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vwuberalles Samba Member

Joined: October 18, 2003 Posts: 1436 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:39 am Post subject: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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I guess it's time I started a thread on the beloved 73 that I've had for the majority of my life. It all started back in 91 or 92 when my dad came home from work and excitedly announced that he'd found mom's old car's twin! He was referring to her old Sumatra green with tan interior 72 Super, the very car I'd ridden home from the hospital as a newborn in! His discovery was a 73 model, but it was green with a tan interior. That weekend we bought it and had it dragged home. I named it Mr. Bean because it's green and I was 12. It's crazy to think that when we first got this car it was still too new to qualify for antique plates!
Dad and I would then spend the next few years fixing it up and getting it roadworthy in time for my 16th birthday. We'd met the goal, but it was still very much a work in progress throughout high school. Every Friday evening after school we'd tear into it to work on a different section, then Sunday evening button it up just enough to be driveable come Monday. A time or two I drove it with a missing rear fender, just a taillight attached with a bungee cord.
Finally in 96, my junior year of high school, we painted it the original L61B Sumatra Green in our home garage, and it's remained largely unchanged since then. I'm pleased that the mods I picked as a dorky teenager still look pretty tasteful to this day. This car is extra special to me, it's like a time capsule of my teenage years spent in the garage with my dad.
Anyway, I still have the car, but the past couple years it's just been sitting in the garage. It's an ordeal to get it out, so I pretty much just don't. I keep the dust wiped off and start it every few weeks, but I don't think it's had a real outing since I took it to a show in 2019. I just sold my 66 project though, and in doing so it's allowed me to rearrange the shop to make getting this one out much easier. Once it cools off this fall I plan to get it back out and start driving it again, I miss it!
Here's a couple pics, I'm starting this thread so I can keep track of progress from here on out. I'll dig through the archives and post some old ones as I find them too.
The night before the show I took it to in 2019:
At the show:
Thanks for reading, looking forward to getting back to the 68-up forums. _________________ 1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040 |
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polypetalous Samba Member

Joined: January 14, 2021 Posts: 113 Location: Kansas, USA
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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Cool bug and great story/history to go with the car., do love that color..
I too have fond memories of working on my first car with my dad (1961 Intl Scout)... car is loooong gone but the memories are solid.
Our '74 Super Beetle was the car that brought my wife home from the hospital when she was born, so been in her family a looong time...
Look forward to your progress, know it'll be a flood of memories and fun when you get to drive her regularly again!
Ben |
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vwoldbug Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2009 Posts: 1215 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2022 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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Nice color and nice wheels. |
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vwuberalles Samba Member

Joined: October 18, 2003 Posts: 1436 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:39 am Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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Here's my parent's wedding procession in 1973: Mom's green 72, my dad's blue 71, and my uncle's orange 72
And here's my mom and dad with her 72 on their honeymoon road trip:
and here's some other random pics of my 73 from my gallery:
_________________ 1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040 |
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Cusser Samba Member

Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 32487 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 11:17 am Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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polypetalous wrote: |
Our '74 Super Beetle was the car that brought my wife home from the hospital when she was born, so been in her family a looong time... |
I'm second owner of my 1970, 50 years with it now. We brought our oldest home from the hospital in it back in 1988, all others in the group had new minivans....
_________________ 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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Maddel Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2013 Posts: 944
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Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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vwuberalles wrote: |
Here's my parent's wedding procession in 1973: Mom's green 72, my dad's blue 71, and my uncle's orange 72
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Awesome pic - three early (flat screen / 1302) Supers in a row!!
Did the orange one have the "Super Bug" stripes above the running board too? |
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vwuberalles Samba Member

Joined: October 18, 2003 Posts: 1436 Location: Richmond, VA
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radstude Samba Member

Joined: January 29, 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Lynchburg Va.
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:18 am Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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Your Super has a good stance, & good looking also! _________________ 1967 VW Fastback (Past)
1971 VW Bug (Past)
1975 VW Bus (Past)
2002 VW Mexican Bug 1600i |
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sb001 Samba Member

Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 10431 Location: NW Arkansas
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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That is entirely awesome. _________________ I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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bvolks Samba Member

Joined: April 26, 2004 Posts: 849 Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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I've had this one since I was 14 or 15 and can't bring myself to get rid of it.
_________________ 1985 Diesel Jetta Coupe (temporarily retired at
756,000 km)
1971 Doublecab project
1995 Golf CL
1974 Beetle
1978 Westfalia
2008 City Golf |
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H2OSB Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2013 Posts: 1472 Location: Modesto, CA
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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I love that color.
H20SB _________________ (o\_i_/o) I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants. |
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chicagovw Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2007 Posts: 1502 Location: Chicago IL/CHandler AZ
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2022 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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Nice VW with a great history...I wish the 64 Sunroof that I drove to high school in the early 1990s. Good that you kept yours and that its in good condition. Also cool pics of your parents VWs! |
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vwuberalles Samba Member

Joined: October 18, 2003 Posts: 1436 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:28 am Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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So last week as I was taking a walk through a park I was thinking about numbers and years as I tend to do. Suddenly I realized that my 73 VW is now 50 years old! Half a century!! It was several years too new for antique plates when we first dragged it home.
This newfangled dashboard and panoramic windshield was brand new 50 years ago. It still seems modern to me.
Sorry I'm just dumbfounded realizing that this car is now 50 years old.
Time marches on. _________________ 1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040 |
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Cusser Samba Member

Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 32487 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2023 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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My 1970 sedan and my 1971 Convertible each had birthday parties. I've owned the 1970 since 1972, and the 1971 since 1976 !!!!
_________________ 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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Maddel Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2013 Posts: 944
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2023 11:45 am Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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vwuberalles wrote: |
So last week as I was taking a walk through a park I was thinking about numbers and years as I tend to do.
Suddenly I realized that my 73 VW is now 50 years old! Half a century!! ... Time marches on. |
Happy Birthday!
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Buggeee Samba Member

Joined: December 22, 2016 Posts: 4776 Location: Stuck in Ohio
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67rustavenger Samba Member

Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 10403 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:03 pm Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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Maddel wrote: |
vwuberalles wrote: |
So last week as I was taking a walk through a park I was thinking about numbers and years as I tend to do.
Suddenly I realized that my 73 VW is now 50 years old! Half a century!! ... Time marches on. |
Happy Birthday!
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Easy Bake oven Cake?
My sister had one many, many years ago. They actually make a good chocolate cake.
Happy 50th to the car! _________________ 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! |
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vwuberalles Samba Member

Joined: October 18, 2003 Posts: 1436 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Mr. Bean the 1973 Superbeetle that I've had since I was 12. |
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Finally shuffled stuff in the garage last week so I could easily get the bug out. I did an oil change and adjusted the rear brakes and took it to Cars & Coffee Saturday morning. It's running a little rough, it didn't want to idle at stop lights so that made for an annoying trip, but we made it there and back.
Garage rearranged:
party lights activated:
Maintenance:
Ready to go:
Twinning at C&C:
Fresh gas on the way home:
_________________ 1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040 |
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electricolive Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2013 Posts: 20 Location: Berwyn PA
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