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Joel - November 2nd, 2009 at 03:10 PM

all flat screen bugs have the metal dash
just after late 72 they have the saftey pad over the top
to many people used to split there heads open on the dash in old bugs in accidents :crazy:

you can remove these and the plain metal dash is underneath, theres just a few mounting holes to fill in

colonel mustard - November 2nd, 2009 at 03:55 PM

Mine has a padded dash with black carpet covering.

I like the metal dashes, but mych prefer the curved screen.

beetleboy88 - November 2nd, 2009 at 05:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by colonel mustard
Mine has a padded dash with black carpet covering.

I like the metal dashes, but much prefer the curved screen.


Second that! I have exactly the same. big chunky plastic dash with the black dash mat. would prefer the metal dash (extra leg room haha)

68AutoBug - November 2nd, 2009 at 08:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Abp66
I was wondering if any one is a fan of the late beetle plastic dashboards? and did they stop making the metal dashboards in the bugs and if so what year?

I have a 68 bug and i love the interior and im thinking of buying another bug just wanted to know the latest model that had a metal dashboard?


the 1976 Beetle was a NON Super and had the flat windscreen
and flat steel dash... covered with the plastic ...

One of the locals who used to have a 1976 beetle took the padded dash off as he liked the painted look...
they are pretty rare these days...

I think it was law back then to have a padded dash and soft knobs and a collapsible steering column and steering wheel..

the 1968 beetle came out with the collapsible steering column and plastic soft knobs on the dash...
I have a collapsible steering wheel off a late model type 3...

You don't have to worry about hitting the dash these days as We now have seat belts... lol

cheers

LEE

colonel mustard - November 2nd, 2009 at 09:37 PM

what are the 4 led's about Lee?

68AutoBug - November 3rd, 2009 at 03:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by colonel mustard
what are the 4 led's about Lee?


Lights on the side of dash..
which do have LEDs in them... Very bright

amber ON means fuel pump is turned OFF
Blue one flashes when alarm is ON
red one is ATF Automatic transmission oil - too Hot = ON..
other one is for reverse lights..

I have 9 lamps in My speedo.. 8 LEDs and one bulb..

LEE

68AutoBug - November 3rd, 2009 at 03:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Abp66
I was wondering if any one is a fan of the late beetle plastic dashboards? and did they stop making the metal dashboards in the bugs and if so what year?

I have a 68 bug and i love the interior and im thinking of buying another bug just wanted to know the latest model that had a metal dashboard?


The NON Super beetles which were made in Germany until 1978
all had the steel flat dashboard... standard 1200 beetles were always sold in Europe and the UK,, as fuel is so expensive..
the last beetle made in Germany was a standard beetle..
I think they were still 6 volt.. swing axles..drum brakes..
black bumpers... and plain steering wheel...

all the beetles made in Germany and Mexico all had flat steel dashes...

cheers

LEE

Mountains Greg - November 3rd, 2009 at 07:01 AM

I like the look of the curved windscreen model with the plastic dash, I've always wanted one! A little safer then the flat windscreen models alot of us drive. You only have to hit the brakes too hard and smack your face against the glass :crazy:

For years now most VW enthusiasts have prefered the earlier models but, that is now changing with 50's and 60's bugs now fetching higher $$$ and becoming harder to find. I have to admit the later 1970's bugs were a much more refined drive.

68AutoBug - November 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by beetleboy88
Quote:
Originally posted by colonel mustard
Mine has a padded dash with black carpet covering.

I like the metal dashes, but much prefer the curved screen.


Second that! I have exactly the same. big chunky plastic dash with the black dash mat. would prefer the metal dash (extra leg room haha)


Hi
The 1303S beetles called the L Beetle in Australia... were not really accepted into the VW scene when they came out...
No flat dash.. No flat windscreen... not really a beetle...
they were mostly ignored... by the old VW fraternity.. IMHO

so, many of these L beetles were bought by Non VW people who didn't know how to look after them...

they can have Major rust problems...
and they could have the super beetle shimmy,,,

I do prefer the NON supers...
but actually the flat windscreen isn't good in the country... at night in the summer ,I get about 30 kms on the local highways before i have to clean the bugs off the windscreen.. 50 kms and i can't see out the windscreen at night because of the bugs...

nowadays, because of the HIGH numbers on 1303s sold in North America... a curved windscreen beetle is all that many people know about... apart from old herbie...

maybe i'm just old fashioned... lol

LEE

amazeer - November 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 68AutoBugI do prefer the NON supers...
but actually the flat windscreen isn't good in the country... at night in the summer ,I get about 30 kms on the local highways before i have to clean the bugs off the windscreen.. 50 kms and i can't see out the windscreen at night because of the bugs...

nowadays, because of the HIGH numbers on 1303s sold in North America... a curved windscreen beetle is all that many people know about... apart from old herbie...

maybe i'm just old fashioned... lol

LEE

[/color]


Turn off those spotlights and you wont attract so many bugs!

Just about to move into bogong season. Goodluck!

68AutoBug - November 3rd, 2009 at 04:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by beetleboy88
Quote:
Originally posted by colonel mustard
Mine has a padded dash with black carpet covering.

I like the metal dashes, but much prefer the curved screen.


Second that! I have exactly the same. big chunky plastic dash with the black dash mat. would prefer the metal dash (extra leg room haha)




I think You are talking about the Large L Beetle dashboard..
NOT the padded flat dash ....

LEE

beetleboy88 - November 3rd, 2009 at 04:58 PM

Yeh thats what i ment Lee. I have a 73 L bug. I hate the layout of the dash! Looks moderish and everything, but the older beetles just look more better put together with the metal dash plus in older beetles you at least have some leg room. Sitting in my car the seat is back as far as it can go and my knees touch the dash.