“No rust, just dirty…very solid!” That’s how the seller describes this 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible. I’d like to know the story behind this Bug and why it has been sitting and accumulated all of that dust for so many years. It looks like yet another stalled project that needs to be completed. The seller writes in a brief Tarzan-speak ad description: “Have all parts, need put back together.” One part the seller admits is missing is the black vinyl convertible top, but the folding frame is included. You’ll find this Drop Top Beetle Bug in Fredericktown, Missouri, and for sale here on craigslist for an asking price of $10,000. A special “Danke Schoen” goes out to Gunter Kramer for spotting this Super Beetle and sending it our way.
The seller is beyond skimpy in describing the VW and sharing any history or its current running and stopping condition. He does repeatedly say how solid the car is and that it’s always been in dry storage. Several provided photos seem to show solid floors and I’m not spotting signs of the tin worm or major dents, bumps, or bruises. The exterior looks like it’s all there and in good shape. A long overdue washing and cleaning would reveal the kind of shape the paint, chrome, running boards, glass, and lenses are in. It’ll need new tires and I’m assuming the four missing hubcaps are included.
The seller says that all the seats are included but doesn’t show in detail or describe what their current condition looks like. It’s also hard to determine the shape of the door panels. I’d probably assume that it’ll need a complete interior kit. One thing I spotted in the photo is the old school VW steering wheel instead of the padded four-spoke one that was on my dad’s ’73 Super Beetle.
There’s one photo of the VW’s dusty 4-cylinder, 1585 cc rear engine with mileage listed as 100,000. The seller doesn’t share if it’s the original or if it’s running, but I’d assume it isn’t running and would need attention along with the brakes and other mechanical components for a vehicle that’s been in hibernation for quite a while. Even though sales were slipping worldwide for the venerable VW Beetle in the early ’70’s, they still managed to produce 1.2 million of them for the 1972 model year (with only 14,865 being convertibles). The base Beetle sedan cost $1,780, and the Sunroof Sedan added another $219 to the price tag. Super Beetle Sedans listed at $2,159 and the top-of-the-line Cabriolet like we have here jumped to $2,599. So what do you think of this dusty orange rag top? It looks like it’s solid and has potential. There are a lot of questions to be answered, but if the next seller can buy it for four figures, it could make a good project in the end. There’s just something cool about an orange Super Beetle with a black convertible top. Especially around Halloween.
That was the same color as my 72 Super Beetle in HS. Clementine orange is the color. Looks like a solid car but one has to assume an engine refresh and some interior and top work. If one could get it for a little less this would make a nice project.
It may be rust free and dirty but that carb sitting off the intake manifold without sealing it off probably hasn’t done the engine any good. I’d add a good look at the engine along with the other expenditures on his one.
Just a really unreasonable high price for that car. Without seeing those support rails under the heater boxes it would be a gamble.
Such a good point, but the heater boxes need to be checked as well. 10k way too much for this car.
Definitely want to pull that engine and take it apart, if for no other reason than to put a new set of jugs and heads on. I bet the intake manifold boots are toast.
If it’s only dusty, why wasn’t it cleaned. What’s lurking underneath that dust.
If you want premium bucks take the 2 hours to make it look decent.
I not sure it is a 1972 unless the engine was changed. In 1971 VW went to dual port cylinder heads, This picture the engine has single port heads. This may be a 1971 , the first year of the Superbeetle.
Not the original engine. Good eye as 71 SB had dual port heads. 70 was the last year for single port.
I thought the super beetle didn’t come out till 73 my mom had a 73 with a/c…had nothing but problems with the car…a real lemon. However the older beetle in the family were great.
1971 was the first year of the Superbeetle. Price difference was $100 more than the Beetle.
I think ’73 was the first year of the padded four spoke steering wheel along with the curved windshield and the “tin can” tail lights.
Correct.
Looks like it would make a great project if……
It’s all there. (It never is.)
The price was reasonable.
There are a lot of low mileage, late model super beetle convertibles around because a lot were bought as investments and stashed away. Unless you’re looking for a project, I think you’d be better off finding one of them.
$3500.00 Max