In the late 1990s, as Volkswagen introduced it’s New Beetle, few outside of dyed in the wool VW enthusiasts were aware that production of the original, air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle was still going on in Mexico. A few of these late model Mexican built Beetles made their way back to Europe. By then, these cars were a novelty more than anything else, outclassed as a mode of basic transport even by other models in the Volkswagen product portfolio. Still, there is something neat about seeing modern VW trim pieces in an otherwise vintage interior, similar to the 1967 Beetle from my childhood. In need of some nostalgia mixed with modernism this week? Read further, then.
While early Volkswagens were certainly interesting from an engineering standpoint, you wouldn’t quite call the Beetle and Type 1 styling powerhouses. When Volkswagen decided to expand the lineup to include the Type 3, things got a bit more interesting. Along with its contemporary, the Karmann Ghia, these cars injected a bit of life and diversity into the VW range. My favorite of the lot was one we never received in the US, the Type 3 Notchback. This was a handsome two-door sedan with humble Beetle underpinnings, but it showed the world that VW was eager to appeal to a wider audience. Many Notchbacks have made their way stateside via enthusiast channels and this example for sale in California, while not stock, is a real minter with modifications sympathetic to the original design.
While I was wandering through Autostadt in Wolfsburg, Germany last month, perhaps one of the most significant cars I came across in the ZeitHaus was the golden Beetle that sat amongst the other exhibits. This was the millionth example produced. It’s rather remarkable that just ten short years after the end of World War II, Volkswagen would produce this many examples of the “people’s car.” In the late 1970s, production would wind down in Germany, with the last Beetle rolling off the line at the Emden plant in 1978. Production would continue on until 2003 in Puebla, Mexico, ending a magnificent chapter in automotive history. This 1977 Beetle for sale in Georgia represents the last year of US sales for the Beetle sedan. With under 10,000 miles on the odometer, this is one for the serious VW collector.
For all the Alpinas, AMGs and Andials we might feature, there is one German cars that has remained a favorite of automotive customizers for years: the original Volkswagen Beetle. There’s an infinite amount of ways you can go with Beetle modifications, from dune buggy to dragsters. One popular modification is the Cal Look, consisting of a lowered suspension, aftermarket wheels and sometimes removal of the bumpers. This freshly restored 1968 Beetle for sale in Arizona has shades of that style, but retains the original bumpers. Wearing a bold shade, it looks great sitting on Empi style wheels.
Last week we looked at a variety of vintage, air-cooled Volkswagens, with one very important model conspicuously missing from the lineup: the Beetle. We’ll make up for lost time this Monday with this 1956 Oval Window Beetle for sale in Michigan. This brightly colored example is sporting a twin carbureted 1800 cc engine and a 12 volt electric system conversion, sitting on chrome wheels with Porsche style hubcaps. With some period correct details, this People’s Car pulls off a very rich look with a price to match.
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