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Sat May 25, 2002 1:07 pm

Alas, the poor unloved Super??? I thought 411-412's were the ugly duckling of the air cooled VW world... what does that make the Super? The Black Sheep??? But seriously I like all vw's and those 45 mph shakes don't scare me I figured out how to solve that years ago.... just wanted to see some activity in this category, two weeks is too long... poor poor Superbeetle...:)

Sun May 26, 2002 8:27 am

Even though my Bugs are standards I agree that Supers are VWs too. I almost bought a '74, it was nice, but the 71 standard was just as nice and cheaper. Supers are a whole heck of lot more of a "real VW" than these backwards New Beetles nowadays (NBs are cool "cars" though).
I love all VWs too, and if the engine is behind me and it doesn't have a radiator, I'll be happy.

Fri May 31, 2002 5:15 am

How did you solve the 45 mph shake problem? I have it on my 79 Super and it's no big deal but I wouldn't mind fixing it if it doesn't take a lot. And re: "real" Beetles: the general public sees only a Beetle. Doesn't matter to them if it's Super or not. They get just as big a kick out of seeing a Super as a standard. And so do I.

Fri May 31, 2002 9:05 am

What I was trying to say before is that in my opinion, as long as the engine is in the back and it doesn't have a radiator, it's a real VW to me. I could see myself owning a Super someday. Maybe a '73 Sports Bug, or a '74 Sun Bug. Those cheesy special edition are soooo cool.

Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:48 pm

post number 2! gonna bring back an old one...
i never knew there was even a difference until i already owned a super. i would very much like to have a standard bug instead, just for the ease of lowering the front suspension. anybody wanna post up what all is different on a super beetle versus the standard? mine drives good, but looks like a warmed over bag of assholes. no shakes, just lots of rust. i just finished replacing the floors in it, but just made my own to save money, and frankly, this car is so ragged that tampering with originality and all that are out of the window.

Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:00 pm

So whats the secret on this shimmy thing, I just put another steering damper on and it helped a little but it still shakes occasionaly. It usually only does it very early in the morning when I am not in the mood for its antics

Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:04 pm

my super never shakes even at 70mph. I have topline maxstruts.

Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:05 pm

gavin.dude wrote: So whats the secret on this shimmy thing, I just put another steering damper on and it helped a little but it still shakes occasionaly. It usually only does it very early in the morning when I am not in the mood for its antics
you need to replace the bushing.and aligment is need it.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/768941.jpg

Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:21 pm

today ,..with the high prices regular old 111 beetles sell for ,.....
'suppers' are indeed , the last ACVW bargain to be found ,...
be patient,.....
some day , very soon ,...even the lowly supper beetle will be fully accepted into our ranks ,
until then .... you will be still required to hang your head in shame !

Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:33 pm

I love my super! my wife got jealous coz I spent more time with my super!

Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:34 pm

replace the idler bushing with the brass one

Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:36 pm

thechief86 wrote: i would very much like to have a standard bug instead, just for the ease of lowering the front suspension.

Supers are easier to lower than standards.

Couple of bolts at the bottom, 3 nuts at the top and bolt in some adjustable struts and set the height to what ever you want.

None of this dicking around with poorly made expensive dropped spindles that widen the track or welding in adjusters and still ending up with a tractor like ride.

There's already a million and one threads on it but the difference is just in the front end which also makes the body work look different.
And depending what country your in Supers got bigger engines and disc brakes.

People will argue it but mcpherson strut is light years ahead of torsion bars.
You cant get progressive spring rate from torsion bars like you can with struts which is what gives them better ride quality.
People that moan about front end being complex just don't know how to work on them.

Fri Jan 20, 2012 12:12 am

My problem with the SuperBeetle front end has always been centered around the lack of design...A McPherson strut is OK when used with an A-arm design lower control arm, but the early VW design relies upon the anti-swaybar to control the wheelbase, with nothing more than a flimsy control arm sticking out a relatively long span.

I was given my Super, and intend to drive it frequently...after I make a better lower control arm and hopefully find a serviceable steeringbox. It would be nice to have a `75+ with R&P steering though.

Fri Jan 20, 2012 5:19 am

I sport a 72 super and really like lt...it is sort of the first prototype super in my book, along with the 71 :wink: I think the 71-72 supers are cool because they are the transition years. I actually like all bugs and really don't bash on any....How could you not like this...

Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:46 am

Bitching about supers,, is the same as A split owner saying ovals suck :roll: I know guys that say 67s are crap, because thy have upright headlights and are 12V
If it's A air cooled VW I love it!!!!!!!

Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:49 am

vw_hank wrote:
If it's A air cooled VW I love it!!!!!!!

Im right there with you.

Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:25 am

thechief86 wrote: post number 2! gonna bring back an old one...anybody wanna post up what all is different on a super beetle versus the standard?

This is a Beetle and that is a Super Beetle

Anyone want to dig through the stickies?

Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:33 am

I think the hard core pre 67 crowd will always be with us, but the fact is, the super's have so much that I appreciate. They are still easy to tinker with, they handle great...ok the shimmie thing, but it is fixable...and the stock 1600 dual port with stock distributor runs like a dream. I have both, and if the cars are stock..6 volts vs. 12.....wow. Love both. Aircooled is aircooled!

Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:47 am

I also have a soft spot for those super beetles that i see driving around. I love 1303 and would like to purchase one in the future just to drive the shit out of it. All the people that give super beetles shit just dont know what they are looking at. I find all aircooled Volkswagens a peice of ART.

Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:18 am

71 and 72 Supers are the pinnacle of Beetles in my book. Better suspension, plus the old school dashboard. But like others have said, if it's air cooled, I love it.