automatic or standard

Asked by birkhaylie69 May 19, 2009 at 08:02 PM about the 1968 Volkswagen Beetle

Question type: General

did the 68 volkswagen beetle come automatic or standard?

4 Answers

915

Almost all of the original-shape VW Beetles were built with a 4 speed manual transmission. Automatic transmission was never available as an option, but there was a 3 speed semi-automatic or "Auto-stick". The semi-auto beetles have no clutch pedal, but you still have to move the gear stick to change gears. Both manual and semi-auto beetles were available in 1968. Unless you are really hopeless at using a clutch and can't possibly learn, I would avoid the semi-auto beetles. The manual transmission versions are faster, simpler, much more common and get better fuel economy.

12 people found this helpful.
30

Agreed! I went to undergrad college in same dormitory as a guy who had an "autostick" VW Ugh! Was a dog, even though an novel item! To this day, every one of my 12 car collection has a manual, except for my 2005 mint custom Saturn Relay 3 Minivan. I am handicapped and I drag my walker and handicap scooter around in the Van. Also we use it for travel for up to 4 hour trips, since it is sooo comfortable and reliable! A MANUAL is the ONLY way to go, and until, or if, my legs keep working, I am driving a STICK!! In fact, my original owner (ME) 1971 custom Supercharged Chevelle SS 454 5-speed custom everything, was ordered by ME on 4-15-71, fully loaded (AC, PDL, PW, PS, PB, tilt column, Cowl Induction and stripes and more) and my latest purchase, a custom highly tweaked to 840 HP (same output as the new Demon), 2015 SRT Challenger Hellcat, is also a 6MT! LOVE all of them!! I will NEVER EVER purchase a weenie-matic! Even if they are supposedly faster than the manual! I hate weenie-woosiematis! Ugh! Paddle shifters suck, and I do not enjoy putting the car is "D:" and having the car drive me! NO WAY! I will RESIST driving a weenie-matic, especially in a performance car, or a sports car. Even my mint Custom 2013 Infiniti IPL G37 COUPE has a manual! Rare it is, but I LOVE IT! Custom tuned and modded to 402 HP at the crank! Not too shabby for a V-6! Next mod fo the Infiniti will be either a Stillen Supercharger, or a twin turbo kit! I also LOVE Forced Induction. Both, my 1997 Eclipse GSX AWD, 5-speed car, as well as my 2002 Acura RSX-S 6-speed have 500 HP at the crank due to a Supercharger, headers, Custom Hondata tune in the RSX-S, and a custom Turbo, cams and an oversized Custom exhaust system in the Eclipse GSX! I call them my "mini-Hellcats" sine they both SCREAM!

3 people found this helpful.
30

Can someone tell please tell me what these are? These are on the actually steering wheel The - side is on the left and the -off side is on the right. Please don’t tell me they are volume controls as I’m quite clear where my music volume control is located These 2 are on the steering wheel directly behind the volume controls

3 people found this helpful.
20

Does someone know how many VW Beetle were manufactured with Stick Shift transmision?, I know it was only 1968 and 1986

2 people found this helpful.

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