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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bobrebos on September 05, 2019, 03:56:35 PM

Title: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: bobrebos on September 05, 2019, 03:56:35 PM
I started tearing into my 1973 VW Beetle today (Need to replace gas tank, brake line, and do some electrical (Lighting, gauge work etc).

Anybody else on here into the Air Cooled VW's?  Just curious.  Its a strange hobby I guess.  LOL
(https://i.ibb.co/Tq2bmnX/IMG-0185.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Tq2bmnX)

(https://i.ibb.co/6wh3TCq/IMG-0183.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6wh3TCq)
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Furbo on September 05, 2019, 04:14:52 PM
Oh yeah.

Have a '70 Ghia Vert and a '79 Westy.

Great place to spend your kids inheritance!
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: AJ Huff on September 05, 2019, 04:24:29 PM
No,.but I'd like to. Maybe some day.

-AJ
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Beowulf on September 05, 2019, 04:39:49 PM
I Had a 1970 type 3 fastback(stolen). I had a 1971 karmann ghia a 66 beetle and a 68 beetle. Loved them all. If the opportunity came id buy another.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Sheepdog on September 05, 2019, 04:47:08 PM
I'm getting ready to move a '63 Type I to my shop. It's a sweet canvas top model and came with two original roof racks. Restorations are starting to back up...
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: JC85 on September 05, 2019, 05:56:37 PM
My oldest friend loves these machines. He founded a classic bug club in Salina, KS and has a restoration and customization shop that specializes in classic VWs. Here's a baja style custom job he did for a client, recently.


(https://i.ibb.co/dcn6pZ1/68290176-431605577446936-3996561124416815104-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dcn6pZ1)


(https://i.ibb.co/64DpGy8/69026333-431605604113600-1287612241650122752-n-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/64DpGy8)


(https://i.ibb.co/vZ1N4q9/68935257-431605647446929-1123958852207771648-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vZ1N4q9)


He also sells parts and does mail order refurbishment. Engine or body parts, you ship it, he fixes it and ships it back. If you ever need anything, shoot me a PM, and I'll send you his card and info. Or if you just want some more VW eye candy, I can give you the link to his business Facebook.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Cdn850T5NT on September 05, 2019, 06:12:54 PM
'79 Kombi (bare window van, fixed panes of glass).  2 litre, fuel injected, tallest final drive gear.

I have jalousie windows in hand, plus the tilt-out glass assemblies - for both RHS and LHS of the van.  In fact, I plan to install the tilt-outs in both RHS and LHS rear positions (to aid ventilation) - realizing that the rear RHS position will foul the sliding door if left open (wide).

Very low miles (~ 40,000) but hasn't been run in much time... so a full-on resto is needed.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 05, 2019, 07:24:19 PM
Lots of VW's here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/98421140@N05/albums/72157710605713526

I've owned: '56, '58, '60 and '62 Beetles, a '65 21-window sunroof van, '70 Karmann Ghia and a '73 Super Beetle. I'd love to have another Beetle at some point.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Matt Story on September 05, 2019, 08:36:19 PM
Related article about VW partnering with E-vehicle retrofit company to electrify original bugs.

https://jalopnik.com/volkswagen-will-now-convert-classic-beetles-to-electric-1837900039?_ga=2.233286684.380860006.1567637712-1960045622.1556999148 (https://jalopnik.com/volkswagen-will-now-convert-classic-beetles-to-electric-1837900039?_ga=2.233286684.380860006.1567637712-1960045622.1556999148)
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: fossil on September 06, 2019, 01:38:47 AM
Great forum: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/ . And the absolute best (and longest) thread of them all: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=340552&highlight=vw+38
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: blackcat on September 06, 2019, 06:50:57 AM
I owned a 73 Sports Bug, like this one. Bought it new and within a week the plastic reverse gear went south. Why they thought this was a good idea is a mystery but I didn’t have any problems with the transmission for as long as I owned the car. Loved that bug, and then it was stolen.  Now they are worth quite a bit money given their limited production numbers. My only problem with the car is that the yellow attracted bumble bees.


(https://i.ibb.co/JvDCzmD/30-C20194-24-D2-4-A7-E-A9-EA-F51-EE2-F20-C68.jpg)
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Dilliw on September 06, 2019, 07:21:12 AM
My dad bought a '73 from Gibbs VW in Columbia, SC.  He drove, gave it my sister, and then she gave it to me.  Sold it 10 years later for more than we paid for it  :thumb:

If I were to buy one I'd target  a '72 just to get the better looking lights, but that's just nit picking. 
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Furbo on September 06, 2019, 08:04:33 AM
My dad bought a '73 from Gibbs VW in Columbia, SC.  He drove, gave it my sister, and then she gave it to me.  Sold it 10 years later for more than we paid for it  :thumb:

If I were to buy one I'd target  a '72 just to get the better looking lights, but that's just nit picking.

Had a '72 Super Beetle. Best of both worlds: you get the upgraded suspension and space up front, but maintain the original flat dash & windshield.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: janguzzi on September 06, 2019, 09:13:53 AM
Wouldn´t it makes sense if Beetle owns a Beetle?  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 06, 2019, 09:19:35 AM
Had a '72 Super Beetle. Best of both worlds: you get the upgraded suspension and space up front, but maintain the original flat dash & windshield.

