I was told my convertible is a 1971 Super Beetle. How I can tell?

THE FIRST AND THIRD ANSWERS ARE HO YOU TELL. THE 71 THE TIRE WILL BE AT AN ANGLE 72 THEY ARE FLAT. I JUST READ THIS IN A CHILTON BOOK FOR VOLKSWAGENS.ON 11/20/09

A Super has MacPherson struts for front suspension. A standard Beetle has double control arms with a regular shock. You can go to TheSamba.com and look in their technical info and look up your vin number.

Copy the VIN number and call a VW dealer. They will be able to look it up on the computer and give you information on it.

I do not agree with the other answer. Some Super beetles DO have the grill underneath the bumper, it was part of an option package from the company. Not all people got it because it cost more it was part of a climate controll setting for the cab. The way to tell your beetle is a 1971 Super is to look in the front trunk. if the tire and gas tank lie flat and horizontal in a recessed well and not vertical up toward the front of the trunk then that distinguishes it as a super. Then you look at the front windshield, if the windshield is curved it is after 1972, but if the windshield is flat then it is either a 1971 or 1972, and there really is no difference between the two.

I learned this before I was old enough to start school! There is one major difference between a Beetle and a Super Beetle that is easy for anyone to spot. Look at the nose of your Beetle, specifically the area just under the bumper. If there is a grill there, then it is a Super Beetle; no grill equals regular Beetle. GL & HAGD!