1972 Beetle...My First Car
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- josamoto
- Drip
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:01 pm
- What model do you have?: 1972
- Location: Johannesburg
1972 Beetle...My First Car
Hi all! Just a few pics on the Beetle I just brought yesterday. Will do some cosmetics and customizing, but first, to sort out the mechanics.
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- bugspray
- Floorpan
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- What model do you have?: 71 Westy + 74beetle
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
Welcome and congratz bud. She looks quite good. Well done. Lol awesome interior. Whats the immediate plans? But you should loose the steering it sooo doesnt go with the look of the car. Enjoy the site.

More than meets the eye!
- 69bug
- Crankshaft
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
Congrats on buying the Bug. Keep us posted on all the updates!
"TSW" and "Street Rod" should not be used in the same sentence! - Barry
- Hloni
- Exhaust Pipe
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
From here where I stand, I see a solid cabbie (was tempted to say caddy but then knew that I might be skinned alive!). Pain looks grand. Interior rather nice and dusty (a good valet would solve stax) - but the steering and the knob have to go, fit them into a Golf or a Corolla.
As all the boyz have said, keep us updated with the developments. We luv pics and dumb questions. We are here to rant, advice and throw toys out the cot.
I'm out, are you
As all the boyz have said, keep us updated with the developments. We luv pics and dumb questions. We are here to rant, advice and throw toys out the cot.
I'm out, are you

- josamoto
- Drip
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:01 pm
- What model do you have?: 1972
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
I'm most definitely going to loose the steering wheel, it's too small and it most certainly doesn't fit the style of the car, I agree with that.
Just had it serviced today, and apparently, the smoke the car is occasionally popping could be bearings/rings, or at least so the mechanic said. I'm going to have them replaced next weekend in any case just as a part off the whole overhauling spree.
Long term plans are to have the car resprayed, pearlescent red, with metal flakes. Then I want to loose the bumpers for stubs, add a sunroof, drop the suspension and stick some nice looking mags with a bit wider wheels on it, not too much though. I'm going to fit some disc brakes as well.
Interior will have to be redone, the driver seat is ruined, but this all will be re-upholstered, and new carpets laid in the car, as well as new roof lining.
Definitely going to put in a sound system maybe MP3 player with a harddrive hidden somewhere in the car. Electric windows slightly tinted and with smash and grab.
As for the dash, I might consider building a central console, as I want to build in a GPS display there as well, but there's not a lot of space, so all this is going to take a lot of consideration, thought and planning.
Other features will include alarm + immobilizer and possibly a tracking device just for the fun of it.
Will be taking this step by step, as it's probably going to be expensive. So I'll be eating the elephant one mouthful at a time.

Just had it serviced today, and apparently, the smoke the car is occasionally popping could be bearings/rings, or at least so the mechanic said. I'm going to have them replaced next weekend in any case just as a part off the whole overhauling spree.
Long term plans are to have the car resprayed, pearlescent red, with metal flakes. Then I want to loose the bumpers for stubs, add a sunroof, drop the suspension and stick some nice looking mags with a bit wider wheels on it, not too much though. I'm going to fit some disc brakes as well.
Interior will have to be redone, the driver seat is ruined, but this all will be re-upholstered, and new carpets laid in the car, as well as new roof lining.
Definitely going to put in a sound system maybe MP3 player with a harddrive hidden somewhere in the car. Electric windows slightly tinted and with smash and grab.
As for the dash, I might consider building a central console, as I want to build in a GPS display there as well, but there's not a lot of space, so all this is going to take a lot of consideration, thought and planning.
Other features will include alarm + immobilizer and possibly a tracking device just for the fun of it.
Will be taking this step by step, as it's probably going to be expensive. So I'll be eating the elephant one mouthful at a time.

- bugspray
- Floorpan
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
Sounds fun. but The last bit you wrote couldnt be more true!! goodluck with it. resto isnt for the faint hearted hey. but its a blast.

More than meets the eye!
- Tony Z
- Donor
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
Sounds like a good project. We will all be keen to watch the progress.
Feel free to ask questions and post updates....
hehe... you have no idea
Feel free to ask questions and post updates....
josamoto wrote:
Will be taking this step by step, as it's probably going to be expensive.
hehe... you have no idea
ANGRRR
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
vader wrote: The Force is strong with you young Sith Lord Z!
- Hloni
- Exhaust Pipe
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
You know where to find me when you get to replace those chromed Smithy's. I would like a piece of that pie my boet.
- Hloni
- Exhaust Pipe
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
You know where to find me when you get to replace those chromed Smithy's. I would like a piece of that pie my boet.
- Farhaad
- Fuel Injection
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
if u thinking of completing the set of smithies give me shout as i have a mismatch on mine that im replacing with steelies. dont know why i have smithies infront and cyclones on rear 

- josamoto
- Drip
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:01 pm
- What model do you have?: 1972
- Location: Johannesburg
Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
Thanks for the suggestions on the wheels, but since I'm going to fit some disc brakes, with nice flashy red calipers, (maybe Brembo but I have no idea how much that costs),
I'd want some spoked rims to show off the brake package.
Here's the look that I'm aiming for:

Anyone have an idea what Brembo Performance braking packages might cost? I'm probably going to swallow my tongue, so I'll opt for cheaper performance brakes, and just paint them a matching red for the car.
I'd want some spoked rims to show off the brake package.
Here's the look that I'm aiming for:

Anyone have an idea what Brembo Performance braking packages might cost? I'm probably going to swallow my tongue, so I'll opt for cheaper performance brakes, and just paint them a matching red for the car.
- Tony Z
- Donor
- Posts: 15008
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
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Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
Brembos... upwards of R15K for the front... about the same for the rear
If you want Ceramics, you looking around R40K per pair
If you want Ceramics, you looking around R40K per pair
ANGRRR
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
vader wrote: The Force is strong with you young Sith Lord Z!
- bugspray
- Floorpan
- Posts: 3468
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:18 pm
- What model do you have?: 71 Westy + 74beetle
- Facebook: http://m.facebook.com/profile.php?r0d306f00&refid=7
- Location: Pretoria- beetle / Benoni - Bus
- Has thanked: 24 times
- Been thanked: 16 times
Re: 1972 Beetle...My First Car
Autostyle sells the caliper covers with the brembo logo on it. Haha. 6k disk brake conversion + the covers. Sorted 


More than meets the eye!