1971 Super Beetle dash removal

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:21 pm Post subject: 1971 Super Beetle dash removal

Hello all-

I'm interested in removing the plastic dash on my 1971 super beetle.

I have the flat windshield & dash, and as I've heard you can remove this for the metal dash.

I just have a few questions if anyone has done this & has photos that would be awesome.

How would go about removing the plastic dash, and would I be able to re-install the dash if i didnt like the look?

Also for the ashtray would i be able to install a older model to be flush?

thanks guys-
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vanilla_gorilla13 · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:48 pm Post subject:

if i remember correctly , it's held in by 4 screws inside the trunk area.
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'71 Super Beetle (sold)

Tellers69 · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:20 pm Post subject:

Maybe Im not the right guy to respond here, seeming you want to keep it intact if you didnt like the look. Personally I like the look with no padding, I got rid of it on my 69 by just finding any and every screw holding the dash pad, if it didnt come off easy, I just ripped and pulled the hell out of it and got it off. Whatever was left (the screws I could not locate and then there was a little bit of dash), I just snipped, unscrewed, and/or tore off.
I do have to tell you I wish I wasnt so impationt, as If intact I could have sold it or donated it to a deserving bug owner.
You will find you like the "without" look better. You will have to fill in some holes for the best smooth look, but if your like me, and again not the best to give advice on this topic, and low on money or have no axcess to a welder, put some plasti or aluminum cut can, or whatever maybe in your kitchen trascan, and duct tape it to the inside of holes in trunk, and bondo and sand.
I know people have negative opinions about bondo on your car, but that cheap, no budget, job I did, is still holding up today. And I dont see the difference between mine, or one done with a lot of money and meens. For if most bug owners had alot of money, they would most likely be driving Porshes with their bugs restored completly and in the garage untill the weekend trip to the market when they run out of milk.

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:24 pm Post subject:

NCdad · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:18 pm Post subject:

I took ours off, not the cleanest look as I didn't want to weld up the holes, in case I wanted to go back to a pad.
I have looked for options for the defrost vents, but not seen anything.
I think a '66 vent would work in the center one.
I have repainted the glove box since this pic was taken, and not sure what to do about the grab bar due to the gap from the missing pad.

Here is a pic.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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ROBERT
My VWs & Projects - | - German Invasion VW Show - Sept 7, 2024 Shelby, NC

Ferguson · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:13 pm Post subject:

you can use an older ashtray and you will also need an older glove box door, if you leave your stock one you have have a gap around it as well
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(o)\!/(o) Proud owner of a 1972 Beetle, 72 Super Beetle, 76 convertible Beetle and a 69 Fastback
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Mr.Duncan · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:25 pm Post subject:

Joel · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:29 pm Post subject:

It's not a straight swap, the latches and hinges are different.

THere's also some other considerations, the speaker grille will have a gap around, the defrost vents will stick up, the oh shit handle wont sit down flat and you will have the long sticking out switches.

All of those can be gotten around, many parts of the world like here didn't get padded dashes till mid 70s so have parts to suit.

vdub28 · Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 9:48 pm Post subject:

[/quote]

what kind of gauges or types of gauges do you have there, tach, oil temp, fuel?

kjvforme · Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 11:02 pm Post subject:

This is my 1970 bug without the dash pad, is this what your talking about?

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 7:39 am Post subject:

kjvforme · Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 12:31 pm Post subject:

The sides and Center I ordered from a supplier out of England called VWHeritage. VW did not use the padded dash on the European bugs, so I was able to pick them up there the cost isn't that bad.

Center dash trim
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Dash-Vent-Trim...tartRow=74

Left and Right dash trim
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Dash-Vent-Trim...tartRow=74

kjvforme · Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject:

Your top Left and right look the same size as the center. You should measure them to make sure. The trim snaps into the metal dash and then the plastic venting snaps over the trim underneath.

diamondblue1969 · Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 12:51 pm Post subject:

Type 3 knobs can be used as they are flat , I wish I had filled in the grab handle holes as the early ones mount different . I carved up some rubber hose to fill in where the handle meets the dash . Also deleted the fresh air box and filled in all the holes , no turning back now . I have a 72 super I'm
working on I think I'll keep it original as I do have a decent dash pad for it .
My 69 the pad was shot so I got rid of it Smile

NCdad · German Invasion VW Show - Sept 7, 2024

slimpim1 · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:03 am Post subject:

Here's my '71 Super in paint right now. Dash is cut and modified for Dakota Digital Gauges.
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=...prd235.htm

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SlimPim
71' Super 1915 motor

slimpim1 · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:44 am Post subject:

1971 Super dash painted

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SlimPim
71' Super 1915 motor

zerskier · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:25 pm Post subject:

I welded the defrost vents and various holes shut and used a ashtray from a 63..

luvtheeluvbug · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:47 pm Post subject:

Mine was off when I got the car but I like it better the way it is. The dash is still in it's original light blue which is a nice contrast to the white exterior of the car. I put the same defrost vents back in and it doesn't bother me and the gap around the glove box, knobs and grills does not look out of the ordinary. The only thing that bothers me and I will change is the "oh s@#% bar". Overall, I think getting rid of the pad relieves the car of the less fortunate side of 70's car design.
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Fahrvergnugen/ far-fair-gnu-ghen/ Description of a pleasurable sensation experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony; A unique driving experience; Pleasure; Satisfaction; A feeling experienced by Volkswagen drivers.

Edwardj · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:14 pm Post subject: kjvforme dash cover

I removed the dash cover as well but now im findig my self trying to grind down my plasitic vent covers to make them fit my dash s there another way ?


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