TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu May 15, 2008 11:38 am

Why does everyone seem to bash on supers. I'm new to the vw scene but I'm not understanding what the big deal is

Thu May 15, 2008 11:59 am

I've often wondered the same thing myself, what with the larger engine, better suspension, improved steering radius, more storage space, more comfortable interior, etc, etc, etc...

BTW, I own THREE 72 Supers, with more to come!

Buy/Own what you like... I do!

UBERBEETLE

Thu May 15, 2008 12:19 pm

It's a couple of things and keep in mind the dislike is generally confined to forums or vw clubs . I have 3 Bugs: a 74 Super vert, 62 and a 57

1. Super's are seen as not as "pure" a Bug as other models. The "fancy" steering system, FI would be examples of those items , emission systems

2, Supers are visually different in ways that displease the more vintage look admirers- Round windshild, padded dashes, round front, shock mounted bumpers

Of all 3 cars I own the Super is by far the best driving machine-no contest. Though to be honest not my favorite looking one. It's a matter of taste. I have friends that don't like wine. It's just more for me to drink

.

Thu May 15, 2008 12:23 pm

I love Supers. Never owned one, though. But I'm kinda the opposite of most Beetle fanatics; I don't like older Beetles ( pre 68 ).

Thu May 15, 2008 12:29 pm

I think its mainly because of its somewhat "bloated" appearance in comparison to standard Beetles. That's why I like the GL on Supers - makes them appear more streamlined.

I think if a post 68 standard model is a "fat chick" then maybe a Super is a "pregnant fat chick"?

It also by virtue of when they were made in the 70s, has what many seem to think are the more unattractive Beetle features - high back seats, padded dashboard, etc.

I added some pics of cool GL supers.

Thu May 15, 2008 12:37 pm

Well, the "lines" on a Super are a little different. And remember, there are two types of Supers: the 71-72 which look pretty much like a standard bug (with a different front) and traditional style taillights and the 73-79 which have the rounded front window, different dash style, etc., and the elephant feet talllights.

Thu May 15, 2008 12:48 pm

You can't convert a super into a fiberglass dune buggy :D ...well atleast it not as easy to do compared to a std. :wink:

Thu May 15, 2008 1:04 pm

EMPIImp69 wrote: You can't convert a super into a fiberglass dune buggy :D ...well atleast it not as easy to do compared to a std. :wink:

That's one of my fav arguments against Super's... can't rip them apart, cover them in fiberglass and put truck tires on them as easy as a standard.

:lol:

.

Thu May 15, 2008 1:16 pm

I like the vintage look but love the ride of my '73 Super. I just hope I haven't given my Super the 'PO Syndrome' & added too many confusing older year trim. The curved windshield together with the flat bumper brackets give the year of my bug away if you're 'in the know' but I've put horn grills & the Wolfsburg emblem on the front & changed the rear fenders & tailights to a '72 Super. It might be cool for some people but I just can't stand the look of the elephant's feet tailights.

Thu May 15, 2008 1:19 pm

Provided of course, that's what you want to do... Butcher the worlds most important car by turning it into a *gag* "dune buggy".

He goes my official statement...
I love 71-72 Supers more than ANY other Beetles.

Yes, I do love "flatscreens". This is true, even I, Super Beetle lover, don't care for round windshields (screens) or 73 and on dashboards.

It just goes back to what I said before...
Buy & own what you like. Don't concern yourself with what anyone else thinks. Hey! We drive vintage Beetles! That in itself means we really don't give a shit what anyone else says! :lol:

Buy it, love it, wrench it, live it... F**k it! Be happy, life is WAY too short to spend more than three minutes total being unhappy!

Thu May 15, 2008 1:35 pm

im fairly new to the vw scene too but my dad had a bunch when i was growing up so im not THAT new.

people do bash on supers :[ and its lame

alot of people dont even give them a chance.

i have a 74 baja-super with 4 inches of lift and 30''s and it still handles as amiazing as it did stock.

yay mac struts?

Thu May 15, 2008 2:04 pm

Hell I like the interior much better ,, the only problem was that the steering wore out so quickly ..

