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threeflys
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2007
Posts: 23
Location: San Diego CA
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 Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject: Which Model Year Question.. |
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Good Afternoon all,
I've been a lurker on here for a while. After MANY years of lusting after a Bug, I'm getting set to hopefully get one this summer. As this will be my first Bug and my first attempt with an old car, I have a question for the Gurus. I've narrowed my wants down to the model years of '62-'69. While I realize that is quite a large span, I was hoping for some insights on which year, generally speaking, might be better than the others for a newbie. I think I'm going to rule '67, merely due to all the 1 year only parts. Other than that, I'm pretty open. I put '69 as the final year due to the fact I like the older dash/steering wheels that I think '69 was the last year for. So, any suggestions/commnets would be very helpful. I do realize that the mail I should be looking for is realtively rust free and ,for me, straight body.
Thanks,
Chris  |
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Alan Willis
Banned
Joined: November 22, 2004
Posts: 4181
Location: booted from the SEWR and stalked in here
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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'67 was the LAST of the older dash,body style. '67 is the ONLY year for exposed headlights on the older body style.
'66-'67 are the only years with Emergency flashers.
What else are deciding factors?
Unless you're building a 100% stock VW trailer qween,don't rule out the '67's. There are plenty of the 'one year only' parts still around for them 
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die schwarzen Schafe #666 |
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threeflys
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2007
Posts: 23
Location: San Diego CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Alan Willis wrote: |
'67 was the LAST of the older dash,body style. '67 is the ONLY year for exposed headlights on the older body style.
'66-'67 are the only years with Emergency flashers.
What else are deciding factors?
Unless you're building a 100% stock VW trailer qween,don't rule out the '67's. There are plenty of the 'one year only' parts still around for them |
Thanks for the correction.
I guess I don't really have any other deciding factors, as long as the parts are found easily and relatively cheap...
Chris |
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Alan Willis
Banned
Joined: November 22, 2004
Posts: 4181
Location: booted from the SEWR and stalked in here
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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Then it falls on which year YOU like! Here,I'll break down the differences for you to help you out...
1962-last year for wolfsburg crest
1963-last year for small signal lights and license plate light,last ragtop
1964-last year for small windows and T-handle decklid latch
1965-new heater levers replace heater knob
1966-hazard lights and center vent on dash
1967-flat headlights,small trim,smaller decklid,12v power,bigger engine compartment.
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die schwarzen Schafe #666 |
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threeflys
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2007
Posts: 23
Location: San Diego CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Alan-
It looks like I may be looking for a 66 or before, I kinda like the enclosed headlights (very distinctive).
BTW- Can you put a Wolfsburg Crest on the 63 and later or do you have to get a '62 or earlier hood? (I like the Crest, again distinctive)
Chris |
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Alan Willis
Banned
Joined: November 22, 2004
Posts: 4181
Location: booted from the SEWR and stalked in here
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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You can,but it wouldn't be right
If you really like the crest,get a '62. You can find '62's pretty easily.
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die schwarzen Schafe #666 |
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drscope
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 15273
Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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| threeflys wrote: |
Thanks Alan-
It looks like I may be looking for a 66 or before, I kinda like the enclosed headlights (very distinctive).
BTW- Can you put a Wolfsburg Crest on the 63 and later or do you have to get a '62 or earlier hood? (I like the Crest, again distinctive)
Chris |
threeflys, Good luck in your search! I have a crest on my 64 and while the purists would say its not right, I LIKE IT! It is a simple installation that requires a few basic tools.
In order for the trim on the hood to work with the crest, you would need a 66 or older. Or else you need to drill all the trim clip holes. In 67, the trim got skinny and uses a different clip with smaller holes.
And you have to change the trim piece on the hood as well. When using the crest, the trim piece is shorter.
Sounds as if you like the earlier 6 volt cars. In 58, the oval window disappeared. In 65 the windows all got taller.
I like the pre-65 style myself. But you need to decide what appeals to you. Then just look for something that is rust free.
And that shouldn't be too dificult in your part of the country.
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Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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67 Florida Deluxe
Samba Purist
Joined: June 21, 2005
Posts: 7987
Location: Gainesville and Tampa, Florida
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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| drscope wrote: |
| threeflys wrote: |
Can you put a Wolfsburg Crest on the 63 and later or do you have to get a '62 or earlier hood? (I like the Crest, again distinctive)
Chris |
I have a crest on my 64 |
OMG!!  
BTW, the Wolfsburg crest was used on early production 1963 model cars, too.
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-Kent (BaT "daleallen")
OG member of the '67 Posse
A few of my toys, past and present
'56 Oval, '66 KG Conv't, '67 21-Window, '67 Bug, '79 SuperVert, '55 Pre-A Continental |
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jakecycle79
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2005
Posts: 153
Location: Little Rock, AR
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: Which Model Year Question.. |
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| threeflys wrote: |
| I think I'm going to rule '67, merely due to all the 1 year only parts. |
I agree. Sorry all you 67 guys.
