Any Beetle Owners Here?

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
04/11/2016 at 20:04 • Filed to: None

So I’m selling my P71, and for some reason I’ve just decided I want to investigate classic Beetle ownership. Always wanted one when I was a kid, and apparently I can afford one.

My main question is: will I fit? I’m 5 foot 11 and about 300 lbs. I’d imagine the answer is ‘not without some modification’, since even in my ‘69 Corvair I had to install seat rail extenders.

Anything else I need to know about the things? What to avoid, what are the good ones, that sort of thing. I’m thinking earlier is better for me, and I don’t want a Super. But any input would be appreciated.

Here’s a ‘70 nearby that looks relatively solid for cheap money that’s suckering me in with its Herbie stripes:

DISCUSSION (21)

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 20:14

NO. You will not fit into a beetle.

OPPOsaurus WRX > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 20:15

There is a Herbie for sale near me

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
04/11/2016 at 20:19

I like a straight answer. Done deal. Thanks!

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 20:21

I’m 5'9.5 and fit in a 500 Abarth (2013+). You could try that.

Also the prices for them are great! You can find a loaded 2014 for less than a base 2017!!!

Übel > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 20:30

Mine’s a Karmann Ghia, but it’s mostly the same deal. I’m 6'5" 260 and I fit vertically in a bug just fine, but you might have some width issues. Mechanically as long as nothing seems broken, it probably isn’t. The biggest thing there is to make sure it’s running on all cylinders, the #3 exhaust valve likes to burn out, and also just general leak checks.

Rust is THE THING to look for. Like, THE THING. Rust. Bad. Battery tray is a key area and easy to miss since it’s under the seat, and the door sills and spare tire tub are also important to keep an eye on. Probably a few others I’m forgetting, too. Best practice is to just check EVERYWHERE. Bring a magnet. Go to town. RUST BAD.

As for which one is best, that’s kinda your call. The earlier you go the prettier they get, but the later you go the bigger the engine. They went from swing axles to IRS in ‘68, but you’d have to look up the other year changes because I forgot them.

All in all, I highly recommend it, they’re fantastic fun to drive in a very communistical sort of way, the easiest thing in the world to work on, parts are incredibly available (Most of my local parts stores have stuff like wheel cylinders available at the store, no need to even order them), and it’s generally just a good time.

My citroen won't start > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 20:35

I guess my answer to you is the super-beetle, you got those in america right?

Die-Trying > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 20:36

you’ll fit.

check the pans. and the floors for rust. most of these cars have between 5 and ten layers of paint, and a half inch of bondo in places.

check the fuse block...... check the power wires where they leave the firewall for cuts knicks and burning. check the fuel line next to the carb.

check the part where the front suspension meets the pan. check where the top section of the body meets the pan(heater channel?) for rust.

Übel > Die-Trying
04/11/2016 at 20:41

I’m going to say fuel lines again.

Check the fuel lines or your car will burn down. Fact.

Übel > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
04/11/2016 at 20:42

They’re not THAT small.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > My citroen won't start
04/11/2016 at 20:48

Oh yeah, we’ve got em. I’ll go take a look at a few and see if it's going to work at all.

My citroen won't start > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 20:54

Also Type 3 if you want beetle feel and more space.

Übel > My citroen won't start
04/11/2016 at 21:01

Something to keep in mind with the Type 3 is that it’s significantly heavier than the Type 1 and parts availability is a much bigger issue since there aren’t a whole lot of shared parts, if any.

coelacanthist > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 21:02

They are a bit more bulgy, but not really bigger than a standard beetle anywhere that would count. If it were me, I would find the least messed with, pre 1969 beetle you can get your hands on. They retain a lot more of the classic styling if that's at all important to you. They may all look the same, but once you are fully addicted to the bug, the more homely features of the supers will start to stick out like a sore thumb. Sorry any super owners, nothing really against them, they just don't quite strike the right beetle chord for me.

vicali > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 21:50

Pre 63- little engine little windows little brakes.

64-66 big windows, better brakes.

67 one year only. Pass.

68-78 upright headlights emissions junk, not a classic- called not nice names by other vw people.

I’m getting a 66 myself- one day.

Go register at thesamba

vicali > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 21:52

Ewww no super

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 22:18

I’m about 5 10 and 270. I have no trouble at all in my ‘73 Super Beetle.

jdonahue > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 23:15

I am 6 ft, 3 inches tall. These days, I’m 285 lbs. Until I got married to someone with a toddler, and thus bought a reliable family car last year, I daily drove and autocrossed a 1966 VW Bug for five years. Had a Thing for sixteen years before that, and a Super Beetle for six years before that. Have a Fastback in my garage that I’m restoring.

I fit in all of the above. I have had my 6 Ft tall, 300 lb friend in the passenger seat of my Bug, and his 5' 11" niece ride sideways in the back. Somehow I managed to cram 4 passengers in my Super Beetle back in high school.

Fastback and the Thing are wider than the Bugs and thus a bit roomier. Leg room was never an issue in terms of length, but the size of the steering wheel sometimes made it hard to get in and out of the Bug and the Thing: I switched to a smaller Grant wheel when I started autocrossing the Bug, which handily solved that issue.

I say give one a try before you buy, and see if it’s for you, but I don’t think you will have a problem fitting.

A ‘70 isn’t a bad choice since it’s got an IRS transmission rather than swing axle,and a 1600, hopefully dual-port (single-port was stock in ‘70). A 1600 dual-port with a doghouse oil cooler became standard in ‘71, and a lot of Bugs ended up with them. They tend to run cooler and produce more power.

jdonahue > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you
04/11/2016 at 23:17

I’m 6'3" and I fit. Am I a wizard?

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 23:19

Find you a copy of “Keep Your Volkswagen Alive”, it will tell you pretty much everything you need to know about Beetles. Any Beetle owners out there that doesn’t own this book you need it right now. There is a section of the book that tells you what to look for when buying a Beetle.

http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Volkswage…

While not a current Beetle owner I have owned 3 standards (1964,1967,1973) and a super (1974). The 73 and 74 were almost identical in regards to options and interior. I preferred the 73 standard over the super mainly because there is way more aftermarket support for the beam front end over the struts. If you really wanted to you could convert the beam to a coil over. If I was looking to collect and keep a stock one, I would probably look for either a 67 (last year of swing-axle), or 68 (first year of IRS). Don’t let the names fool you both offer independent rear suspension. Look under the backseat under the battery for rust, even if the guy says it has new floor panels.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/11/2016 at 23:23

Oh yeah you will fit no problem. Legroom and height are not problems in a Beetle. You sit more in an upright position than you think. Width on the other hand, there is about 8 to 10 inches between the front seats. You and your passenger are going to be close no matter which Beetle. I’m 6' 250 and had no problem driving with my wife and kids in the car.

wafflesnfalafel > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
04/12/2016 at 00:09

I drove a 70' for a year or so after getting my license and had no problems, (6'2" 245) - actually took the test in it. Never had any problems fitting - honestly it had more room than many cars especially of that era.