My girlfriend got a bug which means I am a bug mechanic

What kind of parts?

 

I was in the process of building a chopped top suicide door bug but unfortunately had to stop, but kept all of my parts. I have all new engine, body, suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, fully built rhino case transmission, all kinds of chrome stuff, new glass and weather strip. Lots of goodies.

 

Y’all are not going to believe this shit!!!! And there is no mirror in my garage and it’s not an optical illusion.

 

New wheels on the 78 today

 

I am definitely "Following " this thread....

1st car was a '63 Bug and then found a 70' Super

Nice work OP...

 

If memory serves me, the Super Beetle did not come out until 1971, curved windshield Super Beetle came out in 1973.

 

I think so. I do know that her 72 does have a flat windshield

 

Nice Find, I had a 62 with a crank open sun roof! I chopped it down as a HS project and added a BAJA kit and used it to go hunting. Man that thing would go anywhere. I will be hanging around this thread for updates.

 

For a while both versions were offered at the same time.

 

Do you mean both Standard and Super were available at the same time or were you trying to say both versions of the Super?

 

Standard, (Smaller trunk, flat windshield) and Super, (Bigger trunk, curved windshield) were both available for at least a year or two before they all became superbeetles.

 

Right, when I first read your post I thought you were trying to say both the flat and curved windshield Super Beetles were available at the same time which would have been wrong.

 

I've been considering a Bug for a tinkering project. Don't want a sunroof or ragtop though.

Thoughts include a baja kit and suspension tire upgrades so that I could either run some autox (for local fun, not 'serious') or easily spend time in the abundantly sandy regions/power line trails of Fl. The ability to get to remote fishing in some of our state parks/national forests would be a plus.

I know I'd want one with a 12v system, which changed in around the mid 60's?

So what would be prime years to consider?

 

I would go 1968 - 1973 Standard Beetle, because I think the IRS rear suspension is a better choice and you definitely don't want a Super Beetle because it has Struts up front. If memory serves me the 12V systems started around 1967.

 

You really have me trying to remember my VWs, I am thinking the standard beetle lasted to 1977.

 

That thing is cool

 

The reason I stopped at 1973 was because 1974 started bulky bumpers which would make the Baja kit slightly more difficult and if memory serves fuel injection started around 1975.

 

It was titled 1970 but that means nothing and the engine had been re-done by a "local Bug Guru"

Going to Show my age but in the mid to late 70's these things sipped gas like wine while my buddies V-8's drank it like cheap beer..... And the 63' was about theft proof with the gas tank hidden under that front hood

 

My Uncle restored VWs back in the mid 70s so those were the first cars I started working on as a youngster, easy and fun!

 

6 of my best years! Lots of milestones and great memories in that period.