New member here, question

[LifeLongVWman]

This site is fantastic! A lifetime VW guy, have owned a few, now I have only my Ghia and my huge collection of diecast cars, and literature.( Many pics of all that on other gallery sections) I have always wanted to find a 1977 German built beetle. Sadly the ones that catch my eye online are always priced way out of my reach. Does anybody here own one? What's it like owning/driving a '77? I always thought it would be the ultimate year to own 'cause it would have had all the improvements, and those dang seats look so comfortable! Anyway, thanks in advance for any replies!

[Pruneman99]

Remember, if you get anything post 1974 you will have to smog it in CA. I'm sure you know what a major pain in the arse that is here. Technically, you will need all the original equipment including the FI and catalytic converter etc.

[Glenn]

So a 77 with have fuel injection. it better be in working condition or you'll have headaches.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

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[joemama]

I believe the cut off year is 1975 to be smog exempt in CA

[Tim Donahoe]

Joe is correct. 1975 or older doesn’t require smog.

Very weird, though. I bought my 1974 in 2012, and it never required smog from 2012.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[AutoMechanic]

The guy I bought mine from had a 77 convertible fuel injection it was nice but a convertible and fuel injection didn’t say Classic enough for me lol so I passed. He still has it for sale but it’s taken apart and sanded down he plans to restore it and hold onto it now. I drove it it ran good and wasn’t bad.

[TheKagan]

headache! but kinda fun to conquer the FI system. took a lot of patience and good research skills to find necessary resources online. you can find a decent amount of the parts to build yourself a smog passable exhaust system at least. I did have to find myself a donor car because my rebuild has been substantial.

[Pruneman99]

1974 no smog. I think smog is required for 1975 and newer. Definitely 1977 will need smog. I think all bugs were FI by then? If so, the OP will have to sort all the parts to pass the smog test.

All the smog places I've been to have removed the "sniffers". They just do the OBDII hookups. Idk what they do for a pre-computer car that still needs to be smog compliant.

[LifeLongVWman]

Hey folks, thanks for the info. I am aware of the smog testing here in so cal.

i suppose a '74 would be better to get.

I appreciate all your responses!