'72 Super vs a '74 Super

[78BusGA]

Hello!

I have the chance to pick up a reasonably priced 1974 Superbeetle. My first car which I'd worked on for 15ish years was a 1972 though.

SO... I am wondering, what besides the body, dash, and multilink steering shaft, is there between as being different between a '72 and a '74?

Thanks
_________________
Few will understand the passion and majesty, among the nuts and grease.

Tom H.

My '74 Super 1303 thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764902&start=60

My '78 Kombi Bus thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=769385&highlight=

'72 Superbeetle (retired), '78 Bus Kombi 2.0FI, '74 1303 Superbeetle

[Cusser]

Pretty similar. Obviously 1974 has curved windshield and different dash....
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[OTTO 1303]

The struts are different.
72 would have struts like a 73, but redesigned for 74, from 3 bolt to 2 bolt. In addition, the lower control arms are also different.

Your air cleaner, if original, would also be different, with an airbox for a paper element, instead of the oil bath on a 72.

Hood vents would be different, in the hood on 72, in the cowl on 74.

Fuse block under dash in front of shifter.

Shock mounted bumpers.

Seat mounts will be different on 74 (3pt system)

Windshield wipers move toward driver on a 74, and all curved windshields.

Tail lights are larger.

If it has a sunroof, the 72 is same as a standard, curved windshield sunroofs are different.

I probably missed something,

NOW GO GET IT !!!!!!
_________________
74 Super Sun Bug - OTTO
74 Super - DANZIG
74 Super - HERZOG

[Tim Donahoe]

Also … the firewall in a 1974 is a solid metal, which is a good safety feature to prevent fuel from entering the cabin in a front-end collision. The windshield is larger in the ‘74, and because of the curve, your face is also further away from it.

The front struts in the ‘74 are infinitely easier to remove, compared to the earlier models. I base this theory on all the complaints I’ve read in the forum over the years.

The front seats have a more slender headrest in the ‘74.

The ‘72, of course, has a windshield similar to a Standard Bug.

The ‘72 can pass for a Standard., having that iconic flat windshield.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[raydog]

Fenders, trunk lid, the list goes on. There is quite a bit different between the two.
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Come on, It's not rocket science. KISS

[[email protected]]

The real question is why are you wanting to buy the car? Are you simply wanting another Superbeetle, and happened to come across the 74 at a good price, or are you trying to recreate the car you had as your first one?

The 74 does have nicer suspension imo over the 72. The 72 can have the dash pad removed, and the dash can be created to look like earlier Beetles.

If you are trying to recreate your first car, get one that is a 72, and resembles the one you had the closest. Be forewarned though, EVERY person I have ever talked with that tried to recreate their first car never was satisfied with the result.

[Buggeee]

They both make people smile, flash peace signs, and tell impromptu stories about a bug in their past. Enjoy the ride!
_________________
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

[infiniteLoop]

I had a 74 back in the 80's and wanted another curved windshield model. 73's and 74's tended to have the most rust issues so I ended up with a 72. I used to think the 1303 dash was more modern and hence better but I really don't like it anymore. I prefer the flat dash with the factory pad on it.

[ach60]

My opinion is the '73 Super Beetle is the final iteration of continuous improvement of the Beetle from Volkswagen.
'74 and up changes made were for federalization of U.S. Market, and Parts commonality with other Volkswagen Models.
'74s have more than a few one year only parts, makes them kind of neat like a '67, also kind of a PITA like a '67.
'74 VW had modified the front suspension in the Super for negative kingpin axis, makes the car safer.
My '78 also has rack & pinion steering.
All of this make the later car handle Better on paper, but honestly,
my'72 Super, and a '73 Sports Bug I drove extensively in the 80's, drove better, and where faster than My '78 Convertible I have now.
I'm 61 years old and I need to pull my head out of my ass, and buy the VWs I've always wanted to own (or own again):
VW Thing 73 or 74
VW Super Beetle 1972
VW Squareback 70-73
_________________
Good Luck
Al

[RailBoy]

You can check through this distributor and look at the various suspension components of both years.

These guys sell the best upgrade and supplies other then some OEM items
that you can get from Wolfsburg West.

Something that is cool with these guys is that there in the U.S. as well, damn Covid-19.

Oh, the last thing depending on what your plans are for the Super, if you go wheels for example and want to get into them, you will learn that the whole Super line-up has various wheel bases, they deviate depending on what year. RB

https://www.toplineparts.com
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]

[vamram]

I have a '73 & a '74. Both great. Go for the '74.
_________________
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!!

