Many things can be said about the Volkswagen Beetle, its history and popularity. Although developed in the late 1930’s the Beetle was a successfully sold automobile up until production ceased in 2003. Known for their simplicity, and reliable drive-train, there aren’t many that show up that have rolled over the odometer 3 times like this Beetle has. Although having covered 300,000+ miles in its lifetime, this sad old Bug has been parked for 10 years, and hasn’t been started in 5 years. Having received regular maintenance in its lifetime, the engine was rebuilt 40,000 miles ago, and can likely be revived without too much effort. A little banged up, and having some rust concerns, you can buy this classic for the buy it now price of $3,600. You can check it out here on ebay out of Tallahassee, Florida.
Although this Volkswagen has been through a few engines in its lifetime, the current single port 1600 is not the original engine, but has only covered 40,000 miles since it was rebuilt. Although parked 10 years ago, the seller did use to start and drive the car once a year, but that came to an end 5 years ago. The seller describes the engine as a good runner, and also mentions that it is leaking some oil. A solid cleaning, a tune up, and some fresh fluids would likely breathe some life back into this flat 4. The fuel tank was replaced many years ago, but likely could stand a cleaning once again.
The interior is typical Vw with its simplicity, although it is slightly dirty. All of the vinyl would probably clean up nicely, and a carpet kit could also be purchased and installed easily. One cool feature is the under dash rack that many folks love, although those with long legs can’t live with it. Metal instead of padded, this dash in is nice condition with no chipping paint, but there are a few small areas around the trim, and the ash tray where some surface rust is developing.
Looking over the exterior it is easy to see this Volkswagen wears some patina, but to what extent is the question. The exterior shows nicely with lots of original paint, and a few dents. Someone at some point got real anxious with a jack in the jack point on either side of this car. The passenger side jack point was bent upward and even dented the body a little. The passenger door is dented down low as if it was part of the jack mishap. There are no running boards on either side of this car, and there is a piece of body trim missing on the passenger side as well. Despite the seller’s description of the exterior, it starts to get a little intimidating when he gets to talking about the chassis. The seller explains that the “floor pans are ready for replacement” and that the battery is currently sitting on a piece of plywood. Granted rusty pans are no surprise in a Volkswagen, and the battery box area is typically a rusty spot to begin with. The front apron is rotted out at the bottom, and the rear apron has rot holes in it as well. Overall the body looks reasonable with only minor rust on the exterior of the heater channels. For the seasoned Volkswagen enthusiast, you are looking a brake system overhaul, tires, engine awakening, floor pans, and a front and rear apron at the least. 1967 and older cars are typically favored for their styling and appealing wide 5 lug pattern possibly making this Beetle a must have project for someone. Is this project ’67 worth the “buy it now” price?
The jack point may be bent because it is rusted, weak and can no longer support the car.
Even though I’m a big muscle car guy, I’ve always loved the bug, especially the older ones. The “Thing” is another favorite that I’ve owned as well. They take a licking and keep on ticking.
1967 Beetles are the year to track down and buy. This was the first year for the new rear suspension and the 12V electrical system. It also was the last year of no smog controls. Starting in 1968 the anti-pollution devises robbed the engine of what little power it had. Regarding this specific car, it will need a lot of mechanical, interior and body and frame work. I would look for an Arizona or California car in better condition, even if you had to pay more.
DanaPointJoint first year of IRS for the Semi-Automatics anyway was 1968 and 1969 for all other Bugs.
Admitting that the anti-pollution devices overcomplicated what was once a pretty simple carb, my ’74 Superbeetle was a highway cruiser with its stock, original dual-port engine and 34 PICT 3. I’d be more worried about tracking down single-year parts for the ’67.
This was just on a couple days ago with 500,000 miles . Same year and color and info. Or am I nuts?
Mark, the one I see is a different color.
This one was nicer, I think.
http://barnfinds.com/500000-miles-1967-vw-beetle/
Yes that’s the one, heater boxes intact, 500k , I see its same seller. Had good luck with his beetles.
Both from Florida and the same seller.
Back in `70 I traded off my 327 powered ’62 Nova for a low mileage 1967 bug and headed out of town for good on the new Freeway. 75 mph and 33 mpg. Amazing car. :-) Terry J
300K? 500K? Wow! On a bug? I suppose, it is possible, I mean, if you are going to drive a lot of miles, there are better cars to do it with. Yeah, coming from “Rustland, USA”, once the jack points go, it’s toast underneath. Seen many bugs like this.The green one seemed much better. Oh, no heat on this one, no heater tubes and I’m sure the boxes are gone too. Certainly not a consideration where the car is from, although, at some point, this car was driven on the beach or in salt somewhere. Still, bugs are almost infinitely fixable, and ’67 was the year to have.
I loved my ’63 with rag-top sunroof, black with red interior. Oddly enough, you could not turn the heat off in that car, and it really seemed to kick out some heat. Sometimes I drove with the sunroof cracked even in the winter.
Your heater comment brought to mind a Wendy Bagwell tale about a VW, heater, reverse & gas tank problems…
https://youtu.be/k0s9144hn5I
Worth 10 minutes of your time…imho
I needed a laugh. Now I have one.
Both cars same ebay seller in Tallahassee, FL.
Can someone explain why folk use Buy It Now rather than auction style for this type of vehicle?
Different opinions regarding buyer psychology, some sellers want to create a sense of urgency and snag the impulse buyer.
Like reverse psychology? “You need to buy this car”. “I don’t want to”. “OK, DON’T buy this car”. “OK, I will”.
They made over 50 million of these, but where did they go? Mexico, and Brazil continued making these for years after production stopped in Germany. Saw a new one in Ensenada, Mexico in the 80’s for sale for 1,000,000 pesos, about $8000 US. They weren’t importable due to safety, and emissions problems.
Hi Jack that could be said for many cars. The situation, I think, was we, as Americans, burned these things out. Unlike Europe, where most driving is urban, people drove these across the desert with their foot to the floor, and it was not uncommon, to go through several bugs in a year. Blow one up ( or fall through the floor) and $100 bucks got you another one.
These were designed, specifically, to be driven foot-to-the-floor, all day long.
21 million, not 50!
The car does not war patina…it wears rust. That being said I would get this running and make it safe and drive it as is. Fun little cars!
There was a time you couldn’t drive a mile down the road without seeing at least one or two Beetles. Now I can’t tell you the last time I saw one on the road.
I bought a new one in 1966. Sunroof, gas heater and stainless trim: $2020. It wasn’t as good as my ’56 or my ’58 but had bigger heater boxes so I didn’t freeze.