TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Apr 01, 2003 10:53 am

hello,
i want to buy a beetle but i don't now witch year to go for. I now the difference in models and the changed headlamps and that stuff but i don't not now how they drive. wich year has the best gearbox. wich year is best to drive. dont like the cars from 70 on.

greetings,

Tue Apr 01, 2003 12:26 pm

68. Swing-ax, but BJ front beam. Don't know the gearing, but Rob will.
http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

Tue Apr 01, 2003 1:02 pm

why would you like a 68 and not a 70???

the 68 will have a taller trans and a 1600 instead of a 1200. but the 62 can be upgraded to the later stuff and will be worth more if you ever want to sell it. plus in my opinion the early cars look better.

Tue Apr 01, 2003 3:20 pm

sorry rizzag 68 and 70 have the same gears final drive is 4.125

Tue Apr 01, 2003 3:32 pm

I agree with rizzag, the early cars look better and hold a better value if you want to sell later on.

Tue Apr 01, 2003 3:33 pm

sorry rizzag???

bugheadredhotmail.com did you even read my post before you tried to correct me??? i am comparing a 68 with a 62 like mag-van is asking about....

the part about the 68 and 70 is because he is concidering buying a 68 but he does not like 70 and on bugs, so i was jsut curious about that.

please read before you try to correct people

Tue Apr 01, 2003 5:23 pm

Jeff, let's go kick his ass!

Tue Apr 01, 2003 5:26 pm

naw, just bugs me when people are so eager to correct someone, like it makes them feel better.

Tue Apr 01, 2003 5:39 pm

I say go for the 62, but modernize it a little. That's what I'm doing with my 65, and couldnt be happier. Unless of course, I had a 65 Fastback in addition. :D Anyway, if you're gonna spend money on either one you buy, might as well be able to (potentially) get the money back out of it if you ever want to sell.

Tue Apr 01, 2003 6:34 pm

try ? took them # from vw trends feb 2001

Tue Apr 01, 2003 7:35 pm

I can't believe all of the incorrect responses to your question. The correct answere is (D) All of the above. Buy one or more from each year. You'r gonna need a couple parts cars also...And maybe a bus or two (Westy's are good 'cause it gives you someplace to sleep when ya get thrown out of the house) enjoy :)

Tue Apr 01, 2003 10:21 pm

mag-van,

Since you are in Belgium, the answer for you will be slightly different to the answer for a person in the USA - since there are some differences in the models around 68-70.

The 68, 69, 70 bugs are virtually identical body-wise - with the 70 having a "2 slot" engine lid and the others having a solid lid.

Other than that - 68, 69 and 70 Euro bugs had a choice of 1300 or 1500 engine, and they all had swing axle suspension (except the semi-autos, which had IRS). They also have disc front brakes - a very useful addition.

There is also the base-model 1200 available in most parts of Europe into the 80s, which still had 6v and drum brakes through the 70s.

The 1200 and 1300 gearboxes have 0.89 4th and 4.375 final drive for about 3400rpm at 60mph.

The 1500 gearbox (68-70) has 0.89 4th and 4.125 final drive for about 3200rpm at 60mph - obviously a slightly better "cruising" gear, but you need the 1500/1600 engine to take advantage of it.

The early bugs (62 etc) are fun but don't drive quite as well as the later bugs - I think about 68 the front track got a little wider which reduced the tendency for bugs to roll over.

The cabin heaters are better in the later bugs too, and 12v electrics have fewer problems compared to the earlier 6v systems (which DO work fine if they are well maintainted.)

Parts for most model bugs are still available, so that's not really an issue.

My personal favourites are 69 and 70 models. I have a 68 and a 70, and the 68 has the old style "forward" heater outlets, which tends to burn your heal in RHD models. The 69 and later cars have the front heater outlets moved backwards under the door. Just that one small thing tips me to the 69 and 70 (I like the 12v and OEM disc brakes).

I learned to drive in a 60 model bug (that's where I caught the "bug"), and my Dad once had a 65 full camper (1500cc of unobtainable power!), and I enjoyed them too.

But it's really up to you - they are all fun to drive, have a character of their own (every beetle deserves it's own name) and if you give them some regular TLC they give you a great fun ride.

Even the type2s and type3s are fun - just so long as it's got an aircooled flat four it's OK by me :-)

Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

Wed Apr 02, 2003 12:51 am

thankx,
for all your great responses, i think i'll go for the 62 because if i hear you all talk you like the looks of the 62, me too. The handeling is almost the same. I asked these questions because i already own a 64 mgb and there is a great difference in gearbox and handeling between 64 and 67. thanks again and i like this bbs.

Wed Apr 02, 2003 12:53 am

thake a look at my other car at http://web.wanadoo.be/mike
you can also see my brothers beetle.

greetings,

Wed Apr 02, 2003 5:08 pm

LOL @ Jeff!

Wed Apr 02, 2003 6:58 pm

if you are at all concerned with 6 v/s 12 volts, if it hasn't already converted to 12, it's very easy to do.

Wed Apr 02, 2003 6:59 pm

make that "been converted" it's easy but it can't do it itself!

Wed Apr 02, 2003 11:58 pm

hello,

went out and bought the 62 today, looks fine but still completly original. there is a shelf under the dash from bambus is this original??

greeting from belgium.

Thu Apr 03, 2003 9:59 pm

Congrats on buying the 62.

I don't think the shelf was added at the factory - they seem to have been a dealer option in some countries, so it might be 62 but not "VW 62".

Have you picked a name for it yet?

Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

Fri Apr 04, 2003 2:26 am

Well done, you¦ll love you 62¦as I love my 61¦.