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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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 Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:35 pm Post subject: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Finally have some time to compile some pics of a '73 I started about 2 years ago. I have restored a few older bugs the latest year being a '74 1302 but never getting into a 1303. I was always told they were junk due to the strut front end and more use of plastic, and death foam. After seeing a bunch of cars on the German look scene I decided to go looking. It just so happened I got a 2 car deal with a 74 sedan and a 73 vert. I ended up starting with the vert which I soon found out was a basket case. After mare that a year into it though Im happy with it being a car that I can drive anywhere.
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:08 am Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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and I will fill in the work in between but here's where were at..
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31392
Location: Hot Arizona
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 76971
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:27 am Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Why no rear window?
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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odecom5
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2006
Posts: 456
Location: CO
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 4:46 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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| Wow, can't wait to see the details on this transformation. Looks awesome. |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| Why no rear window? |
I cut it last, it was one of those, really don't want to F this up and have to buy another top.
Some more pics, my guess is the motor and trans are original to the car, the serial is about the right vintage and it looks like its got the miles on it. It appeared to be out of running order for some time.
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2024 2:47 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Top was done but the frame was still salvageable. As I started digging I noticed the passenger door was a replacement, should have known the 73 was odd using the handle lock and should not have a lock pull on top
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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GreeneHoosier
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2004
Posts: 406
Location: Southern Indiana
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| Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:46 am Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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VERY cool. Love the look! How is the ride quality with it that low?
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1974 Super Beetle
40 Years VW enthusiast! |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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| GreeneHoosier wrote: |
| VERY cool. Love the look! How is the ride quality with it that low? |
Very stiff, however I like that it corners flat, there's maybe 1.5-2" of travel, but with the fenders rolled it doesn't rub. I went with the Topline kit, they're down the street from me so after checking them out I decided to spring on that setup vs sleeves.
Here was the setup trying to see if the 17x7.5et35 would fit with a 205/40/17 square all around. There is just enough stretch on the 7.5"
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:26 am Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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More of the usual engine clean up. It appeared to be original to the car and prob in the 150k+ range but we'll see what happens. Then I got into some bodywork, hit in the front and back and later found it was hit in the passenger qtr.
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:00 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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suspension test fit done, then on to the front damage..
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Continued on replacing the front end, lower support brace was rotten as well so I needed to fab a part..
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Rear quarter on the passenger side needed some work but once I got into it it was way worse than expected. 1 inch thick bondo it appeared to have been hit hard. I ended up getting a donor qtr and swapping it out. It ended up needing new heater channel and subframe brace.
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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agramer1966
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2010
Posts: 152
Location: Northern Poland
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| Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:57 am Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Nice job. Love the rims.
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1966 VW1300
1973 VW1302
1974 VW Trike
1984 924
Bunch of old Jap motorbikes
Instagram & YT: #agrameroldoctane |
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lmar
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2014
Posts: 76
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| Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Love the fabrication skills.
Doing the same thing to my daughter's 1978.
Not nearly as bad as yours. Given me renewed hope. 
Take care, and thanks for sharing.
L |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:21 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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cutting in the donor quarter panel..
and rebuilding the front passenger foot well, fill with rot
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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_________________
'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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_________________
'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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Carbon Joe
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 26
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:14 am Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Nice work! What a great transformation, really like your choice of wheels and color, I'll keep my eye out hoping to see it cursing around the OC some time. Thanks for sharing!
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Joe
[email protected] |
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bavarian1
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2005
Posts: 52
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:21 pm Post subject: Re: 1973 1303 Super Convertible Build |
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Here was starting paint and repairing the top frame. Also decided to shave the front turn signals since I was going with the Brazil front bumper.
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'58 Beetle - L245 Bronze
'73 Vert SB - Dove Grey
'74 Sedan SB - Tropical Green
'72 Bay Panel - Pastel White |
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