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78BusGA Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2017 Posts: 315 Location: Buford, Georgia
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:43 pm Post subject: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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 |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31379 Location: Hot Arizona
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OTTO 1303 Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2020 Posts: 636 Location: Louisiana
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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 |
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11740 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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 _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien
Last edited by Tim Donahoe on Fri Sep 24, 2021 9:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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raydog Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2006 Posts: 1163 Location: Cape Cod
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Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 5:00 am Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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Fenders, trunk lid, the list goes on. There is quite a bit different between the two. _________________ Come on, It's not rocket science. KISS |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2003 Posts: 4863 Location: Harmony, PA
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Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 5:52 am Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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. |
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Buggeee Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4418 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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infiniteLoop Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2020 Posts: 265 Location: Empire State
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Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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. |
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ach60 Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2001 Posts: 4139 Location: Santa Maria
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Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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 |
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RailBoy Samba Member
Joined: March 10, 2008 Posts: 2904 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 4:23 am Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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 _________________ [quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]
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vamram Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012 Posts: 7304 Location: NOVA
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 6:59 am Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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!! |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31379 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 7:24 am Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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 |
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Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12467
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 8:12 am Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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Buggeee wrote: |
They both make people smile, flash peace signs, and tell impromptu stories about a bug in their past. Enjoy the ride! |
^^^^this^^^^^ so many years have gone by that the sight of any VW on the road is unusual. My neighbor used to have a super beetle with a Porsche engine. |
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Nbraynard Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2020 Posts: 67 Location: Oregon Coast
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:02 am Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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. |
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78BusGA Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2017 Posts: 315 Location: Buford, Georgia
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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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 |
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Rome Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004 Posts: 9651 Location: Pearl River, NY
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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Quote: |
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. |
Your ideas sound good. Consider 5.5" rims, either alloys or the 1973 SportsBug steel wheels, with the centers painted in red. If the Super that you find has lousy, rusted bumpers, have them sandblasted, epoxy primered, then paint them the same red as the wheels. German GTis used Mars Red; American-built '83/'84 GTis were a more "maroonish" Royal Red.
Gen1 Rabbit GTI/Golf GTI/Cabrio sport seats used a 3-point mounting system very similar to that in the '73 and '74 Beetle, but the seat's rear vertical legs are slightly farther apart than the rails on the Beetle's floor. Best way to adapt them is to cut one of the legs, reposition it slightly farther inward on the seat frame, and weld thoroughly. |
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Lingwendil Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 3988 Location: Antioch, California, a block from the hood
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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2021 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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! |
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78BusGA Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2017 Posts: 315 Location: Buford, Georgia
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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2021 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: '72 Super vs a '74 Super |
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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 |
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Lingwendil Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 3988 Location: Antioch, California, a block from the hood
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78BusGA Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2017 Posts: 315 Location: Buford, Georgia
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