Post
by Amskeptic » Wed Apr 27, 2016 7:24 am
SlowLane wrote:Amskeptic wrote:
MacPherson Strut Coil Spring Front Suspension was a Super development in 1971.
In 1973, that curved windshield helped to reduce the Beetle Claustrophobia Syndrome.
It was actually a pretty good handling car when the suspension was fresh.
Colin
Yeah, except for the harmonic shimmy which kicked in around 50 mph that no one seemed able to figure out.
And the "modern" dashboard that came with the curved windshield didn't say "Beetle" to me at all.
When the suspension was fresh, I said, when the suspension was fresh. I have dealt with loose Macpherson strut front ends, and they did not have very good damping in the steering. Nor do 90% of all wheel balancers actually pay attention to a precise application of wheel weights. And there was an idler bushing set-up on the recirculating ball steering box systems that was "problematic". When VW switched to rack and pinion in 1975, you got the nice bump steer shimmy tramp as the rack lost friction.
I remember the 1973 Super Beetle at the local dealer showroom, surrounded by all things brand new Volkswageny, and I liked the additional interior space up there, and I thought they did a good job with the windshield shape now looking like part of the VW family.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles