Super Project '71

The last time we showed you the progress on our Super Project '71, the nose was up in the air and all of the stopping power was getting a good going through. We've concentrated most of the first few segments on the suspension and brakes, as it is an important step before tackling the rest of the car. Of course, like the most of you, we can't afford nor do we have the time for a 100-point pan-off restoration that will convert this car to 110 percent better than original. Our goals are simple: return this Super Beetle to the road so it is safe to drive, nice to look at and a good platform on which to showcase future Super Beetle developments. We won't win any awards with it, but in the end, it will be a quality job well done.

Onto the series. What we are going to accomplish in this part is relatively straightforward and easy provided you have the proper tools and a little know-how. However, if you've never done it before, expect it to take the better part of the day to accomplish, provided you take your time and make sure everything goes smoothly. Remember that we are working with suspension parts, therefore they are potentially dangerous if not well supported. What you'll need to do this are the regular wrenches and sockets one would find in a nicely-stocked garage, along with a floor jack, stands and a tensioner like the one you'll see in the story. They can be found at any tool store.

Each rear wheel is independently sprung by the means of equipment that's referred to as trailing spring plates, torsion bars and shocks. The rear suspension is centered around the use of torsion bars that absorb the shocks from the road. The function of the spring plate is support the rear road wheels and provide a pivot point for the torsion bars on which to absorb the bumps.