I learned to drive on my dad’s ’65 Ruby Red Beetle. So did my twin brother, my sister, and one or two of her teenager friends. It also became my first car when Dad handed it down after buying a new ’72 Super Beetle, so I have a soft spot in my heart for mid-60s VW Beetles. Here’s one that bug lovers should be interested in: a one-family-owned 1967 Beetle that, after 54 years, will be going to a new home and another family. Located in Clive, Iowa, this survivor “Punch Buggy” is for sale here on Craigslist for $11,500. A big Barn Finds shout out goes to Gunter Kramer for sending this tip our way. Danke Schoen!
Based on dozens of positive comments on VW forums and from Barn Find members when we’ve featured ’67 Beetles in the past, Volkswagen got the Beetle right in 1967. The big news was a larger engine. The 1493-cc 4-cylinder engine delivered 53 hp at 4200 rpm. The electrical system was upgraded from 6 volt to 12 volt and on the US models, new sealed-beam vertical headlights replaced the sloped glass headlights, and back-up lights were mounted to the rear bumper.
Although nearly 321,000 of the more than 1.9 million Beetles produced worldwide were sold in the US, Volkswagen’s US market share dropped to 57%. That’s because GM countered by making German Opels available through Buick dealerships and Chrysler bought Britain’s Rootes Group, offering Hillman and Sunbeam models to the US small car buying public.
There’s not a lot of background or maintenance history shared, but I assume this Beetle was bought new and has been enjoyed and taken care of by several generations of an Iowa family. The seller implies they have maintenance records and shares that the Beetle “starts and drives as it should but pulls a little when the brakes are being applied and the engine leaks some oil.” Like the rest of the car, the engine compartment looks stock and not monkeyed with. The odometer shows 90,570, but it’s not stated if that’s the actual mileage. The seller also reassures the next buyer that even though the car has always been in Iowa, it’s been kept out of the elements and has always been stored in a heated and temp-controlled garage.
Beetles came in seven colors, and this one’s finished in a pleasing Zenith Blue. The seller doesn’t share if it’s ever had a repaint, but the light blue paint looks presentable, there doesn’t appear to be any rust visible, and the glass and trim and chrome look good overall. The black running board moldings have faded and would need replacing.
In the simple cabin, the interior isn’t perfect, but it is very presentable for a 54-year-old vehicle. The seller shares that the radio-deplete dash and instrument panel are all original and the gauges are in good working order. I’m guessing the two front seats rear bench seat were probably reupholstered at one time. The door panels and armrests show a little wear, the floor mats are discolored, and the carpet is worn in the usual places, but overall, the cabin looks very good.
Overall, this cute little Beetle looks like a bone-stock, solid survivor that could be enjoyed as is with a little bit of work or treated to a full restoration. What would you do with it if it was in your garage?
God, I loved my 67 and 69. Miss ‘em both. Except on cold winter mornings because the heaters in these things are actually ‘Meh’ warmers. LoL
we had a new 62, new 64 and used 66. 67 is the best year of this type, 12 volts, backup lights but still tube bumpers and earlier interior and dash. too much $$$ forr my budget but i’d love to have it. and on the cold winter mornings wear your heavy coat and gloves, you’ll need them. but the vw will keep going through the snow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfirnP08FP0
It’s true, the ’67 VW was the best. It remained the cheapest car sold in America, until the Gremlin under cut it by $100 bucks in 1970. Looking at this car, it’s amazing one could buy a car as bare as this. Strictly short drive as cheaply as possible was the rule. As suburban travel grew, the poor VW fell behind, and the influx of Asian cars, killed them altogether. I think the VW Bug had the distinction of the only great small car in America for decades. Not many others can say that. Great find, I know what I said about price, but pure nostalgia here, just not $11 grand worth of vehicle, sorry.
Working on a 67 convertible right now that has remained in the family since it was purchased in Germany for a month long vacation and then shipped back to the states, I would agree that the $11000 is a bit optimistic. I would be a little worries about the back window (has water been leaking, the rust around those windows is not an easy fix). The runners look decent so guessing that rust under the carpet and mats isn’t bad. Would like to see the spare tire well. But it does look to be very solid. Wouldn’t take much to make it really look spicey, parts so easily available. There are a lot of stunning Bugs of the 67 variety in the upper teens or $20,000 range.
The ’67 with it’s sealed beam headlight configuration was the last of the cool ol’ bugs. The energy absorbing bumpers and other B.S. “improvements” that came in following years just made them less charming. These were (and still are) great little cars. A lot of fun to drive and quite efficient. With gas @ $5. a gallon, I wish I had my old ’65.
Being a 1 year only in a few ways, this 67 is actually priced pretty much right. Clean original ones can get pricey.
Glws
LOVED the old beetles. Have had quite a few in my lifetime. Loved the older ones with the bubble headlights. Had one years ago, a 65 that I took to Germany when I got stationed there. I ended up rebuilding it with a 72 and made it look just like the 65 with a sunroof, bubble headlights and handlebar bumpers and I managed to redo the heat so it was GREAT!!
Tom, what did you do to ‘redo’ the heat to make it great?
I had made sure the heater boxes were good and then I ran a flexible metal pipe from the outlet under the back seat and then along the hump to the front and I could aim it where it needed to go. Defrosting the windshield wasn’t a problem.
Made sure the heater boxes were good then ran a flexible metal tube from under the rear seat outlet and then along the tunnel to the front. Could defrost the windshield easily. So what you had was a tube sticking up from the middle and anim it where needed.
Great car , bought mine new in 67 $1200.00 out the door to bring my new baby girl home in . The exact same blue , big engine . Sold it when my baby son was born , bought a Olds . Sure wishI had it now !
my first car was a 64 VW…. Drove it thru College… I learned right up front to bring an ice scraper with me… not for the outside windshield.. but on the inside when my breath froze on the inside windshield… LOL… God.. was it cold…
1967 was was not the first year VW to use “sealed beam” headlights, it is the first year to eliminate the glass coverings under US safety regulations. The headlights previously used were also sealed beam units, but in a 6 volt version. Personally I would love a 67 for a lot of reasons, including the new 12 volt system and the first year to use front disc brakes in the. I’d be tempted to put on the earlier fenders with the glass covered headlights. Sealed beam headlights were that, “sealed” they did not have replaceable bulbs at the time. If the low or high beam went out, you replaced the entire unit. All in all, a nice 67, love the factory radio block off plate!
This car has been repainted at least once. The webbing on the finders would be black if not repainted. Nice car.
Boy, this car brings back memories. My first car was identical to this one except I had a factory radio. My dad fell for VW’s during his deployment in Germany during WWII. He was determined I would have a Beetle even though I wanted a British convertible of some kind with a disreputable reputation for reliability. He found a used car just like this one and bought it for me with the understanding I would pay him back. I did that, and I loved the car intensely. My friends and I traveled all over in it on camping trips. But about eighteen months later I found a ’68 convertible Beetle in my dad’s favorite color (Savannah Beige) and he agreed to cosign on it. But I’ve never forgotten that first one and how I learned to drive a standard transmission in it.
That is a precious find. I’d detail the engine and engine bay, wash/replace the carpet, seal and polish the paintwork and not not touch anything else.