Built between 1938 and 2003, the VW Type 1 (aka Beetle or Bug) is one of the world’s most recognizable vehicles. That’s because of its shape and more than 21.5 million were built across the globe. They came into prominence in the 1950s and the Beetle was the first of many subcompacts to successfully flood the U.S. market in the 1960s. This 1967 edition is said to be unrestored and may have fewer than 12,000 miles. Much nicer than many we see, this Beetle is available through a dealer in San Jose, California, and here on eBay where $6,100 has yet to crack the reserve.
The Type 1 was often called the “People’s Car” as it was developed in Germany under Adolf Hitler’s watch in the 1930s. It wasn’t until after World War II that production of the little auto got seriously underway. But by the late 1960s, the Bug could be seen everywhere on U.S. highways, miserly sipping gasoline back when most people didn’t care what it cost. Changes were few from year to year. In 1967, for example, the 1500-cc air-cooled engine became available for the first time. At a rated 53 hp, this is the engine that’s said to be in the seller’s car. Front disc brakes also came into being that year, but not on U.S.-destined copies.
Big news for ’67 came underneath the car where the rear suspension was upgraded with a wider track and a Z-configuration equalizing torsion spring was added. And U.S. models now had a 12-volt electrical system. Bumpers took on “override tubes” to accommodate growing safety standards in the 50 States where the Bug was a big seller. We don’t know the history of the seller’s car other than it was treated far better than most of these German autos were.
Said to be unrestored, we assume the nice Savannah Beige paint is original and it’s hard to flaw. The interior is in equally great shape. A very discerning eye might catch that the front bumper seems to be a little off-tilt on the driver’s side compared to the passenger’s side. Everything is said to function properly except for the radio and the VW’s generator has recently been changed. How does a 1960s VW Beetle only have 12,000 miles? It could be an interesting story.
My first car was a 67 bug and while I have fond memories of it because of that fact, in hindsight it was a piece of crap compared to the cars we can buy today. That being said, I’d still love to have one and this particular vehicle looks pretty darn good.
Gray market vehicle, IMO.
At least the carb, fuel pump, and alternator are replaced, should have a generator.
AND distributor.
Nice appearing VW, personally I love the 67, first year of 12 volt cars, last year of the classic bumpers and the traditional dashboard. Back to the car… the front bumper definitely has a tweak, it also looks high in the center. The car should also have body colored fender welting, this has black. In the detailed photo’s there are cheap crimp splices on the right side headlight harness, something has been messed with, minor collision? Nice to see the pop out back windows, the Euro style tail lights, and the OEM back up lamps.The Porsche-style wheels, I’m a little on the fence about. Replace the radio with a correct AM-FM put the anodized rear window gasket trim back on, change out the welting to the correct body color and cruise it. It’s too nice to mess with! I wonder what the reserve is…
Something is off with the tires on this car, they’re too large. I had a 65 and got one-size-up tires mounted for whatever dumb reason and it looked like this car. Also the stance is off either the front end too high. Having nitpicked (but these are real concerns I’d think), 67 is my favorite year for a Beetle. Old-style bumpers but oh hallelujah! 12 volt electrics.
I agree. I wonder why the front end appears to be jacked up. There shouldn’t be that much room between the tire and the wheel well.
Has had a bit more work than she will admit to.
New seat covers, lots of paint, [look at inner door jambs]
And the shine of the paint, that alone points to fresh single stage or 2 stage paint.
Only red cars faded more that these tan cars.
Engine bay stuff, front axle has had some work done, sits too high, need battery box and underside photos.
Current low bid shows that too many questions are un answered here.
Euro tail lights and stainless, louvered engine bay sheet metal…..doubtful this is an unrestored 12k car based on the number of replaced or added parts, but that’s just my opinion.
I agree 100%. I was just about to comment the same things you mentioned.
IIRC these still had a 5-digit odo.
Yes I had a 68, didn’t have yellow in the tail lights, they were solid red!
