I recently purchased a 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle and I found that the plastic tube above the fuel tank is cracked. I know that it is some sort of vapor trapping device, but i cannot find a replacement
Try duct tape. Seriously. Same thing happened to me on my 73 and it works.
VWs are one of the safest cars on the road. Contrary to what some people may think, they were built originally for off road, and have much thicker steel and pan than normal cars. They also invented the crumple zone, with a large shock absorbing area in the trunk up front. The gas tank is behind the suspension, and will never cause a problem in an accident. The VW is light because its engine is all aluminum, not because it has a light body. Compared to modern cars, the body of a VW bug is built like a tank. The only cars safer are Mercedes and Volvo. Modern cars are NOT at all safe. Air bags are inflated by an explosive device that has killed hundreds of people, and modern car are much, much more lightly built.
Plastic? check with dealer parts department. More than likely it is a rubber hose that goes back to the air cleaner in the engine compartment.
