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Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:49 pm

Help! We are new to the bug scene and were excited when we bought a 71 Super Beetle Convertible in August. However, we have discovered that the previous owner had replaced the chassis with a 73 Standard! Thought they had just removed the McPhearson (sp) struts. Not! It turns out that they Mickey Moused the front end and hid it under trunk carpeting and a nice stereo amplifier. Don't get me wrong, the bug runs great and doesn't have the typical shimmy. Our problem is that they had to lift the fuel tank to accomodate the straight drive shaft. Now we can't get more than 5 or 6 gallons of gas into the tank. Can anyone offer any suggestions? We thought of an 11 gallon billet tank but it won't leave us any room for the spare and the lack of a fuel gage is another minus. Plus, we will have to open the trunk lid to refuel. I'd post a picture of the trunk but I can't figure out how to do it.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:00 am

If you hold the courser, over the "Img" button it walks you through posting pics.

We need to see some pics in order to see the what you are working with.

Nathan

Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:10 am

Let's give it a try. Its either not working or I am simpy not understanding the language. [/img]

Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:05 am

You have to have the image at an image hosting site online, like TheSamba gallery.

You hit the img button, which puts [img] on your post.
Then you enter (or copy and paste) the url of the picture.
Then hit the img button again, which gives you [/img].

Then hit preview to make sure it worked before submit.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:16 am

Did the previous owner change out the entire pan or just the front suspension? If it is the entire pan, is the car registered as a '71or a '73?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:49 am

What you are saying really doesn't make sense. It would take a heck of alot of work to change a super to a standard. You would have to replace the all the sheet metal in front of the windshield.

If you have pictures, above and below of the current front end, post them in the gallery section. It's easy. At the top of this page you'll see a "Gallery" link, right next to the "Forums" link, click on it and directly below the "Gallery" link is a "Add Photo" link. Click on that and you'll be able to upload an image from your hard drive. You will then be able to point us to your gallery, or you can take a little more time and read the sticky about how to post photos.

-jeffrey

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:56 am

I'd like to see this also.

Pics please.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:24 am

I figured out the picture thing. Here is what our "71 Super Beetle Convertible" looks like. It is registered as a Super and has the characteristics of one except for the steering column and related parts. It is hard to tell in the pictures, but we think the front part of the spare tire well is still intact and was covered by sheet metal. The PO had put wiring directly under the fuel tank for a stereo amplifier that was located on the sheet metal piece. The wires were shorting out. Great place for that to happen! Thankfully we were installing a new stereo and discovered it.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:29 am

Your photos require a membership to view them. Can you post them to the Samba gallery so we call all see?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:46 am

Glenn wrote: I'd like to see this also.

Pics please.

Same here, I have to see this.....possible candidate for the 'abortions' thread????

Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:40 pm

Follow the instructions I posted above to put the pictures in your gallery.

-jeffrey

Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:10 pm

Sorry guys. The pics are now in the gallery under Convertibles titled Frankensteins Monster. Let me know if you need more pics now that I know what I'm doing with them.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:30 pm

Yup, that is one heck of a hack. I don't know if there is any quick fix. Did it have the original Super tank in it? Is it just tilted up where is prevents you from adding any more than 5 or 6 gallons? Have you ever run it dry and completely filled it up or are you just estimating the capacity of the tank based on the gauge. If so, it's possible that the gauge is off.

Good luck.

-jeffrey

Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:30 pm

Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:31 pm

How long have you owned this car?

If not long, I would go back to the previous owner and get my money back. If he is not willing to do this, then you need to get a lawyer and go to court. He obviously didn't disclose this type of modifications.

I would be very suspicious of the safety concerns with this type of a hack job.

This is something you want to GET AWAY from! There are plenty of better cars out there. Get away from this one and start looking for something that hasn't been axed up.

Also next time, LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER AT WHAT YOU ARE GETTING!

Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:34 pm

drscope wrote: If not long, I would go back to the previous owner and get my money back.
There is no way on God's Green Earth that is gunna happen. Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware

Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:48 pm

drscope wrote: ...I would be very suspicious of the safety concerns with this type of a hack job....

What would make it any less safe than an unmolested car? In a standard sedan the front in will cave in until the front beam stops it or collapses the framhead. This car would be no different.

Don't give me the crumple zone angle as that did not really come into play until the '80s and not on these types of cars anyway.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:54 pm

The back of the dash looks like a standard beetle. A 73 super would have the build in fresh air box. I cannot tell if the strut tops used to protrude through those wheel wells. What else makes us think this is a super that is converted to a standards? Can't tell from the pic if the windshield is curved, which it would be on a 73 super. What else makes us think this is a super that is converted to a standards?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:55 pm

rlutterb wrote: The back of the dash looks like a standard beetle. A 73 super would have the build in fresh air box. I cannot tell if the strut tops used to protrude through those wheel wells. What else makes us think this is a super that is converted to a standards? Can't tell from the pic if the windshield is curved, which it would be on a 73 super. What else makes us think this is a super that is converted to a standards?
It's a 71 Super body on a 73 Standard pan.

The dash is correct for a 1302.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:33 pm

rlutterb wrote: ...What else makes us think this is a super that is converted to a standards?....

The 'firewall' is definitely a super. Look at the steering column path. Plus, look at the wheel well for the spare tire.

The strut mounting points look like there is a plate bolted in place to cover the holes left upon removal.