The Super Beetle came out for the '71 model year. It had McPherson struts
from the beginning. The allowed the tire to be laid down and the trunk
became almost usable. In 73 it got the rounded windshield and real
dashboard. In 77, the convertible got the Rack and Pinion Steering. A real
problem in the north east is the head frames rusting out. Yes, the strut
suspension was sensitive to any wheel unbalance.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Todd Last
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 5:33 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: VLVC: Super Beetle TCO....

The front strut design made the car particulalry sensitive to any
abnormality in wheel balance, straightness, offset and alignment.  At least
that was my personal experience.

Todd

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Mike Bucchino <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
> ALL Super Beetles had front struts, that's what made them Super!
>
> Mike B.
>
> P.S. Not all Supers had the vent louvers on the front apron, just the US
> models (whether AC was installed or not)....
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Thomas Myers" <thomas.myers@XEROX.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 4:40 PM
> Subject: Re: VLVC: Super Beetle TCO....
>
>
> >I think that is when the Super Beetle went to front struts.
> >
> > [ Which the customizing crowd never liked...]
> >
> >> From: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> >> Reply-To: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> >> Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:44:03 -0400
> >> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >> Subject: Re: VLVC: Super Beetle TCO....
> >>
> >> 71 and 72 SuperBeetles had a "flat" windshield, just like the regular
> >> Beetle. 73 was when the curved windshield was introduced (and the
> >> monster rear turn signals).
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sep 11, 2006, at 2:51 PM, Mike Rouby wrote:
> >>
> >>>   VW Beetle purists may not appreciate the VW Super Beetle
> >>> (1302/1303) as much as there were several changes which detract
> >>> from the "beetle experience" (eg rounded windshield, plastic dash,
> >>> bigger hood, etc).  The plus side of this is that they go for lower
> >>> prices generally.