If you're picky about the small windows and lights go 63 and earlier.
Otherwise look for a 66. If you've gotta have the larger windows and lights, at least you get the benefit of the more common 69mm stroke engine.
Then again a lot of em out there aren't mechanically original anyways...
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1963 40 horse /6 volt Beetle
1977 BMW R75/7 |
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threeflys
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2007
Posts: 23
Location: San Diego CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not too concerned about originality, I would convert a 6v to 12v in a heartbeat! 
Chris |
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The Cheetle
Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2007
Posts: 279
Location: Lake Havasu City, Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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| drscope wrote: |
| threeflys wrote: |
Thanks Alan-
It looks like I may be looking for a 66 or before, I kinda like the enclosed headlights (very distinctive).
BTW- Can you put a Wolfsburg Crest on the 63 and later or do you have to get a '62 or earlier hood? (I like the Crest, again distinctive)
Chris |
threeflys, Good luck in your search! I have a crest on my 64 and while the purists would say its not right, I LIKE IT! It is a simple installation that requires a few basic tools.
In order for the trim on the hood to work with the crest, you would need a 66 or older. Or else you need to drill all the trim clip holes. In 67, the trim got skinny and uses a different clip with smaller holes.
And you have to change the trim piece on the hood as well. When using the crest, the trim piece is shorter.
Sounds as if you like the earlier 6 volt cars. In 58, the oval window disappeared. In 65 the windows all got taller.
I like the pre-65 style myself. But you need to decide what appeals to you. Then just look for something that is rust free.
And that shouldn't be too dificult in your part of the country. |
I put a crest on my 64 as well, I also put small tail lights, W decklid, and no turn signals. I wanted to show you, that you can mix and match how you want your car.(puriset no comments) Look at my gallery for pics. I love the pre 67 front fenders, and the small glass. 
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The_Codeman
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2007
Posts: 176
Location: Huntington Beach CA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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sorry guys i to have a crest on my 65 ..
also have the early fluted headlight lenses on there .
i like the 65's big windows and still the nice smooth front fenders .
big windows seem to help since you cant see shit out of the side mirrors
codeman |
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Alan Willis
Banned
Joined: November 22, 2004
Posts: 4181
Location: booted from the SEWR and stalked in here
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Can't see out of the side mirrors? Try driving an oval 
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die schwarzen Schafe #666 |
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RareAir
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002
Posts: 14577
Location: 18 miles North of the border
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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General rule of thumb: The older the car, the more expensive the parts.
Chris- Just keep an eye open on CraigsList/Auto Trader/ UT Classifieds/samba.com Dozens of Pre '67 cars come up 4-sale every day. My recommendation would be to look for the earliest car you can afford, not necessarily the cheapest. You want to be able to drive the car. OPtherwise you'll be investing more money into it before you can start to enjoy it.
The "The car was running up till last week when the brakes/engine/failure occurred" is BS. You want to be able to drive the car to be clear that all mechanicals & electrical systems are operating correctly. |
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m_lesney
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008
Posts: 98
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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| my next is gonna be a 63 ish rag definetly a rag! cooler car and a little more value! |
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threeflys
Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2007
Posts: 23
Location: San Diego CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the great replies! Any more?
Chris |
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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: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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| 62 is the last year for the stale air vs. the fresh air heating. I like the stale air because I'm a retro kind of guy and I don't mind the extra noise and occasional whiff of engine smell that comes with the stale air system. The heater boxes are different, smaller. The engine layout is cleaner, without the two large fresh air heating hoses. But I'm weird. |
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Wingnuttz61
Samba Member
Joined: January 31, 2008
Posts: 5
Location: The banks of the mighty ohio river
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:26 am Post subject: |
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| It all personal preference. I've got a 61' and kinda wish it would handle like a 68' or better with IRS. Although, the decambered look of a lowered swing axle looks kinda cool. good luck |
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jonnypink
Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2006
Posts: 126
Location: Chatsworth, CA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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| My preference it the 66 - it is a one year only for the motor and those are some of the more difficult parts to find! also the last of the good looking head lights. |
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PSScoots
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2007
Posts: 504
Location: Chattanooga TN
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| Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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| jonnypink wrote: |
| My preference it the 66 - it is a one year only for the motor and those are some of the more difficult parts to find! also the last of the good looking head lights. |
Funny, when I picked a year to buy, the headlights were a major factor in me picking a 66. It was the end of the "old style" body work, but still had enough "modern" features so that I didn't think I was driving a museum piece.
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Rebuilt to drive not decorate. -VOLKSWAGNUT
"Service the car and it will give you good service." |
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