My car when it rolled out of the German factory was a brilliant orange color, just like the ones in the picture. Orange was a very popular color for that year. This is one of the colors I've contemplated repainting it when the time comes.
1974 saw some new changes to the bug. One of the features that came was new reinforced and upgraded bumpers, attached with energy absorbing brackets, this was to prevent damage in parking lot accidents. This year also saw a new steering column, one that had a smaller size column, VW continued to use the same column. In fact you can install the water cooled VW steering wheels from the 80's and 90's as well.
A new comfort feature was added that year as well. The seats were redesigned using the mechanics of the previous year. The previous year was probably the most extensive change to the seats which made them fully adjustable. This year though had new contoured seats for a more comfortable ride. They continued to use these seats the next year.
This year as I said has the most advancements seen on a carbureted beetle. It was a good year, maybe I'm a little biased, but it was a good year for the beetle. The engine had all the bugs worked out and was quite powerful with that light weight car.
Another noteworthy point about 1974 was the sun bug. This year saw the sun bug, it came as standard, super, and convertible beetle. It came in gold yellow and had either the sunroof or convertible top. It was a neat special edition.
Thanks for reading my spotlight on the 1974 year. Tell me a little bit about what makes your model/year VW special in the comments below. I would love to hear about it.
Huhn, come to think of it neither of our VWs have anything particularly special for their model years. Our camper ('74 Westy) is the only year with its interior layout and dual carbs, but big deal. The Squareback ('71) is an early-year model with a horizontal "Volkswagen" hatch script and a chrome trip reset button on the odometer. How's that?
ReplyDeleteAlright,
whc03grady.
1974 was a had a different interior layout on the westy huh? I'll have to check that out. I guess the camper's interiors changed quite a bit from the original split campers to the Vanagon. I think those are pretty interesting facts, certainly ways to tell the years apart.
ReplyDeleteYep, '74 and '75 Westy interiors are the same ('75s are fuelies; that's what makes them difft. from '74s). It's also the best interior layout, no matter what the "my passenger seat swivels all the way way around" crowd tries to tell you.
ReplyDeleteAlright,
whc03grady.