Hi.. Want to buy this car for my son.. Needs a bit of work but the description seems fair.. I really want a 1303s bug but have no idea if this is a 1303. Big back lights I thought were only on 1303's but I have next to zero knowledge about beetles..

Any of you friendly beetle people be able to tell me? It would be perfect if someone is close to Dandenong to take a look but I think time is against me..

Here's the link.. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4605459941 

Cheers
Rob

[ Edited on 21-1-06 by StenGuns ]

id say it would be a 1303 by the lights and engine but would need a vin or engine number to be sure

so did only the 1303 have the big rear lights?
what difference is a 1303s?

I'm a beetle dummy

most bugs have big tail lights after 74 i think

thisones a big tail light '73

Looks like one to me.
Easiest way is see if it has Macphearson struts on the front.
Look in the boot ( front ) and see if it has shock towers

Fred

It's an L bug - which are called 1303 in some places. 1303 denotes the type of suspension, struts with two bolts and shorter inserts. 1302 is three bolts and longer inserts. But as suspension can be interchanged and was not strictly adhered to when they were built. 1303 usally means curved screen super (L bug in Aust.), and 1302 usually means flat screen super (S bug in Aust.). At least that's my interpretation of it.

[ Edited on 21-1-06 by EgeWorks ]

Mate.. thanks for that.. This bug is the last major update.. right?

no a 76 1303 would be the last when they went back to a beam front end

The only thing it's missing is rack and pinion steering. 74-76 only had those. As Barls said, after 76 they went back to torsion bar front again.

Thanks.. Sounds like a reasonable purchase then....

Best guess from blowing up the label on the qtr window..

VIN 1353615454
ENG AD216314

Found what I wanted on http://www.superbeetles.com 

"The 1973 to 1975 Australian built 1303 was called the Volkswagen L; all had 1600cc motors with front disc brakes as standard equipment."

Well I'm no expert on VIN's but that looks like a 73 vin to me. The engine prefix is also correct for a 73. As long as there is no rust, as is listed, it sounds like a good buy.

like the others say...it's a 1303 or L bug
sounds like a steal at the current $760...esp. if you can believe the "NO RUST".....i would be prepared to find some!
Replace suspension bushes and worn components, bit of engine work, new interior, paint job, new tyres, maybe a set of those nice narrow struts so you can fit some wheels like EdgeWorks...can't wait to start!

I recently paid $700 for a 6 months registered 1974, 1300cc black bumper beetle in good mechanical condition, with a fair rust free body and a bad paint job, so I think that that car would be a good buy at less than $1,000.

Here in WA cars do not need to be inspected annually or even when they get a new owner. I doubt if my car would pass an inspection, as it is.

Thanks all.. I"ll do some bidding!

Nope.. I checked it out with the dealeer. he sent me more pix.. Needed a complete interior, dash, the lot..

Went and looked at a couple over the weekend. They were ordinary as well.. May just keep working on the 67..

i think officially 1303 are only the 1975 L bugs, '74 and '73 didnt have R&p stearing, lights on the front bumper, 3 point seats etc.

76' are not 1303's as they went back to original flat screen etc.

1303 is word more commonly used by the poms

Most of the answers are here

http://www.superbeetles.com/faq.htm 

http://www.superbeetles.com/history.htm 

The 1303 was the curved screen model and covered 1973-1975
The 1302 was the flat screen model and covered 1971-1972