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posted on May 15th, 2003 at 09:46 AM
Need a little help....
Hi everyone......
I'm new to your community and I'm needing a little help. You all seem to know an awful lot about VW's so I think I've come to the
right place!!!
I'm looking at getting a Bettle in the next coulpe of months and I have NOOO idea on what to look for, which years are better than others etc.
So I was just wanting a little bit of advice on what to keep and eye out for.
I (for some reason) have a 'thing' for 1974 Beetles...is this a good/ bad year....???
I'm not mechanically minded at all, and I don't know anyone who is either so any small tips would be fab-o!!
Thanks for your time......
Yogibear
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posted on May 15th, 2003 at 09:56 AM
Welcome 74,
I too, am new so I will lay off the tips but there are guys here that know every nut and bolt on dak daks and will be able to help you out with
anything you need.
The only advice that I give you is make sure that you look for something that want, example if you are not mechanically minded and dont like tinkering
with engines but are looking at doing the interior, paint, wheels etc then buy something that has a reco'ed engine in it, and looks crappy on
the outside.......
Cheers
Yogi
:bounce
74 Dubbs
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posted on May 15th, 2003 at 09:59 AM
Hi....
Yes, I figured everyone here knew what they were talking about!!! *laughs* Thanks, I'll take that advice on board.....nice to meet you...
:bounce
Doug Sweetman
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posted on May 15th, 2003 at 10:03 AM
G'day,
Welcome to the forum firstly
As with anything, the 'Best' model to get is almost entirely personal preference - what appearl to one, wont to another if you get my
drift.
A short and very basic model history of the VW beetle in Australia;
1953 (?) to early 1957 - Oval rear window beetle, 36 hp motor as standard, torsion bar front suspension, drum brakes all round. Almost a vintage car
now, and are getting pretty hard to find. Probably not the best choice for a beginner as parts can be tricky to get in Oz.
1957 - 1971 - Big rear window - these years are what most people think of when they think of beetles. They are the most common, and almost every part
is pretty easily available. They dont have any real big rust problems (though most beetles you find will have rust somewhere). The earlier end (up to
about 1961) had different transmission mounts which can be hard to get. From 1968 there was a semi automatic version available, and disc brakes on the
front end start to appear around this year too. All these models still have torsion bar front suspension (strong and simple).
1971 - 1975 - Lbugs and S bugs. These are the so called superbeetles. Late 1972 to 1975 will have a curved windscreen and significantly different
dash. They also have a McPherson strut front suspension - lighter and more modern than torsion bars, but also more finicky and prone to damage if the
car has been treated roughly. IRS rear suspension is now standard (ask an expert for a description of that one). Your 1974 will be one of these. Disk
brakes are fairly common (Not sure if all superbeetles in Oz had them though).
1976 - The last year that the beetle was sold in Oz, very similar to 1971, torsion bar front suspension. Pretty hard to find.
Also, superbeetles are more prone to bad rust than the earlier models. MY 1973 required quite a bit of work.
Go for what you like best. But keep in mind that the earlier beetles are mechanically easier to keep in good shape (its not a big difference, but
there is a difference).
Look forward to seeing what you do get !!!!
Doug
74 Dubbs
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posted on May 15th, 2003 at 10:08 AM
*laughs* Thanks!!!
Well, know I know kinda what to look for....just to be a pain in the bottom....I'm afraid of being ripped off.....so, since you all know about
beetles....how much should I be looking at paying for a earlier model beetle with a good engine and whatnot...I realise just how broad that question
is...but I figured I'd give it a go...
posted on May 15th, 2003 at 09:46 AM
Hi everyone......
