TheSamba.com :: View topic - This is a Beetle and that is a Super Beetle

Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:39 pm

There's been alot of questions about how to tell a Beetle from a Super Beetle so this is to help.

The easiest way to tell is that the spare tire in a Super lays flat while a Beetle stands up.

Beetle

Super

Beetle

Beetle Convertible to 1970

Super 1971-1972

Super 1973-1977

Super Convertible 1971-1972

Super Convertible 1973-1979

Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:25 pm

To add onto this, you can also tell by the front air vents under the front bumbers.... Another way not easily seen by the non looker is the wider fenders, these are just two other ways of telling a Super from a Beetle

Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:29 pm

hazedub wrote: To add onto this, you can also tell by the front air vents under the front bumbers..

Many Supers have replacement front aprons without the AC condenser vents.

Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:33 pm

Glenn wrote: hazedub wrote: To add onto this, you can also tell by the front air vents under the front bumbers..

Many Supers have replacement front aprons without the AC condenser vents.

This is true, forgot about that. But the ones that dont you can recognize them by that way.

Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:38 am

I've always relied on the curved windshield and wider dash on Supers.

Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:50 am

jadvale wrote: I've always relied on the curved windshield and wider dash on Supers.

71 and 72 supers had a flat windshield.

Scott

Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:25 pm

Quote: jadvale wrote:
I've always relied on the curved windshield and wider dash on Supers.

71 and 72 supers had a flat windshield.

Scott

71 and 72 supers also had the same dash as a standard If i'm not mistaken

Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:29 am

My bad. Thanks for clarifying. :oops:

Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:48 pm

look for the long front hood, and the very bottom front of the car kinda rolls under the car. :wink:

Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:38 pm

Someone should post up some good pics of the suspension upfront that is one of the top 3 ways of telling which is which

Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:39 pm

Pont wrote: Someone should post up some good pics of the suspension upfront that is one of the top 3 ways of telling which is which

The spare tire doesn't lie. If it's flat it's a Super, there's nothing else you need to look at.

Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:34 am

Glenn wrote: Pont wrote: Someone should post up some good pics of the suspension upfront that is one of the top 3 ways of telling which is which

The spare tire doesn't lie. If it's flat it's a Super, there's nothing else you need to look at.

True but your always gone have those peeps that disagree with you :)

Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:02 am

Pont wrote: Glenn wrote: Pont wrote: Someone should post up some good pics of the suspension upfront that is one of the top 3 ways of telling which is which

The spare tire doesn't lie. If it's flat it's a Super, there's nothing else you need to look at.

True but your always gone have those peeps that disagree with you :)

It's a fact... there is nothing to disagree about. :wink:

Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:00 am

choppachris wrote: look for the long front hood, and the very bottom front of the car kinda rolls under the car. :wink:
Yes, the down-curved, rounder front fenders are the easiest part if the car in question is parked and you cannot look under the front hood.
But you need to know what to look for in the fender form, thats true.

In Europe, the 70-72 cars are called 1302 (L/S/LS)model and the model '73 (as of august '72) is always called 1303, (L/S/LS).
Its easy for us, as they all have either 1302 or 1303 on the rear hood (if they still are original that is) :wink:

Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:47 am

:?: so...? I could find a 71 or 72 flat windshield Super with the spare laying flat? with struts too?

Wed Aug 30, 2006 5:48 am

Lbhat wrote: :?: so...? I could find a 71 or 72 flat windshield Super with the spare laying flat? with struts too?

If the tire is laying down then it's a Super and has struts. 71-72 Supers had a flat windshield and 73-79 had a curved one.

It's that simple.

Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:21 pm

i no the difrences between the super and normal beetle im jsut wondering whyy they made the diferent kinds?
was it like a more expencive model when you bought the beetle or was it two difrent factories making two difrent beetleS?

Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:58 pm

I have a 72 super. Flat windshield, lay-down spare, strut front-end.

They made the supers to update the suspension to modern type of supspension. Better handling and better ride quality.

Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:39 pm

Buzzbug72 wrote: They made the supers to update the suspension to modern type of supspension. Better handling and better ride quality.

When it's maintained properly,,, one bad suspension component can make the others wear that much faster. 45-55 mph speed wobbles is one result. There are others.

Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:52 pm

Right, but that is the owners fault for neglecting it, not the engineering of it.