Volkswagen sold over twenty-one million examples of its Beetle before production ended in 2003. Therefore, it seems odd to describe any as rare. However, this 1979 Super Beetle Cabriolet is the exception to that rule. It is an Epilogue Edition, with only nine hundred of these classics leaving the line to mark the end of North American Beetle sales. It presents extremely well and is a turnkey proposition. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting the Epilogue listed here on eBay in Peoria, Arizona. The seller set their BIN at $15,950 with the option to make an offer.
As with many Limited-Edition vehicles, Volkswagen offered the Epilogue in a single paint-and-trim combination. Buyers received Code 41L Black paint, a matching soft-top, and Black leatherette interior trim. The current owner has been the car’s custodian for twenty-eight years, and the listing suggests it is an unrestored survivor. The paint shines nicely, the panels are straight, and this dry-climate classic is rust-free. The top fits tightly and features a rear window defogger. I can’t spot any glass or trim shortcomings, but I can’t say the same for the wheels. There is nothing wrong with their appearance, and they are wrapped in relatively new tires. However, they aren’t correct for an Epilogue Edition. The VW should roll on silver-painted 15″ Lemmerz GT Sport Wheels, not the existing chromies. I performed a brief online search and easily located the correct items on various auction sites. Therefore, reversing that change should be relatively easy and inexpensive.
The Epilogue Edition was purely a cosmetic package, bringing no mechanical upgrades to the Super Beetle. Buyers received an air-cooled, rear-mounted 1,584cc flat-four sending 48hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle. The Beetle was one of the least powerful production cars on sale in 1979, but it still enjoyed a relatively strong following among devotees. The four-cylinder engine delivered very respectable fuel economy, and the Beetle’s modest exterior dimensions made it the perfect weapon for the cut-and-thrust of city traffic. The drivetrain is also notoriously bulletproof, providing years of reliable service with only rudimentary maintenance. The seller indicates that the current owner treated this Epilogue to upgraded front disc brakes approximately twenty-five years ago. Otherwise, it is mechanically original. It runs and drives well, with no mechanical problems.
The Epilogue Edition featured Black leatherette interior trim, a matching sports wheel, a quartz clock, a cigarette lighter, intermittent wipers, a rear window defogger, and woodgrain on the dash fascia. Some sources claim that an AM/FM radio and air conditioning were standard equipment, while others contradict that claim. I wanted total clarity on the subject, so I searched for successful sales of well-documented vehicles. They revealed that the radio and A/C were optional extras. This Epilogue’s interior presents well for a survivor-grade vehicle, with no problems or issues. The leatherette is in good condition, and the wheel is free from significant wear. However, the current owner installed a modern stereo, and cutting the dash was part of the installation. Reversing that change would be possible to recapture the interior’s factory form, and potential buyers must consider how desperately they crave originality in their classic when contemplating that course of action.
Volkswagen produced nine hundred examples of the 1979 Super Beetle Epilogue Edition, making these classics relatively rare. It assigned one car to each North American dealership as a parting gift to the buying public. Various organizations and online forums agree that, due to natural attrition, there may only be around three hundred of these little German gems plying our roads. They can command impressive prices, with figures well above $30,000 common for pristine vehicles. This Epilogue is extremely tidy, and reversing the few changes to recapture its factory form is a realistic option. That would maximize the investment potential of a car ready to deliver immediate motoring joy. The listing statistics suggest that people like what they see, but are you drawn enough to reach out to the seller?
Personally I don’t think black suits the beetle, especially in cabriolet form. Much nicer in triple white imo.
Or a bright ’70s color like Clementine, Miami Blue or Viper Green Metallic.
For some reason VW loved putting black vinyl interiors in convertibles though, and white ones in sedans.
And VWoA was head over herls for that rubbery vinyl weave, cloth was theoretically standard on sedans across all years but apparently to get it you had to special order your car and wait for it to come all the way from Germany.