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.
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
I would hate to get stuck behind this on a two lane mountain road. Crazy high price!!