Very few original Volkswagen Beetles are still in the care of their original owners, but this 1967 Bug is an exception to the rule. Listed by the individual who claims to have bought it new, the Beetle was relegated to a backyard parking space when its useful life ran out. The seller notes key details in its history file, such as a new replacement engine being purchased in 1986 and installed in place of the tired original. The Beetle has certainly seen better days cosmetically, but as it is a southern California resident, major rust issues seem unlikely. Find it here on craigslist near San Diego for $5,000.
The seller notes that ’67 was the final year of the metal dashboard, which is a desirable feature to some air-cooled collectors. This particular Beetle also has a factory sunroof, so it does have a few things going for it beyond the appeal of buying an original owner car. The condition is fitting for a neglected example and one that has sat baking in the California sun; I’m guessing the next owner will need to restore both the interior and the exterior if they don’t love the idea of swimming in “patina.” The good news is this Beetle is an original example that seemingly hasn’t been previously torn apart, so at least it’s a solid baseline to start from.
Well, perhaps I need to correct myself. I’m not sure what happened back here, but it’s clear the engine is a work in progress that was started 20+ years ago and hasn’t been touched since. Perhaps this is the reason why the Bug was abandoned in the backyard: the seller notes it previously had a set of very cool dual Dellorto carburetors that he removed with plans to install a “….dual port single Weber package.” Based on the wording of the ad, it sounds like he did already buy the Weber components but they’re not included in the sale. If it were my car, I would go back to the Dellortos simply because that’s how this Beetle was set up for so many years.
The bodywork looks like that of a car that was used for many years as a cheap daily. Mismatched fenders, dents, surface rust, and so on. This is to be expected for a Beetle that went from a new car to a used car to a city beater. The work required to bring this car back to life may dampen the spirits of an air-cooled fanatic who doesn’t want to see a final-year, metal-dash example die like this, but there are also very few cars left anymore that can claim to be an original owner example. If the paper trail checks out, that alone could make this sad Beetle worthy of rescuing. What do you think – should it be saved?
Yup a 67 sunroof Beetle that is still solid is worth 5K all day long. Someone will get a nice piece of VW history. The 71 Super Beetle I have now was bought in San Diego when I was working in southern Cali. Good memories for sure.
Obviously well taken care of and out of the elements.
5k for that? Where is the nice ‘80s replacement engine? All I see is trash under the rear deck lid. Cool that it has a sunroof but that will be a mess to fix. This bug will need everything plus some. I love bugs so good luck to any potential buyers.
That’s interesting! The CL add is already lowered to $3750. Should go really fast at that price… The sunroof and a bit of history make this a nice buy!
This one is going to need a new motor at least and a bit of interior work as well. $500. would be a closer value on this one.
George–I agree $5 K seems high, but you are dreaming at $500.00. That said, this car will be sold a lot closer to 5K than $500.
Hey, he must like Beetles, usually on any worn out car posted on this site he says ” its worth $250″ !
first year of 1500 engine.
It is the “one to have” Last year of the old body style (Yes, I know there are one-year only parts on this) with the towel rack bumpers, as noted the new engine (57hp up from the 50 that the 1300 1966 bug had) I’m more a bus guy but I think this was the 1st year for the softer rear torsion bars and the “z bar” camber compensator. 1st year for 12 volts! Upright sealed beam headlights . To the general public it just OOOZES “Old BUG!” more than say a 74 which, last I knew, was an OLD BUG…Last year for (normally) the all metal dash. Many many improvements over the earlier years. Bigger brakes. It has ball joints (so did 66 tho) and all those things make ownership a little less daunting. If I needed another project…..
1500 single port was 53HP not 57HP
67 be has a few 1yr only items. Decklid, front fenders and swing axle is wider than 66. 68 went IRS
‘68 was IRS only on the auto stick
Okay I’ll start here; “”Ran when parked.” Then I’ll move on to; “My dad’s a television repair man and has an awesome set of tools. I can fix it.”
Now that’s out of the way, that’s a really weird looking “new motor”. Looks like it’s either a bad buy or it’s been stripped and the parts went to another car, friends car, were ripped off, or something, but there’s things besides the deck lid that are missing.
It may have an alternator, but 67 was the first year for 12v systems in all VW’s.
I suppose it’s a good deal at $3750, a better deal at $3000, and a great deal at $2500.
