Realistic top speed of Beetle

Jimmy111 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject: Realistic top speed of Beetle

What is your realistic top speed of your beetle? How fast would you drive it at a constant speed? RPM?

Kilroy · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:44 pm Post subject:

Top speed 72 MPH. Cruising speed 72 MPH. At least that's what the book says.

Seb67 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:54 pm Post subject:

What is the fastest recorded top speed of a beetle that isn't a drag car? What sort of speeds would one reach on the autobahn with simple yet effective engine and suspension upgrades? (i.e. 2 litre engine, good stance and tires, strong brakes etc)

120? 130? At what point do aerodynamics say 'thou shalt go no faster' without making half of the car fibreglass and putting a v8 in the front.
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tim61 · Samba Member Joined: July 04, 2007 Posts: 11

I have a 1961 with a 1600 single port and I run mine around 3000 RPM which seems to be around 60-65 MPH. That is where I seem to drive it. I wanted to see how fast I could go and ran it to around 3800 RPM which was around 85 MPH and let off. I was reading the other day and they say that anything over 3500 RPM stock fan looses cooling efficiency. But they say VW build them to run flat out all day long in 4th gear. Hope this helps and I am interested in what others think and run their cars at.

Jimmy111 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

Yea. I have a 74 and it will do 90 on the freeway if I push it. doesent seem to overheat. many people told me that their bugs wont do more than 60. most people say at 70 the bug becomes unstable...
Any comments?

Glenn · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject:

I generally cruise at 80mph.

But I have a 5 speed tranny and a hi-po engine.
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Jimmy111 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:09 pm Post subject:

Who makes the gears for 5 speed. I always heard that none of the 5 speed kits were overdrive??

Teeroy · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject: Realistic topspeed of beetle.

But a 61 didn't come stock with a 1600, with the stock 40hp and stock size tires you could run it flat out.
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Glenn · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject:

JKLNHYD · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:37 pm Post subject:

I run about 50 miles each way to work, monday thru friday. Average speed is 70pph at 5am-6am. At night, it is stop and go for about 1 1/2 hours.
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1971 1776

Jimmy111 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject:

I think you got the same drive I got... I work near brookhurst and Westminister...But 100 miles each way every day in my 74...

John M. · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject:

I've taken my 74 up to 100mph but slowed down...because that's just asking for it in a Beetle. But remember that I also have the tires, suspension, and brakes to back it up. I would never take a stock beetle past 80mph for any period of time.
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Glenn · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:

John M. · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:49 pm Post subject:

JKLNHYD · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject:

Glenn · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject:

Just a heavier from and adding a rear sway bar made a world of difference.

Lowering the front and the rear also helped.
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74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

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Euro 67 · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:53 pm Post subject:

79 stupid beetle covertible, ours did 95+ racing a damn mustang, problem is, they blow belts after constant speed at 90+,

may I metion this was in the OG 48 horse Fuel injected motor,

my fasty, has the 3.88 Freeway flyer and 90 at 3500 no prob, thype 3 bigger fan, better cooling effenciecy *sp* belt blows all well it still cools Very Happy

but realistic, my dad's 62 with a close ratio 3ird and 4th, w/ a 2165cc, he spun the speedometer all the way around entering a freeway, that was nuts!

It outruns corvettes, what more can you ask for Very Happy

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LordGarth · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:29 pm Post subject:

vwnut101 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2006 Posts: 42

yeah i have 2 65 bugs one is a project one is not the one that is not i had a custom made engine that looks stock but pumps over 500 hp Laughing

i had a freind use a radar gun i did two laps around a dirt hoarse track it did 2775 but that was with 600 pounds in the front a reinforst sway bar nd it being lowered with fiber glass doors fenders and hoods

Juan · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:09 pm Post subject:

On my 65 with 1200 engine... between 70 and 75 comfortably. over that and i start feeling i'm forcing the car to do too much.
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Realistic top speed of Beetle
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