This 1973 Volkswagen Beetle kit car, otherwise known as “Vandetta,” is one of the better examples of a period custom that I can recall seeing. While there are plenty of Beetle-based hack jobs that do little to improve upon what was formerly a fine economy car, some of these kits did their best to improve the cool-factor of a Beetle while also giving it some much-needed help in the engine compartment. This Bug has the wild breadvan conversion out back, along with some choice engine upgrades. Find it here on craigslist for $5,500, with the seller claiming he’s selling it at a loss.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find. Curiously, the seller notes the price will go up if you want to buy it in person at the Pomona Swap Meet, happening this coming weekend. Usually, there’s a better price offered if you can show up in person and make a deal come together, but this seller is bumping the price to $6,500 for a sale at the swap meet. Regardless of his sales strategy, it’s hard to ignore just how complete this conversion is, down to the Corvette-style taillights and functional barn doors. I personally love the super wide wheels filling out those massive flares.
Inside, the standard VW Beetle cabin remains in place, with an empty tunnel out back that is carpeted and leaves open the potential for a small camping conversion. The seller includes pictures of the period advertisements for the Vandetta, which seem to suggest a company in New Jersey pioneered this radical look for a Bug. That surprises me, as this has such a West Coast vibe, I’d have thought for sure the kit manufacturer was from Southern California. While the interior is spartan at the moment, what is there looks sound, with the exception of the driver’s seat needing new upholstery.
The seller, based in Los Angeles, claims he is moving to Vermont and can’t take nine vehicles with him. This was purchased a toy to tow behind an RV, and the seller bought a fair amount of parts in support of this, including a tow bar and magnetic tow lights. The wheels pictured are described as a more aggressive fitment than what’s mounted currently, and they’re certainly period correct and perfect for a ride this wild. The engine is fitted with dual carbs and is straight-piped, and the seller describes this Vandetta as being fast and loud – and he’s not talking about the paint job. Would you drive this every day?
This looks like fun to me. Ditch the eyelids, put the slotted mags back on, and go.
Does it “GO”?
No mention of it running or driving!
Bring a trailer.
Agree with Bobhess. The fat tires look cool, but take a significant amount of horsepower to turn. After owning 26 VW’s in my life, I can uneqivocally tell you skinny tires work better on these. This would be even cooler, IMHO, painted a VW color, a fresh interior, and stock front fenders, those bulbous things are going to act like air brakes.
If it were on the east coast, I would absolutely go check it out. The fact that they used a pancake motor instead of an upright type1 is a nice touch to make the cargo area much more usable. Details like that are a good sign of thought that was put into it during assembly.
Wanted one of these for a long time. Always on the wrong coast. Being a southern CA car, rust issues shouldn’t be too bad. These were very rust prone around the fiberglass graft right behind the doors. This one looks pretty clean and a reasonable price so far!
i guess U access the motor thru the floor in back. Must have some length on the oe Bug…
$3K … and ? & keep all the extras?
I like the space & make (but seek auto’n frnt WD)
Do you still have the 1986 toyota pickup?
Neat, I like it but this isn’t the first time this particular one is for sale.
https://www.oddimotive.com/1973-beetle-vandetta/
Whats that? You don’t want it at $5500? Well, perhaps you will find it a better deal after I raise the price. In what parallel universe does this make sense? The sellers strategy conjures up the old expression “The beatings will continue until morale improves.”
Got one with the same conversion in my neighborhood, Rochester, NY. Been around for close to 40 years. Still looks great! Of course it’s stored for the winters.
Watch the video,
then bring a clutch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmPGC8efTOQ&feature=youtu.be
Great find… oh my… yeah.. lug lug lug…..
I made it to 4 minutes watching that video, it was too painful to watch and listen. The directionals don’t flash and they didn’t cancel either.
I still have the sales brochures from 1973 when I was looking at Vandettas or a Brubaker box. I ended up getting a new short dodge van
boxdin- Do you still have the brocures? And would you part with them? I bought the above ’73 Vandetta.
Yes I still have both the Vandetta packet and also a complete Brubaker Box packet. Don’t think I want to let go of either of them at this time.
Ads been pulled. Headin out for 6.5k I guess…..Later………………….JIMMY
I remember seeing a conversion like this running around my area back in the 1980s. Of course that one was on a tube chassis with the full “pro street” treatment and had a Rolls Royce “nose job”. Why you ask? Because it had a 455 Olds under that nose going through a TH400 to a 9″ Ford rear end. I never got a chance to meet the owner/builder.