Does anyone know the year that the Volkswagen Super Beetle went on the market for U.S. consumers.?

Question

My family had one and I think it was the late 60's or early 70's.

Thanks to all of you for contributing.

Answer 1

other dudes are close, but here's the skinny

71 is first year for the super. difference in super and standard is that a super uses macpherson struts in the front end, and is like 3 inches longer and a little wider (which is why some folks call 'em "fat chicks")

the front end is slightly longer, and has less curve on the trunk, also, the spare tire on a super sits flat in the trunk, while a standard sits at an angle.

supers (if adjusted properly) tend to drive a little better due to the struts, if not adjusted properly, they tend to develop the 'super shimmy' which is a vibration in the front end. the standard is more popular with collectors and modifiers due to the set up on the front end, it's easier to lower those cars.

hope this helps!

Answer 2

The first Super Beetles with the flat windshields came on the market around 1969 or 1970, around the time the bumpers were changed on the Beetles.

I had a 1970 stock Beetle and I'm pretty sure there were Super Beetles from the same year.

Later on the Super Beetle was given a curved larger windshield. You could identify all Super Beetles by the little vent behind the rear windows. I think these also differed in that the rear windows didn't open, due to the presence of the vent.

Answer 3

I believe they started calling them that in 1971. There still was the stock beetle, and there was the superbeetle(which, in my mind was the same car in all respects.) Only in 1973 did the Super Beetle change from the stock. It had a curved windshield, the front suspension were struts(not torsionbar), the spare tire was repositioned to give the front end a more rounded look and increase in luggage space. They also had black halfmoon louvres behind the back side windows. The engine had a different intake manifold (and I guess larger valves). It has been awhile since I had mine and can only make comparisons to a 1970 Beetle(even farther back in my past)

Answer 4

The Super Beetle replaced the standard Beetle (in the US) in 1971. The Standard Beetle was reintroduced in '74, & both were sold here. From '71 on, all Cabriolets were Super Beetles.

Answer 5

I believe it was the 1971 model year; starting building them in August of 70 in West Germany. Hope this helps, a car nut.

Answer 6

I had a 1972 Super Beetle, so they are at least that old.

Answer 7

I believe the first super bug was a 69.