- Seller: Kurt S (Contact)
- Location: San Clemente, California
- Mileage: 60,074 Shown
- Chassis #: 1342031683
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.6L Air-Cooled 4-Cylinder
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual W/Synchro Mesh
UPDATE – The seller has lowered their asking price! Be sure to take another look and make them an offer.
The original Volkswagen Beetle was incredibly popular for a reason: it’s simple and gets the job done, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t some room for improvement. So, VW introduced the Super Beetle in 1971 with an improved front suspension and a slightly larger body. It all added up to a car that was very similar to the original but with improved handling and comfort. The 1971 Super Beetle being offered here as a Barn Finds Exclusive embodies the 1970s perfectly, with its bright Rally Gold paint and happy styling. If you’d love to have this driver, make the seller an offer!
For an affordable car, Beetles are surprisingly well-built and durable. That being said, this is still a 50-year-old car! Thankfully, the work to make it a driver again has already been done. The body was treated to a new coat of paint in the factory color, the interior was replaced, and the engine has already been rebuilt. All it needs now is a good home with someone who will enjoy it.
The Super Beetle’s interior is slightly different than the original Beetle, but is similar. The dash is probably the most noticeable difference, with a more conventional design. The seller states that the dash has been replaced, as has the seat upholstery, floor coverings, and headliner. It could use some detailing, but it is definitely usable as is.
Beetles weren’t ever high-performance, but they are light enough to be fun without a ton of grunt, and the rear engine layout makes for a unique driving experience. The seller states that the 1.6-liter engine has been rebuilt to stock specs, but it’s been equipped with an extractor-type exhaust for a little boost in power. The engine bay is tidy and straightforward. Other work that’s been performed includes new front disc brakes and the front end has been lowered with new IFS shock towers.
Few car designs are as recognizable as the Beetle and while the Super Beetle is different, it still has that iconic shape. They are fun cars, and Super Beetles make for great daily drivers. The MacPherson front suspension makes for a more comfortable ride, and the rack and pinion steering rack allows for a tighter turning circle and more feedback. This one looks like a great find, so if you’d love to have it, consider making the seller an offer today!
Nice. Got chances to work on these cars in the ’80s including building custom air conditioner systems. No visual indication of AC until you found the compressor in the engine compartment. Very durable and lots of fun.
I would love to have this to sport around in. I would definitely add air conditioning.
I think you got it wrong Josh, you say the 71 Super Beetle being offered here. I have a 73 Super Beetle and it is the first year with a curved windshield like the one shown here. So it has to be a 73 or later model.
Correct: “The 1971-1972 Super Beetles (AKA the 1302) used the same flat front glass as the Standard Beetle. The curved front windshield was first introduced to the 1973 Super Beetle* (AKA the 1303). This glass was used in both the Super Beetle sedan and convertible until the end of production. This new style glass was used to comply with US safety standards with regards to the distance from the occupants and the front glass.”
The ad says 1974 Super Beetle.
I don’t think Vern Whimple will buy this.
Anyone attempt to figure out the year by the VIN?
I wonder if the VIN should be between 113 3 021 911 and 114 2 000 001? July 1973? The ad indicates 1342031683 but I wonder if it is 113 4 and 6 out of the remaining 7 (203 1683)?
Any experts out there? Or if the author can verify the VIN?
A/C is a must, living in South Carolina. So, how does one get an A/C installed? I don’t know of any local shops that would do it….
I had one in Florida, AC is easy, there’s a handle on each door that turns clockwise and movable wing on the door that cools the car down while driving.
Actually, AC on a bug is very hard since the condenser needs airflow.
I think Vintage air might have unit, but they are kinda expensive.
Condenser not that hard as using the front grill below the front bumper and a long rectangular vent on the floor gives plenty of air. Flat fan on the condenser insures that. Spare still sits in the same area.
Steve suggested Vintage Air which would be a good start. They can sell you the parts as well as point you to an installer.
That settles it! I don’t care for VW past 1970. I like the original, smaller, flat windshield one.
F U.S. regulations. All they do is ruin cars. And before anyone jumps on me about how cars are saver now, save lives, you really don’t want me to get into that.
The original bumpers, covered headlights, longer, pointier trunk lid, smaller taillights, pointier license plate light housing and non vertical license plate…… that’s the bug I like. I’ll even go as far as the 1940s with the split rear oval window.
I remember in the 1960s in elementary school during library time, I’d go through the magazines, especially National Geographic and read about the individual changes each year brought to the VW.
Then I’d read the Cadillac advertisements where the V emblem was done in Rubies, Emeralds or Diamonds.
Yeah, I’m a girly girl who loves cars.
You make good points Angel, but if you want to actually use a bug for transportation, a Super Beetle is best. They actually drive pretty comfortably at 70 mph. The heaters actually work and you get an 2 speed fan for defrosting. Another alternative though, would be putting a newer 1.6 (or larger) liter engine in an older bug, and update the suspension and brakes. My personal favorite is the 56/57 oval window with a cloth sunroof.
Hi all, this is my 74 Super. Although it has the grill in front I never had a/c. It’s really fun at Cars and Coffee to share V Dub memories. Make me an offer!
You have a really nice Super Beetle Kurt. Best wishes on the sale.
No picture Kurt.
Where is the Car Fax report?
It’s too old.
I purchased a brand new 1972 super beetle convertible in van nuys and had to fly to Osnabrook Germany to the factory and pick it up. I managed to put about ten thousand miles on it traveling western Europe traveling mostly with the top down. Beautiful experience, so much fun. The only regret I had was not buying a Porsche. While the VW would approach 100mph , the Krouts were unforgiving on the Reich Autobahns were there are no speed limits, I didn’t dare venture into the fast lane for fear of having a Benz or Porsche crawling up my Rear end and getting Seig Heiled at, when they passed me going about 160KPH. I think I paid just under two grand for the VW including shipping it back to the states where I drove the wheels off of it. Put another !00 thousand on that Super before rebuilding the motor. Fond Memories, I Loved my “”peoples car”.
No rack and pinion steering I think until 76 or 77. I had a 74 Super in the mid 80s built 1835 dual down draft webers close ratio 4speed complete swayaway suspension. It was so fun beating up the rich nerds in their worthless misfire corvettes. Man I miss that car it was killed by someone who ran a red light 😪
Owned and repaired VW and Porsches in 1963-67. Autohaus, Fairborn, OHIO. Hands down best deal is to put a Porsche 1600 N or S90 engine in… fits perfectly in anything up to super beetle, Huge front alloy Porsche brakes of same vintage fit also… the parentage of the parts and design was obvious.
Thank you for your comments. I’m going to try an auction next as my price must be too high.
If you added Air Conditioning to that Beetle it would lose some of its already low hp. I had a 73 with the curved window and the taillight got a change. Had the amber and red lenses. A/C would be nice here in Florida but it would sap too much power from that engine.
When i was young, and single…. a friend and I who worked at a full line Kawasaki, Yamaha shop use to go “junker touring”. We flew to Los Angeles, bought 2 cheap (under $1000) bikes and rode them home to Nova Scotia. Now, at 62, and full of arthritis, that’s out of the question, but I wo der if I could persuade the wife to try it with a bug? Lol