Vehicle Description
It sure looks like the days of dirt cheap Beetles are drawing to a
close, which is probably a good thing. This fun-loving 1974
Volkswagen Beetle is still an excellent, economical way to join the
hobby, but the way the market is moving, it just might be a smart
investment, too.
Is there anything about the VW Beetle that hasn't already been
said? There's more than one reason why they have endured for
decades as the world's most popular car, and this one makes it easy
to understand why they've recently started taking off as legitimate
collectables. The cheeky good looks impressive build quality all
work together to make one fun little hobby car, especially when
they wear bright colors that only the Beetles seem to be able to
pull off. This Beetle has been nicely maintained but not
over-restored, and the fact that it has spent most of that life in
a warm climate has certainly helped keep it looking good. The
bright orange paint is a 7-year-old repaint, and shows a soft shine
that looks exactly right on the vintage runabout even with a few
signs of use in the usual places. Everything lines up neatly and
the doors open and close with a precision that belies the car's
affordable price tag, suggesting it has always been a straight,
clean, unmolested car. The big chrome bumpers, running boards, and
other unique Beetle touches are all in good shape as well. Drive it
with pride!
The black interior is an excellent contrast to the bright orange
bodywork, and while it might invite some comparisons with the Great
Pumpkin, it's hard to deny that the combination doesn't look great.
Seats are comfortable buckets with textured seating surfaces that
stay cool even on warm days, and the dash keeps it simple with a
single gauge pod ahead of the driver. The hardware has a
no-nonsense vibe and everything looks basic but feels expensive,
typical of German cars of the period where the quality was tangible
in everything you touched. The upholstery, carpets, and door panels
are all in excellent condition with very little wear, and there's a
period AM/FM radio in the dash that works as it should and provides
reasonable entertainment when you're just cruising. The front trunk
area is tidy and clean, and even with a full-sized spare there's
enough room for a few overnight bags, just in case you'd like to
have an adventure in your new Beetle.
The familiar 1600 cc air-cooled flat four engine is a big part of
the Beetle's appeal, with its bulletproof reliability and familiar
whistling exhaust note. This one still wears its factory air
cleaner assembly and carburetor, and it has been properly
maintained. Thanks to fresh points in the distributor, it starts
easily with that distinctive VW starter chatter, idles nicely, and
delivers adequate performance for around-town errands. Stir the
4-speed manual properly and it's even entertaining to drive, thanks
to a stable suspension and decent brakes. This VW was original air
conditioned, and even though the system was removed years ago, it
is included with the car if you'd like to reinstall it (not a tough
job since they were designed to be dealer-installed). Original
steel wheels are in excellent shape and wear recent 165R15 Dunlop
radials that are just the right size.
You'll probably find that everyone is your friend when you drive a
Beetle, and the way the market is moving, they won't be this
affordable for much longer. Call today!