Identifying a beetle

[Rene v]

Hi all
I am confused the beetle I have according to the tranportation and vin # is a 1971 beetle but it has a swingaxle for a rear end suspention. Now from what I can understand swingaxle stop in 1968 and IRS started in 1969. Am I right and if so now can I find out what year it is? This is going to become a buggy for the street is one suspention better than the other or is preferance? This is first buggy and can see this forum being a great help.

Thanks Rene V

[GetPsycho]

Welcome to the mad house.
I'm not sure when the stopped the swing axles, but my '71 is
irs.

[buggybomber]

they stopped the swing axle in 67. i have the swing axle in mine. the irs will ride better but it uses cv joints i am not a fan of cv joints at all they can be as strong as a swing but with more money. the swing only pivots at one end. the less moving parts the better. this is only my opinion. some will desagree

[HamburgerBrad]

quick question: what vin number are you looking at? one riveted onto the body or stamped into the pan? you might have a later body on an early pan

also, just a side note is that european model non-super beetles (not exported to north america) were always equipped with swing axles from the factory.
_________________
OGST | CU05 | OGJHC
1970 baja|1953 oval

Wanted: two beat up, ugly, curb rashed 6" phone dial wheels

[Rene v]

Hi All
The vin # is on the pan and I don,t if it is european is there a way to find out.

Thanks Rene V

[HamburgerBrad]

no way to find out other than the features of the car. if it is indeed a 1971 with a balljoint front end and a swing axle rear and four lug drums, you most likely have a car that was brought in from outside of the continent
_________________
OGST | CU05 | OGJHC
1970 baja|1953 oval

Wanted: two beat up, ugly, curb rashed 6" phone dial wheels

[Rene v]

Thanks Hamburgerbrad
The thing is if I need parts what year do I use for ordering 71 or 68 and earlier.

Thanks Rene V

[HamburgerBrad]

[Rene v]

Thanks again Hamburgerbrad
You have been a great help love this forum.

Thanks Rene V

[plasticman1432]

[vwracerdave]

There is always the possability that somebody converted the IRS pan over to a swingaxle tranny by swapping the swingaxle spring plates and stuff. If it has the pivot points for trailing arms, is is an IRS chassis.
_________________
2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK

[yona_usti]

from what I have been told, Mexican produced beetles were swing axle into the early 70's. you may have a beetle "Hecho En Mexico"

It may have also come down through the Canadian border. They had some with swingaxles that new up there too.

[Rene v]

Hi vwracerdave
Since I am new to this I am not sure what you mean with pivot points for trailing arms could you explain more or have a picture.

Thanks Rene V

[vwracerdave]

Here's a picture I found in the gallery. The IRS pivot points are the two mount on the inside of the rear torsion bar just up against where the tranny nose cone mounts to the frame horns.

_________________
2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK