When Volkswagen first put the Beetle, or Bug, car on the market in the sixties and seventies, German engineers put the engine in the trunk and the trunk where the engine was. Americans thought this a very strange thing to do, but responded positively to the little car nonetheless. With the presentation of the "Herbie, the Love Bug" movies, more Americans became interested, despite its unusual design. The one major problem with putting the engine in the trunk area of the car is that the engine was smaller and required frequent repairs. If you own a vintage Beetle-Bug, here are the repairs you should expect, and how they compare to a more recent model of this popular car.

Shifting Issues

In old VW bugs, shifting problems between 2nd gear and reverse were, and are, common. The shifting plate that guides the stick often bent or bends out of place, and your stick shift in the car will slide or grind between these two gears. In the newer models, shifting problems present themselves as sticking, jamming, and jarring when you are trying to shift. Fortunately, if you have gone out of your way to purchase either a vintage model or late model Bug with automatic transmission, you can avoid the shifting issues entirely.

Engine Issues

If you have a vintage VW Beetle, the problems that often occurred had to do with the fuel pump, the fuel push rod, and the engine overheating and shutting down. Not surprisingly, the engine reports on some late models of the same car also involve the engine shutting down out of the blue. A mechanic can make the necessary Volkswagen services to make sure your vehicle keeps working and does not stall out. The biggest difference here is that it will cost you more on a vintage model because the engine has to be removed from the trunk before the problematic parts can be removed or replaced.

Finding a Mechanic That Can Repair a Vintage or a Late Model

Most mechanics have the skills and knowledge to fix problems with modern VW Beetles. They may not have enough experience fixing and replacing parts in a vintage model. The only exception to this rule is a mechanic that works directly for a Volkswagen dealership like Euroclassics Limited and provides service to any year, make, and model of Volkswagen, including the Bugs from the sixties and seventies. This is because the manuals and other experienced mechanics are available to them and can assist in their repairs.