During the second half of the 20th Century, you couldn’t go a mile without seeing a Volkswagen Type 1 (aka Beetle). That’s because 21.5 million copies of the quirky “Bug” were built and sold between 1945 and 2003. But, likely, none of them came close to resembling the seller’s modified 1973 Super Beetle, which is now a two-seater with an exaggerated hood. In the same family for 40 years, this one-of-a-kind Beetle is in Lac-Superieur, Quebec (Canada) and is available here on eBay, where the opening bid is $1,000 with a reserve that buyers will have to conquer.
The Super Beetle debuted in 1971 with an improved front suspension and a bit more room under the hood. But the seller’s father-in-law could just as easily have used a standard Beetle to enact the transformation that was undertaken here. It turns out he was a VW mechanic who was trained in Germany during the Bug’s early years. The listing says he came to the States in the 1960s when the Type 1 took off here.
The looks of the Jaguar XKE may have inspired him because the extended long hood on this VW may be its most commanding feature. Dad took the stock chassis on this Beetle and switched things around. It’s now a 2-seater with the passengers occupying the space previously used for the back seat. With all of that pushed back, he added a counterweight in the front for balance. So, we assume it handles as it should.
We’re told the unusual vehicle runs well and has new tires all around. And all of the rubber moldings have been replaced around the windows. While the odd car looks great at 20 feet, the older paint job is showing some bubbles and cracks. You may be looking at a repaint down the road, but for now, people are going to be checking out the weirdness of the ride rather than some imperfections. This is the second time this Type 1 has gone up on eBay, so hopefully the right kind of buyer will surface this time.
It reminds me of Jimmy Durante.
Hahahahahahahahahahah! Good one Dave. He was a funny man. He and Bob Hope used to say their noses got to where they were going five minutes before they did. That goes back to the 50’s.
When I saw the picture and had yet to read the story, I assumed it had a V8 engine planted under the hood. Obviously, I was wrong. To me it just looks odd, I wouldn’t want to be associated with it. To each their own.
I did too, but once I got a peep at that engine, I’m thinking “I could walk up a hill faster”. Those things were emissions choked and slow from the factory. The added weight does it no favors.
I thought the same as you. To me this modded Beetle kind of reminded me of Cheetah. Okay, I have a vivid imagination, but it did.
One-Of-a-Kind might be one too many.
Used W-12 engines are cheap .. .
Unless they actually run.
Another German “clown shoe”, just goofier than a BMW.
I think this is great!
All I can say is “why”?
Because it was there?
Because he could?
Who needs a reason?
I think it’s awesome too!!
You should buy it then. And then put it away…far, far away.
Has enough space for a Merlin engine now….heh.
Maybe if front-mounted.
Nice wheels haha
Reminds me of the Peter Griffin car, :0,,it’s unusual, I’ll give the builder that, I can only imagine the possible inherent handling quirks. Understeer must be prevalent. Just shows, our great neighbors to the north, bless them, think a little outside the traditional, and with 284 viewers and 0 bids, apparently no takers. It’s really cool, but once again, the builders idea may or may not be popular with anyone else.
Where’s a Corvair engine when you need one?
I bought a 1967 with a Porsche engine in it. It was probably where the term sleeper and Herbie originated.
Cool. But Bondo popping is just the start of the woes. Sad.
Looks like a Hebmüller Cabriolet gone terribly wrong.
Kinda cool..I think it would have been better if he’d chopped the top a couple of inches..I think this would be a hoot to cruise in!
most unusual. People will look twice, as you motor by!
Just so there is room for all the golf bags for the foursome! I love different. But this is just strange!
I’ll pass on this one.
Sometimes you look at a customized car and don’t like the look, but you appreciate the quality of the workmanship. Not with this car, it all looks bad. Three people like it well enough to bid on it so apparently my opinion is not one hundred percent, but I guess there is no design that everyone would like. The way the doors are cut and fit was the final negative deciding point for me. The best thing it has going for it, IMO, is that the wheelbase was not changed so it probably drives about like a stock VW Beetle, which isn’t really all that bad.
I dont get it: it sounds like there is just one seat, its a bench now (2 or 3 ppl) and one in back is gone/no room. Also a hood stretch. Y not put the motor up there now? Needed a counter weight up there? Dont think it could B same WB w/that ‘stretched hood’… Guy’s gotta like a Bug big time w/this kinda odd shenanigans~
I wonder if there was any point where the builder said to himself – “Well, I’ve gone this far…might as well finish it….”
Looks like a cartoon car that rear ended a semi….
Maks me wonder what the reserve is. If a grand was the asking price I’d say it’s got that much in parts in it.
Reminds me of some of the strange looking early Costin designs – I didn’t generally like them either….
…or the Bill Thomas Cheetah.
Thought the same thing when I first saw it …
Looks like Cruella DeVil has fallen on hard times.
I would have made suicide doors.
Finally a Beetle that will carry my golf clubs! Good job I don’t play golf 8-)
Needs Volks De Ville badges..
Nothing, and I mean nothing fits any design scheme that is cohesive.
You know someone bondo and painted it just to grt rid of it. And what’s the interior lool like.I’ll bet it’s a mess.
It may be ugly, but at least it’s slow.
On FB, a guy named Rolf Schildt has a convertible/ roadster version that actually looks pretty cool!
https://www.facebook.com/share/158UViDaXRm/
57Wayne, Wow, that is cool looking! The top and the windshield rake on the first issue was all it needed to look BAD. Buy the other one cheap and chop the top off, rake the windshield back a little and you have a nice looking car!