Over the course of 65 years, Volkswagen produced more than 21.5 million Type 1 automobiles, commonly referred to as the Beetle. The first one was assembled in 1938 in Germany and the last in 2003 in Mexico. 1977 was the last year for air-cooled Beetle coupes sold in the U.S., with the convertible or “Cabriolet” sticking around another two years. The seller has a ’79 drop-top that’s said to be in fair condition, though the photos are a bit more complimentary. Located in De Pere, Wisconsin, this open-air Bug is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,500.
There was a time (1960s-1970s) that you couldn’t drive a city block in the U.S. without seeing a “punch buggy”, one of the nicknames for the VW Beetle. It began as the “People’s Car” in Germany in the late 1930s and started to show up on U.S. shores in numbers in the 1950s. The air-cooled engine mounted in the back propelled the little cars for years, but by the late 1970s it was somewhat passe. German production ceased in early 1978, but assemblies of the car continued elsewhere for nearly 25 more years.
The seller’s ragtop is a Super Beetle, meaning it is a little roomier than the basic Bug, though not by that much. The seller has had this black-on-black-on-black Beetle for 13 years, receiving it then as a driver as a birthday gift. The seller will only rate it as “fair” in terms of condition, perhaps due to a motor swap of unknown mileage that runs fine. Where the mileage claim of 2,000 comes from is not mentioned.
New or newer stuff includes a switch from fuel injection back to carburetion, the tires, the front seat covers (which look a bit odd), and other interior treats, plus a new battery. The seller adds that the wheels have been repainted and a stereo with four speakers has been added. These were – and still are – simple cars, and a lot of Baby Boomers owned one of these runabouts at one time or another. Does that include you? BTW, thanks to “Lothar… of the Hill People” for the tip.
Leave A Comment