Main Street Auto, Lakeville, MN

If you live in the Minneapolis MN area and have an air-cooled VW, you know that it can be hard to find people who know how to properly service them. Main Street Auto in Lakeville is one such place that can help service your older VW's. They work on other vehicles as well, but they have a passion for older VW's.

Ask for Tony, tell him that Jim sent you.

Main number: (952) 469- 2110
Website: http://www.mainstreetautomotive.com/

Super Beetle Technical Information

Although they looked the same as previous models, the 1302 and 1303 ‘Super’ Beetles were the most radical reworks of the car during its long life. MacPherson strut front suspension was adopted, which allowed more front boot space (and thus provided the easiest way to tell these cars apart, by their bigger and more rounded bootlid) and improved handling. The struts also allowed front disc brakes to be fitted too. The 1303, from 1972, had a more safety-conscious padded dashboard and wraparound windscreen, plus bigger tail lights.

Performance:
0-60mph: 18.3secs
Top speed: 81mph
Bore 3.36 in. (85.5 mm)
Stroke 2.72 in. (69 mm)
Displacement 96.6 cu. in. (1584 cc)
Compression ratio 7.3 : 1
Maximum output SAE net 46 hp at 4000 rpm.
Maximum torque SAE net 72.0 lb. ft. at 2800 rpm.
Maximum and cruising speed 81 mph

Dimensions and weights:
Length 163.0 in. (4140 mm)
Width 62.4 in. (1585 mm)
Height 59.1 in. (1500 mm)
Ground Clearance 5.9 in. (150 mm)
Unladen weight (ready for use) 1984 lbs.
**Vehicle capacity weight 739 lbs. (335 kg)
Gross vehicle weight 2844 lbs. (1290 kg)
Gross axle weight, front 1190 lbs. (540 kg), rear 1670 lbs. (760 kg)
Permissible roof weight 110 lbs. (50 kg)
Wheelbase 95.3 in. (2420 mm)
Turning circle diameter 31.5 ft. (9.6 m)
Track at front 54.3 in. (1387 mm)
Track at rear 53.6 in. (1364 mm)
Wheels 4½ J x 15 safety rim wheels
Trailer 882 lbs. (400 kg), tongue load 55-88 lbs. (25-40 kg)

Capacities:
Fuel Tank 11.1 US gal, (42 liters; 9.2 lmp. gal.)
Engine 5.3 US pints of engine oil (2.5 liters; 4.4 lmp pints)
Transmission and final drive 6.3 US pints of hypoid oil (3 liters; 5.3 lmp. pints)
Windshield washer approx. 3.6 US pints of fluid (1.7 liter; 3 lmp. pints)

Here are a couple sites with more Super Beetle technical information
SuperKafer
1302 Super
1303 Owners Manual
Wikipedia

Interesting ...

Not sure what to say about this bug modification ...

Kinda looks like it was made out of leftover silo parts.

The future?

This is one of my thoughts on what I would like my project to look like in the end. Audi sells the 2009 TT with the grey that I want.

More parts

Just got back from picking up some more parts. The previous owner called me the other day to let me know that he found a couple more boxes of parts, including the door wing windows.

Getting the glue out

I started working on the bug today. I've removed the radio and speaker wires. I'll put new wires in when I put the new radio in.

Also started on removing the leftover carpet glue from the floor and the leftover glue from the headliner. The carpet glue is kinda thick and rubbery and peals off nice, just takes some time. The headliner glue is a bit harder to get off. I'm going to have to experiment on a good way to get that off.

I'm open to suggestions to make removing the glue easier ...

New Project - 1973 VW Bug

I've been thinking about a bug (original style not a new one) for a few years and searching around for the last few months. My good friend Mike had a couple bug's, a '69 and '70 and the parents of another friend Chris had one too. Why a bug? Simple ...

• In this ever increasingly complex world there is something attractive about simple
• Parts are inexpensive and easily available compaired to other older cars
• Everyone knows what it is and either owned one or knows some who did

Its actually a super beetle. I was't specifically looking for a super, but when I came across this one I had to get it. New engine and super clean body. The car was originally from Texas, and it has a little surface rust but nothing real bad.

This will be a project, its in a bunch of pieces with now. The transmission and engine are in it and it is driveable, but nothing else is. No glass, no fenders, no hood, no trunk, no doors, no interior other then the driver's seat and the dash board ... but I think that I have most all of the parts in boxes. There are new wheel bearings, new brake drums and shoes, new glass molding ... lots of new parts.

Eric helped me bring it home with his pickup and flatbed trailer. We filled the entire pack of the truck with parts. Brought it home 6/12/09

The engine is a 1600 dual port and is totally rebuilt. It has about 4 miles on it and 3 of them where crusing up and down the road in front of the house. Its nice to have a fresh motor, I'll need to be sure to break it in right.

First images

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