Hi all

I recently became the semi-proud owner of a '74 VW Beetle. I was not that keen on owning a Beetle to be honest. My dad was pushing the idea because they're relatively simple mechanically while at the same time playing down the capabilities of the car quite severely. Pretty much every conversation we had about prospective cars would involve stories about how bad the brakes and steering are.

Fortunately once the plunge was taken I've become extremely attached to the little car. The steering on my car is way better than on my Dad's old '69 (which was a clapped out heap anyway when he owned it some 20 years before I was born). I've even found the steering to be better than on my family's car (Mitsubishi Nimbus). It is definately a lot heaver but seems more sensitive. The brakes aren't bad either.

Perhaps the hardest thing to get used to was the manual gearbox. I'd learned to drive in an automatic so getting the hang of the Beetle was a bit of an adventure (I think my Dad was lucky to escape without whiplash), but having done so I've found that the Beetle is a really fun car to drive.

I'm now very keen to do the car up to keep it running as long as possible so I can enjoy driving it for as long as possible.

My name is Andrew and I'm a VW driver.

PS: Does anyone know where I might be able to get replacement, smaller, steering wheels from (in Sydney preferably)? I'm quite tall and find that the wheel rubs against my leg while driving, not to mention the adventure of getting in and out of the car.

Hi Andrew
Glad to see you have found out about the joys of VW Beetle ownership, they really are great little cars. Welcome to the fourm I hope it cements your enthusiasim for your VW, and the culture.
Rob...

:sandrine
Congrat's to you on buying your beetle.
Many happy yrs of driving....
enjoy!
Judy

I too am the proud owner of a 74 Superbug. Unfortunaltley he (Vern) is not ready for the raod as yet. He has a bend up front bonnet,drivers guard,bumper and apron. BUT I am very proud of him...he brought me home from Brissie without a hiccup especially since he hasn't been very well looked after the last few years. But I have at home in the garage now ready for some much needed restoration. I will take my time in finding the right person/s to get him on the road to recovery. He is my second beetle the first being my first car some 20 years ago.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Peter
Gladstone Qld