Greetings from Maryland, USA

[TDIDavid]

Hello everyone! I am David from Maryland (USA) and this is my first post at TheSamba!

Growing up there was a Volkswagen dealership a mile or two away from where my family lived, so VWs were everywhere. In high school one of my best friends had a 1966 white Beetle that we used to go everywhere. My parents' neighbors of about the last 50 years had a 1973 light blue Super Beetle for the longest time. My own first Volkswagen came years later in 2005 when the A5/MK5 Jetta was introduced and I enthusiastically opted for one with the diesel TDI engine.

Fast forward to 2020. It took me a little more than 1 year of searching to finally find a running Beetle not too far from home, a model year matching my preference, in decent condition, without much customization, a price that was agreeable, and not quickly bought by someone else faster than I could think twice.

So in mid October 2021 I found and bought a 1969 Beetle sedan through a third party. Several weeks later I got the title and bill of sale all worked out, and then a new title issued and tag(s) plus registration.

A previous owner restored most of this car, and that is about the extent of the history that I have. The engine code begins with AE so it is a 1971 or 1972 engine. I have a growing list of small issues to sort out - and I promise to make liberal use of the search function before asking something that has been asked and answered a dozen times beforehand.

And now for a few pictures!!!

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1969 cobalt blue Beetle sedan

[Joe 20]

Hello from Ohio! Welcome
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"Someday the world is gonna be populated by nothing but Volkswagens'" Corporal Klairvoy

[diablosandwich]

Welcome! Your bug is a nice one!
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1966 Java Greens

[Jimone]

Welcome from kansas!
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november 1952 ragtop
november 1954 single cab

[Abscate]

It’s so shiny and new…….

Looks like a 71 motor, take care of that fuel filter , pronto. (w e will give you a page or two search on that and the carb fuel line nipple)

Welcome aboard!
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.ssS!

[oprn]

Welcome! Very nice Bug indeed!

Yes, deal with the fuel filter before is causes an engine fire. Put in a metal one please.

The car should have a single port engine to be correct but the one you have has 3 HP more, better oil cooling and therefore is a better choice for a driver. Enjoy!

I don't recall that color being an option in '69 but I could be wrong...
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[NJ John]

Welcome! Looks like a nice bug!
I’m in Havre de Grace, MD.
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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[sportin-wood]

Nice bug! My first was a 1968, very similar features as a 69. The only difference as I recall from the outside is the fuel filler door wasn't released from the glove box like your is. Welcome!
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Paused 66 project bug
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"Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it." --- Jeff Spicoli

[VW_Jimbo]

Welcome to the Samba! Lots of good people with lots of great information. All willing to help you out. The car is clean.

My Dad had a 69 upon graduating High School. He bought it off the lot with his grocery clerk money. In 73 he and my mother purchased a 73 Super Beetle in Marina Blue paint. That poor car broke down somewhere in 84 and sat in the driveway for 4 years till our neighbor helped out and built an engine for it. I got to watch! That is the exact moment I became obsessed with Bugs!

We share a familiar path! Good luck! And I will be tagging along.
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[hopkin]

Welcome from Ottawa, Ontario! Nice looking car.
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1971 Super Beetle (past)
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1974 SunBug (past)
1972 914 (past)
1991 Honda Civic (Original Owner)
1996 'Open Air' Mexican Beetle (current)
2015 Golf (current)
2017 Dune Edition (daughter's car)

[TDIDavid]

Thank you everyone for your warm welcome and introductions, kind compliments, and helpful suggestions!

So far over several weekends I have completed the following:

• Inflated the five tires, which were nearly flat at 15 p.s.i. each
  
• Installed a new battery, group size 42
  
• Attached a Battery Tender quick-connect using ring terminals
  
• Replaced the negative battery grounding strap
  
• Adjusted the four pairs of brake shoes
  
• Changed the engine oil, cleaned the oil strainer screen, replaced the two gaskets for the oil strainer screen plus sump plate, and replaced the six copper washers for the oil sump plate's studs/cap-nuts
  
• Cleaned the oil bath air cleaner, and refilled with new engine oil
  
• Reconnected the air tube from the engine oil fill cap area to the oil bath air cleaner, where it was disconnected at the upper end
  

Next will be:

• Changing the brake fluid
  
• Adjusting the tension of the belt
  
• Following the advice to relocate the fuel filter
  
• Following the advice to replace the fuel filter with a metal unit
  
• Following the advice about the carburetor/carburettor fuel line nipple
  

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1969 cobalt blue Beetle sedan

[NJ John]

What psi in them tires?
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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[NJ John]

Just saw this posted today in the vintage photos. I thought I would share.

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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[KTPhil]

Add "replace all fuel lines" (including under the tank and next to the tranny) regardless of how they look.
Pick yourself up a set of spare parts:
- fan belt
- ignition parts
- fuses and bulbs

- repair manuals of your choice (Muir and Bentley, for starters).

[TDIDavid]

I inflated the front tires to 18 p.s.i., the rear tires to 28 p.s.i., and the spare tire to 28 p.s.i. I would have inflated them to slightly less air pressure but in this hemisphere we are approaching the coldest periods of the season, so the air pressure in the tires will be dropping a little bit on their own.

Getting repair manuals plus getting spare parts to keep in the garage and/or in the car is a great idea. Also I need to get a few tools to keep in the car too - otherwise a spare belt won't do me any good without the ability to swap it into place!
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1969 cobalt blue Beetle sedan

[KTPhil]

[hopkin]

[oprn]

[NJ John]

Sorry to start a tire pressure debate. I didn’t notice he posted it.
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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[Manfred58sc]

Nice photo from the day "Right on, right on, right on" now lets go smoke that joint. All the above advice is good. Enjoy
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Fat chick owner/operator