What year of the beetle stands out the most?

[crankbait09]

Out of the beetles that were made in the 1960's, which one ranks supreme, and why?

Curious to see what draws you to a specific year

[hitest]

No way to vote- your poll involves two completely different generations of a 60s beetle. To many of us here- three.
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[crankbait09]

well, I was thinking that when people buy beetles, they have to be drawn to a specific year.....In my mind at least.

Maybe with me being new to the scene, I certainly don't think of generation this or generation that....I ponder specific years. That's just me I guess

[Sharp64]

[crankbait09]

[63 vwnotch]

being new to the scene... if I were in your shoes I'd look for a 69...Lots of good stuff there not only the year IRS suspension, 1600 mtr, 12V, perhaps easier to find a good driver, maybe less rust being fairly newer, easier to obtain body parts etc... good introduction into the air cooled scene....

happy hunting and Welcome to the forum !!!read the stickies here, lots of good buyer info on what to look for during inspection to make sure you get a solid example.....
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BUS WANTED: 13 window BUS any year considered..

[crankbait09]

back when I was in high school, (1995), I had a 69 bug for a breif amount of time. It ran, barely and looked really rough. I had zero knowledge of bugs, and no clue where to go for information. I didn't have the internet at that time. Well, being in HS and lacking funds to keep it running, I sold it for $250. Fast forward to NOW.............I regret that decision.

When the time comes to purchasing one, I am hoping for a 1961-1966 beetle. Undecided on exact year. To me, it doesn't matter. I just want the early 60's.

I just purchased the highly recommended book "how to keep your volkswagen alive", about 10 minutes ago. I'm doing it right this time

[63 vwnotch]

right on... we'll if you like the previous '67 and the years given I'd get a 66, so when you're cruising route 66 the nostalgia kicks in hard !!

my first beetle was a 68 factory sunroof.. a dime a dozen then in '88 but now not so much....especially in that condition
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BUS WANTED: 13 window BUS any year considered..

[gt1953]

Crankbait what is the favored crankbait?

My favorite bug is the ones I have in the driveway. On the newer models I would group 68~73 and the 74~79.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[crankbait09]

qt1953 - ahhh, the favored crankbait of choice would be the Bandit series. 100% of the time I'm using black

you?

[Cusser]

I voted 1969, primarily because of the IRS transmission.

Since I've R&R'd both IRS and swing axles, I prefer IRS.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[vwracerdave]

'67 look the coolest but for a daily driver I would get the 69 because of the IRS. Then I would put the early fenders on it so it looks as cool as the '67.
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[crankbait09]

I see the 67 is getting the bulk of the votes.....Can anyone tell me why?
What would draw people to this year? I see racerdave commented on looks the coolest for a daily driver.......is there more to it than that? you really have me curious now

[67ctbug]

1967 was a one year only design. They have a ton of one year only parts that make it stand out. It also was the first year for 12 volt. I have one, you can see my thread in my signature.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=187814 Here's a huge thread about '67 stuff.
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'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'73 Dodge W200
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[63 vwnotch]

one year only parts, 12V, old metal dash

Edit: 67ctbug beat me to it
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BUS WANTED: 13 window BUS any year considered..

[crankbait09]

After looking at that thread, I see why it stands out. Wouldn't that also mean, parts will be harder to find? Almost impossible to restore?

I'll check out your signature

[67ctbug]

They aren't impossible to restore and parts aren't too hard to come by. They may be a little harder then finding parts for other years, but that's why it's unique. The parts are a little bit more expensive, but they are being reproduced like most other parts for any other beetle. Mine is still in restoration at the moment. It was the final year for the "classic" beetle, and in my opinion is the best year.
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'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'73 Dodge W200
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[gt1953]

Well the 67 does have unique one year only parts. I get it. My 68 type one standard has very similar items in the chassis that are also on the 67. Like the Z-bar. Opps 2 year part. My 73 type one standard has one yr only stuff also and as I have discovered some 72 items on it. Must have been in the parts bin at the time of assembly. Had a 67 many last century. Sold it.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[Sharp64]

Take the 67 getting more votes with a grain of salt. Understand that 67 was sort of the transition from the older generation to the newer one. 67 is somewhat unique in that matter. Not a lot of differences in 60-66 so they are maybe considered more interchangeable?
_________________
1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[wcfvw69]

I own a 67 and a 69. I like them both but I prefer the 67. It still has the towell rail bumpers which I think look great. It has the steel dash. Ball joint front ends started in 66 so the 67 has them as well which I prefer over kingpins. I think the 30-1 Solex carb was the best that came on bugs.

The 67's are just a solidly built bug. It's hard to articulate why they feel different than the 68+ bugs. Parts are not difficult to find for them. They made like 1 million 67 bugs so used parts are still plentiful. I've never not found something I needed in used condition.

I think it comes down to 67's are the last link to the early bugs before VW started to add all the other things to meet smog, safety and other needs of the day.
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