is around 15k. So I turned to early 1500s
and eager to know if they are identical with the European ones?(important when ordering parts and bits).
Sum it up, despite late 60's bugs are less attractive but they worth the money? I had 3 german made standard beetles back in Hungary and miss them.
Many thanks in advance, and sorry about the amateur questions.
Csaba.
oldskoolguy - April 17th, 2016 at 04:09 PM
Welcome Csaba, good luck with your search, and getting some qualified answers to your questions. I have a '69 1500 Beetle that has survived the years
pretty well, so there are good ones out there, hopefully one for you.
Watch out as there is overpriced stuff out there too - just be patient.
All the best, Rob.
coletrickle - April 17th, 2016 at 04:50 PM
Giddy mate.Not sure on your budget but I looked at a 63 standard.88.000miles from new og paint zero rust.10k.For what it is it should be 15 plus.And
there have been a few lates up here for 7-13k again all og.And a buddy got a 76 bug wattle.needs a rear apron and some love but has 44.000k on the
clock.dry stored, and a webasto fold back sunroof I'm not sure if that's a plus or a minus.he was talking about selling it.Plenty to look.good luck.
vw54 - April 17th, 2016 at 06:09 PM
there was no internal rust protection as such only the over spray from the paint shop
std3 - April 17th, 2016 at 09:16 PM
Thank you guys
My budget is around 7-8k...or more?+a full 'medical check' after purchase. A 63' standard with og 88k is too good to be true. Where is it? My
patience is getting thin as I've been looking for aircooled vws for nearly 5 years, but there was always something more 'important'. Anyway, thanks
for the help, and I will need a mechanic around Sydney east...a mechanic, not an IT expert...
Phil74Camper - April 18th, 2016 at 03:26 PM
Read the history of VW in Australia here. VWs from 1954 to 1960 were CKD-assembled. From 1960 to 1968 they were fully manufactured in Australian steel
(and different from German ones). From 1968 to 1976 they were CKD assembled again. During the full manufacture years, Australian production was
(almost) as good as German - just in much smaller scale. Full dip bodies etc etc. From 1968 they were only assembled so quality not as good. The last
'76 models were assembled by Nissan, who had bought the factory.
http://www.clubvw.org.au/history
A more detailed description of Australian VWs, and how they differ from Euro/US models, is here:
http://www.clubvw.org.au/austvw001
AA003 - April 18th, 2016 at 07:10 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by Phil74Camper
During the full manufacture years, Australian production was (almost) as good as German -
|
The Australian ones were pieces of shit. Carbon spark plug leads, Repco clutches, Bendix fuel pumps, Dunlop B7+ tyres and the build quality was crap.
It's just that everything has been rebuilt by now and the Australian parts have been replaced.
It's just that most people here weren't into VWs in the 60s.
This is why they went back to CKD.
std3 - April 18th, 2016 at 09:00 PM
Hi Phil,
Thanks for the info.
oldskoolguy - April 18th, 2016 at 09:54 PM
The VW Nationals will be on May 21st and 22nd Csaba, just four and a bit weeks!
I got the impression you were in the Sydney area, why not head down there and check out what's going and what's for sale.
Rob.
std3 - April 19th, 2016 at 08:27 AM
Hi Rob
I've been there a couple of times and cars for sale a bit overpriced. Anyway, I'll go and have a look this year too.
Thanks
Csaba.
AA003 - April 19th, 2016 at 10:43 AM
It doesn't really matter where it was made as there won't be much original left.
coletrickle - April 19th, 2016 at 08:57 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by AA003
It doesn't really matter where it was made as there won't be much original left.
|
So you say there are plenty of super nice original Unmolested VWs around.But sounds like you own or have owned some real "gems"
oldskoolguy - April 20th, 2016 at 05:07 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by std3
Hi all!
I am new here, and would like to ask a few questions. 68'-70'
Beetles were made in Germany and assembled in Australia? If so, the rust protection is better?
No offence, just want to learn as much as possible, because planning to buy a bug in the near future. My heart is set on the 'slope' headlight
model, but they are crazy expensive and seems rust badly.
So I turned to early 1500s and eager to know if they are identical with the European ones?(important when ordering parts and bits).
Sum it up, despite late 60's bugs are less attractive but they worth the money? I had 3 german made standard beetles back in Hungary and miss them.
|
Here is something my wife found that you might be interested in regarding local VW Bug supply. There is a lot more, but this was one of the eras you
mentioned.
1968-1977
The Australian Deluxe Beetle was discontinued in march, 1968. The Custom continued on for a while to use up local parts. CKD assembly kits were not
yet available, so the decision was made to fully import German built manual and semi-auto Beetles until CKD assembly of the manual car began in
September. Semi-autos remained fully imported. All cars were therefore 12 volt. Manual cars were swing axle, like those in all other markets except
the US, where double-joint trailing arm rear suspension was introduced in this year. Cars of this era had wheels with cream rims and black, 4 stud
slotted centres and all the up-to-date European features; bigger, flat bottomed tail lights, 1500cc engine, 12-volt electrics, bigger windows,
dual-circuit brakes with discs on the front, collapsible steering column, stronger bumpers of the later style, external fuel filler, etc. After many
years of being "Australianised", however, the imported/assembled Beetle now had wipers that parked to the left and the bonnet release was on the
left side of the car.
1970 cars, now locally assembled, were largely unchanged, but featured the two rows of five louvres in the engine lid. These cars had silver painted
wheels.
Acknowledgement;
Condensed from: "Knowing Australian Volkswagens" by Phil Matthews and Dave Long. Published and available from Bookworks Pty Ltd, Ph (02) 9740
6766.
Thanks also to John Moore, of Coffs Harbour, NSW, who worked for the House of David Volkswagen dealership at North Ryde in Sydney during the period
covered by this history for his interest and input.
website - http://members.netro.com.au/~vwcc/index.htm
std3 - April 22nd, 2016 at 08:47 AM
Hi Rob
Thanks for the info.
I'm after a book: Volkswagen in Australia, the forgotten story. Not much success so far...
If anyone knows one for sale please let me know.
Thanks
Csaba
splitbus - April 23rd, 2016 at 06:52 AM
http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-In-Australia-Book-/301937029133?nav=SEARCH