semi automatic transmission

Hey all,

I was checking out a silver speedster on Ebay that says it has a semi automatic three speed transmission. Anybody know anything about this at all. I am only interested in manual transmission for a speedster, but I am just curious.

There were indeed VW Bugs with semi-auto trans from 69-7?. Used engine vacuum servos and an electric switch in the shift lever vice a clutch. They were durable - but parts are gettign hard to come by now. Many convert them to 4spd manual which requires installing a clutch cable tube in the VW chassis tunnel (along with new trans and clutch petal assembly).

having owned a 70 convert auto stick bug , i can tell you that the
power lost during acceleration was amazing

Best to avoid the semi-automatic trans no matter what it is installed in. They are time consuming to get set up correctly, constantly need tweeking....
The points are located in the base of the shifter that disengage the clutch by way of a electrical servo /mechanical /vacuum, vacuum operated clutch arm. The vacuum, vacuum canister is factory mounted on the inner left fender on a Beetle.
There ia also the servo adjustment that controls how quickly the clutch engages
I had an old German mechanic that taught me the in's and out's of how to get these things set one up and maintained....they're junk and fortunately few and far between.

Dear old Dad bought a new auto stick baby blue bug in '68. Boy did he catch flack at the steel mill. Agreed that thing was a dog in acceleration but it did run flawlessly as long as I drove it. The real rush was when the little wire coming from the base of the shifter broke. That thing would start bucking like a bronco. I did make mucho gas money getting my buds and classmates thru the driving license test. Easiest car for the job.

BD

An unsuspecting new driver would rest his or her hand onto the shift knob and weeeeeeeeeeeeeee the car would go into neutral...if this was done on and off quickly as Bill said the car would buck to the point where it would almost hop!
This would happen quite a few times before the driver knew enough to keep hands off of the shifter except when actually shifting.

Bil..... Remember the "neutral drops?"
Rev it up with the gear shift in first holding a finger on the knob to keep it from droping into gear then release it and let 'er rip!

Sure do Alan, that thing did grab.(hope Dad's not watching) If it had another gear it wouldn't have been so bad. Trying to keep from laying on the shifter was a job at first. A few hops cured that.

BD