Hi everyone,

My whole life I've only ever wanted a beetle - and finally, last week I got one. It's a 1970 1300 semi-automatic and in great condition (antartica white). I'm really keen to learn as much as I can about caring for my beetle and have sooo many questions. So anyway, just wanted to say hi and look forward to chatting.

Natasha (BeetleBaby):bounce

welcome aboard. when you can, post some pics.

you will get plenty of answers on here too.

I will definitely post some pics of my car very soon. I'm looking at getting a stereo and speakers installed and am wondering if installation is difficult in a beetle. The installation guy said it might be because my carpet is stuck to the floor and because it is an old car, the wiring might be difficult. Has anyone had a stereo installation and had this experience or is the guy just trying to get more money out of me?

:bounce

Welcome Natasha. I reckon he might be feeding you a line, even though they may be stuck down, they can be restuck after doing the work.

Squiz....

i agree it shouldnt be too hard. does your car have an alterantor or generator. this is important if you are planning to run amps.
but if youre jsut doing a head unit with speakers then it is not very difficult.

its not that hard although if the guy doing it is good he wont have a problem. try to stay away from places like stratfields and the such cause most times they do a dodgy job. they put a 15 cm scratch in my dash when they did mine because the stereo hole in a bug is not a din fitting size, it needs to be opened up about 10mm more. ill be doing my own stereo this time as a result.

the advice is only a reflection of barls personally and is not endorsed by the forum or any other members...

you will understand this soon enough beetlebaby.

Cool. Thanks for the advice. I'm not going for amps or subs just yet - it's such a little car that I probably don't really need them. But with the speakers - the one's I have currently look like little computer speakers that sit on brackets at the back. Do I need to get a back shelf or is there a better place for beetle speakers?

:bounce

sorry i should put down that im an electronics tech by trade and have been working on cars since i was a little fella. being a 1970 it will be a generator unless upgraded to a alternator

couple of 6x9s on a back shelf would do jsut fine.

i had a stock 1600 1970 beetle with a generator
head unit amp 10 ins sub and 2 6ins speakers
and not a worry in the world so it doesnt matter if you have a gen or alt at all
terry

The other question I have is about the two knobs on the dash that sit under my headlights knob and wipers. I have absolutely no idea what these are for. I do have two leavers that sit on either side of my handbrake that have something to do with air vents but again I don't even know whether they should be on permenantly or not?

One confused little dubber!:bounce

levers near your handbrake are for the heaters. the other two knobs, im not sure. im a pre 67 fan.

I would have to agree on the strathfield comment wes.

I paid a little over $12,000 for a instal in my commodore at strathfields.
They wired the thing up to every thing. because of it i have been throuh 2 standard computers, and 1 aftermarket one, 2 power window motors, nemerous fueses, a head unit , a power pack and 2 amps, all because of ther wireing job

yes i know that, but i was trying to protect the forum...... sheesh, does nobody get nothin'?

Hi Terry,

I had a look at your little white semi-auto at the shop the other day. I spoke to Peter yesterday about my passenger window winder (broken) and my drivers seat (the seat back won't go forward) Peter suggested I drop in tonight at around 6:30 to see what needs to be done. Maybe if someone will still be there I can get some info about the stereo installation.

:bounce

suppose that depends on the size of your amp, terry. mine used to draw more than the motor could generate. so i upgraded to alt, then no worries.

If I was to put one amp and one sub in the back would it rattle the beetle too much and suck up to much power?

:bounce

dont think you will create enough to worry about rattle. but you will get music. i ran a 12 sub. 2 6x9 2 6xs and 2 amps. great sound. certainly no dakdak in the car.:thumb

the other two knobs are for fresh air coming through the top of the bonnet and up through the black things at the bottom of the windscreen (inside)

Oh okay. Thanks for that.

:bounce

If the ppl know what their doing, it shouldn't matter.

the knows below ur headlights should be the dash heater. one way will open them to demist ur windscreen, the other will shut them.

If u need more, let me know. I have a manual about ur car, and can check it out better for u later like tomorrow(it's downstairs and I'm up, and I am not abotu to leave two girls afraid of the dark by themselves..they scream to loudly....chickens)

cheers
Donna

another beetle babe yay!
w e l c o m e

I'm a ghia babe alias

Welcome beetlebaby.........

Thanks! :bounce

Good trying to get the message through there Twoguns, an admirable effort........Do you think it got through??

ya on board so hold for the ride