Ideal GL candidate
 

So, after I finsh my KG project, I'll be looking for another (I get bored REALLY easily). So, I was thinking pure German look, autobahn bomber (ignoring that I live in the US). I'm talking about a full FIA spec rollcage, a 3L type 4, a 915 tranmsission, Big Reds (at least), 996 GT2 (18x8 f, 18x12 r) wheels, and wider fender to hide them. What would the ideal starting car be for something like this? Should I look for a superbeetle, or a standard? I would love to put it all under an older body (split or oval), but am worried about handling. For pure performance, is the superbeetle the way to go? I've read about people putting 944 struts and control arms in the super, but how superior is it? Thanks a lot.

For me it is the Super(ior). I want to do a 75 next as it has R&P steering.

So, a '75 or later Super is the best starting platform?

Later than '75 would be a convertible only.

well that just won't do...

Really? You're talking about '76 and up supers right?

OK, now I'm confused...

Me too. We have two '75 supers sitting at the shop right now. Both are 'Sun Bugs'. Both have the metal sunroof in them. I thought the Convert only years were '78 and '79. I'm not even 100% sure about '78 but I know '79 was a vert only year.

Where are you vw? If you're close to Kentucky and you want a '75 sunbug look me up.

I went through the same thing with oasis on another post:confused:

Thanks for the offer, but I live in seattle. Towing would be a financial hemmorage. I'll just have to find one locally.

Standard Beetles were imported into the US officially until 1977 model year.

Super Beetle sedans were 1971-75. The flat-screened 1302 was 1971-72; the round-screended 1303 was 1973-75.

Convertibles were imported through the 1979 model year. They were all Super Beetles 1971-79.

* * * * * * * * *
US special editions:

Sun Bugs were 1974-only. Sun Bugs were standards with sunroof, Supers with runroof, and converibles in a gold paint scheme. VW imported other 1974 standards, Supers, and convertibles that year as well.

La Grande was a 1975 Super Beetle. It was a special edition but that was the only Super imported into the US. There were standards and convertibles that year. La Grande was advertised as being blue or green but there were gold ones as well. They are often mistaken as being Sun Bugs but if they are a 1975 model, they are not Sun Bugs.

All Super Beetles through 1974 had the steering box. All Super Beetles 1975-79 had rack and pinion. The steering box models had a better turning radius. Rack and pinion was immediately responsive.

http://www.sebeetles.com lists all of the details of these and other special editions through the years of Beetles worldwide.

Correct, though I thought the '79 production spilled into like May 1980 because of the high amount of orders :D

So, if the rack and pinion steering is preferable, can I put a '75 panhead under a 1302 body? Personally, I prefer the flat windscreen.

Actually, January 1980 (don't make me look up the exact date ;) ) ... they were still 1979 model year, however.

The answer is no. However, a 1302 can be converted to r&p. There is some fabrication involved -- more than I care to do or have done, but less than what a lot of others are doing at this site for other endeavors.

I no longer have the notes on the procedure. If no one responds here on this thread, try a search here and at SBO. I know some of that lost info I got was from these two sources. It probably won't be an easy search as you may get many hits that do not deal with it and you may have to go back into some older threads. If that is unsuccessful, try starting a new thread about it. I know it has been done. I think maybe even a member or two here has done it.

Good luck. :)

Y'know, vwdevotee, I looked at your original post and I think you should reconsider. Do what you want, f'sure, but just consider this ...

You have these great plans stated. You called it an "autobahn bomber." I think you should consider doing a 1303 -- and since you are looking at r&p as a priority, a 1975 model specifically.

Don't get me wrong. I have a 1971 Super myself. I like the flat screen, too. But if you are going for a full-on German Looker, don't you want one that is aerodynamically superior? A 1303 because of its round windscreen is that.

Now, we all know Beetles -- Super or not -- are not the most aerodynamic beasts to begin with. They are fun to manipulate into our own works of functional art. If a flat screen is more important than the fraction of a difference advantage of a round screen, by all means get a 1302 and do the r&p conversion. I'm just throwing out some ideas that have rattled through my head.

Originally, I was going to do an all-out 1975 1303. I stumbled across the car I have and bought it. My ideas for it became more subdued. My next car -- whenever that might be -- will likely be that '75. Then again, I like both flatties and roundies.

I'm going to have to look that up. We have two cars that are both gold sun roof cars, with all the SunBug extras. Shifter, steering wheel... and they are for sure 1975. I havn't checked for the R&P. But they're Fuel Injected cars. And that didn't start until '75.

Anyone confirm?

I want to mention. I'm not trying to argue. It's all in good fun. So don't take me seriously. :laugh: I just like Vw Trivia.

I just checked, and they might be a "la grande bug". We just assumed they were sunbugs. :rolleyes: Sport wheel, sun roof, gold... My bad.

I'm answering my own post. :laugh:

Oh, don't feel badly. I see others do this from time to time. None of Volkswagen's own literature of that era lists the La Grande as possibly being gold. It took some research on a lot of people's part to discover this.

I only roll my eyes when I see a Super of any year and any color listed as a Sun Bug just because it has a sunroof.

It is believed (but not confirmed) that the gold La Grande models of 1975 were partially left over Sun Bugs as they did share some commonalities with each other. They were just completed with 1975 configurations like fuel injection, r&p, interior, etc.

This is not unusual with Volkswagen. There are some mid-year changes with their cars like suspension and steering wheels. Heck, even today, there are 2006 Mk IV GTI's and 2006 Mk V GTI's.

Gold La Grande's are believed to be more scarce than the blue or green versions. It is difficult to know if they possess any bonus value at this time but as Super Beetles continue to lose their undeserved stigma, that may change.

Production numbers of 1975 models are much skimpier than their cousins of previous years. My own personal search proved finding a rustfree model more daunting for that year than any other -- and it seemed like it was more than just fewer available.

I decided that a '75 model Super was the best candidate for such a car some 15 (!) years ago...

It was still a difficult quest as only 32 (!!) '75-modelyear 1303's were delivered in this country...but it turned out nicely :D :

http://www.keversite.nl/fotoalbum/fotos/36526.jpg

Indeed it did! :)

Your Super is killer! I really like the white.

I've always had a thing for 71-72 flaties. I love all years, but really want my first custom to be a 71-72.