If you were a teenager in the 1970s or 1980s, there’s a fair chance you tooled around in a VW Beetle. That’s because zillions of them were around and they were cheap as dirt. Detroit finally began to seriously compete in the early 1970s with products like the Chevy Vega and Ford Pinto, which sold well enough but didn’t slow down much the population of “Bugs”. This 1972 edition looks like a survivor that runs and drives great, so you may want to leave it alone rather than restore it. From a dealer in Monterey, California, this fuel sipper is available here on eBay for $5,999 OBO.
The Beetle has to be the most duplicated car ever – more than 21.5 million copies were sold in the 20th Century following World War II. Designed as “the People’s Car,” the Bug usually only saw minimal changes from year to year, and 1972 would be no exception. You’d have to look closely to separate it from a ’71. Those changes included four slots in the engine cover, a few more emissions devices, quieter 3rd and 4th gears, and slightly wider wheels. More than 1.2 million Beetles were built in 1972 alone, down slightly from 1971 as U.S buyers had many more choices by then.
This VW was not in service when the seller got hold of it. With some tinkering, he/she got it running again and said it could be a daily driver if you didn’t want to invest more. Along the way, the car was treated to a pop-up sunroof as I don’t think Volkswagen provided that option back in the day. There’s a bit of rust here and there, but nothing major, and if you’re okay with loud orange paint, why not leave well enough alone?
To help you gauge the condition of the car, the seller offers a video for your perusal. Though the original population was huge, not all that many are running around these days as they were considered “throwaway” vehicles when worn out. If you’ve always wanted an old bug, this one is being offered for cheap money considering what automobiles go for these days.
This was a Super Beetle for 72. Front suspension was different and not as reliable .
No, it’s not.
How to tell? The front valence under the bumper…the Super had a curled-in steel section, with vented slats, to get air under the center of the car. The standard Beetle had the same valence that came to a point at center.
The Super had a rounded bottom of the front lid; the Beetle a pointed one.
The Ebay photos make it clear.
Turn it into Baja bug take to glamis and tear it up lol
Nope, the pop-up sunroof was not an option.
There was a cranked steel-insert sunroof – roll it open and the steel plug would retreat behind the opening. I don’t know, my Super Beetle had a conventional roof; but I seem to remember from other Beetles, that that plug-sunroof took up a lot of headroom, just behind the front row. Maybe over the driver’s head if the seat was pushed all the way back.
It looks to me like someone replaced that crankable plug with this pop-up plexiglass.
The wheel is not original; and I don’t think it’s out of a modern Beetle. From 1972 to the end, the Beetle/SB had a heavy padded steering-wheel hub, that almost looked like an airbag. Maybe VW thought airbags were coming faster than they did.
Prior to that year, the Beetle had a two-spoke wheel, with a concave design and a chrome horn ring. I think you have to go back to about 1960 to find the original flat steering wheel without a ring for the horn.
This steering wheel almost looks like an earlier year wheel minus it’s horn ring.
Sunroof is aftermarket.Customer wanted us to install one on his car but we refused. He took it to another shop and they screwed it up. A lot of the “cheapies” didn’t come with proper frames to properly fit the headliner.
That’s a do-it-yourself sunroof available from most any car parts store back then. Not plexiglass, prone to shattering when forced too hard to open/close. Bet this one leaks quite a bit, that curved surface would be tough to get a good seal on.
For a car with “no previous accidents” it has a lot of major dingage running down its left flank, from nose to tail. Probably still worth the price, or close to it, but I’d want to get under the front and take a good look at the structure before making an offer. Straightening the exterior panels after a hard shunt to the nose is pretty easy on these, but the underside will tell the tale.
The rear decklid is from a 1971. As mentioned in the article, 1972 saw the addition of two more sets of louvers to the decklid for a total of four. This one has only two.
That would actually be of some concern.
With the 1972 smog equipment (tightening regs) the engine was running hotter than it ever had. It NEEDED those cooling slats; back in the day, some owners re-layed the rear lid to sit raised on the hinged portion, about two inches up, to get fresh air in there.
VW went from two smaller sets of louvers to four longer rows, for a reason.
And then it begs the question, WHY was it replaced.
hey
its a real beetle at a reasonable price.
one can assume that it will act like a car and go like a car.
yes, IF you want a pristine garage queen; this may not be it.
it is a relatively inexpensive useful car
Considering the old junk that is out there, a reasonable car.
ONE THING TO CHECK
The condition of the floor; they rot out over time;
I have a “66 that is on its fourth floor pan
Peter
ON SECOND LOOK
It does not appear to be a USA issue “Super Beetle”
1. gas fill
2. hood shape
those seem to be regular beetle;
3. could be Mexican or European version
4, a look underneath would reveal the type of suspension
BUT
so what!
it’s a vintage beetle
ENOUGH SAID
Didn’t the super beetle have a curved windshield? This one looks kinda flat.
The curved windshield debuted in ’73 on the Super Beetle.
Aftermarket sunroofs: 100% eventually leak. Water doesn’t hurt that year/color-correct basketweave “leatherette” but moisture can eat through 18ga floorpans. Easy DIY fix since all Beetle bodies can be removed.
Price: Engine alone is worth 1/2 the ask but always inspect/get a walkaround video of it running and after driving (esp underneath where oil can leak from it and where it’s parked). Look up engine # and ask if miles are accurate (5-digit speedo). Unless you’re a purist: Improved Flamethrower oil-filled coil. (Pricy Flamethrower dizzy would be nice, no more points/condenser.) Incorrect air filter (original oil bath’s function is crucial for an air-cooled engine). And, NEVER LEAVE FUEL FILTER IN ENGINE BAY! Move it “behind” (in front of) firewall or enjoy your tailgate BBQ.
The bad can be good … for negotiating. OBO means seller expects less. In 1972, both standard (torsion bar) and Super (McPherson struts) were sold — pretend you were looking for the one you didn’t want. I think seller is Dodi Sales, first thing you see on your right entering Monterrey. Not a great eBay feedback score but the old-school car lot packed with mouth-watering classics draws your eyes away from the stunning ocean view.
That chrome trim in the wheel openings……ugh. If I bought this car I would stop 2 blocks down the road and tear them off….lol.
Door molding trim around the whole car looks stupid the as far as that a cool little bug..