The Volkswagen Beetle was developed as affordable transport for the masses and would prove to be a global hit. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, and easy to maintain, it came close to being all things to all people. Values plummeted during the 1970s as the opposition introduced cars within a similar price range that were more refined, making it possible to secure a tidy secondhand daily driver for under $1,000 by the end of the decade and into the 1980s. Times have changed, and pristine examples can often fetch extraordinary prices. This 1967 Beetle is a tidy and original survivor with a genuine 44,000 miles on its odometer. It needs nothing and is ready to find a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this wonderful little classic.
The seller emphasizes the originality of this Beetle, suggesting that the Savannah Beige paint gracing its panels might be factory-applied. Its condition is extremely good if that is the case. It appears slightly thin in a couple of spots, but it retains a healthy shine that is consistent across every panel. There is no evidence of bumps or bruises, and the seller doesn’t mention any rust issues. The condition of the trim and chrome is excellent, reflecting the fact that this classic has been treated respectfully and protected from the worst that nature and other motorists can throw at it. The glass is clear, but there are a couple of changes that the buyer may wish to reverse if striving for a “factory” appearance. The roof rack suits the car’s character, but removal would only take a few minutes. The seller includes a significant collection of documentation. The original Dealer Invoice indicates that the first owner ordered this Beetle with whitewall tires, and adding a new set would certainly allow this classic to stand out in the crowd.
For many classics, long-term investment potential is linked to originality. This Beetle ticks that box, with the seller stating that it retains its numbers-matching mechanical components. The rear-mounted air-cooled 1,200cc four-cylinder engine should produce 53hp and 72 ft/lbs of torque. The driver shifts ratios via a four-speed manual transaxle, allowing this German gem to cruise all day on the open road at 60mph. However, one of the Beetle’s core strengths and the reason it became such a popular daily driver is the exceptional fuel economy for the era. Volkswagen quoted a combined average of nearly 27mpg, but many owners will confirm that they have achieved far higher figures on the freeway. Taking the company’s average figure as a guide, that should allow this classic to cover around 240 miles between trips to the pump. The seller’s listing is slightly confusing, although it seems to suggest that the major drivetrain components received a recent overhaul. They don’t mention verifying evidence for the claimed odometer reading of 44,000 original miles, but the condition makes it plausible. They also supply no information regarding how the Beetle runs or drives, but I would expect nothing short of perfection from a vehicle within this price bracket.
There isn’t much to say about this Beetle’s interior, because the supplied photos only show isolated features. However, the seller confirms it received a recent retrim in its original combination of Black leatherette. That should mean that it presents well, and has no needs or shortcomings. The Dealer Invoice confirms that this VW left the factory with optional seatbelts and windshield washers, while the AM/FM radio appears to be a later addition.
The seller listed this 1967 Volkswagen Beetle here on Craigslist in South Orleans, Massachusetts. Their price of $29,900 is above the market average, although the figure isn’t unprecedented. This gem isn’t pristine, but its originality, documentation, and odometer reading make it worth a closer look. Values have dropped during the past year, although that trend has eased over the past few months. Therefore, now could be an ideal time to park one of these German classics in your garage. Are you tempted?
As said previously, the ’67 Bug was the best one. Not to sound redundant, but the Grim Reaper has made yet another classic available to the public. Clearly dads pride and joy, and knew which one to collect. With VWs being so simple, and a ton of aftermarket parts, it’s entirely possible to end up with a car like this. One of the few cars ever made that will retain its popularity for ages, if they can figure out that infernal clutch thing. Oh, don’t worry, VWs were probably the #1 car to learn how to drive a stick on. They took a lot of abuse. Great find.
Howard A., circa 2074: “Why, I remember when you could buy these things all day long for only $30,000!” 😉
The 67 beetle is absolutely my favorite year, the last one with the “original “ bumper style and the first one with (woo hoo!) 12 volt electrics. But the engine was 1500 cc, not 1200. My 65 bug was the last year for the 1200, 1966 brought the 1300 and 1967 was the first for 1500.
Beautiful car! But as someone already noted, a crack-pipe price.
If memory serves me right, in 65 we bought one new for $1700.
30k…….? Nope!
As someone who lives in Massachusetts, seeing those familiar license plates warns me to take a very long, hard look at the Beetle’s underside before trying to chop the seller’s ask down to a reasonable number.
They use salt on the roads here when it snows. Enough said.
Neat car, nutso price.
Especially since the car is on Cape Cod. The salt air there can really do a job on the underside.
As I recall, the fender welting in this era was color-keyed. Black welting on this car leads me to suspect a nonoriginal finish?
I had a 57, a 65 and a 66 and none of them had color keyed fender welting. Maybe that changed for ’67?
That’s a nice New England property the seller has got there…I can only guess the money came form gouging inoccent victims on car sales, but then again, anyone that would pay 30K for a plain jane VW beetle kinda deserves to be screwed.
I can only guess the money for the New England property came from laying bricks for 40 years and not pi$$ing his money up against the wall. You dump on the seller and wish the worst for the buyer. You’re a real treat.
I guess my comment struck a nerve with you, which tells me that your one of those kinda guys that would either gouge innocent people, like this guy is trying to do, or pay an astronomical price for an old beetle that’s worth less than half the ask…and btw, if being a “treat” means that I can close my eyes at night and go to sleep knowing that I’m not a crooked car guy, like most of the sellers on Ebay, then yes, I’ll own that one.
The rarest thing on this Bug is probably the radio knobs. Since I bought my 67 back in 1982, I’ve only seen three sets of these. This one, one in a magazine
and the set I got while parting out another 67. Nice car. Crazy price.
Howard,
What infernal clutch thing? I’ve never had a clutch problem with any VW I’ve owned.
Just a little joke , but the fact is a clutch pedal to many today is an instant deal breaker. Many will pass on this by simply because it’s a stick. I do think there are still enough of “us” that don’t mind shifting, but in the future, I believe it will hinder sales. Granted, 4 speed musclecars will continue to be hot, but I bet many would love a VW, if for nothing else, its retro charm, but can’t get the darn thing to move. Hollywood makes several references to that. On the Simpsons Super Bowl episode, Vincent Price can’t drive the bus and says, “infernal clutch”, and remember Star Trek, when they go back to the 30s, and Kirk can’t drive a car. Spock says, “I believe there is something called a clutch, Captain”.
Thanks Howard. I grew up with a stick but most people today can’t drive one. I’ve always liked “rowing the gears”.
I’ve owned several Vdubs including a 1967. All California cars except one. The pans are highly prone to rusting and the vin is located on the pan as well. Note to seller if you find a buyer pass my name onto them. I’ll pay a hefty finders fee.
Judging by the price the owner is still in love with this car and probably should keep it .
Thia brings back a lot of memories for me. I had the same car, but in a blue shade. My dad picked it out to be my first car, based on his experience with Beetles in WWII Germany. I only kept it a year or so, because I had my heart set on getting a convertible, which I did. He only agreed to co-sign on the ’68 convertible because it was his favorite color, Savannah Beige, just like this one. I still miss that car. Regarding the clutch issue, I do remember rocks getting stuck under the clutch on the ’67. The pedal came up out of the floor, and every so often it wouldn’t want to shift until you dug out the piece of gravel that managed to get itself trapped down there.