Vehicle Description
1971 Volkswagen Beetle
Bela Barenyi, an 18 year old Hungarian student, submitted a chassis
design for a "Volkswagen" in 1925 and is recognized as designing
the basic VW Beetle. Ferdinand Porsche, an Austrian automotive
engineer, created the Volkswagen Beetle after receiving a contract
from Hitler in 1934 for prototypes. The Beetle's air-cooled flat 4
engine was designed by Franz Reimspeiss not Ferdinand Porsche. Even
with 20 plus million being built to date, he received less than
twenty dollars for his work.
We proudly have bugs here at the Classic Auto Mall! No, not the
kind that makes you itch or the kind you swat, but the type built
in Germany by the millions and that have invaded countries around
the world. For consignment, a 1971 VW Beetle with more custom
touches than there are Spotted Lantern Flys in South Eastern PA.
All redone with lots of maintenance and upgrades, this classic
version is in nice condition, and ready just like the ads of the
day to dip in our test lake, although careful we have no way of
getting you back, so you'll have to take the ads of the day's word
for it.
Exterior
A deep application of red covers the laser straight panels on this
bug. All gaps are well minded, and the curvature of the rounded
fenders is flawless. While the non-integrated fenders, a design
which dates back to the 1920's, are still present, they are
attached front and rear by black ribbed rubber covered running
boards. Curved chrome trim spears follow the contour of the
beltline and match nicely with the trim spear running the length of
the running boards. Up top, partially obscuring the steel sunroof
is a chrome roof rack that holds a pair of picnic baskets and an
old skool kewl surfboard, I LOVE it! The chrome bumpers are nice,
and badging is showing just a little wear. Glass and surrounding
trim is good and since this is a pre-elephant footprint taillight
car the taillights are in proportion to the car. Those other tail
lights tend to bug me.
Interior
Two tone black and red vinyl door panels with blackened handles and
billet style window cranks make the door presentation. Seen upfront
is a molded curved and padded dash in matching red and black. It is
nicely curved and has a radio delete panel in the center, as well
as an aftermarket AM/FM/CD player. Even a bamboo support makes its
way across the kick panels under the dash, giving some highlighting
to the black and red. High back buckets with red tuck and roll
inserts and black vinyl bolsters bordered by black piping to define
the two surfaces, make up the front seats. The rear bench carries
this motif and provides room for 2, albeit cramped for larger folks
such as myself. Red carpet, nicely cleaned with bug floor mats are
seen under the seats, and a tight black headliner in vinyl is above
framing the pop up sunroof. Crank up the 4 speaker stereo and drown
out the buzzing of the bees.
Drivetrain
Opening the hood, we were blinded by the bling going on in the
engine bay. A louvered mirrored panel sits behind and gives a great
view of the 1600cc flat 4-cylinder engine which sports a new air
coolingfan and alternator. Everything on the engine is either
polished, red or a natural aluminum finish and clean enough to eat
off of. A 4-speed manual transmission, actuated by the new floor
shifter with new shifter bushings is attached to the engine and
sends power to the tires via a 4.125 final drive ratio with rebuilt
axles. Our consignor notes the addition of a new fuel pump, sending
unit and gauge...that way the fuel gauge won't drive you buggy.
Just the sight of this mechanical masterpiece puts butterflies in
my stomach.
Undercarriage
Showing minimal to no wear and only minor traces of road dirt and
surface rust down here. No invasive rust to speak of, it was all
handled during the restoration. New brake lines and a master
cylinder help the drum brakes on all 4 corners for good stopping
power. Independent suspension with transverse torsion bars are up
front while a swing arm independent suspension is on the rear. New
dual exhaust feeds a new single muffler then out a dual set of tail
pipes. Time to fly off for our test drive!
Drivability
I love getting to drive European cars of yore and this car did not
disappoint. A turn of the key and I was met with those exhaust
sounds that only can be heard from an older VW. The car ran
swimmingly, shifted effortlessly, handled corners competently, and
came to a halt fast enough to give change thanks to the 4-wheel
drum brakes. I was happier than ants at a country picnic after this
drive!
A full-on restoration and minor customization with no stone left
unturned. A striking color combination and 1971 German engineering
never looked so good. Based on past experience with Beetles you had
better hurry over to the Classic Auto Mall to beat the swarms of
people buzzing around this one.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
