Vehicle Description
Ah, the lovable VW Beetle. You've probably spent the last 20 years
thinking you could always pick one up for pennies and just never
got around to it. Well the day has finally come when nice ones like
this 1976 Volkswagen Beetle convertible are no longer disposable
transportation, they're legitimate collectors' items. And they're
still just as much fun as they were back in the good old days.
That cool aqua blue paint is a great choice for a VW Beetle,
bright, cheerful, and highly visible, and in fact when this Bug was
repainted a few years ago, they nailed the vintage '70s vibe. It's
a great color, bold and vibrant without being too soft, and it
would probably make a great parade vehicle in any regard. Despite
their affordable price, these were always rather well-built little
cars and even the convertibles like this one feel durable. Gaps are
good, the doors fit with a solid feeling, and the body fits
together quite well with a nice shine to the paint. It's not
perfect because it's hard to resist driving a Beetle convertible on
a sunny day, but it looks authentic and that's really what matters.
The black rubber running boards are in good condition and the
bright trim appears original. The chrome bumpers lend it an
old-fashioned look that's all a part of the Beetle's enduring
appeal. Easy to imagine hitting the beach in this one, isn't
it?
The interior is standard Beetle fare, with high-back bucket seats
wrapped in some of the most durable man-made materials ever
invented. Matching door panels were probably replaced at the same
time the rest of the work was done and the carpets are reproduction
pieces that fit well. The simple instrument panel is VW engineering
at its most basic, with big, clear numbers and an integral fuel
gauge. Whatever the original radio may have been, it's long gone,
replaced by a Sony AM/FM/CD/Bluetooth stereo head unit that sounds
great when you're tooling around town in your bright turquoise Bug.
The 4-speed shifter will feel familiar to anyone who has ever owned
a Beetle before, and with a little practice, you'll be shifting
like a pro. The forward trunk is nicely finished with a carpeted
mat that fits well and gives it a very neat look. And there's a
fresh white convertible top with glass rear window and headliner,
giving the VW a far more expensive feel than you'd expect at this
price level.
A standard 1600 cc flat-four provides power, and while performance
is adequate, it's the way it goes about its business that makes the
Beetle such a joy. It has good torque and a peppy demeanor, and
with the lightweight body, it zips around without seeming to work
very hard. It's pretty tight in there, but the original equipment
is intact and it runs rather well, as Beetles tend to do when
they're not neglected. The transmission shifts like it should and
the underside is in very good order and ready for another few
decades of fun. No surprises await you in the floors or rocker
boxes, and the suspension feels buttoned-down and well-sorted.
Shiny chrome wheels with hubcaps are a little wider than the
stockers and they wear fat Coker wide whitewall radials that look
awesome.
This is a fun, inexpensive car that delights everyone who sees it.
Better move fast, though, because a lot of people are realizing how
special these Bugs really are. Call today!