Some vehicle segments don’t really make much sense in terms of their market value. However, digging deeper can sometimes reveal that there’s an odd trait, or perhaps some underlying reason, why the seller believes the vehicle in question is worth a tidy sum. In the case of this 1969 Volkswagen Beetle, otherwise known as a Super Bugger, it’s just one of the rarest camping conversions ever made – and this one is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $25,000.
$25K opens up a lot of options if you’re hunting for a project car. This is not high on my list, but then again, I’m not an air-cooled VW guy. If you are, this is likely one of the only ones you’ve seen. I can recall a Super Bugger with turquoise paint and slammed on Fuchs wheels sitting on the cover of a modified VWs magazine, and I have to say, it stayed with me (looks like it came up for auction and sold for $22,000). It looked absolutely incredible, especially given how cleanly the camper conversion integrated with the Bug’s compact wheelbase. The interior of this Beetle is far from perfect, but it does look quite authentic.
The Super Bugger was built by a company in Costa Mesa, California, which effectively removed most of the body outside of the windshield and nose. The conversion didn’t result in any great weight penalty, as it still only clocked in at about 2,400 pounds with the wood and fiberglass camper shell added. The shell itself didn’t change the underlying VW architecture, and the air-cooled flat-4 is still accessible out the back and still produces a middling amount of horsepower. But with the curb weight still manageable, I don’t see it being much different to drive than a standard Bug.
The seller mentions he has a 1641cc engine with a variety of improvements that he’ll include with the asking price. If the next owner doesn’t want it, he’ll sell it with the 1776cc engine that is currently installed (hopefully, I read that correctly in the description). The Super Bugger seems clean and like a straightforward project, but you’ll really have to want to own a vehicle of this variety given the asking price. It’s rare and likely worth it, but it’s a small contingent of air-cooled enthusiasts with $30K to spend on a camper. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Aspudude for the tip.
Wow. Compared to the one that sold on BaT for just slightly more, this is overpriced and in need of ‘finishing’.
That front end says ‘late 50’s’. Buyer beware on this one, gang.
It sure does. The fenders and lamps….and bumper….
The dash looks like a 69 cover and knobs at least
Everything else is hidden.
The owner actually only likes the front of VW’s, the VW bus coming out of the house exterior wall confirms this.
That might be the next camper conversion.
The one featured seems like a bit of a mess, the interior looks pretty worn out based on the pictures provided. For the asking price you’d expect something in a bit better condition.
Steve R
Two quick observations: Steve R. In this case, you are the master of the understatement.
The second is that I am skeptical of the total weight claim.
OK, I’m wrong, 3 observations, the price is directly from crazy town.
I would hate to get stuck behind this on a two lane mountain road. Crazy high price!! In WA with CA pates.
Howie, or worse still, driving it on a two lane mountain road.
I bet this thing goes great uphill, as long as it is in reverse. When I was a teen you could lay rubber in reverse.
I usually wagered enough to have super cheap date or weekend. There was always someone around wager some cash.
Being a VW Super Beetle owner, I guarantee there would be a major difference between driving my car and this camper.
Very top heavy.
Oh, it’s only $25,000. Lol.
Only on corners and cross winds.
“I don’t see it being much different to drive than a standard Bug.” Except in a headwind or a crosswind. However, a tailwind could be an exciting ride; especially going downhill. Brakes… what brakes??
Really cool, but, not at that price.
OK, guys. I don’t admit I’m wrong often, but after watching the seller’s video, this has to be a ’68 or later (external gas flap) with late-50’s fenders. Thank my brother for pointing this out to me.
This camper/ Beatle would need to be weighed and then possibly get a customized dual exhaust, porche 911 suspension(springs and shock absorbsion) porche 911 brakes and belts rims and wheels, custom widened “tire covers”The camper part should be already gutted . The engine should have at least 350 hp. It should be sold as is for $10,000.
Sometimes one has to wonder, what was the intent here? The quart booze bottle on the dash could be a clue. The front fenders are ’55-’57,( ’58 turn signals moved on top of fender) the rest seems to be a hodge podge of this and that, AND THEN,,,to think this may be worth 5 figures only proves, the folks are really fishing for that one other person.