Ooops! yeah..1500 was 53 hp The 1600 single port is 57. However, the type 3 with the 1500 with dual carbs and the high compression domed pistons was 66hp! With this car having a basically non-existent engine, the world’s your stage, Considering the suspension, brakes and so on, some MILD upgrade might be in order. Nobody can SEE the bigger pistons of the 1600 (good luck FINDING new 1500 jugs!) Late case with the better oiling and the offset cooler of the 71-on might be good. Yes, 12 volt, but alternators were first installed in late 1973. It has the swing axle trans with the longer axles as has been stated. 68 MANUAL transmission cars were still swing axle with only the auto stick being “double jointed” or CV shaft style. (most auto sticks got the manual trans swap somewhere along the line..and the big deal was “is the clutch tube in the tunnel on this one?”) 1969 changed to double jointed across the board. Don’t drive it like a maniac and the rear suspension will never bite you.
This thing take me back…
I’ve owned my 67 Bug since 1982. Fun car and there are many one year only parts on these.
I too have owned a ’67 Bug (Euro) since the early ’80’s. Bought it from the original owner (still have the Kraftfahrzuegbrief) in Germany. My baby has just under 29K kilometers (`18K miles) and is totally original. Sadly I don’t drive it often enough and should probably sell it… Any idea on value of a 100% original unpainted, unrusted, never hit bug from that era is worth? 5 original; tires – never been off the original rims.
I found a 1961 VW cabrio that had been sitting behind a repair shop since 1963. I actually paid the bill from 1963 and brought it home. It turns out that not only is a 1967 a stand alone year, but a 61 cabrio is a stand alone year as well.
Honestly, it was in very rough shape from sitting outside in Las Vegas summers for 30+ years when I bought it, but, since I have no desire to add to the 28064 miles on it, the restoration is coming along.
No, ladies and gentlemen, I’m never going to sell it.
I would say without pictures $ 100. Got any ?
$100. Any pictures?
Not sure why this response has been going to another poster. Seriously? You want an appraisal without any pictures?
Luki, I have many photos, inside, outside and even of the various pages of the Kraftfahrzuegbrief that came with it from the original owner when exported to the USA. . . . I don’t know how to post them on here (or whether it is even appropriate to post them on here. . . . . . . . send me your email and I can email them to you. If more photos are needed the car is in my garage so np problem…
Steve RM — tis good that you have again mentioned to those not perhaps informed, that the ’67 has a number of “one year only” parts. I think that surprises the uninitiated, as they perhaps still remember those VW billboards and ads which showed a guy walking off with a fender, which fit “all” VWs, and I think the price was $19.95 . . . maybe even up to $29.95. Whatever, my son and I are both into vintage VWs, and he has a nice 67. Be sure you understand what is ” 67 only” and what is “common”. A short list off the top of my head: front hood, rear deck lid, rear bumper over riders, front fenders, front headlight trim . . . . oh, there’s lots more! Most of the list is NOT being reproduced.
A lot of stuff from other years will fit on a 67 but they are not right. Off the top of my head 67 only parts include the hood,front fenders, rear bumper towel bars for a later 67, doors, engine, back up lights, rear axles, dash knobs, some electrical components, and the radio knobs that match the other knobs that only came on very few 67s. It took me 17 years to find a set and I still haven’t seen another except in a magazine. And depending on how far you want to go, the generator, carb, rear axles, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some.
Also there some parts that 67s share only with 66 Bugs. Wheels, hubcaps, front brake drums, center dash defroster outlet, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some.
There are also some parts shared only with the 68 like the rear stabilizer/z-bar and the little black box under the hood.
It took me quite awhile to find everything and I started searching in 1982 when there were still a lot of parts cars to glean parts from. In fact when I think back on some of the cars I parted out I feel bad about some of them.
But back then I was buying them for $100 or less. I even got some for free.
Good luck with your 67. I’m still selling parts from cars I parted out but there aren’t anymore parters that I can find.
I found the hunt for parts half the fun but it’s a lot tougher now.
I had a 67 split window bus for a spell. WWWAAAAYYYYYYY too many 1 year only parts that aren’t reproduced. You can start with the ignition switch and then just keep adding to the list.
My next split window is going to be another van, probably from the 50’s. My last van was a 59. I loved that truck, and I’m still kicking myself in the butt for selling it.
