1968 VW Bug - Automatic Stickshift Tutorial

[@VeeDubability]

Nice to see a positive take on the autostick. I have a trike with an autostick, a Fastback with the full automatic, and a 1964 Bug with a Saxomat (precursor to the autostick with a centrifugal clutch instead of a torque converter). I've got a couple videos on my channel about the Fastback and older videos of the Saxomat. I picked up a '59 Bug that I plan on swapping in another Saxomat and hope to do some more in depth videos on it.

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

@@VeeDubability how cool is that! Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to check out your channel for sure.

[@jamesspash5561]

LOL back in the day, if you drove a regular VW and took off in one of these called "semi automatics", when it came time to shift, you would instinctively mash down for a clutch, but instead there was the extra wide break pedal, and end up eating the steering wheel.

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

Sounds challenging for sure

[@t21229513]

That’s a fact! I did that once or twice

[@nickmorton8998]

Those cars are rad! My wife learned to drive on an old Honda that had a similar trans. She loved it!

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

I’m just remembering all of the ones that I passed up in the junkyard back in the day!

[@davidhollenshead4892]

"That was the Hondamatic" which was the worst Transmission without a Clutch, semi-automatic or full automatic to be sold in the US since 1968. Most of them lasted about 30,000 miles before losing 1st, 2nd or R. So a few of my friends in high school bought them for less than a hundred bucks from disgruntled owners who paid for a few rebuilds. The catch was that as long as 1st or 2nd still worked the Hondamatic cars were drive-able around town...

[@CustomerPayment]

@@davidhollenshead4892 hmmm my 80 Accord shifts just fine by itself. I've had it since 85 as it was my first car.

[@t21229513]

Probably the reason to go to N at a stop is to keep the ATF cooler than it would be if the car was in gear holding a stop.

[@CMSgarage96]

I have a 1968 Autostick Beetle also. It works really well! I enjoy driving it.

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

@@CMSgarage96 that’s awesome!

[@CMSgarage96]

@@onearm5827 I know a bit about them. What’s the issue?

[@CMSgarage96]

@@onearm5827 do you hear your solenoid engaging the vacuum servo when you push on the stick shift?

[@CMSgarage96]

@@onearm5827 clutch is probably not engaging when you shift it. Clean the contacts that the shifter wire is connected too. Make sure there isn’t a short in the wire from contacts to solenoid. Control valve solenoid could be sticking also. There is a screw on top of your control valve which is located on the top left of your engine compartment. Turning the screw clockwise slows clutch engagement. Turn it counter clockwise to speed up clutch engagement.

[@CMSgarage96]

@@onearm5827 no I didn’t

[@dungbetel]

I drove one of those when I was a kid, around 12 years old back in the late 60s. My dad had a forwarding company in the UK and he used to arrange shipment of cars bought by GIs in Germany back to the US. Strangely, the cars always seemed to miss the first ship, so he had the cars for a couple of weeks to drive around in... I drove a number of those cars (including Porsches) on private roads and abandoned airfields. The VW Stickshift system was a bit of a mystery at the time, so I'm glad I've finally found out how it works.

[@hebneh]

My first car was a new 1971 Super Beetle with this semi-automatic and not having driven it since 1978 I was happy to relearn again how it drove. I almost never used Low, I remember; First and Second were fine. Only downside was that I never got skilled at driving a real standard shift.

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

@@hebneh wow, I never thought about that perspective. Not having learned how to drive manual. However, that everyone can drive auto stick.

[@don2deliver]

Every car either has a clutch or a torque converter, but not both. VW: Hold my Stein

[@DimensionDude]

I had a 1971 Super Beetle with the auto-stick from 1978 until I traded it in for a brand new 1987 GTI. I always drove it like a 3 speed and accidentally discovered that if I "dropped the clutch" in low gear from a standing start, it would do a burnout on slightly damp streets. Some of the auto-stick equipped cars had the clutch cable tube installed from the factory (my car being one of them). I made a deal with a salvage yard to swap my auto-stick for a manual 4-speed. Did the work myself, even removed the ATF reservoir and the vacuum reservoir. The only tricky part was swapping the shift linkage.