This would be a very good vehicle for, ” Fluffy”, the comedian and avid VW collector. I’d love to see it in his collection.
“It makes your house look bigger” was a slogan used by Volkswagen in a 1964 ad, with a large suburban home and a Volkswagen parked in the driveway. This was an era when America was producing land yachts like rabbits. One must wonder if that could’ve triggered the builder’s vision to create this atrocity?
Park that in the driveway and it makes your house look $40k less. It looks like something someone out here would drag to the back of their property and use as a garden shed.
for those that don’t know that this is/was a thing… https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-volkswagen-beetle-super-bugger/
$27,000…. Yikes !
Have mercy! What a horrid beast! $25,000, they must be joking.
OMG.
If they gave it to me. I honestly wouldn’t go on the road with it. I wouldn’t even park it for a lawn ornament. What the
As far as I remember, that bumper was last used in 1967 .I owned a 68 ,they used the one piece bumper
Oh ! and Ralph Nader had something to say about the stock Corvairs . He would probably blow a gasket on this !!!!!!
i can find better ways to spend 25k and its not on the POS.
and almost 700 K miles…..!
We’ve seen several of these Buggers here on BF over the years – always memorable.
This is by far the worst one yet, and would be the most expensive if not for the one back in 2020 where the seller wanted 38K.
I would love to see one of these in person!
A stock VW motor is taxed in a VW camper. I assume this is heavier than a VW camper
Winnebago must have been trembling when this was introduced – add it to the list of “modified” VWs that resulted in a liter pile of VW Beetle bodies。 Very sad and a bit disrespectful。
A worn out, extraordinarily overpriced camper for people who think camping is all about looking cool but they have no real clue what camping is all about and what they’re getting into.
Compared to this, it’s amazing what $25K will buy in the real camper market.
I agree. But you don’t even need $10K to get a decent camper so long as you remember what camping is supposed to be. You can get a used tent trailer, or if you just want the basics and have some building skills, try one of these two:
Here is a lIghtweight DIY build on 4×8 trailer.
https://youtu.be/SmFZSYxRA5k?si=-4nUMYebqNhz6IAb
And here is a link something similar; a removable camper pod:
https://youtube.com/shorts/yto-B7BbmGg?si=z9KPJMU6fsTnz_UA
Even if you don’t have the minimal building skills, you could buy a camper that was built for a pick-up truck, and mount it on a flatbed trailer. I’ve seen some fairly nice ones for as little as $1,000.
Sure, it is a compromise, but so long as you can remove it, you are able to use the trailer as needed.
Shelbydude – thanks. You have me thinking. Those are both nice builds.
The Amish in PA and OH or IN could knock these kinds of things out easily for a couple grand, just for a basic shell, using standard hardware for windows, door latches and hinges, even off the shelf cabinets. Make it to fit standard cushions/bedding.
Especially the “load on trailer” version. Then the state registration, licensing, and insurance is all wrapped up in the trailer itself. Ez peezy.
Adding a “pop up” roof like a VW bus would be easy, and that would give you some welcome headroom. A simple slide out, front or back, for more gear space (not for sleeping), like something on a hybrid trailer, would also be easy to do and not add much cost or weight at all.
Then let the customer fit it out with what they need in terms of appliances, solar, bedding, whatever. They could even buy a basic shell and do their own thing, for bike storage, etc.
A lot of hardcore camping enthusiasts don’t need or even want a fridge, microwave, water heater, water and waste tanks and all the rest. That all adds weight and hassle and requires a larger tow rig.
Dig it.
My first impression of this conversion is just to feel sorry for the poor Bug. What already is an underpowered vehicle now having to carry such a heavy load…
The standard beetle is one of the most diabolical handling things ever put on four wheels.
Do this to it and it has to be the stuff nightmares are made of!
Absolutely unbelievable.
I have to admit… it is quite creative, however that is as far as I go….$2500 would be a stretch and then what would I do with it? Hopefully get it to a Sunday morning coffee meet and then put it back on the market for the next sucker… uh…. buyer!!
No! Do not take it to Cars-N-Coffee. Quite likely the crowd will point and laugh at the vehicle and you too.