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busgurl Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2003 Posts: 7 Location: Boise, Idaho
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:24 am Post subject: regular vs Super? |
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Hello! I am new to the old vw bugs and am wondering if someone can take pitty on me and tell me the differences between a regular bug versus a super beetle. I am going to look at a 72 convertible and the guy says its a regular bug but I read somewhere that only Super Beetles were made with convertible tops after 71.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Abby |
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UncleBob Grease Midget
Joined: August 21, 2002 Posts: 2862 Location: Northeast Florida
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:56 am Post subject: |
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I thought the last standard convertible was made in 1970, so your assumption is correct.
Basically, Super beetles have McPherson Strut front ends, while Standards have beam-type front ends. Front usually has a 'grill' under the bumper, and the spare tire lays flat under the hood. Convertibles seem to hold their value pretty well, Super Beetle or not. Drive it over 50 to make sure that the car doesn't have a bad case of the 'super shimmies'. Good luck. _________________ OG JHC
don't worry, the ciggaret is fake. |
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79SuperVert Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 9758 Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 6:06 am Post subject: |
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I agree with UncleBob. The two sure signs that it is a super is that it has MacPherson struts in front (a shock absorber inside of a coil spring) and that the spare tire lays flat. Standards do not have coil springs anywhere.
Super windshields came in both flat and curved depending on the year, so if it's flat that doesn't necessarily mean it's not a Super. From the windshield on back Supers and standards were identical for all practical purposes.
Verts are worth more than sedans whether standard or super. |
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57bugman Samba Member
Joined: July 08, 2003 Posts: 231 Location: brew city
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 7:14 am Post subject: |
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search option here? _________________ 2000 Golf 1.8t
-DBG
-NWVC |
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Jeff H Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2002 Posts: 575
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 8:54 am Post subject: Super or Regular |
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Howdy Doody Abby;
They made "regular" Beetles far beyond 1970. I'm not sure of the exact year they ceased production, but just this week I saw a 75 regular Beetle when I was in Wisconsin.
The 71 & 72 Super Beetles had a flat windshield. Starting in 73 it was noticably curved. Also in 73 they began using the large round tail-lights that many of the VW purists hate.
I've heard that once they started making Supers (in 1971) that all convertibles were on the Super Beetle body - but I don't know whether or not that is true.
What UncleBob & 79SuperVert said about identifying the Supers is right.
Do not be afraid of a SuperBeetle. Many have the "SuperShimmy" that makes them wobble between 40mph-50mph. You can solve that problem easily.
If the car is in good shape, you love it, and you can afford it, go for it.
JSH |
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bugnut68 Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2003 Posts: 4180 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 3:37 pm Post subject: Supers vs. Standards |
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Jeff H., it is true that the convertibles from '71 on were Supers, just to verify what you were saying. 1970 was indeed the last year of the torsion bar front end convertible. |
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Trayle D. the real oggfk Samba Fabricator
Joined: March 24, 2002 Posts: 1511 Location: Phoenix...... GFK all day every day
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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also dont forget that in some countries they never ever made supers at all. Try to find a super in Mexico. they didnt exist. Mexico never had IRS, Never had Mcfeirson struts, never had fuel injection. So you could have had a "regular" bug all the way up through the 90s and into 2002 if you really wanted to get one.
This was my first post in the superbeelte forum in the 3-4 years Ive been coming to this site. Please dont tell anyone.....LOL. _________________ the original
. . . . . . .GERMAN FOLKS 602
"The Downest, Deepest, & Dopest"
Trayle Duncan
AKA: The Troll that lives under that samba
AKA: The Samba Fabricator
Stay'n sucka free for the 0000000000... Hell, from now on... |
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Jeff H Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2002 Posts: 575
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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Trayle;
It is interesting how/why VW did different things in different countries with their Bugs.
And by the way, I'm heading to the Rants right now to "tell".