WHY is so many seem to think a super had " a Bigger Engine"

Dudes in the early 70's VW detuned the motor to run at 47 hp

The only difference in the running gear between a std and a super was the main shaft in the tranny..

So if ya think you have a HOT SUPER beetle motor ,,, GET OVER IT

Thu May 15, 2008 2:41 pm

BUGGED11111 wrote: EMPIImp69 wrote: You can't convert a super into a fiberglass dune buggy :D ...well atleast it not as easy to do compared to a std. :wink:

That's one of my fav arguments against Super's... can't rip them apart, cover them in fiberglass and put truck tires on them as easy as a standard.

:lol:

.

So does that mean I need to take off my truck tires and fiberglass :shock: .

Pat

Thu May 15, 2008 2:45 pm

I like the 71's and 72's. They have the benefits of the supers with alot of the original looks. This is my 71 Vert.

Thu May 15, 2008 2:47 pm

I never had reason to hate either supers or std. Then I bought my first bug - a 1969 Standard Bug. Now I don't care much for supers. I have the first year (91) Ford Explorer, too, and I'm not too partial to the newer ones. I believe the deal is that if I got the standard, the Super can't be as good.

And then what do the standard owners do? They start putting on options to make it more like a super! Like electronic ignition, alternator, disc brakes, etc. Go figure.

But I still like my standard better - LOL. :lol:

Thu May 15, 2008 2:50 pm

I like 68-on flat windshield standard beetles and supers. I'm a big fan of 71-72 super beetles too.

I love beetles with flat windshield, tombstone taillights and upright headlights. Also I like larger trunk space (260 liter on an early super) and MacPherson struts. "All of these" are only available on 71-72 supers.

Personally, I don't like pre-67 beetles that much. However, I don't hate them. I like them, but not as much as 68-on beetles. What I hate is that people just bash on supers.

Thu May 15, 2008 3:13 pm

BUGGED11111 wrote: EMPIImp69 wrote: You can't convert a super into a fiberglass dune buggy :D ...well atleast it not as easy to do compared to a std. :wink:

That's one of my fav arguments against Super's... can't rip them apart, cover them in fiberglass and put truck tires on them as easy as a standard.

:lol:

.

Built-in self defense mechanism.

Thu May 15, 2008 5:02 pm

i was looking to buy a 71 super but never did find one,this was of course before i knew about samba.
well,i found a 69 bug that i realy liked so now thats what i have.
i like it as much as i would have liked a super.
to me,theres something i like about all of them.

Thu May 15, 2008 6:22 pm

TS88, nice Baja!! I had one of those too back in the day. I traded it in for a Ford Ranger back in like 1988 or so. It was cool, big motor, dual carbs, pretty quick. If you popped the clutch just right it would carry the front tires for a short distance. Anyway, when I signed the paperwork to trade it in, the lot guy took the keys from my salesman & went to drive it around back & bring my new truck up front. He wasn't gone more than a minute & there was a big commotion on the other side of the showroom. Of course, my salesman told me to 'hang tight for a sec.' & calmly walked outside to see what was going on. I finished signing my stuff & got up to see for myself what was happening & my old bug had been run into a light pole dead center, one of those with the big yellow concrete bottom. Because it was a McPherson front end, the concrete base had gone through the fiberglas front, crinkled the bottom of the trunk back & shoved the gas tank up under the dash. He musta been going at quite a clip when he nailed that thing!! I kinda laughed about it with my salesman & when I drove off with my new truck, they were pulling it off of the light pole with a tow truck. I loved that bug, was hard to see it like that. I found out later that another VW guy in the area had bought the motor from a salvage place so at least a part of it lived on for some time.

Thu May 15, 2008 6:33 pm

Calisupastarz wrote:
I think if a post 68 standard model is a "fat chick" then maybe a Super is a "pregnant fat chick"?

The term fat chick actually does only apply to Super Beetles, due to the bulbous front fenders and hood. However, some newbies have since tried to attach the name to earlier Beetles and even Baywindow buses :)