Nice 67, but nowhere near 12,000 miles new. Carb and distributor look new, should have a 12 volt generator instead of alternator, those didn’t come out until several years later. The chrome firewall panel is aftermarket. It also has one of those dangerous plastic fuel filters that will melt in the heat and spill fuel onto the distributor and burn the car down, seen it happen before to a friend’s car. Good clean bugs are hard to find, and this one looks pretty clean. With a little work, it would be a head turner.
Unfortunately–this car has been much altered. It is not a “survivor” vehicle. It has been altered very much. I have 50 years experience with many ’67 Beetles. The paint is not original, the wheels are not original, etc., etc. “Survivor” is a term which is copyrighted. It means, a car which is unaltered–solely repaired to keep it going.
Listing says “brown leather seats”. Old beetles did not have leather seats. Indicates to me that dealer is not entirely on the up and up or not very knowledgeable about the vehicle.
I am surprised no one has mentioned the louvered chromed fire wall in the engine compartment. I would like to see more pictures of the underside pan, inside of the quarter panel and the front wheel wells to potentially verify the authenticity.
I am surprised no one has mentioned the louvered chromed fire wall in the engine compartment. I would like to see more pictures of the underside pan, inside of the quarter panel and the front wheel wells to potentially verify the authenticity.
If it has been repainted I like that the rubber seals between the fenders and the body were not painted, and the rubber around the windows looks good too. Very nice beetle.
I have a 67 Bug that I’ve owned since 1982 and several others that I fixed and sold or parted out. As mentioned above there are many things on this car that are not original or done right and I seriously doubt it is original with 12,000 miles on it. The interior (except for maybe the headliner) has been replaced. (After 12,000 miles?) The carpeting and floor coverings are wrong and sloppily installed. Look at all the glue on the the front door posts and above the side carpet. Those seat covers are new.
I doubt the engine is original (can’t tell without seeing the case number). The alternator is wrong for 67, the distributor is aftermarket, there are other pieces that are wrong and I think it’s a dual port engine. I can’t tell for sure from the pictures.
The chrome moldings for the front and rear windows are gone.
It’s been painted and in some of the pictures you can see water on the paint.
It also sits very high in the front end which is very common on 67s (I installed offset spindles on my because of this) but this one seems extra high. And even though there are so many exterior shots there’s not one of the underside.
It actually looks like it’s probably a very nice Bug but I think it is being very misrepresented.
Both front fenders are reproduction as well – look at the space from the edge of the horn cover grilles to where the fender bolts to the body. Should be about 2 fingers width – reproduction stamping holes are placed much farther out in this area.
I agree with all the comments and reasoning about this car being less than the “unrestored original” the seller is claiming. Spare tire painted body color is usually a good indicator that the car has been painted, should be black and white for a 67. Who goes out and has paint mixed for a spare tire rim when a rattle can does the job in original color(s). Either the seller is just parroting what he was told about the car or he is acting like a used car salesman.
I like it but its at $15k and still hasn’t cracked the reserve I don’t like it enough to drop that kind of coin on it.
There’s a Tidewater Virginia 1967 for sale, real near my house, and on FB, it’s under $12k. They are fun cars, it drives pretty good, but I have a Ghia that looks better.
Hey Russ, looks like a pretty nice car. I currently have a ’67 Euro version of the same car with 28K kilometers (~18K miles) since new and it is totally original (including 5 original tires on the original rims (never dismounted)!
There were a couple of minor errors in the article. Stock beetles never had disc brakes. All USA beetles had bumper over-riders starting in 1958.
Ahhh, a 67!
I had a 66 and a 68. But I really wanted a 67.
Sorry, but I would totally ” California look” that car like my 66 was back in the sixties. Big 2180 with all the go fast parts, rhino 5 speed etc
Polished centerlines, yeah!, wish I could afford this car and I wish I had never let go of my 66.
This car would be great as a tow car for my skoolie bus.
I’m 62, but I’m still 17 at heart.
Whoever gets it, I hope it brings many miles of smiles!!