Said to be a California car from new, this 1967 Volkswagen Beetle presents as an honest survivor that is said to run quite well. This generation isn’t my favorite but I do prefer them over the later cars; those early models with the fluted headlights make me swoon. Still, this ’67 retains the more attractive chrome bumpers and narrow taillights among other early model features. Find the Bug here on eBay with tired paint but a refreshed mechanical system for no reserve.
Bidding is just over $2K at the moment with four days left. The Beetle has lost the majority of its paint, but what lies underneath reveals a dry body with no major signs of rot or catastrophic accident damage. The steel wheels look tired and could use sandblasting; the body, I’d leave alone. Get the chrome pieces refinished, drop the suspension a bit and keep the paint exactly as it is. The seller doesn’t claim to know much about VWs, but does offer that “…the car was “gone through” mechanically earlier in the year and it runs very strong, almost shockingly well for something this old and original.”
The seller believes the Beetle has been in the Santa Barbara area since new. You can bet if it were mine, the first thing I’d do is source a vintage VW dealer license plate frame from one of the myriad West Coast dealers that specialized in European imports at the time (heck, that’s where the original Herbie was found!) The seller mentions that the motor has benefited from some recent maintenance, but doesn’t offer up whether it’s numbers matching. He states, “I believe the carbs were cleaned, the tank drained, filters and fuel lines replaced, etc.” Surface rust is everywhere but no rot-through is evident.
The interior looks quite nice, but a period Blaupunkt or Telefunken radio is a must-find. The Wolfsburg horn button is one of my favorites, and it’s good to see no major alterations have happened in the cabin. The seller doesn’t offer many good photos of the seats, but I can more than a few areas of tattered vinyl and exposed foam. Still, the vibes coming from this Beetle are encouraging, and if the engine work can be documented, than someone spent money in the right place to start with.
The 67 is a significant year for the beetle. It’s a transition year. One year only interior door handles and cranks. Last year for that style of bumpers. First year for the1600 engine, 12 volt battery, and stand up headlights. I know there’s more I just can’t remember all of it. I also know that this is a desirable year among VW fans which could add some value to this. I had a 67 beetle in high school one of the funest cars I’ve ever owned. It was my first car and was in nice shape. I sold it to my dad who drove it for a year, he sold it to a guy going to university who had it for two weeks and drove it under the back of a lumber truck and was lucky to walk away. Needless to say that was the end of my Beatle.
It’s a 1500, not a 1600. The 1600 went into production in ’71. I had a ’69 Autostick Beetle with the 1500. Great, reliable engine. Only 53 hp, but it didn’t have much to move.
I had a 67 Beetle just like this one, same color, but it had a 1300 motor rated at 50 hp. It said 1300 on the decklid. I’ve heard that was the hot rod motor because it was tuned to rev higher and still had the gearing of the previous 1200’s. It would maintain speeds in the low 80’s without it being floored and the hills on the freeway didn’t slow it down much. The 1600 single port became available first in the Beetles for the 1970 model year. It was rated at 57 hp. That was my favorite Beetle year.
Right, it’s a 1500cc for the ’67 model year. I can’t tell from the photos, the generator stand is too oily, but the engine serial number should begin H0. The 1600s started H5. Even though the headlights are different from pre-’67, there are a lot of people that love this year for it’s uniqueness. This looks like a steal anywhere near $5-6k.
#53!
I’ve never owned a VW but I come from a family of VW enthusiasts (I think we had 5 at one point). I would love to own something just like this one day. Love the look and as long as it’s solid underneath just fix the suspension and drive it as is! Pretty decent price on ebay so far. You can’t even find a later model for that kind of money and to me the later ones aren’t as desirable.
As mentioned previously 67 Beetle was more or less a one year only model, don’t remember all the changes but significant enough to make finding parts harder. If not the original engine the book I had gives different tune up specs for variations of Beetle engines. In that regard could be a nightmare. Personally, i would avoid 67 even though that is my favorite year. Great find and price, good luck to new owner.
My knowledge of VW’s is very limited, when I returned from Viet Nam in 1969, we bought a new VW, as it was cheap and practical for newly weds needing transportation, instead of buying a Hemi Cuda, It was the best choice for the time and I still have a soft spot for them, and this one would seem to be an excellent choice, to hang on to some of those fond memories, I would love to have it just to tinker with and enjoy for what it is.
I know this is sooooooo late, I’m way behind in my BF reading, but I wanted to THANK YOU for your SACRIFICE and your SERVICE!!! It’s people like you, that allow people like us, to be able to enjoy, freely pursue, comment, and enjoy our “hobby”!!!! That is just one SMALL freedom you fought for!!!! Yesterday was Memorial Day, I hope you were Thanked, Honored, and Catered to as you deserve!!!!
Yup, had a low mileage ’67 Bug in ’70. On the then new Oregon freeway system I drove to see friends 5 hours away, kept it at 75mph and got 33 mpg. I was astounded, since the 327 Chevy I traded for it woulda blown up at that speed/duration with those 3.70 gears, and maybe would have gotten 12 mpg. Made a believer out of me. :-) Terry J
Great little bug, if it goes cheap someone will have some fun with it. Cut my teeth on these–repair everything, dune buggies, the works. Parts still cheap and plentiful!
Good luck to the new owner!!
Somebody jump on this.
Who would want this without a roof rack? You will be laughed out of every VW meet if you showed up rackless.
I had a 67 that I mostly had restored. Wiper motor & most switches plus radio were unique to the year. Lots of interior, too. But loved it.
Had a 67. best beetle ever! started a lifelong love and ownership of other beetles, vans and westphalias! bravo!