- Seller: John M (Contact)
- Location: Saddle Brook, New Jersey
- Mileage: 36,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 11342021457
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: Air-Cooled Flat-4
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
Volkswagen Beetles are famous for being simple, approachable classics, but many affordable examples hide rotten floors. This 1974 Super Beetle offers a more encouraging starting point. It reportedly runs well, retains rust-free original floor pans, and comes with nearly everything needed to finish its cosmetic restoration. Located in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, it is offered as a Barn Finds Classified with a clean title and an asking price of $4,000.
The odometer is listed at 36,000 miles, but there’s no documentation to verify the mileage, so assume it’s higher. Regardless of the exact indicated figure, the car’s strongest selling point is its condition underneath. The seller states that the original floorpan remains rust-free, which could make this a worthwhile project rather than a parts donor.
It appears someone started stripping the paint in areas, which are now showing rust. The remaining orange paint is faded and in sad shape, so you will want to plan on repairing the rusty areas and treating the car to a new coat of paint. The seller estimates that 99 percent of the pieces needed to put the car back together are included, along with new custom parts, so that’s a plus. Power comes from Volkswagen’s familiar air-cooled four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The seller states that the car runs well, which means the next owner may be able to focus on bodywork and reassembly instead of beginning with an unknown mechanical problem. Unfortunately, we don’t get a look at the engine, but these engines are known to be simple and robust.
Several upgrades have already been completed. The Super Beetle has been converted to front disc brakes and fitted with a new fuel tank and battery. Five mag-style wheels with usable tires give it a period custom appearance, while aluminum running boards add another visual departure from stock.
The interior has also been customized. The photos show sporty front seats, a matching rear seat, custom door panels, and a largely complete cabin. There is currently no radio, leaving the next owner free to install a modern system or return the dashboard to a simpler period appearance. The curved windshield and strut front suspension distinguish the Super Beetle from the standard model, while retaining the unmistakable shape that made the Volkswagen one of the world’s most recognizable cars.
At $4,000, this project could be worth a closer look. The rust around the rear window is concerning, but it might not be as bad in person, so an inspection is recommended. If the floors really are solid and the car runs well, there are lots of options here. You could restore it back to stock, finish it as a mild custom, or touch up the paint and enjoy it as an affordable weekend cruiser.
Front bumper is from a VW Typ2 T2b Van
Don’t want to do any hard corning with that rear end hiked up like that.
That’s right,you don’t need to encourage overseer on a rear engine car.
My first race car was Aerodynamics Formula Vee.
Barn Finds-
Love the info you provide, but on a “BF Classified” would’nt it be better to have set standards for pics? As in “we need pics of engine, underbody, interior, etc. before we can post your vehicle”. A vehicle without sufficient pics seems frustrating to a buyer and a waste of space for BF
For example, a pic might explain why the rear end is so jacked up??
Love your stuff – just thinkin out loud
Greg
Scary photos of that rust. Look under the battery, bottom of doors, and all over the pans and trunk for rust. Better dead than red (rust)!
A nice candidate for an LS swap. Just kidding, when I was about 13-14 my older brother had a sweet 67 Firebird w/400 that was tweaked and could run mid 12’s. His buddy had an old VW Bug that had the original flat 4, but it was really tweaked hard and the bird needed almost half the 1/4 mile to catch up and over take it. Imagine it with a V-8?
Standards are good,however most would limit readers contributions of their old car photos.
I like it. But anything from Jersey (or Illinois my old state) needs to be inspected closely for rust. This is the third SuperBeetle that I have seen with rust in that same area. What gives? (Sunroof drains?) I’m sure there is a VW freak out there that knows the answer.
The rust around the rear window is typically caused by the sound deadening “pillows” that were placed in that area during the factory build. Once moisture gets in there, the rusting begins.
In regard to the areas around the rear windscreen with the rust, VW filled them with expanding foam which I think absorbed or trapped water. I presume it was done to stop engine noise going into the cabin. My wife owned one a long time ago and I dug out the foam with a long screwdriver and other implements. At the time, there were various rust panels available including the front lower door hinge area including the hinge. I was advised they came from Mexico. I can’t remember why now, but I replaced the pistons and air-cooled barrels. They were Mahle (German company Mexican made) and so cheap it wasn’t worth spending the time to clean the carbon out of the old piston ring lands.
Thanks guys!