[Cusser]

OMG - yesterday I actually saw a '71 or '72 Super driving on the road, just 2 miles from my house, small town, north of Prescott AZ. I see fair amount of VWs (and other vehicles) just sitting in yards here, but rarely see one on the road except mine.

I hadn't seen this VW before, distinctive black engine lid on a light yellow/patina VW.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Zundfolge1432]

[Nbraynard]

Definitely go with the 72. The last year of the classics. Nice tombstone taillights. not those ugly elephant foot things. ugh. If original , the stock engine has more HP than those later made. In my opinion, the last real bugs were made in 1972, everything after that is just an imitation. But to each his own.

[78BusGA]

Thank you all for your input. All very helpful and enlightening.

If i am able to get the '74 It'll be a fun experience. No i am not intending on making a replacement for the '72 I had, that has gone on to help another person make one for their daughter, so it rests in peace in my mind.

I've yet to see it in photos of in person though I have been told my co-worker's father put $4000 into it over a few months in a shop to make it reliable, though Gods know what quality of parts they used. When I help her to jump start it and see it in person I shall know if it is a worthwhile purchase or not. It is currently wearing it's faded black paint, and hasn't been run in a year.

If I get it I am thinking I might upgrade it with either Diamond Silver(Beetle/'79 Bus color) or Star Silver(Early watercooled) metallic, even on the headlights and bumpers perhaps, and possibly do the body and running board trims in GTi Red, to give it a fun sporty appeal without any body modifications or damage. Maybe pop in some early GTi style bolstered seats, reminiscent of the '73 GTS or Sport beetles, and the sport steering wheel, and that could be a nice easy bolt up series of upgrades.
_________________
Few will understand the passion and majesty, among the nuts and grease.

Tom H.

My '74 Super 1303 thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764902&start=60

My '78 Kombi Bus thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=769385&highlight=

'72 Superbeetle (retired), '78 Bus Kombi 2.0FI, '74 1303 Superbeetle

[Rome]

[Lingwendil]

Assuming similar condition, I think the 72 would make a better investment, the 74 a better driver, assuming you intend to spend a lot of time in it and hold onto it.

I've owned two supes- a 71 super, and my current 73 super. I loved the 71 for the classic flat dash and windshield, but other than aesthetics the 73 and later curved windshield and correspondingly larger dash is a more comfortable feeling car from the inside. The later steering shaft is a better design safety wise, The larger taillights of the 73 on cars are much more visible, and if you care the 74 bumpers are thicker and theoretically safer.

Personally, I would buy whichever needs less work, with a strong preference to the 74.
_________________
73 super beetle thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=649622 Back on the Road!

Modify your Kadrons for SVDA http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8115884#8115884

Cast iron VJU4BR8 SVDA reference thread- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Need replacement filters for original Kadron aircleaners? WIX #42087 is a perfect fit, as is Napa Gold #2087!

[78BusGA]

Oh definitely with the 5.5" rims. I had those on my '72, so those would definitely be in the list. As for which Red, I'd probably go with the brighter Euro color as it would show up nicer on the silver probably.

Yea while I miss my '72, I think the '74 will be a great experience too.

Is there a front removable plate on the frame horn for removing the shift rod forwards like on the '72 and '73, or did it get welded-on on the '74?
_________________
Few will understand the passion and majesty, among the nuts and grease.

Tom H.

My '74 Super 1303 thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764902&start=60

My '78 Kombi Bus thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=769385&highlight=

'72 Superbeetle (retired), '78 Bus Kombi 2.0FI, '74 1303 Superbeetle

[Lingwendil]

It should still be the deformation plate I believe? It's not welded up I don't think.
_________________
73 super beetle thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=649622 Back on the Road!

Modify your Kadrons for SVDA http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8115884#8115884

Cast iron VJU4BR8 SVDA reference thread- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Need replacement filters for original Kadron aircleaners? WIX #42087 is a perfect fit, as is Napa Gold #2087!

[78BusGA]

One youtube vid I saw on a '74 replacing the shiftrod bushings had that plate welded, where in a '73 video, it was bolted. The '74 coulda had it welded on my a PO, don't know.
_________________
Few will understand the passion and majesty, among the nuts and grease.

Tom H.

My '74 Super 1303 thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764902&start=60

My '78 Kombi Bus thread - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=769385&highlight=

'72 Superbeetle (retired), '78 Bus Kombi 2.0FI, '74 1303 Superbeetle