1974 Super Restoration for Daughters

[swal]

A family discussion on what car our twin girls wanted to have once they get their license in 2 years provided a surprising result. They didn't want a Tesla, Honda or something new- but a classic Beetle.
Quick search on the interwebs found us a 1974 Beetle that has been parked since 1976 (confirmed with vehicle registration info). The previous owner got into money trouble a couple years after buying the car new and there she sat for 47 years- unloved. Shes been banged up from getting hit by snow clearers over the years, had her carb and coil stolen at some point (so stuck engine) and had her passenger window smashed.

So time for a family project. Also great way to keep with a tradition- my father and I rebuilt a 1982 Camaro Z28 for me when I was their age- also I learned to drive in an old Rabbit and have owned a Golf and Jetta over the years.

[plastikman187]

That is great, I want my son to learn to drive manual in my 71 super.

Its hard to tell, but is that car marina blue? That is the color that my car used to be, and will be one day again. Enjoy the ride!

[swal]

Yep Marina Blue it is.

[OTTO 1303]

Looks like a great project, but lots of work.
Hopefully you can be ready in 2 years.

Mechanical first, cosmetics second would be my approach.

Have fun and good luck.
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74 Super Sun Bug - OTTO
74 Super - DANZIG
74 Super - HERZOG

[H2OSB]

I, too, have a Marina Blue Super Beetle. Mine is a '74. Which, btw is what year your car looks like to me, based on the shock absorber bumper brackets and big bumpers. VW did update the front suspension halfway through the 1973 model year. Maybe they switched to the larger, later bumpers as well. I've never noticed before. I suspect it's a late '73 car. Look at the VIN plate on the dash, next to the windshield on the driver's side. Look from the hood side. The 3rd number will be a "3" if the car is a '73 and, obviously, a "4" if it's a '74

Hope you have fun with your girls' project.

H2OSB
_________________
(o\_i_/o) I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants.

[H2OSB]

Also, if I may make a suggestion. Immediately contact Topline Parts and order the front suspension urethane bushings replacement kit. It's cheap and easy to install. The rubber bits are certain to be excessively worn out. Save yourself the later headache and replace ALL of those bushings from the jump. Perhaps you can avoid the "Super Shimmy".

H2OSB
_________________
(o\_i_/o) I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants.

[swal]

Thanks for the tips- keep them coming. And sure enough it is a 74 not a 73 looking at the Vin number!

[vamram]

I admire your ambition!! How about some pics of the interior and underside...?


_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[swal]

No pics of the bottom right now- but the battery leaked so that floor pan needs replacing for sure. Otherwise its mostly surface rust. A couple pics of the inside- including the girls starting to take apart the inside as I work on the engine and mom works on redoing the seats

[vamram]

Nice! The headliner looks great - That's $$$ right there if you don't need to replace it.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[swal]

Went to put the back on stands to prepare to pull the engine and took a pic of the bottom. As you can see passenger pan will need some work- otherwise not terrible.

[MTT3107]

Great project !
But you have your work cut out for you...

Also, you should have gotten them a stick shift, so they can learn to drive properly !

[swal]

I really wanted a stick shift- both my wife and I learned to drive on sticks- but beggars cant be choosers.
I am under no illusion that this wont be a ton of work- which is a huge part of the appeal- after sitting at a desk all day long getting out in the garage and working on a car is a joy for me.
Its also nice to be working on a vehicle I am not in a rush to get on the the road- I just finished rebuilding the 6L80 transmission in my GMC truck- so after that a bug is a dream to work on.
We also have some great help, my father is a semiretired mechanic and my father in law is a retired metal fabricator/welder.
I also feel we owe this to the car. The poor girl was driven for two years, parked in impound and forgotten about for 45+ years- she deserves to be driven and loved again.

[Cusser]

[sb001]

[Cusser]

[vamram]

[sb001]

[Cusser]

[KTPhil]