I preferred the '73 with curved windshield and "real" dash, but still before the 5 mph bumpers. Unfortunately, mine was a "Stick-O-Matic".
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Guzzistajohn on September 06, 2019, 09:44:28 AM

(https://i.ibb.co/wWBD41Y/134-D24-B3-305-B-4-C71-AAEF-0-E9-AF570-CF52.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wWBD41Y)
.   If you guys need a motor built, I got this buddy......
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on September 06, 2019, 10:02:01 AM
^^^^^ I can blow up an engine without resorting to twin turbos.. :grin:
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: bobrebos on September 06, 2019, 10:04:30 AM

(https://i.ibb.co/wWBD41Y/134-D24-B3-305-B-4-C71-AAEF-0-E9-AF570-CF52.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wWBD41Y)
.   If you guys need a motor built, I got this buddy......

 :thumb:
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Cdn850T5NT on September 06, 2019, 10:35:22 AM
The problem with most vw engines (when hot-rodded) is inadequate head- and (cylinder) barrel cooling. You can add all the oil cooling you want; but the engine cooling is still mostly by forced air. Serious builds apply a Porsche style axial fan (i.e. ditch the doghouse cooler) and go to aluminum/nicasil barrels, and "worked" heads with specially dealt-with valve seats, possibly more fins, etc. Heat is the enemy.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Cdn850T5NT on September 06, 2019, 10:41:33 AM
I preferred the '73 with curved windshield and "real" dash, but still before the 5 mph bumpers. Unfortunately, mine was a "Stick-O-Matic".
100%. The classic beetle crowd seems to like the torsion bar/pure trailing arm frt susp/flat windshield cars - but for me, the '73 Super Beetle is primo. Harder to sort out the frt susp. though, re alignment, wheel balance, etc. effects though, I'm told...

Having said the above, the original torsion bar/pure trailing arm frt susp is h*ll-for-strong, durable.  Zero camber change is poor as h*ll in side winds, though.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Guzzistajohn on September 06, 2019, 10:55:14 AM
^^^^^ I can blow up an engine without resorting to twin turbos.. :grin:
. Steve has it figured out pretty well, probably 30 yrs of bug ‘spereience
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 06, 2019, 12:31:19 PM
Too much horsepower and the transaxle goes BOOM!  :grin:
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Sheepdog on September 06, 2019, 12:40:34 PM
The VW Type I is the SlashTwo of the automotive world; anybody with opposing thumbs can work on them. That's my main complaint with the Super Beetles: they became unnecessarily complex. The Type 3s and 4s were similarly complicated...at least compared to the original concept of a "people's car." Improved? Well, only when judged with a narrower view. They were still not as good as sporty cars of the time, yet gave up the charm of simplicity. When these changes arrived, I knew the air-cooled classic I loved was on its way out.

Don't get me started on Autostick or AC in Bugs, either!
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Guzzistajohn on September 06, 2019, 02:41:31 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/dcCGZQG/63-AB10-D8-67-AB-48-B3-90-FB-F59973-C918-E4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dcCGZQG)

share images (https://imgbb.com/)

(https://i.ibb.co/sHL6QRN/B3873-D9-C-58-D6-42-AA-BA9-B-6-A4-BDB62-C879.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sHL6QRN)
just saw this in a clients shop for sale $2500.00
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Cdn850T5NT on September 06, 2019, 02:55:32 PM
The VW Type I is the SlashTwo of the automotive world; anybody with opposing thumbs can work on them. That's my main complaint with the Super Beetles: they became unnecessarily complex. The Type 3s and 4s were similarly complicated...at least compared to the original concept of a "people's car." Improved? Well, only when judged with a narrower view.

I am not familiar enuf with Super Beetles (I just like the looks of the '73)... Kindly explain where the're more complex?
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: bobrebos on September 06, 2019, 03:08:18 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/dcCGZQG/63-AB10-D8-67-AB-48-B3-90-FB-F59973-C918-E4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dcCGZQG)

share images (https://imgbb.com/)

(https://i.ibb.co/sHL6QRN/B3873-D9-C-58-D6-42-AA-BA9-B-6-A4-BDB62-C879.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sHL6QRN)
just saw this in a clients shop for sale $2500.00

That's a good deal in my opinion!   :thumb:
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Burkslaw on September 06, 2019, 03:25:36 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/0QVSMb9/868-mod-0-0001.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0QVSMb9)

(https://i.ibb.co/25hHppS/872-mod-0-0005.jpg) (https://ibb.co/25hHppS)

(https://i.ibb.co/99Rj9Tz/dsc02117-0012.jpg) (https://ibb.co/99Rj9Tz)


I started cutting on a wrecked Super Beetle and threw away everything that didn't look like a motorcycle.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: bobrebos on September 06, 2019, 03:27:29 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/0QVSMb9/868-mod-0-0001.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0QVSMb9)

(https://i.ibb.co/25hHppS/872-mod-0-0005.jpg) (https://ibb.co/25hHppS)

(https://i.ibb.co/99Rj9Tz/dsc02117-0012.jpg) (https://ibb.co/99Rj9Tz)


I started cutting on a wrecked Super Beetle and threw away everything that didn't look like a motorcycle.

