Purchased a '72 Super Beetle

Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Thing.

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VWBusrepairman
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Post by VWBusrepairman » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:02 am

hambone wrote:The cheapening of the VW is a barometer to gage the cheapening of the world, which continues to this day.
The Volkswagen has always been cheap (inexpensive) and I've never paid more than $1000 for a beetle and $3000 for a bus. I'd say these cars will rebound as time goes on and the economy stabilizes.
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Post by Bookwus » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:09 am

Hiya VWB,

Drum brakes were the standard for 1972 production Supers bound for the USA market.

However, VW had been marketing disc brakes in the European market since 1971 for the Super. They also offered disc brakes on USA bound Karmann Ghias in 1972.

So.......conversion to disc brakes would not have been a hard row to hoe for a PO.
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Post by Amskeptic » Sun Mar 01, 2009 12:44 pm

Bookwus wrote:Hiya VWB,

Drum brakes were the standard for 1972 production Supers bound for the USA market.

However, VW had been marketing disc brakes in the European market since 1971 for the Super. They also offered disc brakes on USA bound Karmann Ghias in 1972.

So.......conversion to disc brakes would not have been a hard row to hoe for a PO.
And the Type III's had them all along.
I heard a po' ho's hard row, whoa.
I'm sorry. Get back to work, Colin.
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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VWBusrepairman
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Post by VWBusrepairman » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:02 pm

I'm enjoying the disc brakes. Here's a sunset shot from this evening.
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and a shot of those incorrect-for-a-'72 tail lamps.
Image

You will have to take this car for a drive, Colin.
1968-1979 VW bus sunroof consulting, type IV engine analysis, QA technical work

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:42 pm

Are they supposed to be bigger? I am Beetle ignorant.

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Post by Bookwus » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:52 pm

Hiya chi,

The taillights for VWB's Bug should look pretty much like those on my 70 Bug...............

Image

The white/clear portion at the bottom of the lense is for the back-up lights. VWB must have his disconnected right now. I have the amber lense for the flashers. I'm not sure if his lenses should have that amber portion or simply be red. In actuality VWB's taillight housing and lenses will be just a bit bigger than mine.
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Post by Amskeptic » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:05 pm

VWBusrepairman wrote: You will have to take this car for a drive, Colin.
I want to. That's a handsome little car.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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chitwnvw
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Post by chitwnvw » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:27 pm

Thanks, Mike. That is the taillights I remember growing up.

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VWBusrepairman
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Post by VWBusrepairman » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:53 pm

Bookwus wrote:Hiya chi,

The taillights for VWB's Bug should look pretty much like those on my 70 Bug...............

Image
Mmmm- is that Savanna Beige? I remember seeing that color and that's an excellent example of beetle!

If I have disc brakes, maybe the tail lights are a european thing also? I guess the true test is to see if there is wiring for the back-up lights, eh? I hope to find a suitable donor car for the parts.

Image
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Bookwus
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Post by Bookwus » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:42 pm

Hiya VWB,

It is, indeed, Savanna Beige (L620). You have a very good eye for color.

While European specs for production differed somewhat from USA bound cars, I would think that by 1972 even European cars would have gone to the larger taillight housings.
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Post by bus71 » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:12 pm

Another interesting european option was the 1300dp. Apparently, taxes were cheaper than a 1600. Some of these made it here in the 80's, causing much confusion at rebuild time. Myself included. :flower:

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Post by VWBusrepairman » Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:32 am

I LOVED the 1300 cc engine I had in the last '66 beetle that I owned. Very good engine and quite fuel efficient as well.

The '72 has a 1641cc engine in it now and it running really well with no flat spots!

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The right tail pipe is almost a goner- might be time for a German Muffler with the long tail pipes for the fweeeeeeeem sound!
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Post by Bookwus » Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:47 am

Hiya VWB,

You know, correct taillights or not, that's a nice looking little Bug ya got there.
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VWBusrepairman
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Post by VWBusrepairman » Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:53 am

Bookwus wrote:Hiya VWB,

You know, correct taillights or not, that's a nice looking little Bug ya got there.
Hiya back and thanks, Bookwus. I did a search for the German 1302 and all the ones in the photos had the back up lights. I can live with these tail lights until a good donor set becomes available.

I've calculated 26.5 MPG on the last tank and I'm hoping for 30+ with warmer weather. With the 009 distributor, I was lucky to get 23-24. My goal is to have it running smoothly in the event that Professor Colin wants to drive my homework to make sure I've made all the proper adjustments.
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Bookwus
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Post by Bookwus » Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:55 am

Hiya VWB,
VWBusrepairman wrote:....... With the 009 distributor, I was lucky to get 23-24..
You've changed out distributors?

If I'm not mistaken you're showing a vacuum-only dizzy in your pictures.
I have cancer.

It does not have me.

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