For Sale: 1975 Volkswagen Beetle in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1975 Volkswagen Beetle Baja Bug

"Fifty years ago, when racing in Baja more or less officially started, the guys who raced there had an idea. They had just pulled off the first Baja 1000, with 68 cars. Someone noticed that 50 of those were Volkswagens. So the guys decided to ask Volkswagen for contingency money, cash paid to winners who drove Volkswagens. The letter went to Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and, (they), got a response that was great: They said, 'If you in any way align us with a racing image, we will sue you!'" autoweek.com

For consignment, a 1975 Volkswagen Beetle Baja Bug showing 78,131 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This build is about three years old and utilizes a new old stock Baja kit and also features a TMI interior.

Exterior
After being sandblasted down to the metal, the inside and out were painted and all the metal now wears two stage Bermuda Blue. 15-inch wheels wear staggered size tires with an early 2023 date and code and help create the car's lifted profile, enhanced by the shortened front and rear fenders, the absence of a decklid, and the various crash bars in front, rear, and along the side. The tail lights resemble those of earlier Beetles and flank the fiberglass engine shroud that leaves a wide opening for the exposed engine. A visor over the windshield and leather straps holding down the frunk add some custom touches to the Beetle, on which we find a single imperfection in the form of a cracked panel.

Interior
The custom interior begins with saddle vinyl door cards in typical Beetle configuration now with a sporty window crank and both doors present cleanly. The bucket seats are perfect with their weave patterned vinyl, tall backs, and button accents and the low, rear bench mirrors the colors and condition. A classic style steering wheel fronts the body colored dash with four chrome rimmed gauges including the speedometer supplemented by a tachometer mounted under the dash. It's all spotless and so is the fitted brown carpet that covers the floor and surrounds the Empi shifter on the hump while an ivory headliner and pair of visors hovers about our heads cleanly. The front trunk is clean and houses the gas tank and spare.

Drivetrain
Exposed and showy is the 2027cc flat four cylinder with AA pistons and barrels, Panchito heads, dual Weber 2-barrel carburetor over Empi intakes, and according to our consignor, this sweet set up is good for 150+ horsepower. A 4-speed manual keeps power at the back with 3.875 gears.

Undercarriage
It's obvious that this young build has not seen a desert yet, and probably not much of the road, as indicated by the spotless underside. Belly pans are painted to match and have no flaws, and the underside of the engine is clean. In terms of componentry, we have drum brakes on all four wheels, headers that lead to a Spark Arrestor muffler, and independent suspension front and rear with a transverse torsion bar up front and swing axle with trailing arms and torsion bars in back.

Drive-Ability
We keep it on the flat terrain of our test loop and this comfortable bug provides a spirited ride a bit more spry than stock and certainly higher. She tracks straight and handles well and gives all the signs that it would be a capable ride on less accommodating surfaces. All functions on board operate as they should and we return it to our clean indoor environment. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

When you look at a Baja Bug, you might assume that the interior is going to be barren, after all, it's bound to get dirty in a hurry. But this one is downright luxurious inside, meaning it's going to make a great street car, show car, or cruise night special. If off-roading is your goal, we're sure the bug will oblige, and thus you have the best of both worlds with this well done Baja Bug!

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!