So you've always fancied owning a strut' Bug... That is the Super Beetle in its differing guises of attire ala; 1302, 1302S, 1302 LS, 1303, 1303S, 1303LS...?

Back at the turn of the 1970s Volkswagen AG Wolfsburg needed to retain the loyalty base and expand the horizons and underpin the continuing sales of their top earner, the Beetle of course.

The writing was on the wall and VW knew that unless dramatic improvements were made to stave off complacency and competition at this sector of cheap, dependable motoring. This was placing irreversible cracks into the sales and overall future of this post war icon.

August 1970 saw the introduction of the 1302 and 1302S; heralding the era of the "Super Beetle'. Quite distinctive from the conventional Beetle, with radical changes including McPherson Strut front suspension, Disc brakes on the 1600cc)Double jointed CV rear axles, improved 'through flow' ventilation system. The engines on the 1300cc and 1600cc enjoyed twin inlet port cylinder heads. The spare wheel could now lay flat under a more bulbous front bonnet, giving 80% more front luggage space. Super Beetle as a big hit with sales in 1971 topping 1,219,612 units, with 330,000 Supers purchased in the all important US market.

The 1302 range soldiered on into its next and final incarnation, the 1303 being phased in around August 1973, more next month.

Del Griffin