New (Old) Bug owner 1974 Super beetle Karmann question

[AngieB]

hello all.
i just bought a 1974 Super Beetle Convertible Karmann. Im trying to find information about MY beetle. i want to restore it to its factory state. But I'm not sure what color its supposed to be or what options It came with. i was told this is the place to learn all i need to know about my BUG!

[bnam]

Welcome! This site has a lot of good information and as importantly (if not more) lot of experienced folk who are generous with their help.

Your VIN number could give you an approximate idea of the date of manufacture. US cars IIRC also have a sticker on the door that if still there could have that information.

The car originally had a sticker inside the trunk on the wheel well that indicated the color. If your car was repainted a different color, then that sticker may have been painted over or removed.

You may be able to tell if the car had a different color by looking at spots that may not have been repainted to get an indication.

VW also has a process by which they can give you a "Birth Certificate" that has the color and options listed. It costs about $70-$90 and takes about 4months to get it.

In the meantime, do post pics of your car and I'm sure you will get a lot of feedback.

BTW, all Beetle Convertibles were manufactured by Karmann. So the badge you see is not an indication of a "Karmann" edition. They all were.

Byas

[hitest]

Congratulations- you'll get a large amount of help here. Attack the tabs above beyond the forums- Archives and Technical in particular.

One thing you'll here quickly is that you don't have a Karmann "edition" car. Rather your car was built (completed as a convertible) at the Karmann factory. You'll also see Karmann badges on Ghias, Rabbit convertibles, some Porsches, etc.- because they were contracted to build these particular models.

Your original color is easy to find. Compare the colors in the samples, gallery shots, and literature I referred you to above first, then seek out the hidden spots on the car left untouched by the painter. You don't need to wait for a birth cert.. BCs for convertibles are often incorrect or incomplete because the cars were touched by two different factories.
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[AngieB]

Thank you.. I'm learning for sure.
Everyone.. please meet Charlotte..

i bought her a few hours ago. Pick it up tomorrow. Her battery was dead HAHA.

[hitest]

That may very easily be a repaint of her original color- Ravenna Green! I hope that's the original color.

Congratulations- one of my all-time favorite 70s colors- and the same as my '74 SE Love Bug. On my car it's marketed as "Luscious Lime."

I stole this from Rick Larkin's gallery- his green convertible. Likely how yours looked when new!

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[AngieB]

Thank you so much! I've had her for literally 4 hours and I've already learned so much. I'm getting it tomorrow after they charge the battery. Ill be in the shop peeling back the carpet, and looking at it a little better.
i can't complain .. she was $500 and she runs. she even comes with new seats!

[Tim Donahoe]

Welcome, Angie.

If you need a new battery, get a group 42 (Autozone sells them); it has the plastic cover to shield the positive post from the seat springs, which can ground out the post and cause sparks--or worse--if someone heavy sits in the back seat. Jumping kids can also do this.

Take more photos and post them here. Especially, the engine--top and bottom.

Since you've probably gotten a lot of rain in Oregon lately, I hope your convertible top is in good, watertight shape.

Have you seen to a complete tune-up, valve adjustment, and oil change, yet?

Buy this book: "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive". It was written for novice VW owners, and was written so you'll understand what you bought--and how to keep it alive.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[AngieB]

hi!
thank you for the info. i will be buying the book! and yes that is the battery my husband has in our cars!
my husband is an engine mechanic and is excited to get this tuned up. it does runso i'll be driving her home.
i will take more photos tomorrow when i get her home. i'll have a feeling i'll be a regular here.
i'm excited that this is MY project and not the husbands.
the top is watertight, but it does need to be replaced.
it's white on the inside and obviously black on the outside. i'm sure it was to keep it from looking so dirty. or easier to clean.

i'm thinking this is the original paint too

[Dwayne1m]

I really like that color green on the late model convertibles, but not on the older convertibles. Slap in a white interior and a white top, WOW!

[AngieB]

well she's home!
she needs a new carburetor, alignment, and a few (cough) more things. but she drove home!

[bnam]

Congrats! If the car still has the original carb, have it rebuilt vinstead dog buying a new one. You will have much better results. There are some expert rebuilders on this site or you can try rebuilding it yourself.

[Tim Donahoe]

Back up a little when taking pics so the entire engine is in the photos.

I hope your front end issues are just alignment problems. The thing about Super Beetles is that, after many decades, a lot of front-end components have worn--control arm bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints camber adjusters, etc. the tires also have to be very, very round, and spin balanced. Worn shocks can also be a pain. The alignment guy also has to know how to work on classic cars.

I had to have the above-mentioned items replaced to eliminate all my front-end issues. But now it drives like a new 1974 Super Beetle should, and since I got good stuff from Topline, I don't think I'll have to worry about it again in my lifetime.

Maybe you'll be lucky, and some or all of these front end issues have been previously addressed.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[Buggeee]

Are you kidding me? You can buy a convertible super beetle that looks like that... and you can drive it home... for $500??? Oregon is awesome! That is a really neat bug. Enjoy it!!!
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1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[67rustavenger]

[quote="Buggeee"]Are you kidding me? You can buy a convertible super beetle that looks like that... and you can drive it home... for $500??? Oregon is awesome! That is a really neat bug. Enjoy it!!! [/quote
]Angie got a deal for sure. Not all PNW beetles are that nice when purchased. You should see the rusting hulk sunroof 67 under the car cover in the driveway that I paid $800 for. Now that's

Angie, like Tim said, take a step back and post some pics of your engine, car and interior. We're the visual type here and will pick your car to death(in a good way) so that you and your hired mechanic can get your car in tip top shape. Engine shots, of the carb, dist, and exhaust will tell lots about what's going on at the back end of the car.

Bring that beetle to the NW Bug Run in June so we can have a first hand look at it.

Good Luck with your new love. But hang onto your purse. These little cars can bleed you dry in short order.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[joey1320]

Running '74 vert for $500???? Score!!!

Please post more pics. We like pics
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**1971 Super Project
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[hitest]

[Mikedrevguy]

Okay- where in Oregon? Going to have to compare $500 super beetle convertibles.
Granted, mine didn't drive home, but, I maybe could have, if I wanted to.

_________________
74 1303 (RevBug): plan for German Look
76 914 with 2260
79 VW Iltis
69 Bwajaja
"The wise speak because they have something to say; while the foolish speak because they have to say something." Plato

Illigitimi non-Carborundum!!

[Mikedrevguy]

[Tim Donahoe]

My bug is my bug, but if the wife wants to help me with it, I won't turn her down. It's still my bug. But she doesn't even like riding in it. Too noisy, too small ... whatever.

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[AngieB]

ok. so i'm going to upload my videos on you tube and link it here. but i did take some pictures.
i did remove the soggy carpet and pad. it looks like the floorpan was replaced at some point. there aren't seat rails or anything. i took the honda seats out. they weren't even attached to the car! haha.

here are the links to the videos

https://youtu.be/CKsqeP18Ywg
https://youtu.be/4P7fT1GLFLk