Vehicle Description
What else can be said about the always-cute, always-reliable VW
Beetle? Finding a clean one today is not all that easy, and while
they're affordable at the moment, given the way VW Bus prices have
skyrocketed, it's probably only a matter of time before the Beetle
joins them.
This 1978 Beetle convertible represents the waning days of the
Beetle. Although they were technically still in showrooms into
1980, the writing was on the wall. Fortunately, VW kept the recipe
the same, and it offers the same great looks and fun attitude that
had always characterized the charming little car from Wolfsburg.
White is a classic Beetle color, and it accents the clean, straight
sheetmetal on this particular example. It shows some patina, but no
damage or signs of neglect, and for a Volkswagen fan, the look of
the rounded shape is timeless, although the Super Beetle did offer
numerous improvements. Chrome bumpers, oversized parking and tail
lamps, and a curved windshield distinguish the Super Beetle, but
it'll never be mistaken for anything else, and they're in very good
condition overall, particularly for a mostly original car.
Inside, there's a nicely finished black interior which remains
almost entirely original. The seats are supportive buckets flanked
by matching door panels that offer handy map pockets, a useful
feature that disappeared way too soon. The single round speedometer
with its integral fuel gauge is highly visible and fully
functional, reinforcing the Beetle's quirky nature, but I don't
think Bug fans would want it any other way. The carpets are much
too nice to be original, particularly in a convertible, and we're
guessing that perhaps the seat covers have been replaced as well
simply because they're in great shape. A Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo
head unit has been fitted in the dash, which also features a burled
walnut applique that seems a little out of place here in the
modestly-priced VW. Overhead, Karmann's high-quality workmanship is
most apparent in the fully insulated and lined convertible top,
which folds easily and seals out noise almost as well as a hardtop
would. The front trunk area is fully upholstered with black carpets
that suggest that this little Beetle has been well-loved its entire
life.
At 1600cc, the VW flat-four isn't going to win any drag races, but
its peppy demeanor and legendary reliability have their own appeal
which Volkswagen enthusiasts understand only too well. It's neatly
maintained, and offers a carburetor instead of fuel injection, as
most VW fans prefer. There are signs of regular maintenance, and if
you cover the basics, these cars will practically run forever. It
starts quickly with that characteristic VW whistling exhaust sound,
and once you master the notoriously vague 4-speed shifter, you'll
discover that it's a lot of fun to drive. It's mostly original
underneath and the floor pans look OK, although there's a bit of
surface scale on the heavy metal parts. The Super Beetle received
an updated strut suspension that actually rides and handles much
better than the earlier setup and standard steel wheels wear
brightly polished hub caps and correctly-sized Kumho radials.
Still inexpensive and fun, the VW Beetle is an iconic car that
anyone can afford. Better yet, its simple mechanicals and plentiful
parts mean that you can enjoy it practically forever. Call
today!