There’s some great ev conversion kits for these , It’s a perfect project
My first car was a ’67 in roughly this same color minus the rust. My dad fell for VW’s in Germany during the war and was determined that one would be my first car. He wanted a ’67 because of the 12 volt system and we both agreed it was prettier in many ways. But I had it less than a year because I found a ’68 convertible and had to have it.
Rico–I found a 57 Cabrio in a field, and spent about 6 years restoring it . . . after collecting parts and some knowledge for +/- 20 years. I’ve not heard of a 61 having one year only parts, but I’m not surprised. Mine is an “oval era” Cabrio, and believe me, some of those parts are rarer than rocking horse poop. I’m sure you’ve discovered that interior colors and body colors are unique to Karmann, and not to VW.
Luki, again: NOT FOR SALE!! I don’t need an appraisal because IT’S NOT FOR SALE
AND, MGSteve, mine has the glass oval back window as well.
Most of the parts on the 61 cabrio are interior parts. Like the back seat, which I was graced to find after only 3 years of searching.
Rico–yaw, that back seat is a trip, eh? I was fortunate enough to end up with an extra, which I traded straight across for an oval era convertible deck lid. There is a difference in the size of the back windows. I’m familiar with yours, mine is even smaller. Like why did they bother!!!!
I’ve owned quite a number of beetles in my life probably upwards of 20, or so, some were free, but the most I ever paid was for my cabrio, $350. I even had a 63 Karmann Ghia I paid $300 for. I was amazed at the “rain catcher” with the drain on the cabrio. I’d never seen one before.
I would have bought it no matter what, but the 28064 miles was the clincher.
Some day it’ll be done, then my oldest daughter gets it, and a 1952 teardrop trailer I’ve been restoring. That was used as a target and I got it for $25.
Rico–yaw, that “rain catcher” is another real trip. I guess, back in the day, they were commonly cut out, so a bigger engine could be put in. Pity.
For sure, when I traded a ‘vert back seat for a dang near perfect W deck lid WITH “rain catcher”, I was a happy, happy person. OTOH, the guy who got the ‘vert back seat was equally happy. That’s the best . . . when you can trade parts and everyone wins. As to the cost of my 57 Cabrio . . . I traded a very good quality table saw for it. At the time, he got the better half of the deal, but “now” (much $$$$ and labor later . . . ), it looks OK
With all the talk about the cabrio and the “one year only” parts, I have to relate a story. 68 cabrio and the complaint is that it “runs hot”. Huh..all nicely painted and it good shape and had the bills from another local shop for the engine overhaul and I knew them and it would have been right. So, check timing and carb settings (jets too) valve adjustment and fan belt tension. Verified that the thermostat was there and operated the control flap. Huh..all spot on..I shrugged, ran the car out to the lot, took the keys and was walking back inside when I suddenly blinked…I didnt see that…My mind MUST be playing tricks on me. I turn to stare at the car. There’s the back of the car with the top folded down. bumpers, tail lights, fenders and…….the deck lid……from a 1968 SEDAN. The VW folks already get it, but for other, the early cars pulled the cooling air from louvers under the back window and had a solid, no louver engine lid. The convertibles stuck the top where the body louvers were so they had to add louvers to the deck lid to let the air in…. No louvers, no air and guess what? VW’s CAN overheat!!!!!!
Steve (from Steve!) . . . yup, if these ol’ VWs could talk, OMG. I think part of their problem(s) were that they were so simple that every shade tree mechanic, and some less qualified than that!, “worked” on these things.
Case in point, one of the great “manuals” of all time was John Muir’s (paraphrasing title) “The Idiot’s Guide to VWs”. Written at an understandable level, illustrated with hand-made drawings, and actually with EXCELLENT advice. His description of 275 pounds of torque on the rear axle was priceless. Not PC, and deleted from later editions!
The “Idiots Guide” is a great book for starting out. I don’t agree with everything he says, but it was my “bible” for many years. Once you get serious though you want to get a copy of the “Bentley” manual. This is the manual that VW recommends and is invaluable for more in depth and accurate information.
My copy is so well worn and greasy that I should get a new one but I have so many notes in it and am so attached to it that I’m sure that will never happen.
If you want to post pictures or find information or parts go to
“thesamba.com/vw”. If it’s anywhere, it’s there.