
One of the challenges of a project build is bringing together the parts needed to turn your dream into reality. That isn’t the case with this 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle. The seller has completed much of the hard work, and includes items like new interior trim for the buyer to install at their leisure. This little gem is rock-solid and in excellent mechanical condition, allowing someone to enjoy everything it offers right away. The seller has listed the Volkswagen here on eBay in Newbury Park, California. Bidding sits below the reserve at $4,550, although there is a BIN option of $9,500 for those who view this Super Beetle as a must-have classic.

Very few cars feature a globally recognizable silhouette, but Volkswagen’s Beetle is one of them. It spread to the four corners of the globe, and Beetles were even successfully used in the harsh Antarctic climate. This 1973 Super Beetle appears to have spent its days in California, which helps explain why the underside shots reveal no penetrating rust. The panels are free from major imperfections, and although the Bright Orange paint isn’t perfect, it retains a healthy shine and looks very presentable. The seller had planned a cosmetic refresh, recently adding new bumpers with rubber inserts, and new wheels and tires. Wielding the spray gun would be an easy and cheap way for the winning bidder to complete the process.

Buyers ordering a ’73 Super Beetle in Bright Orange received an interior trimmed in Black. They could choose between cloth and leatherette, with this classic featuring the latter. It looks presentable in its current form, with no significant wear issues. The seller added a new VDO clock and a retro-style Bluetooth stereo with Rockford Fosgate speakers to improve occupant comfort. They purchased a new tweed cloth interior trim kit and a new dashpad, but haven’t had the chance to install either. These parts are included, and installing them will allow the buyer to improve the appearance without spending a dime.

Volkswagen hit upon a winning mechanical formula with the Beetle, and it remained little changed throughout its sixty-five-year production run. It placed the air-cooled flat-four in the car’s tail, sending power to the road via the rear wheels. Initially only offered with a four-speed manual transaxle, a semi-automatic became available in 1967. The company’s Sales Brochure for the 1973 Super Beetle confirms that its 1,584cc four generates 46hp and 72 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to the standard four-speed manual transaxle, and although these cars aren’t lightning-fast, they enjoy a well-earned reputation for being able to cruise for hours on the open road while daintily sipping from their fuel tanks. The seller has completed recent, significant work on this classic, ensuring it is in excellent condition. They replaced the generator with a more robust alternator, and you can add an exhaust system, axle shafts, a carburetor, and the fuel pump to the list. The suspension is rebuilt, but the most significant change was to the braking system. This Super Beetle now features four-wheel discs, meaning that hitting the pedal should allow it to stop yesterday! The seller states that the VW springs to life at the turn of the key and that it runs and drives extremely well. It appears that flying in and driving it home will be a realistic approach for the new owner.

Parting with a beloved classic can be painful, especially when you have completed much of the hard work and have a clear vision of the finished product. Such is the case with this 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle. It presents well in its current form, but lifting its appearance markedly would be straightforward and very affordable. The listing statistics suggest that people are willing to rise to the challenge, and recent successful sales results indicate that the seller’s BIN figure is realistic. Is this a project that you would consider pursuing further?




The washer fluid hooked up to the spare tire to provide pressure always kills me.
While not my overbearing attempt to spell doom and gloom, you’d have to be pretty out of it not to realize where we are. So many examples come through here, with limited interest, this is no exception. The ’73 Super Beetle was the most improved bug we’d seen in years. In ’73, sales were still brisk, over 350,000 standard and Super sold, but a sharp decline in coming years. This was about the best year, as after the Rabbit, sales plummeted, to just over 4,000 its final year( 1979).
Call me an outcast, but don’t you think this is a stark reminder of what’s going on? 250 viewers and 4 bids? You won’t find a nicer Bug, and a great example, heck even I could afford this, yet,,,4 bids. I hate to be redundant so early( I’ve been up for hours) maybe the stick turning people off? It’s a VW Bug, people,,,and here we are. I’d love to have this. Even no comments from our “peanut gallery”,,,that’s disturbing.
I think the curved windshield of the Super Beetle turns off a lot of VW Beetle fans. I know it does for me. I can’t remember how many Beetles I’ve owned from the time I was 15 until 60 years later.
For me it’s the “modernized” vinyl covered dash. Lacks the charm of the earlier models like my 71 and before that my 61.
It’s the fat younger sister of the Dub family – all new “refined” suspension. It was an attempt to make a winning formula last another few years.
Nice unit (and well within arrive and drive distance for me)
Has most of the upgrades already done (alternator) and is wearing all its tins around the engine which is a good thing.
That air cleaner is horrible looking, but acts as an “awning” for any rain coming in thru the louvers, so if you go to “round open element” you have to figure out a way to deal with the water.
I prefer pop-out windows and the air flow improvement, so would opt for that kit.
Until you have driven a bug with a roller gas pedal, you don’t realize how much more comfy they are on longer drives.
Love this one, including the hi visiblility ORANGE! hope the pan is in decent shape.
I’ve got to throw my hat in with Howard on this. I traded one of my cars for a 72 Baja Bug, super super cool in my opinion. Army green, 1600cc punched out to 1800, GTI seats, etc. etc. Not everyone’s cup of tea but I love it. However my needs have changed and I need to sell it to get a car for my college aged daughter to daily drive. Let me tell you, the interest in my VW is shockingly low. I’ve got it for sale now for about 1/2 of the value of the vehicle I traded it for, and still almost 0 interest. Yet when I take it out, it draws a crowd. So, my conclusion is that it’s one of those cars that people like, but don’t want to own or have no real use for (kind of like a Delorean).
A friend back in the 70’s had a used car lot and bought a bug at the auction, I get in it to drive back to his lot,I see a stick but no clutch pedal,yup a auto-stick,he explained to me when to shift it.
Annnd…it’s gone as of this morning… Bummer.
Been driving my 73 Super Beetle for over 8 years and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Paid 4,500 for it back then and worth every penny! Mine also has the factory hand crank sunroof 👍