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

That’s SO cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@t21229513]

Autostick was available from 68-75

[@jamie-r2034]

That's interesting about the low - 1- 2 gearing. My bus is an automatic & it's nice for cruising around town. All of the young kids today can't drive manuals and I'm constantly being asked how much I'd sell mine for only because it's an auto. Hills are pretty rough though. haha

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

Yeah, it’s incredible how many kids do not know how to drive manual.

[@handbuiltbob]

What a great informative video! Having just acquired an auto stick ghia, this was particularly interesting to watch. I’ve not really driven in low and mostly just putt around in 1. Thanks for sharing Eddy

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

Thanks man! Glad it helped. It was fun for me to learn as well.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

It is worth more as a 4 speed...

[@mernstgeek]

Can you change the shifter to another one like the empi???

[@toddvanwinkle7777]

That thing is freaky! Those crafty Germans!

[@SuperFrizas]

I have question to you ! I have the Autostick as well on my bug ! But it’s is normal for the transmission to make whistle when is on gear ? Also where is your shop location .

[@7MPhonemicEnglish]

A torque converter allows for slippage using fluid instead of burning up clutch material, however, along with the slippage comes drag and drag reduces fuel economy.

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

@@7MPhonemicEnglish good to know! Thanks

[@t21229513]

@@7MPhonemicEnglish yes but the torque converter was so efficient it was easy to turn by hand.

[@ArthurSmallidge]

I have a 74 super that was originally an auto stick that a previous owner converted (poorly) to manual. I wish they had left it alone. I feel the same way about the 75 and up fuel injection beetles. I'd love to have one, but it seems all of them were disabled and swapped to carburetion. The fuel injection system isn't wildly complicated, it's just unfortunate they found their way into the hands of someone that didn't know what they were doing...

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

Yes, agreed. It’s the unfortunate fate of many of our beloved VWs.

[@mkeneke7412]

I remember seeing these cars back in the day. Cool idea. But any car person knows that ANYthing that relies on vacuum power is going to fail, sooner or later...

[@julissabenavides1811]

Hello, I have a 1969 Autostick where is your shop at? I love my car but very hard to find places that know about autostick. Please advise

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

Orange, California

[@gravedigger8]

can you put a type3 full auto into a type1?

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

No.The transmission housing is too big to fit into frame horns.

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

as long as it works ?

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

That’s what I say about fuel injection too.

[@i.a.d2606]

Hi.i have vw beetle Gazelle kit same gear box but doesn't work into reverse. Anyone to help me please?i'm from UK.the car was bought from usa.thanks

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

@@i.a.d2606 I’ll ask my UK friends.

[@aparicio1318]

Just got a 68 autostick myself. Anyone know of a mechanic in Los Angeles area?

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

@@aparicio1318 try Jim’s Auto Repair in Long Beach.

[@aparicio1318]

@@EddyCollins-TZN168 thank you 🙏🏾 they work on old beetles?

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

Hey Eddy ! I raced a 69 FB with my 67 FB . It had a auto and mine was std. = no race at all I sold the FB for 1,000 and used the money for a down pay. on a 750 Yamadog , big mistake . I sold the dog for 400 bucks running ?

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

What year was that?

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

@@EddyCollins-TZN168 81

[@pd1jdw630]

I need one.

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

Let me know and I’ll find you one!

[@pd1jdw630]

@@EddyCollins-TZN168 in a few months. I’ll let you know. I’m gonna pickup a project next thursday.

[@noelstaar]

cant you buy a decent set of rubber mats and pedals for that thing?

[@EddyCollins-TZN168]

it’s a customer’s car and the elderly lady is on a very limited budget. In fact, some of the work performed was complimentary.