'74 Beetle Daily Driver

[RustRocket]

Well, since I sold the '84 Monte I needed a new daily driver. I've wanted a Beetle my entire life, and I found this clean '74 locally. I wasn't really after a VW made after '70, but it was cheap and it's still a Beetle, big ugly US-spec bumpers or not.
Luckily it's a 1600DP, with a single Solex carb, standard 4-speed transaxle, 158k miles, bought new in Provo, Utah.

Built in December '73, sold in July of '74 from Chuck Peterson Motors, who also performed all scheduled services up to 25k miles. Not sure how the car got here, but the gentleman I purchased it from said he bought it for his daughter as a project, she got in trouble, so he sold it to prove a point. He purchased it from another gentleman who simply drove it back and forth to work for a few years.

Now at some point, one of the previous owner's installed two driver's side power seats from a c. 2007 Toyota or Lexus(my best guess as I work for a Toyota/Chrysler dealer). Both seats work, up, down, forward and back, lumbar, and they are surprisingly comfortable even though the much larger, wider seat sits further outboard from the center of the car, shifting the pedals and steering wheel to the right a bit.

So far I am in love with driving this car, and it's been a fantastic daily driver even in 105+ degree heat(vent windows are one luxury that I wish our G-Body's came with). My plans are to simply keep it running well and keep putting miles on it. Eventually I'd like a convertible or possibly a ragtop, but definitely a pre-69 Beetle. Just thought I'd share the latest project, I know there's a few fellow air-cooled guys on here that might like to see it.

 

[pagrunt]

Are those the original wheels? From the pics they look like the wider Ghia wheels (or just looks like it because of the tires on it.) I like the 1600 DP's.

 

[ed1948]

I learned to pop the clutch in my Dad's modified 54 Beetle around 1964. I left two black strips across the sidewalk while driving up and down the driveway. That ended my driving for a while. In 1970 I bought back my Dad's 1964 Type 3 wagon, factory dual carbs and high compression. Then got a 1970 Ghia Convertible and progressed to the water cooled Vw's 1975.

 

[Longroof79]

You used to be able to pickup those cars dirt cheap....but I'm talking about back in the day.

 

[Longroof79]

Are those the original wheels? From the pics they look like the wider Ghia wheels (or just looks like it because of the tires on it.) I like the 1600 DP's.

I don't think Ghia wheels were any wider. VW had what they called a sport bug that had Recaro seats and wider steel rims. It's hard to tell whether that one wheel is wider, or just has a wider tire.

My last bug was a '73 Super beetle...auto stick...I wasn't too fond of the auto stick, though.
The car was sitting in my neighbors yard for about 5 yrs, until I asked if the car would be for sale.
I came over with a 1 gal. can of gas and a battery. The car fired right up.
I did a few minor upgrades...new 009 distributor, header, power pulley. Rejetted the stock carb a little richer and advanced the timing 5 degrees. The car ran great. It was dependable and great winter transportation.
That car drove through the snow better than any other car that I've owned...except for other VW's.

 

[TURNA]

Awesome!!!!

I had a 53 bug, I loved it!!!


You need a Autobot symbol on it!!!!!!!


Bumblebee is a yellow VW not a shitty Camaro!!!!!

 

[Bonnewagon]

I learned to drive on Bugs. I also learned to get hurt, bleed, and cuss on Bugs. Good thing you are in a dry climate. Here in the Northeast they literally dissolved. The floors and rockers went first- and, no rockers- no heat. That said, a valve adjustment and tune up will keep it running forever! Good luck!

 

[Longroof79]

With air cooled engines, it's important to keep all the engine sheet metal intact and the engine compartment weatherstripping as well. Keep the engine clean, it also helps it cool better.

Unfortunately, these cars are rust buckets. They're fun to drive and great transportation...if you don't mind lacking creature comforts.

I like those seats.

 

[ed1948]

My first job, 47 years ago, before further education was as a Lube Tech at my Dad's dealership. He was the service mgr. Didn't even have my drivers' license.
-raise the car
-open the drain and clean the filter screen, grease the front end
-close drain, add 31/2 Q oil
-check tire pressures and lube door hinges
usually get a 25 cent tip from the customer
Fun job in the winter with the snow, salt and slush from the car dripping on me.

 

[Longroof79]

What I always liked about Vdubs. They were easy to maintain and very straightforward to work on.
I just love the simplicity of these cars.

What's your plan for the '74? I always hated the big bumpers with the energy absorbers. But, I guess it had to conform to US safety standards.