is a 69 a good year for bugs?

I think a better questions is do you like your 69?

the only reason alot of people like the pre 68's is just because there older. the 68 to 70 models are the 3 years that really are more practical then any other year.

this is not to get anything going, I just think because of the stock engines and new safety features and before VW cut a useless hole in the sides.

Mario

Its really an aesthetic choice. If it came down to real use as a form of daily tranportation the later the year the better. Me, I drive a '60 ragtop on a '68 pan so I get the best of both worlds!

--Dan E

YES 69 is a good year.

"breakthrough year"? The 68 Type 1 came out with IRS if the car was equipped with the autostick transmission. The 69 Type 1s all had IRS. Subtle changes in the years. From what I remember:

66 still 6 volt with a 1300 engine 67 T1s became 12volt 68 T1s became 4 bolt drums and you didn't have to open the trunk to fill the gas tank. Also had headrests. 69 T1s had locking gas cap doors 70 T1s had skinny headrests on the seats. 71 T1s had dual port engines and maybe those rear vents behind the rear side windows.

Of course there are more changes, but these are the ones that stuck in my mind.

It depends on what you want. I prefer the 69 and up Beetles, not Supers, but that is me. I guess I would truly want a 69 or 70 Beetle convertible.

BTW I think the 1999 T1s had the old swing axle transmissions in them! So is that a good thing?? ;-)

later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris

I have a '70 model, pretty much the same as yours and a '73 Super, with a useless hole, I like the '70 better just a matter of taste.

I don't think it matters. Any Beetle all the way up to a '79 convertible can be made into a smooth running, sweet looking machine. Yes, even the Supers!

-Geoffe Elias '74 Super Beetle

For some reason, in Europe only the Super Beetles had the IRS setup!

-- Howard Rose

1966 VW Beetle 1300 Deluxe 1962 Austin Mini Deluxe 1964 Austin Mini Super Deluxe (cars on website)

69 is a good year...

also...

1966 - also the last year for the glass bubble over the head lights 1967 lots of one year only parts 1967 last year for "old" style bumpers with towel racks and horn openings in front fenders 1968 first year of padded dash - autosticks had cv joints. manuals had swing axle (US). also bigger tail lights with reverse light incorporated in. 1968 autos/ and 69 manual/autos only years with double spring plates on rear suspension. first year of high back seat. 1968 had a "grove" in the body so you could open the gas filler door, hood lock went to glovebox. 1969 also foot wells were moved back toward the seat some. 1969 last year for for no vents in decklid (hardtops.. not verts.) 1970 2 rows of vents in decklid

and thats just a few other subtle changes...

trunk release went to glove box in late 68...my 68 has the release under the dash....

more year by year changes here:

------------------- Chris Perdue

"Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug!"

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the has a use. It's there to make the body rust out

oh yeah thats right... the '68 I had also had the trunk release under the dash.

And the Autosticks, don't you forget the Autosticks. :-)

That's why I like my '70 US model convertible so much: Manual gearbox with double-jointed rear axle, 1600cc single port engine, and drum brakes all round. None of which was available in European models then.

Airhowlingly yours, Erik.