My '72 Super... ongoing project

[Stock Steve]

[TheRustySuper]

[fcoloseumr]

['71 Super]

[TheRustySuper]

Well...as you can see, I haven't been on this forum in a while. I went off to college, and I didn't have the time to work on my Beetle, nor the place to keep it. I kept it at my parents house, and it has been driven once every couple of weeks. However, I've been living with my boyfriend for a year, and we are just about to move into a new apartment. Since I'm officially moved out of my parents house, they figured that I should be keeping my Beetle here in Lexington, where I'm going to school and living. I'll be renting a parking space for it at my new apartment complex, and hopefully will be able to find a storage unit to keep it in before winter comes.

In the interest of safety though, my dad did agree to pay to have some front end work done on the car. Though the rust is as bad as ever, having some new components in the front end will certainly make this a safer car to drive around the city. The car is currently at my VW mechanic's shop, and we should be getting an estimate on the work soon.

I don't have too many plans for it in the immediate future, other than to fix things as they break and keep it on the road. I will need to rebuild or replace the starter soon, as it has been sticking. Mostly I'll just be doing small projects at a time, as budget and time allows. I'm extremely happy to have my car back with me, and I'll be back on the forum regularly soon
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My '72 Super

[Beetlebaum]

[TheRustySuper]

Got some updates...about a month ago I got the front end work done, as well as had a new starter put on it. Though I prefer to do work on this car myself, I really didn't have the time or place to do it. It drives much better now, no more shimmies.

I got it to Lexington without a hitch, and now I've just been doing things as I can afford them and as they go wrong. After discovering that the original CV joints needed replacement, I went ahead and bought all new axles and joints and installed those. I also picked up some bumpers from a car show that still had the original overriders on them...they aren't perfect but I got a good deal on them and they look much better than the ones that were on the car before I painted it. Other than that I'm mostly doing tune-up stuff. It's been so damn hot here these past couple of weeks I haven't had much motivation to work on it though

Got the front bumper on last night. Panicked for a moment when the brackets on the bumper didn't line up with the holes in the fender. Turns out the brackets have to sit slightly wider on a Super than on a Standard (which I suppose these bumpers came off of). But there's an extra set of holes in the bumper to accommodate that so no problems.

The bumpers are rusty on the inside and the brackets aren't perfect, but my apartment parking lot really isn't the best place to be sanding and painting things. I'll do it when I can get it to my parents' garage for a couple of days.
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My '72 Super

[Beetlebaum]

Man, it looks good.
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1973 Super Beetle
2003 New Beetle
Post your Super here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=331999
Beetle Bums VW Club Member

[Stock Steve]

[TheRustySuper]

Thought I would just drop in again and let you all know that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth or anything

The Beetle is running just fine, although any restoration progress on it has pretty much stopped for the time being. Between school and work and everything else, I don't much time right now to do extra work on the cars. That being said, the Beetle is running and driving better than ever and I haven't had to do any work to keep it going apart from regular tune-up stuff.
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My '72 Super

[TheRustySuper]

Just thought I'd post an update and say the Beetle is still running and driving great! Planning on getting an alignment done here soon, in conjunction with the new rear shocks I've got to install. Also gonna get the weatherstripping I've had laying around installed, don't really have the time or space to do it so I'll likely be paying for someone to install it.

We live in a small apartment close to campus, but since we are graduating in May we hope to move somewhere with a garage, so next winter I plan on starting some much needed rust repair.

As much as I hated driving it in the snow with all the salt on the roads, it was the only car we have that had enough ground clearance to get out on untreated roads with the record 17 inches of snow we got last week and the 15 inches a few weeks ago. Passed several 4x4 SUV's stuck on hills, the Bug just keeps truckin'.

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My '72 Super

[TheRustySuper]

Well I thought I would update since I haven't been on here in a while. I'm now living in Louisville and working at an ad agency, and in all the shuffle of moving and getting a new job I haven't really done much to my Beetle. My GTI got totaled back in December, so there was all that to contend with. I've now got a 2012 VW CC (6 speed!) that I drive daily. I also spend a fair amount of time working on and maintaining my partner's 2005 Passat wagon, a car which I adore.

But back to the Beetle! I haven't driven it the past few months as I unearthed some front end work that needs to be done, including a Standard Beetle steering damper installed in my front end.

As is evidenced by my username, the car has a fair bit of rust. Now I have a garage at my apartment complex, I try to keep it there when it rains and throughout the winter. A full body-off resto would be a bit difficult here, so for the next several years I just plan on fixing the Beetle as things go wrong and drive the hell outta it!

