the differences of a '68

whutdidyousay · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject: the differences of a '68

I'M BACK!..... been a while, maybe a year sience I had a VW. But today we bought my wife a 1968 Bug. We haven't given her a name yet, but we will. Pics are coming soon. Finally We have a rust free reasonable looking car.
OK now for my question. I know that the '68 is a strange year, but what are all the differences? I know that it's still swing axle and that is about it.
_________________
'68 bug (Sadie)

danke meine Freunde

I'm tryin to build a dream one piece at a time, just bear with me.

Street Bug 29 · Samba Member Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 291

ah I love that year I have a nice 68,many upgrades here are a few

padded dash
bumpers
front fenders
headlights
gas tank filler
tail lights
deck lid
rims

glutamodo · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:46 pm Post subject:

68 was the first year for the electric fuel gauge in the speedometer. And the last year the speedometer used the "classic" speedometer face graphics.

Late in the 68 model year, for mechanical changes - they changed the tie-rods, front spindles and inner wheel bearings, plus the emergency flasher switch and relay.

jamesdagg · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

'68 changes>

1968 (1 Aug 67 to 31 Jul 6 Cool

Chassis 118,000,001 - 118,1016,100
Engine D 0,234,014 - D 0,382,979 34bhp(DIN)1200
Engine E 0,014,001 - E 0,015,981 37bhp(DIN)1300(US-M240smog)
Engine F 1,237,507 - F 1,296,298 40bhp(DIN)1300
Engine L 0,019,337 - L 0,021,115 40bhp(DIN)1500(US-M240smog)
Engine H 0,874,200 - H 1,003,255 44bhp(DIN)1500(not to US)
Engine H 5,000,001 - H 5,414,585 44bhp(DIN)1500(US - M157 smog)

Semi-automatic option with double joint rear axles (but dropping anti-sway bars) added as an option.
In the USA this is known as IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) - which is a bit of a misnomer, as ALL beetles have independent rear suspension, but some are swing axles and some are double joint axles.
New bumpers.
Hubcaps made flatter.
Plastic dashes (US models only?).
Large black knob added to vent window opener.
Gear change lever now straight.
Four stud wheels replace 5 stud patten.
Bigger front brakes (drum brake model).
Bigger rear brakes.
Solex 30PICT/2 carby.
Fuel filler moved outside to behind right front fender.
Brake fluid reservoir moved from under spare tyre to left side of front luggage area.
Fuel gauge combined with speedo. Fuel gauge is now electrical.
Oil warning light now red.
Outside door handle has squeeze trigger with single-finger shape.
Larger ‘flat bottom' tail lights.
Head restraints built into front seat backs (US models only?).
Collapsible steering column.
US models have exhaust emission control.
Front hood release moved into glove compartment, and fuel door release is inside from late 68.

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

whutdidyousay · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:32 am Post subject:

Thanks alot that's alot of changes..... I knew there were alot. But I have some differences. the release for the hood is on the drivers side and there is no release for the gas door. hmmmmmmmm
_________________
'68 bug (Sadie)

danke meine Freunde

I'm tryin to build a dream one piece at a time, just bear with me.

jamesdagg · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:38 am Post subject:

Was it made in August? That is the changeover month and cars made then are a bit of a mix up.

jim
_________________
'72 FI Westy
'71 Super rear inside defrost vents no longer available

whutdidyousay · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:41 am Post subject:

dunno when it was made.... not sure how to tell either.
_________________
'68 bug (Sadie)

danke meine Freunde

I'm tryin to build a dream one piece at a time, just bear with me.

Jeckler · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:51 am Post subject:

train99 · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:29 am Post subject:

My first car was a 68. "Gertrude."

Gas door didn't have a release and there was a small dimple for sticking your finger behind the door.

The car also didn't have an interior trunk latch. You opened the hood by pushing the button on the front.

I don't know what size motor she had, but it was fast enough. This was back when the max speed limit was 55 MPH.

Padded dash, high back seats, pocket on drivers door only, carpet on floor, and I swear she had a cigarette lighter in the dash to the left of the ashtray. Lighter on one side, emergency flasher knob on other.

My Step-mother bought her in 1968, and the car was maintained at the local dealer - Morgenson's? until it was parked in 1981. I started driving her in 82.

The most reliable car I ever had. I miss her. She was good to me.
_________________
Wanted - Seat Bottoms with good springs for 69 bug. Don't care about upholstery. Local to Mesa AZ only.

68Bug-lite · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:09 am Post subject:

gt1953 · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:09 am Post subject:

Golly lets here for us 68 owners.
Mine ws built in May of 68. Found it locally and original 1500 matching car never wrecked either. Matter of fact had original worn out shocks on it too. I think the 68 is a lotta one year only stuff too like the air cleaner.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

whutdidyousay · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject:

asw promised I got the pics for ya...... Gotta do a search and see why the rear end is so low. I think it's the torsions?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
'68 bug (Sadie)

danke meine Freunde

I'm tryin to build a dream one piece at a time, just bear with me.

bugninva · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

JonF · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject:

jamesdagg · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

JonF · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject:

Street Bug 29 · Samba Member Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 291

Mine was "May 1968"

68s are not worthless,just dump a x/tra large powerplant in er
call it good,any restored beatle is nice to look at

whutdidyousay · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

nope, no plate in the door jam
went to that beetle birth check site (the link didn't work) and it says June of '68
_________________
'68 bug (Sadie)

danke meine Freunde

I'm tryin to build a dream one piece at a time, just bear with me.

whutdidyousay · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject:

OK, Her name is Sadie!
_________________
'68 bug (Sadie)

danke meine Freunde

I'm tryin to build a dream one piece at a time, just bear with me.

Jeckler · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject:


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