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Modernization of antiquity - VW 1302 and 1302 S in the (historical) test

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Created on September 19, 1970

Text:

Dr. Paul Simsa

Photos:

Volkswagen / Werk

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Archiv

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Volkswagen / Werk

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Archiv

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VW 1302 (1971) - surrounded by 1300, 1302 S Cabriolet and Karmann-Ghia as Coupé and Cabriolet

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VW 1302 (1971) - does not offer quite as much space as a bus

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VW 1302 S (1971) - fetching ice cream

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VW 1302 S at the Geneva Motor Show 1972 - Volkswagen shows progress and continuity in chassis development - left 1302 S from 1971, right Type 11 from 1934

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VW 1302 (1971) - with the enlarged trunk, the Beetle almost becomes a business coupé

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VW 1302 (1970) - with modified front end and new front suspension

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VW 1302 LS Cabriolet (1971) - the reinforced longitudinal beams under the running boards are clearly visible

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VW 1302 (1971) - with redesigned front end, longer wheelbase and more arched hood

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VW 1302 (1972) - on the left the basic model, on the right the better equipped and more powerful 1302 LS

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VW 1302 (1971) - more space for luggage thanks to MacPherson front axle

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VW 1302 (1970) - with upholstered dashboard as it was already part of the comfort equipment before

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VW 1302 (1971) - Improved heating system: control levers (1 and 3) still between the seats, but air vents not only in the sill (2) but now also on the dashboard (4)

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VW 1302 (1971) - revised dashboard with fresh air vents (2) and remote release for the fuel filler flap (19)

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VW 1302 (1970) - View into the engine compartment

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VW 1302 (1971) - Sectional drawings of the engine

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VW 1302 (1971) - Transparency drawing

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VW 1302 (1971) - longitudinal section

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VW 1302 (1971) - the Beetle platform with new rear axle

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VW 1302 (1971) - together with a 1300 and the meager 1200

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VW 1302 (1971) - on the road

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Summary

In August 1970, the VW 1302 appeared with a new chassis, longer wheelbase, larger trunk and more powerful engines. The progress made on the new Beetle was commendable, but problems and criticisms remained. This historical test sheds light on the peculiar car that wanted to break out of its Beetle shell but could not and was not allowed to.

This article contains the following chapters

Space
Luggage
Getting in, getting out
Equipment
Operation
The engines
Chassis, suspension, brakes
Tires
Safety
Noises
Heating, ventilation
Driving with a caravan
Workmanship, durability
Maintenance, care
Spare parts
mot overall verdict
Technical data 1302 (1302 S in brackets)

Estimated reading time: 19min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Beetle shape unchanged, changes less noticeable: new front hood wider and more curved, front cut off above bumper height and thus also appearing wider, fenders and side panels inconspicuously adapted. At the rear, the air slits of the rear space ventilation at the side, VW 1302 or 1302 S lettering on the rear, all this is hardly noticeable. You can't see that the wheelbase has been increased by 2 cm, but you can see the increase in track width at the front (7 cm), and the new model hangs higher in the springs because the suspension struts allow more suspension travel. Wolfsburg did not risk a new body, although it would hardly have been more expensive than the radical redesign of the entire front section. The Beetle sells itself as a concept, with a normal body it would be a car like any other. The shape is not without its advantages: aerodynamically quite favorable; small dents and scratches are most likely to get on the rather cheap fenders, not so easily on more expensive body parts; the edgeless Beetle slides through the automatic car washes as if made for it.

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