"Animal" > wrote in message
ervers.com...
> Hello people,
>
> I have just obtained my first Bug. On the positive side, the machine was
> free. On the negative side its in pieces, has no seat, and the dismounted
> engine and transaxel have quite a bit of rust on them.
>
> I've worked on motorcycles and done routine maintenance on my various
> cars, but this will be the first time I've actually needed to tear
> everything apart and rebuild it from scratch. I've purchased "How to keep
> your VW alive" and the Hayes manual, plus I've just ordered all the
> 'special' tools from one of the online companies (no free publicity until
> I see what they're like.)
>
> The vehicle body is a '73 but I have no idea if its a Super Beetle or not.
> How can I tell? (If this is in a FAQ, I'll be happy to STFU if you point
> me to it.)
>
> The other mystery is that the engine serial number begins with a "1" and
> all the other numbers are too faint to see. I'll hopefully be able to
> clean enough gunk off the generator pillar to see the number better next
> weekend. From what I can find, though, engine numbers beginning with "1"
> are pre-1960. This would indicate that it ain't a 1600. Anyone have an
> idea on what capacity it could be?
>
> I plan on rebuilding this "on the cheap"; keeping whatever
> engine/transaxel that's in the box and rebuilding them myself if possible.
> I'd like to avoid buying new ones.
>
> Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Animal

Do you have a VIN for it? 113-2xxxxxx = 73 Beetle, and if I remember
correctly 153-2xxxxxx = Super for that year. If it's not inside of the
windshield on the driver's side, you could be having some problems getting
it titled when you get it together.

Charles of Kankakee