JSH |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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He's already busted. |
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vwaddiction Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2002 Posts: 136 Location: corner of Walk and Don't Walk
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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TheSamba.com Forum Index -> Super BeetleTrayle D. the real oggfk? what the???? _________________ Not just a car its a cult |
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Trayle D. the real oggfk Samba Fabricator
Joined: March 24, 2002 Posts: 1511 Location: Phoenix...... GFK all day every day
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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LOL.. I couldnt resist when Superman came to the rants. I had to see what all the fuss is about. _________________ the original
. . . . . . .GERMAN FOLKS 602
"The Downest, Deepest, & Dopest"
Trayle Duncan
AKA: The Troll that lives under that samba
AKA: The Samba Fabricator
Stay'n sucka free for the 0000000000... Hell, from now on... |
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bljones Resident Wit
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 2377 Location: ontario canada
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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trayle posts in the super beetle forum.. i think this is one of the first signs of the apocalypse. _________________ OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"
2% |
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Trayle D. the real oggfk Samba Fabricator
Joined: March 24, 2002 Posts: 1511 Location: Phoenix...... GFK all day every day
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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If earlyman were here, hed say "theyre taking over".... Remember that??...LOL. _________________ the original
. . . . . . .GERMAN FOLKS 602
"The Downest, Deepest, & Dopest"
Trayle Duncan
AKA: The Troll that lives under that samba
AKA: The Samba Fabricator
Stay'n sucka free for the 0000000000... Hell, from now on... |
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j.pickens Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002 Posts: 9787 Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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Trayle D. the real oggfk wrote: |
also dont forget that in some countries they never ever made supers at all. Try to find a super in Mexico. they didnt exist. Mexico never had IRS, Never had Mcfeirson struts, never had fuel injection. So you could have had a "regular" bug all the way up through the 90s and into 2002 if you really wanted to get one.
This was my first post in the superbeelte forum in the 3-4 years Ive been coming to this site. Please dont tell anyone.....LOL. |
Actually the Mexican beetles have had fuel injection for at quite a few years now. Also had swingaxle rear end, like a '68 US beetle, and front disc brakes, like a Karmann Ghia. This swingaxle/front disc combo was most like the last German standard beetles produced in the late '70's and early '80's. _________________ Founder and Chairman Emeritus, ECMSAS
BBX BBXII and BBXXI Long Distance Award Winner
BeaterBarndoor wrote: |
i wish more people would actually drive their vws rather than just talking about what they have in the garage. |
Red Fau Veh wrote: |
If you've seen one sunroof swivel seat kombi, you've seen them all! |
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Trayle D. the real oggfk Samba Fabricator
Joined: March 24, 2002 Posts: 1511 Location: Phoenix...... GFK all day every day
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2003 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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If it had fuel injection it wasnt untill the mid 90s. I lived and worked in Mexico for a long time. _________________ the original
. . . . . . .GERMAN FOLKS 602
"The Downest, Deepest, & Dopest"
Trayle Duncan
AKA: The Troll that lives under that samba
AKA: The Samba Fabricator
Stay'n sucka free for the 0000000000... Hell, from now on... |
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jus'buggin Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2003 Posts: 6
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2003 6:33 am Post subject: |
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how about the beetle in south africa that was a super beetle but had the wide five rims on them? |
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Trayle D. the real oggfk Samba Fabricator
Joined: March 24, 2002 Posts: 1511 Location: Phoenix...... GFK all day every day
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2003 10:41 am Post subject: |
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Or the 74s in Brazil that have small pre. 1964 windows with superbeeltle ears behind the quarter windows, later bumpers hood and deck lid, but a factory 1200cc motor in 74. Or if you watch the news, evryone and then you can catch a glimps of a baywindow bus with early style 15 window body. Corner windows and all.
_________________ the original
. . . . . . .GERMAN FOLKS 602
"The Downest, Deepest, & Dopest"
Trayle Duncan
AKA: The Troll that lives under that samba
AKA: The Samba Fabricator
Stay'n sucka free for the 0000000000... Hell, from now on... |
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j.pickens Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2002 Posts: 9787 Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2003 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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Trayle D. the real oggfk wrote: |
If it had fuel injection it wasnt untill the mid 90s. I lived and worked in Mexico for a long time. |
Not sure when they started with FI.
The '97 through 2003 Mexican beetles I've seen have all had FI. _________________ Founder and Chairman Emeritus, ECMSAS
BBX BBXII and BBXXI Long Distance Award Winner
BeaterBarndoor wrote: |
i wish more people would actually drive their vws rather than just talking about what they have in the garage. |
Red Fau Veh wrote: |
If you've seen one sunroof swivel seat kombi, you've seen them all! |
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oasis Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 2168
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Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:11 am Post subject: |
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Super Beetles were never made anywhere but in Germany. Read Volkswagens of the World for accurate information.
Mexican Beetles were fuel injected. My brother-in-law has one. |
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OG Velvet Samba Family Man
Joined: February 24, 2003 Posts: 2168 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 12:50 am Post subject: |
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Hey I hear this is where all the cool kids hang out. _________________ '67 13 Window
'77 Westy
'69 Sunroof Beetle
'65 Honda Dream |
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