Not too long ago, we featured another Sun Bug that was suffering from years of neglect, including its signature gold paint job crudely covered up by clay-red paint. This recently discovered 1974 model was acquired via an estate clean out and is a much better candidate for restoration. The seller, French Lake Auto Parts, is fairly well known as a dealer in projects, so the description provides a fair assessment of needs. Find it here on eBay for $1,495 or best offer.
The rear window louvers are perhaps my favorite detail here, along with the “Sun Bug”-specific striping running along the bottom of the doors. The Beetle is far from perfect but at least it looks honest enough to have a fair idea of where to start. The seller notes there is some amateur bodywork present along the left rear quarter and that the nose took a hit at some point. In addition, there are “visual signs” in the spare tire well sheetmetal of previously repaired bodywork. Honestly, if it’s not rusty, such bumps and bruises are to be expected.
The interior looks good from far, but the seller notes that extensive cleaning will be needed due to the long period of storage. We can only guess this is a nice way of saying rodents once resided here and the significant task of removing mice excrement and other reminders of the previous inhabitants will be necessary. That’s just a guess, but since the car appears dry, I can’t imagine the seller is referring to cleaning up mold and mildew. The dash panel looks tidy and the original radio remains in place, and I dig the wooden shift knob and e-brake handle.
The seller notes that the engine will run (briefly) off a bottle of fuel with the fuel system bypassed. No word on whether the engine is matching, and figure on a complete refresh regardless. Mileage may or may not be authentic at under 60,000 miles, but I’d say the interior looks complete enough that the number may be accurate. Special edition Beetles like the Sun Bug will never be huge collector’s items, but they are a nice change of pace from the standard Super Beetle. It’s located in Annandale, Minnesota if anyone wishes to check it out.
Visible mildew on the seat bolsters. Always liked these.
@grant – “Always liked…” what? Seat bolsters or mildew?
Seriously though; haven’t there been an awful lot of beetles and bugs here, lately? Thought we got rid of most of them in the late 70’s.
Maybe we need the exterminator to do a call-back…
Lol! Seat bolsters for sure. Mildew not so much. Who doesn’t like a Bug?
Already sold.
At that price, I can’t believe it lasted that long!
Yep, real cheap. The seller bought it from an estate and made $$, and so will the Ebay buyer when he sells it on again. If he cleans it up well, gets it running, services the brakes and other things, maybe a lot of $$$.
Anyone know if any beetles were made with automatics?
Yeah, kind of…it was called an autostick, and you could shift it by just putting your hand on the knob…no clutch pedal…think they made them from the late 60’s through the mid seventy’s…drove one once…very annoying, as I remember…
I once owned one with what was called a electro static Or something like that. Any way it was a 4 speed with the shifter in the usual spot and you would manually shift threw the gears. However there was no foot clutch or any other type of clutch used or needed to be engaged prior to shifting from one gear to another. Not a fully automatic, However if booth my hands where too busy passing a dube or clutching a beverage I would some times drive around the city in 3rd gear,, Other than a bit sluggish pulling away from a dead stop it was as close to a automatic that I ever needed !!! . The shag carpet I installed and big ass house speakers I had hooked to my 8 track player that had a headphone attachment. Made listening to Supertramp, Pink Floyd ect a lot better without outside noise distractions such as the siren on a Cop car ?
Minnesota tags? – it might have seen it’s fair share of salt. I’d want to go through this and see if the frame horn is toast.
Any bug is good for me.
I had that exact vehicle brand new in 1974. I believe I paid $2,799. I drove it for 12 years, put on 156k miles and sold it for $2200. It was a great car, as long as you anticipated upcoming hills and didn’t mind marginal heating and defrosting.
@Bruce – In 1974, my brother and I had had our red/black leather HemiCuda convertible for about 2 years. We paid $1750 for it. You mean to tell me all I had to do was add another $1000 (or, pay roughly 50% more), and I could’ve had a Volksie? Bruce, Bruce, Bruce… if only someone had just TOLD me at the time…
I COULDA HAD A FLAT 4!
p.s. – Upcoming hills were no sweat in the Hemi, though.
TriPowerVette,
LOL….sorry you missed out on the opportunity on the VW. I would have certainly opted for the Hemi Cuda as well! Oh, the cars we let slip through our hands. At about the same time, a good friend offered me his beautiful 1961 Vette that he put a 365hp 327 into. He sold it for $3,000 including the fuel injected 283 that was in it originally. Sure kick myself on that one.
Buyer Caution: May well have been lifted up by a HD fork-lift, as it the fate of the bug in the background in the first photo….
Had one identical to this one for 12 years. The guy I sold it to still has it and drives it in good weather only.