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Thu Nov 06, 2025 1:41 pm

So , my very stock 71 South african beetle with 250 k km (never been rebuilt or restored only maintained) , is a little different to any other counties 71 beetles.

I thought I would start a thread to capture the differences for anyone else who might stumble across one of these.

Besides being "correct hand drive" or as most folks say " right hand drive", here is an overview of its standards specs: european "Thin Chick" spec., with torsion bar front, swingaxle rear, smooth hubs, single MC, 40 mm shoes front 30 mm back, 31PICT3 carb and 5 bolt drums all round. Original SF:AD engine overhauled in a box, waiting to go back in one day. (south african beetles had SF stamped in front of the chassis number and the engine number). Long spline rear axles coupled with long spline rear drums to go with them. Also running the original generator.

South africa vehicles were obliged to have white reflectors on the front

The original Battery was a SABS 630 size, but a european 38 size fits OK (like the Yuasa YBX1038).

The fuse box was also different looking like this (apparently similar to a few overseas 71 fuse boxes but to be confirmed)

Here is a picture of it with my mom and my dad and me in the red helmet.

This was her colour scheme.

So I am currently working on her brakes and she has 113 698 537 C /
113 609 537 C 40mm shoes on the front.

And she has inner bearing SKF 30206 J2/Q and outer bearing is SKF 30304, the front grease seal is same as the 60's one, 62mm dia, 111 405 641 A.

The rear brake is 30mm and takes 131 698 537 C / 131 609 537 C shoes:

Her she is currently. I have to get the front window chrome back on next summer....

More to come.

Thu Nov 06, 2025 4:34 pm

Beautiful bug you have there with family history. Quite a difference from a US spec 71 bug. It seems more like a 65 US bug with the 68 and later look.

Fri Nov 07, 2025 3:00 am

Thanks for this thread. As you might remember, I also have an original 1971 1300 dual port South African Beetle. This model is very special and there is still a few running around here in Cape Town. I'll be following your posts with interest.

Fri Nov 14, 2025 10:38 pm

Feel free to post your own information about South African 71s the more the merrier.

Brake cylinder diameters,
Master cylinder is single circuit and 17 mm
Front cylinders are 22 mm
Rear cylinders are 19 mm
Backing plates are solid, with no holes for inspection or adjustment from the rear

Front wheels have a double nut adjustment as its locking system rather than the big nut with the grub screw.

I replaced those bearings when I was about 20, just got the bearings from a local Beetle shop, I never noticed the "Q" designation on the SKF bearing , and obviously there was no Google. This is what I found looking it up now, interesting.

Q" Logarithmic Profile: This special profile is slightly more "slender" at the very ends of the roller. This shape intelligently distributes the load evenly across the entire length of the roller. It prevents the pressure from concentrating at the edges and eliminates those damaging stress peaks.

Sun Nov 16, 2025 10:30 am

Love the "Made in South Africa" on the rear tail light.

I wonder what this said in europe, or the US?

Mon Nov 17, 2025 1:19 pm

Getting ready for some bearing pulling next weekend, quick question, once the bearing is out, does the backing plate just pull off or is there a trick to this? I'd like to get the backing plate off and cleaned it up and painted

Mon Nov 17, 2025 4:52 pm

It just slips off.

Mon Nov 17, 2025 10:46 pm

I find the non US/EU/Mexico/Brazil assembled VW's fascinating with the slightly different localised components.

It seems like yours now lives in Switzerland? that's quite the commitment

Tue Nov 18, 2025 4:11 am

chinny22 wrote: It seems like yours now lives in Switzerland? that's quite the commitment

She more then quadrupled in value coming here, and the shipping cost was about equivalent to RSA value, so I figure I'm still ahead ;-)

Wed Nov 19, 2025 12:01 am

With the period AA sign on the back. As far as I know, my parents never took out AA roadside insurance.

I only wish that I'd had it once when I was driving back with an old girlfriend into a very strong headwind. Only time I ever ran out of petrol.

The Locking bonnet clip is not original, I remember taking that off an old Beetle in a scrap yard many years ago. I used it to protect the siren that's in the back that was linked to the alarm system, still is, just for fun.

Fri Nov 28, 2025 2:00 pm

The rear wheel bearing came off without a fight. SKF 6306, standard clearance , i think, no size clearance marking on the bearing. This is the original factory bearing with 250'000 KM on it. they still look pristine...... Im almost sad to change them.

Large plastic support for the cage on the back.

The bearings came off almost turning the puller by hand...

Fri Nov 28, 2025 2:31 pm

BMFBMF wrote: The rear wheel bearing came off without a fight. SKF 6306, standard clearance , i think, no size clearance marking on the bearing. This is the original factory bearing with 250'000 KM on it. they still look pristine...... Im almost sad to change them.

Then why change them if they are not noisy? Or are they?

The replacement bearings these days are probably of inferior quality to a 250k km used SKF one anyway.

Sat Nov 29, 2025 10:54 am

About 20 years ago, wandering around the Karoo desert with friends. Never missed a beat.

Sat Nov 29, 2025 6:18 pm

BMFBMF wrote: Love the "Made in South Africa" on the rear tail light.

I wonder what this said in europe, or the US?
My US-spec Beetle on which I installed US-spec tombstone-style taillamps has "Made in Germany" on the Hella lenses.

Sun Dec 07, 2025 8:52 am

For the record og 71 south african backing plates.

As you can tell I've had more brake cylinder leaks on the back than on the front... :lol: