I am currently doing a bit of work to my '74 beetle. My shell has some rust near the rear window and along the roof in small patches. Would a '64 shell fit on to my'74? if so is this an easy process? I am new to the mechanics game and don't have too much of an idea but am keen to learn.... any help would be great

Depends

If it is a 1974 Super beetle - No

If it is a 1974 Standard - yes

The super has a different front end that integrates the struts with the body.
The 1960 and all standard beetles use torsion bar front end and is seperate from the body. These are the frames that are used for buggies and the like.

what blue said

What Bix said :P

What Craig said...

if it is standard, follow this link:

http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=8392 

If Your spare wheel sits Flat You Can't - if Your spare wheel sits upright You can....

One of the locals is going to put his 65 onto his 76 chassis...
because of rust...

[spare wheel laying flat is a Super Beetle]
{spare wheel standing vertical is NOT a Super Beetle}

VW Australasia actually did make standard & Custom Beetles around 63-65 the standards had: No glovebox lid- painted hubcaps & blade bumpers no over riders - no chrome strips - painted black line along the body- and the headlining only covered the roof --
The standard was replaced by the custom - which was similar but had stainless steel blade bumpers - no over riders - instead of the painted ones..

Lee --

You had better buy some FISH OIL Cans to stop all rust...
Motorpro or Power plus fish oil under $10 a can and stops rust... all rust... spray under the rear & front window rubbers
and in Your doors in the heater channels etc...
Why Beetles rust around the rear window & roof....
VW used some spray insulation stuff that attracts moisture thru the air vents on the side... behind the rear window...
thats why the late beetles rust more than the early ones...

Lee --

Well my '74 has a vertical slot for the spare tyre so i guess it is a standard. So if the shell fits on a standard, is it a easy process of removing the old and putting on the new shell?

Its NOT a big job [even though the body is Big] My Son has done it... Wiring is probably a major thing....
Just undo all the bolts plus the steering rubber connector...
and the brake fluid container is on the body, it will have to be disconnected.. You will probably have to cut the blue hose at the brake master cylinder.... be carefull not to cut the plastic master cylinder attachment inside the blue hose..

thats all I can think of ..

Lee ..

6 hrs latter hahahaha

Hi

There is body mount mount near the rear shock area that will need to be altered. The car will then be classed as a 74 for rego purposes, meaning that you will have to make sure it complies with 1974 ADRs, all vehicles made after 1972 have much stricter ADRs so you might want to look into this if your going to modify the car and before you do any work.

1302Steve