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My '73 1300 - Update
Barty63 - May 19th, 2012 at 10:17 AM

Well after selling my '71 Dual cab and living without an air cooled VW for a few months. It was time to start looking for a new toy.

I would have prefered a earlier bug but I didn't want to spend too much..so after a few weeks of looking I found my '73 advertised for $1400...

I actually looked at this car in the dark and offered the guy $1200 which he took.

The car is solid with very little/ no rust, its had a bit of a hit in the front in its life and was fixed a little rough.. but overal a great buy

So far I've:

Replaced 2 tyres
fixed the windscreen
new door rubbers
new ball joint
new shocks
new carpet kit
and I have new seat covers on the way..


Barty63 - May 19th, 2012 at 10:18 AM

a few more pics


Barty63 - May 19th, 2012 at 10:19 AM

Last few as you can see I have a little helper most of the time I am out working on the car.


beetleboyjeff - May 19th, 2012 at 11:05 AM

Aren't those little helpers just the best.


TorxKiwi - May 19th, 2012 at 12:48 PM

Love the photo of the apprentice. Awesome.


bugsandoil - May 19th, 2012 at 01:23 PM

Good to see the old one in the garage and that new stuff left out in the cold,...

More people should treat their elders that way.:lol:


dubster - May 19th, 2012 at 03:19 PM

did you fit the retractable seat belts yourself? If so how easy was it to do?


Barty63 - May 23rd, 2012 at 07:07 PM

The bug has only kicked one of the new cars out for the drive way.

the belts aren't retractable. i the fitted re tractable belts before nd it isn't a massive job.

i have now fitted new carpet nd the tmi seat covers arrived today. once they all go in I'll put up some more pics.


Joel - May 24th, 2012 at 01:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dubster
did you fit the retractable seat belts yourself? If so how easy was it to do?


Buy a pair from a VW supplier and bolt them in, piece of piss :tu:


Barty63 - July 15th, 2012 at 11:42 AM

So I've done a little bit to the bug in the last few months since I have owned it...

Thought I'd post up some updated photos of how she sits now..


Barty63 - July 15th, 2012 at 11:43 AM

And one of how the seats came up


pod - July 15th, 2012 at 12:41 PM

wow for the initial outlay you've got yourself a bargain,have fun and enjoy her :tu:


Barty63 - November 6th, 2012 at 05:33 PM

I've recently done a little bit of work on the bug and lowered her a little and added a roof rack and visor...


tar76 - November 6th, 2012 at 05:53 PM

Looking good!


TOPCAT69 - November 6th, 2012 at 07:34 PM

Nice ride , just a quick question .Is it a 1973 with balljoint front end and how did you lower the front?I'm in the process of picking up a 1973 bug but it has a curved windscreen and the dash has a little ledge over the top of the speedo and large taillights (elephant ones).cheers TC:ninja:


Barty63 - November 6th, 2012 at 07:48 PM

Mine is a '73 1300.. so 1300tp engine, balljoint front end and swing axle rear with 4 wheel drum brakes..
So to lower the front I ust talled dusters into the front beam..since these pics I've also dropped the back one outer to spline.


You sound like you picking up an '73 L Bug which is a very different setup to my car...You'll run front struts like a more modern car..


haccc - November 6th, 2012 at 07:53 PM

What did you do with the old timber grain steering wheel?


TOPCAT69 - November 6th, 2012 at 07:58 PM

cheers dude:ninja:


Barty63 - November 6th, 2012 at 08:03 PM

The old wood wheel is sitting on my shelf doing bugger all. don't think I'll be using it either.


haccc - November 6th, 2012 at 08:37 PM

do you know what diameter it is


Barty63 - November 6th, 2012 at 08:55 PM

Its 35 cms across.


haccc - November 6th, 2012 at 09:01 PM

It would look good in the Sabre


haccc - November 8th, 2012 at 11:01 PM

PM sent


haccc - November 19th, 2012 at 08:04 PM

Thanks scot


Barty63 - January 2nd, 2013 at 09:15 AM

Just a new pic with the bum lowered a little now.
Still Think the front needs to come down a little though.


Barty63 - December 10th, 2013 at 10:54 PM

So after not doing much on the bug I've finally got the ok to fix up the front end. I had trouble with the new balljoints I had fitted (they were super tight and steering wouldn't self centre and still are, after a yr of driving).
So I figure while it's apart I might as well lower it some more.

So drop spindles will go on and thinking of narrowing the beam and still run stock 165/80 tyres (because that's what I have and they are new).
So . Had a look at the net and there is a few cars that run like this with 4 inch narrowed beam and I kinda like the look they have going on.

So question is, what kind of clearance issues will I run into with stock tyres? Just headlight buckets? And what else do I need to think about. Do I need to narrow that much etc etc...

want to hear from people with experience on this kind of stuff.


Barty63 - November 14th, 2014 at 09:04 AM

So this is how my car sits now.

Standard beam no adjusters and just drop spindles with 145's

I have just wrecked a '65 bug so have a stack of early bits and peices including a set of towel rail bumpers, guards, lights and panels..

So next plan is to swap over all the panels to early stuff bonnet and decklid included. I need new front and rear lower panels anyway. and then just spray the new panels to the colour of the rest of my car.

I'll then probably run 4 stud sprintstars or gasburners.

I know alot of people dont like late cars with early panels but oh well I like it lol..

I also am gather bits to put together a 1600sp engine. as I seem to have also accquired a couple of sp parts and engines..

Will keep people posted if anyone is interested


oldskoolguy - November 14th, 2014 at 11:42 AM

Looking very good. I like that you have kept the paint and panels as it came, little dings 'n' all. Character:tu:
Great pictures.


Barty63 - December 15th, 2015 at 07:00 AM

Few update pics


Barty63 - December 15th, 2015 at 07:04 AM

Updates....