Looks like I need a steering damper, plus some tie rod ends for the front end. Needs a tune up probably, even though it still starts first time every time. Wipers are currently non functional so a rebuild of the motor assembly and linkages is in order. Also want to fix a couple things to make it more pleasant to ride in--such as replace the weatherstripping so it doesn't leak anymore, and the fuel evaporative system so you don't choke on gas fumes when you drive it.

Keep an eye out here for updates in the coming months, I'm saving my pennies and hopefully the Beetle will be back on the road again soon!
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My '72 Super

[TheRustySuper]

Well, I said there would be updates and here they are!

Over the past few weeks I've been tinkering away at the Beetle, mostly trying to wrap up the last few things it needs to be a reliable driver, plus installing some parts I had been collecting.

Finally replaced all the fuel evaporative system lines...the gas smell was my boyfriend's number one complaint about riding in the Beetle, so it was time to fix. While I was in there I replaced the under tank fuel hose as it was starting to deteriorate (again). Given the ethanol content of our fuel, looks like I'm going to have to find an alternative to the braided German hose I've been using. I like originality, but I also like not having to change out fuel lines every year.

Also installed a few OEM parts I was given by my BF's uncle, who has a couple old Bugs on the hill behind his house. There wasn't much left to pick, but I got a non-cracked dome light, footwell heat vents, and a glove box latch. Little details, but nice to have.

Most importantly, I installed all new tie rods and a new steering damper. For the first time my steering is smooth with no shakes! Also did a full tune-up, so once the alignment is done it's ready to hit the road.

Last, just some general cleaning...I scrubbed out the trunk for the first time ever since owning the car, tided up the interior, and gave it a coat of wax. I'll snap some pictures tonight.
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My '72 Super

[TheRustySuper]

Here's some pics...

New tie rods and steering damper, ready for installation.

And so everyone fully understands my username, here's some shots of the rust I have to deal with:

My plan for the rust is to treat it for now so it doesn't spread, and then start amassing parts for rust repair. I'm seriously considering picking up a rust-free pan so all I have to fix is the body rust. The bottom of my frame head is toast, but the tunnel, pans, and the rest of the pan is all in good shape.

On a less rusty note, a couple minor things that were taken care of.

Trunk is clean, spare tire hit with a coat of primer.

For the first time in the 12 years I've had this car, the reverse lights work. With the original switch on the trans, no less.

Once I get the alignment done, I plan on doing some driving, and maybe make an appearance at some local shows.
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My '72 Super

[Beetlebaum]

Dang. Suddenly, my car's rust seems a lot less severe.
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1973 Super Beetle
2003 New Beetle
Post your Super here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=331999
Beetle Bums VW Club Member

[TheRustySuper]

Update time!

I finally had an alignment done a few weeks ago and man what a difference. Not a shimmy or a shudder, just smooth sailing. Still need to do a final adjustment on the steering box to see if I can't get some of the play out of it. Maybe I'll try to rebuild it over the winter if I feel motivated.

I've got a few little maintenance items to sort out and tinker with, but right now I've just been enjoying having a running, driving, reliable Beetle. I try to drive it 50-100 miles a week and it's been fun, even commuting 20 miles on the highway each way to work. Fortunately this is Kentucky, and people drive so slowly in the slow lanes I have been known to overtake the occasional car.

And of course, some pictures of the car as it sits today...

And that's 208k miles and counting on the original engine!

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My '72 Super

[Beetlebaum]

I know that I say it all the time, but I still do love your car.
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1973 Super Beetle
2003 New Beetle
Post your Super here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=331999
Beetle Bums VW Club Member

[TheRustySuper]

Update: A couple weeks back I clocked over 1,000 miles on my Beetle since July. That may not sound like a lot to you folks who daily your Beetles, but my car hasn't been driven that regularly in about 25 years.

Still on the original, non-rebuilt engine with 209,xxx miles on it. Leaks a bit, I lose about a quart every 600 miles but honestly it runs so damn well I don't wanna mess with it. Starts right up every time and doesn't burn any oil that I can see. Work is a 20 mile commute on the highway each way, perfect for getting the engine nice and warm every time I drive it. I keep it at 55-60 for gas mileage and safety, and get around 25mpg. Some new tie rods and bushings finished up some of the work I started on the front end ages ago, and it feels as tight as a new car now.

This winter I intend on getting the wipers and defrost sorted out, plus a few other projects like weatherstripping and whatnot. I'll probably Fluid Film the rust for now. The car stays garaged and I don't take it out when there's salt or water in general on the roads.
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My '72 Super

[mikewilkinson007]

Great Story! Really enjoyed reading this thread.... and seeing that you still have it and drive it made my day!
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72 Super - Marina Blue
1641 AH Dual Port
Dual Weber ICT 34's
Bosch 034

Long Gone: 70 Vert, 66, 68, 73SB, 70, 72, 61 Rag and a 64 with a cinder block in the spare tire well.

[TheRustySuper]