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newbie just got his first Bug

Hello people,

I have just obtained my first Bug. On the positive side, the machine was free. On the negative side its in pieces, has no seat, and the dismounted engine and transaxel have quite a bit of rust on them.

I've worked on motorcycles and done routine maintenance on my various cars, but this will be the first time I've actually needed to tear everything apart and rebuild it from scratch. I've purchased "How to keep your VW alive" and the Hayes manual, plus I've just ordered all the 'special' tools from one of the online companies (no free publicity until I see what they're like.)

The vehicle body is a '73 but I have no idea if its a Super Beetle or not. How can I tell? (If this is in a FAQ, I'll be happy to STFU if you point me to it.)

The other mystery is that the engine serial number begins with a "1" and all the other numbers are too faint to see. I'll hopefully be able to clean enough gunk off the generator pillar to see the number better next weekend. From what I can find, though, engine numbers beginning with "1" are pre-1960. This would indicate that it ain't a 1600. Anyone have an idea on what capacity it could be?

I plan on rebuilding this "on the cheap"; keeping whatever engine/transaxel that's in the box and rebuilding them myself if possible. I'd like to avoid buying new ones.

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Animal

Reply to
Animal
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The Super has a strut type front suspension.

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Reply to
Dennis Wik

In the words of the wise Han Solo..."Good Luck...you're gonna need it." ;)

Welcome aboard. Nice of you to stop by. :)

Reply to
Mike C.

Supers have strus front suspension. Also, the 73 super has a curved windshield. To check if it's a super, just open your trunk, if the spare tire lies flat, you got a super, if not, it's a standard.

Clear the gunk first. Also, you may have a dual or single port engine, you might want to check that out.

Patience my friend (for your wife, she will soon want to kill you).

Reply to
Karls Vladimir Peña

Congrats!

Definitely a plus.

You'll want to invest in some wire brushes, Liquid Wrench, good laundry detergent, hand cleaner, large cases of alcohol and be sure you have a good health insurance plan that covers mental illness.

Good start. There are a myriad of websites floating around here amongst members that are also as helpful if not more so than the books. And nothing is better than personal experience.

Look behind the front tire. If it's a Super, you'll see the big ass springs. Super's have MacPherson struts. The curved windshield is not always a good indicator, because they weren't introduced until 73' (your year). So if it has a standard windshield, it's a 71 or 72 but I don't think you were questioning that.

I'm pretty sure anything pre-66 is a 1200cc and a 6 volt. 12 volt started in

  1. BUT I could be wrong. Why anyone would put a dinosaur like that into a 73 Super is beyond me though.

HAHA! lmao Yeah... Good luck with that! :)

Anyway, plop us in your favorites. There's so much experience (not mine) floating around here it's not even funny. If you need anything, just ask. Chances are *someone* will have an answer.

Good luck!

Kidd

John C's proof:

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Reply to
Kidd Andersson

There's a 75 super beetle oval driving around here lately, The owner changed the rear glass, fenders, headlights, taillights, bumpers, drums, well just about everything to make his super look like an oval. Maybe he just hasn't found a flat windshield to finish his job.

I'll post some pics if I can manage to take them.

Reply to
Karls Vladimir Peña

LOL

Joao

72 Super 1302
Reply to
Joao Eliseu

for encouragement. I bought a bug for US$80 a year ago, and got it running and inspected for around US$500.

I then sold it for Us$550 :)

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Reply to
Eduardo K.

Do you have a VIN for it? 113-2xxxxxx = 73 Beetle, and if I remember correctly 153-2xxxxxx = Super for that year. If it's not inside of the windshield on the driver's side, you could be having some problems getting it titled when you get it together.

Charles of Kankakee

Reply to
Charles Fregeau

Thanks, everyone. The update is that it's not a Super, the driver-side door sticker says Oct 73, and the engine is a rusted out 1200.

I'm thinking that it would be cheaper to get a junker, but complete and running, Bug instead of buying a new power train.

Thanks again, Animal

Reply to
Animal

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