Looks awesome!   :thumb:
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Sheepdog on September 06, 2019, 04:54:37 PM
I am not familiar enuf with Super Beetles (I just like the looks of the '73)... Kindly explain where the're more complex?

The curved windshield, McPhearson Strut suspension, and the padded dash for starters. Many purists felt VW was just trying to get VW drivers to get service at their dealer at the time. That was about the time pollution control measures surfaced, also. Even the modern transaxles were more complicated than the old swing-axles. Heck, Type Is didn't get 12 volt batteries until 1967!

I rebuilt my '60 R60 and my '72 Type II the same year. They both required frequent maintenance, but if you stayed on top of it and didn't overheat it, the Type II (as well as the R60) was a reliable ride. Add in the fun factor and the neighborhood notoriety and those pragmatic heaps make great transportation. By '73, Beetles had become icons of fashion, but a shadow of what they were at their best: practical and easily owner-maintained transportation.

Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: blackcat on September 06, 2019, 07:09:22 PM
Every bug,squareback,fastback and bus I owned including my 73 bus broke their accelerator & heater-box cables. And they all had engine trouble with four blown engines except for my 73 bug.  Yeah, the McPherson struts at that time required a pro to replace but eventually people figured that one out.

I was almost 30 years old before I finally purchased a vehicle with a radiator.  Quite frankly, I never looked back as I had way more trouble with VW’s then almost every car since those days except for a very brief experience with a Renault, which was a truly awful car.

It would be nice to have another bus, but not for any transportation reasons and I’m not spending $17K for a rusted,engineless pile of junk. 
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Guzzistajohn on September 06, 2019, 08:58:08 PM
That's a good deal in my opinion!   :thumb:

I bought it and sold it in 1/2 hr.  :thumb:
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: bobrebos on September 07, 2019, 05:18:33 AM
The taillights, radio, and some other electrical functions stopped operating so I have some electrical troubleshooting to do.  Always something with old cars and bikes!  lol
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: blackcat on September 07, 2019, 08:06:47 AM
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-volkswagen-bus-16/

“This 1967 Volkswagen Type 2 is a 21-window Sunroof Deluxe model that was reportedly driven to Woodstock by its original owner.”

As expected, some funny comments.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Dean Rose on September 07, 2019, 10:21:15 AM
The latest thing is to install a turbo Subaru drive train in a bug.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Scott of the Sahara on September 07, 2019, 01:14:20 PM
I had a '66 Type 3 Fastback.
I wrote a song about it called the VW Blues.
My Vw was Blue.
The 6volt Electrical system was a pain. The generator wet out so I fixed it, then the regulator went out so I replaced it. Then later the generator went out so I replaced it, then a little later the regulator went out.
I was visiting my dad in San Francisco and while I was at his house the car wouldn't start. So I pushed it down the hill to bump start it and it wouldn't go. I parked it in front of some City Supervisor's house (who had been getting threats). It had a primered fender and out of state plates and was over 10 years old. I finally replaced the Condenser and got it running. It made the trip back up to Washington without a problem until the lugs came off the rear wheel in Olympia. I took 1 lug from each wheel and got the rest of the way home.
Many other trials and tribulations were mine for the few years I had that car.

Adjusting the Valves on my Guzzi reminds me of the old VW days.
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: busdog on September 08, 2019, 09:04:38 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/vQ5Rm8y/VW-pic.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vQ5Rm8y)


73 is the best year.  They had the normal bumpers and a higher geared transmission.  Here is my 73 in Tulum Mexico circa 90"s.  I used to take split window vans to Mexico.  Would run the dog house oil cooler  with the single port heads for better torque and lower running temps.  I have some stories....

Keith
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Markcarovilli on September 09, 2019, 01:43:25 PM
I used to love to take my date to drive in movies and pull in backwards and then put the rear seat down. 

When we would watch the movie we would look out the rear window......

memories....

Mark
Title: Re: NGC, 1973 VW Beetle
Post by: Dilliw on September 09, 2019, 02:05:01 PM
I had a '66 Type 3 Fastback.
I wrote a song about it called the VW Blues.
My Vw was Blue.
The 6volt Electrical system was a pain. The generator wet out so I fixed it, then the regulator went out so I replaced it. Then later the generator went out so I replaced it, then a little later the regulator went out.
I was visiting my dad in San Francisco and while I was at his house the car wouldn't start. So I pushed it down the hill to bump start it and it wouldn't go. I parked it in front of some City Supervisor's house (who had been getting threats). It had a primered fender and out of state plates and was over 10 years old. I finally replaced the Condenser and got it running. It made the trip back up to Washington without a problem until the lugs came off the rear wheel in Olympia. I took 1 lug from each wheel and got the rest of the way home.
Many other trials and tribulations were mine for the few years I had that car.

Adjusting the Valves on my Guzzi reminds me of the old VW days.

I saw a square back on the road the other day!