One-year only models are curious things. Yes, they are unique and decidedly rare, but the audience that considers them special is usually somewhat “narrow.” A few months ago, I witnessed an auction for a rather ordinary VW Beetle where the bidding took off to a level I wasn’t expecting. I wasn’t a bidder, so the higher-than-expected sale price didn’t phase me, but I did some digging and found out the 1967 Beetle was indeed a one-year only special with carry-over details from the ’66 models with some cosmetic updates. Find this rare project Bug listed here on Facebook Marketplace for just $800.
The differences aren’t immediate obvious, but the longer you stare at it, the more you notice the odd blend of features. The older Beetle had lots of features that simply didn’t make it out of the 60s, such as the sloped headlights, the chrome bumpers with overriders, the smaller rear tail lights (smashed in on this example, sadly), older-style outer door handles, a unique rear deck lid and rear valence (also smashed in), and the dash knobs and window winders on the interior side. Aside from the rear end, it looks like most of the rare features are accounted for, and I can almost guarantee you an air-cooled enthusiast has squirreled away the ’67 engine lid and valence.
Engineering-wise, the ’67 came with the six volt electrical system but the later and more powerful 44-horsepower 1500cc engine. It also supposedly came with the updated “higher ratio” transmission, and even disc brakes up front. All told, it’s a fair amount of changes that all add up to an ideal blend of old- and new-school styling with some engineering tweaks that will make this Beetle a treat to drive. Of course, given the condition on display here, is it worth restoring? Again, I remain somewhat surprised as how much of a following there is for these ’67 models, and if this rear-end damage is limited to panel replacement versus structural repairs, it could be worth it.
The front trunk still has the original spare tire, which is surprising for a car that’s clearly been in a parts yard of some kind. The seller is located in Boonville, NC so hopefully, rust is not all that bad. He lists it as a parts car sold without a title, but it could be that lack of paperwork that is prompting him to sell it as a rolling parts bin. Oftentimes, it’s just easier to deal with the lack of title that way rather than attempt to sell it as a whole vehicle and deal with everyone crowing about the title issue. If nothing else, $800 is a reasonable ask for someone who has a restored or preserved ’67 Beetle in the garage and simply wants to keep some useful spares on the shelf for a one-year-only model.
While the “one year” thing is true, not entirely accurate, not like a Rebel Machine, it was still a Bug, but the more obvious elephant in the room, is the A/C. I can say without reservation, of the many, many VWs I came in contact with( was even a VW mechanic for 2 whole days), I never saw a VW with an A/C. Unheard of in the Wisconsin anyways, I read, this is a “Gilmore” unit and a dealer installed option and not cheap at $2275 today. I don’t see a compressor, possibly removed, I read they did offer an electric A/C too.
The ’67 Bug was the most improved Bug we’d seen, but certainly nothing outstanding. For a real change, it was the Super Beetle in ’71, but the poor Bugs days were numbered. I don’t know, folks, looks like the bottom of the barrel to me.
Howard do know that the windshield washer used the air from your spare tire for pressure, looks like it’s still intact.
Wow 2 hole days….no wonder your comments are off !
Kinda a mess here. I’ve put AC in the later 1500 cc cars and they worked well. Had AC in our 1700 cc ’77 camper and could still cruise at 70 mph. Price about right for a parts car.
The ’67 had the new improved front end of the coming ’68, but the bumper bows of a ’66. It also had the older front end and single joint swing arm. I don’t believe it had disc brakes. All of that changed in ’68 with a new body and underpinnings. The ’67 body and interior were the older version. You could say just about all years of the Bug were a “one year only version” because every year they updated something, either cosmetically , mechanically and sometimes both. For instance, a ’66 is the only “1300” year, a ’63 had updated interior but older rear deck..the list goes on..
My long-gone 1980 Mexican VW had a crazy mix of parts from various years. According to the mechanic at the hole in the wall Bug shop that cared for it, it had a pre 1968 swing axle, pre ’68 low back seats, ’71 front fenders and post ’74 rears with the big taillights. Solid bumpers and the engine was equipped with a single barrel (solex?) carburetor.
1967 was the first year Volkswagen had 12V electrical system.
My first car I bought was from this year. Bought it for $1200 in 1974. Everyone said I paid too much. Survived the worst snow storms in Indiana and Ohio in 1976 and 1977. Could only see out a palm sized defrosted windshield. Had to scrape the inside of the window to see out while driving. Drove great in deep snow. Floor rusted through and everytime I hit water or slush, it would splash me in the face while driving.
I’ve never seen a beetle with A/C
The Beetles in that era had Two Sixty Air Conditioning. You rolled down two windows and drove 60 MPH. That was your air conditioning.
Cold, sad, and lonely
I purchased a new 1969 VW Bug with Dealer installed AC and automatic Stickshift for $2400.00. Great car, 57HP, would run 80mph on flat road with no headwind. You dir have to turn off AC to pass a car safely. LOL Great fun vehicle. List price without AC $1968.00, which included standard: heater/defroster, backup lights, emergency flasher, day/night mirror, windshield washer, seat belts front and rear, padded dash & sun visors, front seat headrests, left outside mirror, rear window defogger, and steering wheel lock. AC was a $400.00 option. Note, you could not drive resting hand on gear shift, as it would shift into neutral, caused by an electric clutch.
Looks like it’s where it should be….RIP
I am buying it for the mystery Fed X box. There could be gold in that there boot. :-)
The AC looks interesting but no thanks as this looks like where Herbie went to pass on and await the cremation to melt the metal for future KIA vehicles.
FYI: I am more interested in readers telling me for fun what vehicle used use that is under the Beetle. Is it an old Ford Granada from the one picture with the single headlights. This one pic has a vibe to me a the smaller Ford lines non LTD.
Yep, that’s a first gen Granada.
This is a great parts car and worth $800. If I lived close I would buy it in second.
Not a Gold Bug. This is a Mold Bug.
Tom Hanks is looking for the FedEx box!!
call Terminix on this
I had a ratty 67 in the late 80s and at the time the one year only, structural rear pan was irreplaceable except by a junkyard part. Repro ones for pre 66 and for ’68 up were cheap and easy to get. I wonder if that was why this car was taken off the road after that rear end hit.
It will cost more than the car to hire the excavator to remove this from it’s wooded home.
That FedEx box has caught my interest too.
Had a ’67. Bought it because it had the Autostick transmission. Came with a weak motor so I put the big bore kit in at overhaul. Bugs were fun to drive. I had way too many vehicles at the time though.
I have to disagree with you Jeff. If this had been in a wrecking yard, it would be missing pieces and parts.
Good price for all that’s here- even if it gets used as a parts car. It’s a ‘67 car- but ‘67 prices do not apply.
Had a 1967 amoung my many……yep on that A/C and the buy should be worth it just for that !