1974 Beetle

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Giancarlo

Giancarlo

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My dad, brother and I bought it last night, what a beauty. It's got a new engine (not even broken in yet), good upholstery, new tires (old school white walls), and a new clutch.

Right now we have to get the brakes done, remove some body rust (nothing serious, just exterior rust), and get a new side mirror. Eventually, once i can afford my insurance payments, this'll be my first car.

It looks more or less like this; i'll get real pics soon:

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What do you guys think?
 
Giancarlo
Thanks.

Chances are, because it's such an eye-catcher, people in SUVs will be crashing into other cars. :D
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True. :D Congrats on your purchase. This car was born in a same year a6m5 was, so you know it's something special...... :p
 
Are you exempt from road tax if your car is over 20 years old?

Cool first car though, should be abit of a head turner.

There's a great looking one down the road from me. Kind of a dark green.
 
ExigeExcel
Are you exempt from road tax if your car is over 20 years old?
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I'm not sure, i need to find that out. Along with what road tax is.

I do know that i can classify it as an antique though, not just a classic car.
 
It's a classic car. You probably won't have to e-check it, if you have that in Florida.
My dad has told me stories of his friend's old Beetle. It didn't have heat or air conditioning, so every winter my dad would have to hang out the window and scrape off the ice every now and then. I hope you don't have that problem. Hope it treats you well.:)
 
I have a 1979 Beetle Convertible and it's been my first car too. Been driving it since the summer. And yep, it's definitely a babe magnet.

 
STLbarcelona5
I have a 1979 Beetle Convertible and it's been my first car too. Been driving it since the summer. And yep, it's definitely a babe magnet.
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Nice ride. 👍
Something about beetles, both new and old, drive girls crazy. Although, the newer ones are mostly designed for girls (i'm sorry, but daisy shaped rims scream "fabulous!") the old ones can be pretty cool, and easily customized thanks to all the old bug tuners.
 
I had a type IV VW (van).
They do indeed have heat, but there are no markings on the controls, so it's kind of hit and miss to get the heat to work the way you want.:lol:

Is the motor a new stock motor? Or is it a 1835, or bigger?

Two things to watch out for in a V-dub.
1. The gearboxes are geared funky, When you get to third the RPMs drop of very sharply. Almost to the point of bogging.

2. Check your plugs every couple thousand miles. I had the plugs "back out" every so often and had to tighten them. If they back out too far the engine starts to miss. A flat four that is missing on one cylinder is less than fun to drive.
 
...My friend has a '71 Superbeetle, and that car kicks ass. With Morris Day and the Time blasting, he used to drive the wheels off of that thing. He once had the breaks go out on him while driving though a hilly section of Cascade, and thankfully he was able to stop it with the gears, and slow it down by getting the wheels in the dirt.
 
Gil
Is the motor a new stock motor? Or is it a 1835, or bigger?

Two things to watch out for in a V-dub.
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It's brand new, has only 100 miles on it. It's 1800 cc's i think, about 80 hp.

Thanks for the tips. 👍

Oh, there are two knobs inside with arrows going in a circle that say "air," what are those for? Anybody know?
 
I don't know anything about Beetles so my advice is: play with 'em! That's what I'd do. Maybe they are for fan speed or something. Try it out.
 
Now that you're a airhead. Definitely want to check out this site http://www.thesamba.com/vw/.

Regarding the two knobs. They are the "Fresh Air Controll Knobs" according to the owners manual. At least in mine, the left one controlls how much air is directed to the winshield & window vents. The right knob controlls how much comes from the vent above the radio (if you have one . . .).

And if you're having any problems with heat (like me). The best thing you can do is buy new heater boxes. Preferably OEM ones, definitely not from Brazil. And when/if you do get them, make sure you get them with a ceramic coating.
 
STLbarcelona5
Now that you're a airhead. Definitely want to check out this site http://www.thesamba.com/vw/.

Regarding the two knobs. They are the "Fresh Air Controll Knobs" according to the owners manual. At least in mine, the left one controlls how much air is directed to the winshield & window vents. The right knob controlls how much comes from the vent above the radio (if you have one . . .).

And if you're having any problems with heat (like me). The best thing you can do is buy new heater boxes. Preferably OEM ones, definitely not from Brazil. And when/if you do get them, make sure you get them with a ceramic coating.
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Haha, alright thanks for the tips! :D

So those knobs just act like tiny windows/air vents? And does the heater work with those air knobs too?
 
Sweet purchase! I would love to tool around in a classic Beetle... :)

...speaking of Beetles, why did VW feel the need to take everything that made the old one cool and reverse it?

Flat-4 --> Inline-4
RR --> FF
Ran forever, quite cheaply --> Less-than-stellar quality
Polarizing "frumpy" looks --> Cutesy, wimpy looks
 
Well, because the new Beetle is nothing more than a golf with a body kit, that's why.

(Quality issues have sorted themselves out, btw. post-1999 beetles typically have few problems.)
 
Beautiful car Gian, my uncle in the Phillipines has one in sky blue, and it is a fun car (no a/c though, so it was a oven in there!).
 
Giancarlo
Haha, alright thanks for the tips! :D

So those knobs just act like tiny windows/air vents? And does the heater work with those air knobs too?
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Nope. The heater is only controlled by the two yellow levers by the E-Brake. The one on the right controlls the amount of heat. On the left controlls whether the air is directed to the winshield for defrost or your feet (right below the door).
 
240Z
Looks like it's in really nice shape. Any engine shots?
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Oh, i hadn't thought of that, no... I'll take those and some interior shots when i can. Today my brother and i finished cleaning up the inside a bit. :)

The engine looks nice though, it's only got 100 miles on it.
 
Hot Damn... that's excellent condition for a 74'! Congrats! 👍
 

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