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Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:31 pm

What are some of the differences between the US 71 bug and the Euro 71 bug ?

Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:46 pm

Ok, I'll bite... mine is a '75 1200LS so there may be some differences between years and there may be differences between countries...

From the A-pilars forward...
Right-Hand Drive (RHD)... obviously
longer wiring harness & speedometer cable to reach right side
fuse box mounted on right-side
RHD pedal assembly (uses same cable locations as LHD)
dash grills are different (gauge position not mirror of LHD)
glove box mounted on left
padded dash cutouts (if installed)
non-shock absorbing steering wheel and continued use of '71 steering column
door switches / key buzzer / seat belt locks optional
steering box arm
additional lower front beam horizontal supports
steering stops & steering box mount points on front beam
tie rods (different lengths)
non-shock absorbing bumpers (front & rear)
bumper mounted turn signals (not sure which years)
H-4 headlights w/ "city light" in reflector (aimed towards left of road)

Rear of the A-pilars...
all non-Super Beetles come w/ '68 ("B") swing axle (no-IRS for Beetles)
lack of emissions
case letters are different

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:48 pm

If it's a standard it has no trim. Has the earlier bumpers w/o over riders.

Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:08 pm

Mine's a '74 1303S left-hand drive (came from Italy):

No A/C condenser grille
Front turn signals mounted in the bumper
Parking lights in the headlamps; H4-type bulb
Side repeaters (turn signals mounted just ahead of the doors)
Reverse lights optional (no wiring, sockets, or switch, unless optioned)
Fresh air fan optional (standard on US Supers from '73, I think)
1200 standard, 1500/1600 optional
Low-back seats
Speedo in Km/h and km
Running light indicator in speedo
Different engine and transaxle numbers (4.13 or 4.38 gears only - no option for 3.88s)
1200 had an oddball fan shroud - used the wide fan but didn't have a doghouse oil cooler
1200 had a solid decklid - no vents
Non-locking fuel door and decklid; locking glove box optional
No emissions (carbon canister, fuel tank vents, etc)
No bumper end-caps or overriders
No bumper strip (used a black adhesive-backed cloth instead)
No shock-absorbing bumpers - non-reinforced, too

****ing data label in glove box in German and Italian, in Kp (kilopascals) instead of psi...

Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:39 am

Mine's a '71 1302LS Vert RHD

RHD diff as mentioned above.

Other:
Rubber strip on bumper. Smaller turn signals on front fenders. Brace between shock towers in trunk. H4 headlights with separate lens and reflector and with parking light. Smaller taillights. No aircon grill in front. Lowback seats. Footrest on passenger AND drivers side. Tonneau cover. Different lens on the emergency flasher switch.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:07 am

akavinn1 wrote: What are some of the differences between the US 71 bug and the Euro 71 bug ?
This site has extensive information on the Super Beetle for 1971 (listed with Euro-dating 8.70 to 7.71) and for 1972 (8.71 to 7.72), also known as the 1302.

European Supers had different trim options and engine choices. Supers bound for the US were basically one trim with a 1600 engine.

You will find non-strutted bugs (the so-called standards) being somewhat similar in that regard.

Besides things like taillights that differed depending on the country of destination, I always thought it was odd the US bug got only the 1600 engine but never was officially offered disc brakes. Obviously, that was circumvented by some but it was a peculiar choice to keep the price down.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:24 am

FYI, not all euro-spec Beetles were right-hand drive, it depends on the country. As for the original posters question, it all depends on what country and what level of trim. In the US, all Beetles [with a few exceptions] were deluxe Beetles. Elsewhere in the world they were often a few different trim levels offered.

-jeffrey