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fernando Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2003 Posts: 5 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 9:41 am Post subject: desirability of different years |
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I was currious if there are some years of Things that are more desirable in the market place and why? Also, are the cars that were built in Europe different from the cars built in Mexico? Any reliability differences? Any body/asthetic differences?
Thanks for your answers.
Fernando |
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LauleaKai04 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2003 Posts: 5
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 10:52 am Post subject: |
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The ones in europe had bus tail lights. The turn signals were amber on some, and a clear on others. Sizes varied too. The us model has the big super beetle tail lights and the huge amber turn signals like on the beetles. I think the vent covers weren't put on the europe models either. _________________ Drive it like you stole it |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2003 Posts: 40 Location: Madisonville, ky
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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well i have a mexican 71 basically its just like the us version for 73..... _________________ proud owner of a karman ghia 71 Cabrio
want a thing.....take a vacation to puerto vallarta mexico
used to have 69 beetle, 73 super, 73 thing |
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rfoutch Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2003 Posts: 102 Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 4:48 pm Post subject: Mexican Thing |
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Is it hard to bring one back to the US?
RF |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2003 Posts: 40 Location: Madisonville, ky
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Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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it wasnt easy.......thats all i have to say, it depends on what your particular state laws are. they just changed the import laws this last year that made it a lot more difficult. You have to have the title from the previous country with your name on it.... i cant stress that enough a signed over title just doesnt do it.....however saying that, if you find a nice 73 or 74 it will be substantially easier since it was a year originally imported to the us and therefore meets the federal requirements. you do not have to pass emission or saftey standards since the car is 25 years older or more, but you do have to get the waivers for DOT and EPA inspection, and file them with customs. if you can drive the car through a border checkpoint you can make it a million times easier too as they will go ahead and push you through. you then have to pay the taxes(you can apply it to your $400 duty free exeption if you drive it through too) problem with that is you have to go through a customs service station. then you have to register it through the state, pay thier taxes and give them the signed dot and epa waivers with the customs seal.
i lived in mexico for 2 years, bought the car while i was down there and drove it all the way back to dallas 48 hours of solid driving.....the car did great and now is sporting texas plates. i just rebuilt the motor though added some duel webber ict's, trype 4 cooler, and electronic ignition....love my thing.... _________________ proud owner of a karman ghia 71 Cabrio
want a thing.....take a vacation to puerto vallarta mexico
used to have 69 beetle, 73 super, 73 thing |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 9:05 am Post subject: |
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I have always preferred the 74 even before I got one. I don't see as many of them and have watched the classifieds the last couple of years and they seem to hold a higher value than the 73. To me the non air intake muff 73 and back looks like it's missing something. The euro ones with the bus tail lights sure look sweet too. |
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bljones Resident Wit
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 2377 Location: ontario canada
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 11:24 am Post subject: |
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Just buy the best one you can find. The overall specification changed so little during the "legal import " years that there is little advantage to 73 over 74, or vice versa. If you plan to drive in colder weather, a gas heater is nice, as is a hardtop, but otherwise, rather than focussing on "best year' look for best condition, or rare accessories. _________________ OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"
2% |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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You are right about condition being important as alot of them have rusted pans and other interior parts from being left outdoors and salt in other areas. But the 74 still looks better. |
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bljones Resident Wit
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 2377 Location: ontario canada
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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no it doesn't. _________________ OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"
2% |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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The intake covers give it a beefier look that the earlier models don't have |
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bljones Resident Wit
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 2377 Location: ontario canada
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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beefier? is that another way of saying *ahem*...FAT? _________________ OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"
2% |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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You implying that I have a fat chick thing? |
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bljones Resident Wit
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 2377 Location: ontario canada
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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LOL- i think we have found the definition for a fatchick thing- cereal bowl taillights and muffs. _________________ OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"
2% |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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Now all we have to do is put them side by side and take a picture of thier rears and see if the same holds true for things as late model bugs/busses. |
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bljones Resident Wit
Joined: February 08, 2002 Posts: 2377 Location: ontario canada
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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the very coolness of the 181 saves it from any possibility of fatchickness... but kubels are cooler than things. _________________ OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"
2% |
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TimGud Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002 Posts: 6459 Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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yup and the schwimmwagens are pretty cool as well. |
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flamed74vwthing Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2003 Posts: 21 Location: memphis
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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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any year is the best year as long as its a thing |
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Doc*181 Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2003 Posts: 479 Location: Belgium
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Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:36 am Post subject: |
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I'm very sorry but I hate those US taillights and turn signals. They make the car ugly. The euro-lights are smaller and nicer, so I like my '77 eurothing very much, even with the airmuffs. |
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z-volks Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2003 Posts: 33 Location: Westport, CT
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2003 10:25 pm Post subject: any year is cool |
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as long as you have the windshield down. I will always turn heads |
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Big Luni Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2003 Posts: 427 Location: Hartford, CT
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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 11:21 am Post subject: |
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That's right, and regular people don't notice the muffs, taillights & turn signals. Since the car changed so little from '68 to '80, Thing owners feel the need to zero in on the minutia & point out differences. Let's look at the big picture: The Kubelwagen & Thing are cool, and the Touareg sucks! |
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