73 Super Beetle Questions

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73 Super Beetle Questions

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73 Super Beetle Questions - 12/26/2005 1:23:11 AM

fire440

Posts: 1
Joined: 12/26/2005
Status: offline

Ok first off I am new to the beetle thing. My wife wanted a one so I finaly found a 1973 Super Beetle in good shape and cheap. I am in the process of fixing it up and have several questions.

1. Is there any way to decipher the 10 digit VIN?

2. What aret he differences between the Super and regular Beetle?

3. Where is the best and cheapest place to find parts other than JC Whitney and Ebay?

I am sure I will ahve more questions as I go and any help will be greatly apreciated.

Post #: 1

RE: 73 Super Beetle Questions - 2/5/2006 3:30:29 PM

mcknight77

Posts: 1
Joined: 2/5/2006
Status: offline

Hey, I have exactly the same situation. 73 SB, wife wanted one, etc.

What I've found so far is SB parts and info are scarce. I've bought a couple of things from SO Cal Imports, from their web-site (socalautoparts.com). Delivery was fast.

I wrasslin' an odometer problem now. Speedo works but not odometer. Bought a speedo off ebay. Same problem. Haven't been able to find any info about this problem. Hate to keep buying parts.

My Chilton manual(Haynes also) deciphers the VIN>

I think the major difference with SB is curved winshield and strut front end.

Where are you located? I'm in Barstow, CA

Jim

(in reply to fire440)

Post #: 2

RE: 73 Super Beetle Questions - 2/5/2006 5:24:49 PM

exojj

Posts: 12
Joined: 2/2/2006
Status: offline

http://www.abvwc.org.uk/vw_vin.htm

http://abvwc.proboards1.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=t1&thread=1139033896

a couple of links might come into handy.

(in reply to mcknight77)

Post #: 3

RE: 73 Super Beetle Questions - 5/22/2006 5:37:11 PM

danlewi

Posts: 14
Joined: 5/16/2006
Status: offline

As far as discerning the differences between the std. and supers, check out "www.superbeetles.com" to get an idea. There are many subtle differences, but some of the more aesthetic differences are the curved (super) and flat winshield. The super also has a slightly longer body and a beefy front suspension (called Macpherson struts). As far as parts are concerned, I ordered from "www.motorworks.com." You can get a free catalog from them--I still get one, even though I haven't bought parts from them in three or four years. However, most of my parts I bought from a guy I found here in the Louisville area, which helped me save on shipping costs. Oh, by the way, I have a 73 as well. I did an off-body resto a few years ago, then I did the engine last year--beefed the stock 1600 a little to a 1641. What was fun about the initial restoration (taking 11 months) was everyone in my family having some part in it, and I definitely needed it! Anyway, enjoy your project!

(in reply to fire440)

Post #: 4