Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 18:46:44 -0700
Reply-To: "Chris S." <mrpolak@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Chris S." <mrpolak@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: VW Bug questions
In-Reply-To: <20040716190552.35758.qmail@web53007.mail.yahoo.com>
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--- Dan Wohlers <djwohls@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> 1. What are the "best" years? (reliability, are there years
> that I
> should avoid?, etc.)
>
> 2. What are the problem areas on the bugs? I have heard bad
> stories
> about rust in the floorpans, anywhere else I should be
> watching?
>
> 3. Any other things I should know?
I've owned a '72 Super Beetle, a '61 Beetle (6 volts), and a '71
standard Beetle. Each had its good points, but which you chose
depends on your priorities.
The '72 was the best daily driver and it had a sunroof. The
McPherson strut suspension meant it handled well and its
over-sized rear tires meant I could cruise at 75. Ok, it was
more like screaming at 75, but it would do it. I even drove it
from AL to MI, some 840 miles one way, and besides the resulting
damaged hearing, I was surprizingly comfortable. One thing to
remember: People hate to move over to let a Beetle pass on the
interstate.
The '61 was my favorite. It was slower and only had lap belts
which were bolted into the floorpan - useless since they would
rip right out during an accident - but it had this irresistible
charm. I drove it daily for a few years in the Alabama humidity
and the occasional cold. It would vapor-lock sometimes and had
no fuel gauge, but I wish I still had it. In a mean way I
somehow enjoyed doing EXACTLY the speed limit and watched people
glare at me as they scrambled to pass me. The license plate
said "DNTSQSH" - "don't squash".
The '71 was the best compromise between the other two with
decent cruising speed, the rugged torsion suspension and still
some charming looks.
If I were to do it all over again, I'd pick a '60 to '64 (the
small windows as they got larger in '65), put a 1776cc engine in
there with a freeway flyer trans, install whitewall tires, disc
brakes, sunroof if possible, pop-out side windows, install a
light-color interior and drive every day.
You live up north so undercoating the body installing a gas
heater for the winter would be a must. Oh, and without forced
ventilation the windows tend to fog up when it's cold, rainy, or
snowing. If you have the patience, they are worth it.
=====
Chris S.'85 Westy Camel -> http://www.knology.net/~vw/vws/camel/ '84 Westy Hershey -> http://www.knology.net/~vwghost/hershey/ '01 NB TDI -> http://www.knology.net/~vw/Beetle.jpg
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