Volkswagen Repair: 1975 Superbeetle wont start (fuel injection?), vw superbeetle, speedometer cable

Question
The car is a 1975 VW Superbeetle.  I purchased the car with a broken speedometer cable so I have little idea of the true mileage.  The climate is currently cold and wet but generally warm and dry (Southern California).  The car is in good-fair condition.  

The fuel gauge does not work, and I have ran out of gas two or three times in the past year.  The last time this happened (one day ago, at the time of writing), the car started only after almost an hour of trying.  Now that I have the car at my home it will not start at all.  I suspect that it is a fuel problem, the fuel injection specifically.  Is this something a complete novice can take care of, or should I take it to the shop?  

Answer
Luke,

Start with the basics... the fuel filter. Running out of gas can cause the rust and dirt at the bottom of the tank to plug the fuel filter and therefore starve the engine of fuel. You can do this yourself and the filter isn't expensive.

Good Luck,

Paul