1974 Volkswagen Beetle Super from North America - Comments

I purchased the car at an estate sale, it hadn't been driven for over 15 years, so anything rubber was shot. This included all the brake hoses and seals, torque converter seal, tires, battery, and window gaskets, all of which had to be replaced. This was not because they failed, but because the car had set so long unused. All of these things were repaired by myself over a period of about 6 months. Shortly there after the torque converter seal failed again, probably because the one I put in it was as old and dried out as the original. It hasn't failed since.

Very slow, noisy, and cramped, but ultra reliable and surprisingly comfortable for one person. Not much room for luggage and what room there is is difficult to get at. Other cars feel the need to pass you as some kind of macho statement regardless of what speed you're going. Poor gas mileage by modern standards, only about 25 mpg at best, or about 280 miles to a tank of gas, probably caused by the semi-automatic transmissions torque converter. It doesn't lock like newer cars do. The heater and defroster work very well(it has a defroster fan) contrary to the popular myth that they don't.

I also owned a 1974 VW Super Beetle and it was a great little car. Mine was a 4 speed menual transmission, and it too didn't get great gas mileage.

I agree with you about the heater in the Super Beetle. It was much better than the heaters in my two standard Beetles.

(The fan surely helped.)

I loved the Super Beetle, but when I saw the new Rabbit Convertible back in 1980, I just had to have one. I started saving my money, sold my Super Beetle and bought a new Rabbit Convertible in 1982.

I still drive a VW to this day. I currently own a 1993

Cabriolet that is in nearly new condition.

Thanks for the excellent review.